He shook his head, mouth falling open just slightly as he rose to his feet. “It’s arelic.” She opened her mouth to question him further, but he was gone. Not even sparing her another glance before he left the her in the washroom, confused, breathless, and terrified of everything she felt for him.
Chapter 8
The scenery was beautiful, she could at least admitthatwithout feeling like a traitor to Holiadon. But even in all its beauty, Credula possessed a certain heat and humidity that made her feel horribly overdressed. Being in such close quarters with Ilias didn’t help, either. He’d been silent since they left Silver Palace, only exchanging a few words about food just outside of the Credulan stronghold near the base of the mountain. The rest of the time, he didn’t speak. Didn’t so much as look in her direction.
Kaya had half the mind to feign an illness, pretend to faint and fall off of her horse to try and get a rise out of him. She didn’t do that, obviously, but ithadcrossed her mind.
She caught him talking to the guards, the warriors that frequented the grounds, the courtiers, and the servants. All of them received them well, but Kaya was frustrated. Between training with the Credulan guards and meeting with King Thepyra’s advisors, she had little time to herself. And when she did… she half expected to be able to share that time with the male she was living with—the one she now called her husband.
After the first week of complete silence and having seen him smiling at a female scribe in the library, Kaya felt so horribly ridiculous. Ridiculous to have thought that their indecencies went beyond duty and sacrifice. It hadn’t been a sacrifice toher,but that thought was just as heartbreaking as the latter.
She sighed, throwing her legs over the arm of the chaise she claimed from the moment she’d arrived. She let her arm fall to the side, placing her book face-down on the floor before she rose to her feet and stretched.
Ilias took to reading, as well. The nook he fashioned into his bedroom waslittered with history books he brought with him from Holiadon, as well as some from the manor library. She would have been proud of him if reading hadn’t consumed him—if he’d spoken to her about his studies instead of outright ignoring her existence.
Absolutely ridiculous.
This childlike infatuation was so, so ridiculous and she had half the mind to march herself across the apartment, pull back his little curtain and demand—
“Kaya.”
She went still.
Gods, she hated it. Absolutelyhatedhow her name sounded on his tongue, how he seemed to know exactly when to use it—exactly how to say it to make every hair on her body stand on end. She turned swiftly, giving him a small smile to portray that nothing was amiss. “Yes?”
“What are you brooding about in here?” There was a flicker of a smile as he walked across the room. He knelt by the pile of books beside the fireplace, running his fingers over their spines before plucking one from the center.
“I’m not brooding about anything. I’m just bored.”
“Bored, huh?” He hummed, cracking the book and skimming through pages before snapping it closed. “Want to help me with something?”
Oh, her poor, damned heart. If there was any question that she was alive, all anyone would need to do was place their hand to her chest now. Because itcertainlywas beating.
She cleared her throat, trying her best to shake away that feeling. But when Ilias rose to his feet and simplylookedat her, she started to feel slightly faint. “What do you need help with?”
“This—” He shoved the book into her arms. “From what I have gathered of your collection here, it seems you have done some pretty extensive research on ancient Driikona. I need insight on something.”
Her mind whirred, gears already turning as they walked towards the small desk that was littered with Ilias’s notes and scribblings. “It depends on the subject. Most of the books were burned during the previous war. What Holiadon has now in terms of historical accounts… well, it is basically just notes from scribes who jotted down what they could remember fromtheirlessons.” She took a seat in the chair, fingering through his notes. “What are you looking for?”
“Relics.” He huffed. “Specifically ones that were said to be blessed by Cadaith.”
She hummed, eyes scanning the foreign language he had transcribed his notes in. It was not helpful in the slightest. “The Elders might have more information on those.”
“Already checked—nothing.”
“The High Order, perhaps?” She tapped her chin. “They are said to hold the most ancient and sacred accounts known to our kind. They were chosen by Cadaith, herself, to maintain peace amongst Galore.”
Ilias scoffed. “As if they would give ahalfbloodthe time of day.”
Kaya looked at him then, but as soon as she saw how close he was to her face, she quickly glanced away. Her cheeks heated to some degree at the feeling of his breath rolling across her skin and just that very action had her mind drifting to memories that were too painful to touch. “I’m afraid that none of these texts will be able to provide you the answers you seek. But I wouldn’t be so quick to believe that the High Order wouldn’t be willing to help. They are halfbloods, as well. In fact, they may be even more inclined to help you for that reason, alone.” She explained.
He straightened himself with a sigh, one hand coming up to scratch at his stubble. “I don’t understand why these high powers hoard historical accounts. Have they ever thought that the civilians they are trying to protect may need them?”
“They didn’t start protecting them until the war. History is a very powerful thing.Factsare very powerful. If they keep things secret or protect powerful information, it very well could be for the safety of the people of Galore.”
Ilias scrutinized her with narrowed eyes, a smirk forming on his face. “That has to be the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard in my life.”
Her face fell, eyes going cold as she snatched a torn piece of parchment from the desk. She scrawled something onto the paper, folded it into a tiny square and extended it to him. “Hold this over a candle.” She ordered. He eyed her for a moment, brow furrowing as he took the note from her hand. “Do you know how many seconds it takes to erase history, Ilias?”
