Koen steps in, halting me again with his hand. “It’s not worth it, Serene.” His eyes flicker between mine.
“Just remember Koen, my father will find you for what you did.” Lykia yanks her dress up, the bones and shells hitting against each other as she aggressively walks past us. She takes a slight pause once she reaches Koen. “You vowed to me that night under the blood moon that I was the sole woman to ever capture your heart, and that your heart would remain mine forever.”
Koen’s jaw clenches tightly, revealing the tension that is burning beneath his composed demeanor. The veins on his neck bulge, pulsating with a restrained emotion as he stares sharply ahead, avoiding her gaze. And mine.
“How dare you lie to me.” Her eyes glisten, knowing right here in this moment she could just let it out, break down in front of him, but she doesn’t. And I don’t blame her.
I envy her for her strength. I feel for her. I understand where her anger is coming from.
A vow is eternal. No man should ever break their vow. To play with a woman's heart, toying around with her with the words of love, isunforgivable. Love is the strongest force there is, the very thing that keeps us breathing, and knowing Koen betrayed her makes my heart ache deeply for her.
But as I have always feared, Koen is heartless. Until we were thrown in the games together, there was a flicker of warmth I have never seen in him, but now, I know the truth. It’s all just an act.
Lykia walks away, leaving the two of us in the dark.
“Now is our chance.” Koen strides forward, pulling his loose strands behind his ears, forcing his emotions away.
I glance back over my shoulder, watching her head into the celebration, and slowly pick up my pace to catch up to Koen.
“What was that all about?” I heavily pant, my feet tumbling over each other as he picks up speed in a violent manner.
“Nothing,” he grunts, climbing over a fallen tree.
“It didn’t seem like nothing, Koen.”
He abruptly stops as he rubs his forehead. His fingers press hard against his skin, his eyes narrowing as he meets my glare. “Why the hell does it even matter to you?” he growls, pacing back and forth. “This has nothing to do with you!”
He needs to stop yelling. The whole Realm of Azure will hear him, and we will be doomed.
“It does actually.” I swallow, feeling the lump in my throat only grow.
He halts, glancing over his shoulder at me. “And how so?”
“We are in this together. My life is in your hands.” My eyes widen, and I rub my nose for a mere second due to the raging storm that is brewing inside me. “Us going to the archives, we could die if we get caught, yet here I am trusting you. Even though the last time got me thrown into the damn games.”
“You would have been thrown into the games either way.”
“Shut up and let me hate you for that,” I hiss.
He grunts, his eyes rolling as a smirk tugs on the corner of his lips. I become entranced as I watch him lick his bottom lip before responding. “Okay, go on.”
I blink.Snap the hell out of this.I clear my throat. “Since the second I have met you, you have done nothing but destroy my life.”
“Serene—”
I cut him off. “No, let me speak,” I exhale. “You promised you would make this all up to me. Now is your chance to do so, but your emotions are running high. I can’t have that in the way of us finding answers, I need to know that you are prepared and ready to do what it takes to get us in and out of the archives.”
His eyes fall, rubbing his lips in a deep thought. “You're right.”
“I know.” I cross my arms.
He rolls his eyes with a deep chuckle at my response. “I—” he falters, his voice trailing off as his mind stirs with a whirlwind of thoughts. His emerald eyes drift away from me while his fingers rub his chin, betraying a hint of worry etched across his brows.
“What is it?” I step forward, my eyes trying to catch the slightest clue as to what could be going on.
“What is your sister's name?” His eyes meet mine at last. “I forgot to ask.”
“Tilly…” I tilt my head to the side, my loose strands tickling my face. “Tileatha is her actual name, but those closest to her call her Tilly. Why?”
