Kai takes a step back and motions to the floor. “He ambushed Bahira.”
Tua’s jaw works as he glares down at the male. “I’ll take him to the dungeons.”
“I was on my way to—”
“Stay and”—he directs his gaze to me—“make sure Bahira is alright. I’m afraid I promised her back on the ship that she’d be safe here in the palace. My apologies that the opposite appears to be true.” He hauls my attacker up with quick efficiency, throwing the male over his shoulder as he walks back towards the hall.
“Tua,” I call out, halting his steps.
“Yes?”
“It might be wise to ask him why the rebels have insisted on using the old sigil as their own. Perhaps it will be a clue as to who istrulyleading them.” Seconds pass before he moves his head in a nod and continues out of the room. I look back to Kai, his focus already on me. “You don’t have to hang around,” I tell him, gesturing with my hand towards the hallway.
“You’re alright being left alone?”
A sharp response dangles from my lips, but I pause at the expression etched into his features. Kai isn’t asking sarcastically. He genuinely wants to make sure. My next exhale is shakier, but I dip my chin in confirmation and watch as he only hesitates for a moment before leaving and closing the door behind him. I lock it and then head straight to the bathroom.
My reflection in the mirror makes me wince; dried blood stains my skin in rivulets from my nostrils to my lip. A stream of blood that had dripped down my neck and pooled in my collarbones is now a rusty red color, the offending cut already scabbed over.
Undressing myself, I step into the tub and turn on the shower, making the water the hottest I can take and letting it wash over me. My muscles and head ache, joining the throbbing in my ribs. As I wash the blood away from my body, I recall Kai’s face. The way he stared at me as if I wasn’tjusta means to an end but someoneimportant. Important to him or only to the kingdom with a blight? I don’t know if I necessarilywantto explore that answer.
When I step out of the bathroom, dried and in my nightclothes, I search for where my spear should have been. I find it under the bed, as if the intruder wanted to hide it before I came into the room. My fingers run along the body of smooth wood and cold metal, my weapon’s familiarity not doing muchto quell my unease. I can’t deny that, after seeing what the rebels are capable of, having their attention on me is more than unsettling.
I’m about to crawl into bed, my spear still firmly held in my grasp, when there’s a knock from the hall. Kai’s voice follows as he says my name. Unlocking the door, I pull it open and drag my eyes down his body, starting with the damp strands of hair that have been pushed back from his face and moving to the black shirt he wears that clings to the ridges of his shoulders and biceps. Midnight blue trousers hug his thighs, the thin material making it hard to look back up as I lean against the doorway.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, clearing my throat.
His deep brown eyes snap to mine from where they lingered on the hemline of my dark green chemise, and he takes a step towards me, his hands bracing on either side of the doorframe. “I came to check on you.”
“I’m fine.”
A brow lifts as he pointedly looks at where I’m gripping my spear.
“What? Maybe I like to sleep with my spear next to me.” At that, the corner of his mouth lifts slightly before it settles back down. Then he pushes past me and into the room. “Kai, what—”
“Close the door.” The command is given with a steady voice, and when I hesitate, he folds his arms over his chest as if prepared to wait me out. Grumbling, I shut the door and glare at him. “I’m staying here tonight.”
“Like hell you are—”
“You were just attacked in your bedroom,” he starts, stalking towards me, “which is on the same floor as my own. It’s a part of the palace thatno oneshould have access to.” His chest heaves, glints of gold flaring to life in his eyes. “I do not doubt that you can protect yourself, but for tonight, give me this. I will not be able to rest otherwise.”
I don’tneedhim here to protectorcomfort me, to make me feel safe. I don’t need it, but Iwantit. I wanthim. I swallow roughly, fear of what my desire for him in this way means. But I nod my head anyway and walk to set my spear against the wall by the bed before climbing into it. Kai covers the flame gems with black cloths, plunging the room into darkness. His steps are quiet, and then the mattress dips under his weight, the heat of his body warming my side. I stare up at the ceiling through the darkness for a while, unable to sleep despite the exhaustion pushing down on me.
“Why were you coming to see me?” I ask.
“What?”
I turn my head to look at Kai though I can’t see any of his features in the dark. “Earlier, you said you were coming to see me. Why?”
“Does it matter?” he responds.
I frown, but he’s right. It doesn’t matter. “Fine.” I turn onto my side, giving him my back as I force my eyes to close. I’m so acutelyawarethat he’s here—so close to me in my bed—that it makes it impossible for me to relax.
He roughly exhales as if the silence he ushered in is now suffocating him. “I came to say thank you. Again.”
I stay on my side but turn my head to speak over my shoulder. “Why?”
“I don’t know.” He hesitates, and I press my lips together. “You are not afraid of me.” It isn’t said like a challenge or an insult or even a question. Instead, there is a gentleness to his voice, the cadence reminding me of someone experiencing something wondrous for the first time.
