Kai was silent for a long moment.
“I don’t know. But I’m concerned that he’s not wearing the pendant any longer. Either he’s finally realised the extent of its power and he’s keeping it hidden…”
“Or?”
Kai shook his head. “Nothing. I don’t know.”
It was obvious to her that Kai had more to say and was holding back, but before she could press, he gathered her hands in his and urged her closer to him. His eyes darted between hers, somehow both soft and wired; golden brown, electric green.
“Come with me.”
“Kai…”
He leaned his forehead against hers, and she felt her eyes flutter and close with something like relief at the tenderness in that gesture.
“Please,” he murmured.
She shook her head carefully, her brow rocking over his.
“This is my home. I’m still campaigning the Cold Council for the crown, I can’t just hand the entire country and all of these people over to Mareda and Edward –especiallynot now. If he can’t control the Thaw, things are only going to get worse from here on out.”
“It’s not safe for you here any longer. Edward has the pendant that cast this Kingdom into a centuries long Winter and –” He paused, and squeezed her hands gently, like he knew his next, half-whispered words would hurt. “And he used it to end your mother’s life. All because she chose someone else to share her throne. Imagine what he might do to claim that throne for his own daughter.”
“Mareda wouldn’t let him hurt me.”
She wanted to believe that. So badly.
“I don’t know that she’d have much of a say, Adeline.”
She lifted his hands, still curled around her own, and brought them to her heart, squeezing them tight.
“I can’t go with you.”
His nose brushed hers, his breath on her lips.
“I’m not above begging.”
Desire rose and fell gently in her stomach, crushed by the sinking of her heart as his mouth brushed hers ever so slightly, and she had to force herself to drop his hands, to pull back.
Kai caught himself in the sudden space between them, and when he opened his eyes, the look in them speared right through her. Hurt, followed by a slow dawning understanding. He straightened.
“You can’t come with me, or you don’t want to?”
Her breath shook. “Both.”
The moment seemed to stretch on and on. But then Kai simply stood from the edge of his bed, and said; “Alright.”
Adeline watched him warily, waiting for the moment he would turn around and reach for her. She rose up beside him.
“Nothing’s changed.” Her chest hurt as she said it. “I know the other night –”
Kai did turn then, holding up a hand, closing his eyes as though weathering a sudden wave of pain.
“Don’t. You don’t need to - I understand.”
She swallowed. Nodded. Resisted the overwhelming call resounding through her blood and her body, the agonising need to reach out for him.
“So that’s it?”
