“So, where exactly does His Majesty want us to go?” I asked, frustration lacing my voice as we wove through the bustling hallway. Guards started to herd everyone back to the main room, and I looked at Julian again in question.
Julian didn’t respond, and his gaze flitted to the side, where a couple was engaged in a heated embrace. The tall male, draped in a dark, shimmering cloak, had his back turned, leaving only the fiery red of his hair visible. He had a petite woman pinned against the wall of a secluded alcove. He had hiked her dress, a cascade of deep orange silk, up around her waist, exposing the smooth expanse of her legs. Buried beneath the fabric, his handmoved urgently as the woman's back arched. Her fingers dug into his shoulders, clinging desperately, while their mouths pressed together in a feverish kiss. My cheeks flushed hotly at the sight, my eyes quickly darting away.
Julian steered me onward, his grip firm but gentle as he guided me up a flight of stairs. As we reached the top, I recognized the corridor we headed toward. A sense of dread washed over me, and I abruptly stopped. “I don’t want to go back to the room,” I said, my voice a sharp whisper that sliced through the quiet. I wrenched my arm free from Julian’s grasp, stepping back.
“Please, Zara, I need to get you to safety,” Julian urged, his voice strained.
“Why?” I demanded, noting the sickly look on his face.
“Witches and Daka are on the grounds. They ambushed the castle. Xavier and Theo are handling it, but…” Julian’s voice faltered.
“They’re attacking now? Here?” I asked, my heart racing.
“Dedra and Aria are ensuring everyone stays in the ballroom, but we need to get you to your room.”
Anger flared within me. “And why couldn’t I also stay in the ballroom?”
“If anything were to happen, and they got into the castle, the king's room would be the safest. The other guests have magic and well…” Julian trailed off, leaving the implication hanging in the air.
“Go on, say it,” I said, narrowing my eyes.
“Your magic is suppressed. You’d be defenseless if anything happened. Plus, if you don’t go into the room, I might end up being roasted by Xavier for not following his orders. So, really, you’d be saving my life,” Julian said, his tone a mix of urgency and half-hearted humor.
My lips twitched at his banter. “Fine,” I relented. “But I want to go back to the ball afterward.”
“Fair enough,” Julian agreed, relief evident on his features.
*
Thunderous booms echoed from Xavier's bedroom window, each clap vibrating through the walls while lightning slashed through the sky in jagged arcs. The attack was raging somewhere I couldn't see. I turned from the window, my gaze falling on Julian, who paced the room with increasing agitation.
“Your guests have to be hearing this,” I said, settling into the desk chair near the window. A pitcher of wine had appeared when we arrived, and I poured myself another glass.
“We’ve spelled the room to block out the noise,” Julian said, his tone strained.
Of course they had. I poured another glass and extended it toward him. “You should drink.”
Julian glanced at the glass, then shook his head and resumed pacing. A second later, Xavier materialized in the room, and Julian sighed in relief. “Oh, thank the Fates. Is Theo okay?” Julian asked, his voice laced with concern.
“He is drained but otherwise fine,” Xavier gruntedandstumbled to his bed.
I scrunched my brow. I had never seen him stumble before, not that I had known him for very long. “You’re hurt,” I said, noticing the shadowed stain on his side that contrasted with the rest of his dark shirt. Julian’s eyes snapped to the darkened area, running to his side.
Xavier waved him off. “I'm fine. It was only a dagger to the side.”
I choked on my wine. Only a dagger to the side? He was kidding, right?
Xavier and Julian looked over at me, and amusement flashed across Xavier's face.
“She might be drunk,” Julian admitted, and I frowned at him. He ignored me and addressed Xavier again. “Don’t be stubborn. Let me look.”
Xavier seemed about to protest, but Julian was already tugging at his jacket.
“Alright, alright, get off me,” Xavier grumbled, pushing Julian back. He glanced at me and gave me a playful wink before starting to undress.
My cheeks heated. Did he really just wink at me, or was I imagining things? I looked down into my glass and saw it was empty once again. Maybe I needed to slow down. I returned my gaze forward and nearly fell out of my chair.
Xavier now had his shirt off, and his muscular chest was on display, but what had made me jump was the green jagged cut on his side. It was mixed with blood, and I shot to my feet.
