Page 47

Chapter Forty-Six: Bahira

It’s late into the evening when we make our way back to the palace, Kai walking at my side this time. I try not to hold my breath as we climb the steps leading to the foyer where the body was found hanging. Thankfully, there’s no hint of the brutal display left by the rebels beyond the scent of iron still lingering in the air.

Kai’s steps shorten as we near the staircase, and when he speaks, he keeps his gaze fixed ahead. “I need to check in with the staff to make sure everyone is alright before I speak with Tua.” I nod my head at his dismissal, already heading towards the stairs when he softly calls out my name. My gaze meets his over my shoulder as he speaks softly, “Thank you. For earlier.”

The corner of my mouth lifts as I dip my chin. “You’re welcome.”

My climb up to my room is slow. As I walk, my hand presses against my thigh and onto the key to the experiment room in the pocket of my skirt. It’s likely too early to check and see if the petals have reacted to our blood yet, and with the exhaustion of the day now creeping up on me, I decide to take a shower and head to bed.

My door creaks as I open it, the room beyond blanketed in darkness. Odd , there is always a flame gem uncovered for when night falls. Pushing the door open farther to let in the light from the hallway, the hairs on the back of my neck rise. I freeze where I am, clenching my jaw as I study my darkened room. Air stirs to my right, and I instinctively drop down to the floor, sweeping one of my legs around in a kick. I connect with someone in the shadows, their grunt and a solid thud telling me they’ve hit the ground. Leaping onto the bed, I climb across it to grab where my spear should be resting against the wall. Stretching out, I reach for it and find empty space instead before the intruder’s hand grips my ankle and pulls me backward.

“You better hope that you kill me, or this will be the last thing you ever do,” I grit out.

They jerk my body closer, and my hand collides with their chest. Gripping onto their tunic, I yank hard until their body crashes against mine.

“I heard you were an eager fuck, but I never expected you’d be this easy,” a male voice says against my ear.

I lock my leg around his hip and buck, throwing us off the edge of the bed. We land on our sides with a grunt, and I quickly climb onto his back, forcing his chest to meet the floor as I pin an arm behind him, dragging one of my knees so that it’s positioned in between his legs. “Who are you?”

“One of many,” he murmurs beneath me.

I draw his arm farther back and lean down over him. “Are you a rebel?”

“I suppose that’s what the bastard calls us, isn’t it? Rebels .”

“It’s what you are . Kai is your king, and you openly defy his rule.”

The male twitches his upper body, muttering something under his breath. Instinctively, I lean in, realizing too late the trap he’s set. His head snaps back, colliding with my nose.

“ Shit .” White flares behind my lids as my eyes water, my grip on the male loosening just enough for him to jerk free. He rolls to the side, his weight pinning one of my legs to the ground before his elbow crashes into my ribs. I shout in pain as the male rolls off of me and towards the shadowy space not illuminated by the dim light streaming in from the hallway.

Breathing through my nose is impossible as it swells, my eyes still watering as I try to blink the wetness away. Blood leaks down onto my lips, the metallic taste blanketing the tip of my tongue.

Steps shuffle near me, accompanied by the sound of a weapon being drawn. I try to roll away, but the rebel sends a harsh kick to my stomach, a breath wheezing out of me before he straddles my body. He leans over me, squeezing his knees tightly into my sides while he pins both of my hands over my head.

“How angry do you think His Majesty will be when we string your corpse up next?” Cold metal presses at my neck, and I force myself to relax as I strain to see the male through the darkness. “Sorry it had to come to this, Princess.”

My thoughts halt, dread turning my body leaden. “How do you know that?”

He moves even closer, pushing his blade more harshly against my skin until I grit my teeth at the prickling pain. “We all know who you are, Bahira Daxel. Princess of the Mage Kingdom. Your death is going to usher in the removal of Kai for good.”

I buck my hips in an attempt to throw him off balance, but the male doesn’t budge. Panic tightens my throat, a strangled noise drawn from me at the sting of his blade. I can barely make out the outline of his head and shoulders, his breath warm as he whispers against my ear.

“We know all about you, and—”

His weight is thrown off of me, a growl thundering out into the room. I roll to my side, gasping for a full breath as the crunching of bones followed by a male’s whimper sounds. Heavy steps echo, my body bracing to keep fighting until the light of a flame gem is uncovered, revealing Kai. He walks across the room to another flame gem, the golden amber light now pouring into the space and over the body of the male crumpled on the floor.

I stand, ignoring my shaking legs as Kai’s gaze traces over my body. He storms his way towards me, absolute fury rippling over every part of him. The male groans on the floor, but Kai kicks him harshly enough to silence him. Standing in front of me, his eyes move to the blood that has only now stopped leaking from my nose and slowly trail down, lingering where the blade was pressed against my neck.

“How did you know to come in here?” I ask, clearing my throat as I drag the back of my hand over the space above my lips.

“I was coming up to speak with you when I saw your bedroom door was ajar and heard whispers. I thought—” He stops abruptly, clenching his jaw.

“You thought what?”

Kai simply shakes his head, running a hand through his hair before he turns and looks back at the male who is now passed out on my floor. Licking my lips, I face the male too and fold my arms over my chest, wincing at the pain in my ribs.

“Do you recognize him?”

“No.”

“He knew who I was and said that all the rebels did. He was going to kill me in an attempt to get to you.”

Kai snarls at that, causing goosebumps to break out over my body. “That will never happen.” I feel the power of his words as they settle between us, his gaze coming back to mine. “Are you okay?”

“Fine enough, thanks to you.” The adrenaline coursing through me begins to dwindle, leaving me feeling drained.

Kai’s brows draw down low. “I need to bring him down to the dungeons to await interrogation.” Squatting down, he tugs on the shifter’s body until he’s lying on his back. The male’s arm flops down at his side, revealing a tattoo on the inner part of his bicep.

“Wait,” I tell Kai as I kneel and reach out to twist his arm so it’s more visible under the glow of the flame gems. “This tattoo—it’s the same as your grandfather’s sigil, isn’t it?” The oryx.

Amber eyes flick up to mine, a single dark brow arching. “Yes.”

Sighing, I drop the male’s arm and stand. “Don’t you think it’s odd that they have chosen this to masquerade under? Literally? They wear fucking oryx skulls as masks. If they are so opposed to your rule, why pick an animal that represents the family line you come from?”

“I think they merely hate me , not the blood that runs through my veins.”

It is stupid to notice the way his voice deepens and how his gaze drops from mine as he speaks. Idiotic to feel that pang of sympathy, not in pity but understanding. Or maybe I’m finally recognizing why I’m so drawn to Kai, why I have been since the very first moment I saw him standing in the Mirror. He’s like me . We are two halves of the same whole—two people forced to face our shortcomings head-on because the only other alternative is to become the broken down, lesser versions of ourselves that everyone else thinks we already are.

“Well, then they are fools.” The words come out more harshly than I intend but still no louder than a whisper. Kai stands slowly before taking a step towards me. His stare is piercing—the feeling of it like having the air squeezed from my lungs. “Stop looking at me like that.”

“How am I looking at you?” he asks. I huff out a laugh at how ludicrous this role reversal is, but it only encourages Kai to come closer. Tipping my chin up, my eyes stay glued to his as our chests meet. “Tell me how I’m looking at you, Bahira.” He doesn’t miss the rapid beating of my heart, how it betrays the mask of calm I try to slip on. His fingers wrap around my neck, careful to not disturb the nick from the blade as his thumb rests over the fluttering of my pulse.

Then his gaze snaps to the door, mine following a second later to see Tua standing there with wide eyes.

“What happened?” he asks, striding into the room before either of us can answer. The male who attacked me moans on the floor, his body twitching as he begins to wake up.

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 is truly leading 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’t just a means to an end but someone important . Important to him or only to the kingdom with a blight? I don’t know if I necessarily want to 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 much to 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 that no one should 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’t need him here to protect or comfort me, to make me feel safe. I don’t need it, but I want it. I want him . 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 acutely aware that 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.

“I’m not,” I agree.

He makes a noise that almost sounds like a laugh. “I never wanted to be king. Jahlee and I had a quiet life in our small village, and I was keen on it staying that way, despite who my father was. What I hadn’t known was that he had taken an interest in me as a teen when he heard rumors of how powerful I had grown.” He pauses to inhale slowly, his movement on the bed tugging at the sheets. “He lured me to the palace under the guise of talking to me about my mother, and like the fool that I am, I went. When I arrived, he led me to the throne room where he had set up the ceremony to do a transfer of power from him to me. Kane was there, as was Tua, both furious at what was about to happen though I suspect for different reasons.

“I could have fought back, but then my father threatened Jahlee. Threatened to kill my remaining family after he had already murdered my mother. I was being given a crown I had no idea what to do with, and the bastard didn’t care. I had to ensure his legacy or some bullshit. Tua stepped up and immediately began guiding me—helping me as best he could. But I already had a reputation amongst the people here as the bastard son of the king. Those who didn’t despise me for that fact alone hated me because they wanted to see Kane as king. He had been preparing for the role for nearly a decade before it was pulled out from under him.”

Lying on my back, I pinch my lips together in thought. Kai had been through more than I realized, and I could admit to myself in the quiet darkness that I had judged him unfairly when we first met. “I’m sorry that happened to you, Kai,” I say, receiving silence in return. “Though, for future reference, I prefer less sad bedtime stories.” His chuckle is deep, making my toes curl. My eyes fall closed for a moment before I open them again to ask him one more question. “Did Tua say everyone was doing alright? When you spoke to him earlier?”

“I didn’t find him before I decided to turn around and come up to your room.”

I yawn and adjust my head on the pillow. “Then how did he know to come here—”

“Sleep, Bahira.”

I snort but don’t fight him on it because within a few moments, I fall asleep.

I curl farther into the warmth of the bed, the blanket heavy around my waist. There’s weight resting between my legs, and when I stretch, the weight slides closer to my core. Readjusting my head on the pillow, the movement pulls at a tender spot on my neck. I lift a hand and run my fingers over the scab there, the memories of the night before rushing to me: the intruder and battling for my life, Kai rescuing me and then wanting to sleep in my room. In my bed .

It becomes obvious why I’m so warm and why my body feels cradled by someone else. Because it is . He holds my back against him—one of his legs between my own—his face nestled somewhere in my curls. Kai’s fingers twitch along my stomach, but his breathing remains heavy and deep. I focus on it, letting myself exist in this sleepy haze a little while longer and pushing the realization out of my mind that I’ve never laid like this with anyone. Not even after sex.

I like this more than I thought I would. More than I should . And I think it has everything to do with the male behind me.

Kai is gone when I wake up fully. Sunlight floods into the room between gaps in the curtains, bringing with it a clarity I’m not ready to confront. I climb out of bed and open the window covers fully, stretching as I look out at the jungle in the distance. My thoughts fire in rapid succession, begging me to break down everything that happened from the moment he alerted me that blood had been in the experiments to the way he molded himself protectively around my body as we slept. I choose the former to focus on while I dress, donning a simple pair of tan trousers and a dark green sleeveless top before pulling my hair up into a ponytail and heading out to the experiment room.

Streams of golden light illuminate the dust in the air as I step inside. The door falls shut behind me, and my eyes go directly to the table holding the jars of petals containing blood from myself and the shifter king. Disappointment robs me of my next inhale. One of the jars blooms with new life—green stems and new buds growing from what were only dark plum-colored petals before. I force my feet forward, my heart wild in my ribcage as I observe the other jar. Changes deform the petals in that container as well but in complete opposition to its companion. The petals have begun to decay, their edges curling in. I know, without having to check the labels, which jar contains Kai’s blood and which one has my own. I clutch the key to the room so tightly that it bites into my palm.

My mage blood had done nothing to promote the growth of the plants, yet a shifter’s blood had. What could that mean? How could that be?

“Focus, Bahira,” I chastise myself before grabbing my journal and dragging a chair out from the table to sit in.

The magic-infused water had only sprouted new life in the leaves back home for a few minutes before they began to wither away again. Some lasted longer than others, but still, the decay was rapid compared to how long the leaves lasted when tainted with blood.

I cradle my forehead in my hand as my fingers drum along the page of the journal. I had never thought to test with blood because of what we are taught in our schooling. A cautionary tale was drilled into us about a group of ancient mages who had done experiments with blood that ended in devastation. But I can’t deny the fact now, as I look over at the jar brimming with new growth, that there is a connection between magic and blood. I also can’t refute the evidence that, as of right now, there isn’t the same level of magic in my own blood. Not enough to affect any change amongst the petals anyway. Not enough.

I shake my head, refusing to allow myself to wallow. Flipping to a fresh page of my journal, I write out today’s date. I have only seen the blood while it’s interacting with the plants, but perhaps I need to look at it on its own first under a magnifier.

With my resolve renewed, I stand from the desk and walk back towards the door, intent on finding a few shifters to take some blood samples from.