Page 12

Eleven

Reign

Killian and I haven’t spoken to one another since we left the paintball arena. The moment between us in the arena ended as quickly as it started.

His hand left my throat when the bell rang, and he disappeared in the shadows while I met with the rest of the group.

We all left the arena and when we got outside to the parking lot, I saw Killian waiting next to his car, texting on his phone.

I said bye to Jamie before heading over to Killian which brings us to right now, in the car where we still haven’t said a word to one another.

I don’t take back what I said about getting to know Killian. I want to know the kind of person he is because of how different he is from me. I don’t want to just learn about him, but I also want to learn from him and how he is so strong and stoic.

So, I asked my Star for advice.

He always knows what to say without judgment.

How do I get to know someone who doesn’t want to talk?

Why?

Because he interests me. I’m curious about him.

You know curiosity killed the cat, right?

Good thing a cat has nine lives.

All I can tell you is to be careful. You don’t want to get burned, Reign.

I texted him right after the moment between Killian and I because I was desperate to know.

I don’t know what makes Killian so different compared to all the other guys I’ve met. Jamie told me to be careful with him and I know he’s worried since he doesn’t trust Killian but for some reason, I see him in a different light.

“Can you go to this address?” I ask Killian, showing him my phone.

We get to a light which makes Killian stop and look at my phone.

His eyes move to me, giving me a questioning look. “Why? Trying to kill me?”

“No, I just don’t want to go home yet,” I say, which makes Killian nod his head. He takes my phone to follow the directions.

The drive is quick as Killian takes the canyons, driving probably over 160 kmh, even around the corners. While driving he rolls one of the windows down making my hair flow around.

A smile forms on my face as he drives fast.

I always love drives that Robert, my bodyguard, would take with me when going to the beach. It’s just a time where I don’t have to think about my dad or what anyone really thinks of me.

I can give myself some time to relax and not think so much.

Eventually, we get to the parking spot in front of the beach. Killian parks the car and doesn’t say anything as he turns the engine off.

“Where are we?” he asks.

“Follow me and find out.” I give him a teasing smile before getting out of the car.

Over the hill of green grass is the beach. I sometimes go in the water when it’s hot but tonight the stars are prominent like they are every night.

Because this beach is so far from the city you can see the stars shine brighter.

“What is this place?” Killian asks as I sit down in my usual spot.

“I always come here whenever I feel like I need to be away from home or just need to talk about everything that’s on my mind.”

Surprisingly Killian sits down next to me. “I remember you telling me when we were kids, you would go outside to talk to the stars since no one at home would listen to you.”

I furrow my eyebrows at him, another smile threatening to spill on my lips at the fact that he remembers. “You remembered?”

“I remember a lot of things about you, Reign,” Killian says, looking up at the sky. “How’d you find this place?”

“Robert was driving me through the canyons one night and we took a wrong turn which made us end up here,” I explain, while playing with the grass. “When we got here, I ended up sitting here for hours just talking about everything and anything.”

“Why do you talk to the stars?”

“They listen without judgment.” I look at Killian and see he’s staring at me.

The moonlight is shining down on us. Killian almost doesn’t look real with how prominent his jaw is and the way his eyes shine under the moon.

One look from him will probably make any girl’s heart shatter.

“That’s a good reason.”

"Dyado said that 'The people with the best heart and greatest intentions are watching over us from the sky.' Maybe that's another reason I like talking to them so much. Because I know he’s up there and listening to me. I sometimes think he is giving me advice that I need."

“How’d he die?”

“Heart attack.”

It’s quiet for a few moments before Killian says, “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to be.” I shake my head at him softly. “Everyone dies eventually. He had a long and healthy life. He once told me that Stars are dead too. They burned out thousands of years ago, but their light still hits us. Kind of like ghosts. So Dyado is still here even though he died. He’s watching over me.”

Killian’s eye twitches, the only reason I notice is because I’m just paying attention to him and every breath he takes basically.

I wonder what he is thinking about so hard that makes him keep everything in and not talk or express his feelings.

I just want to know what someone like him, dark and mysterious, is constantly thinking about.

“If you come here to rant to the stars then why bring me here?” he asks.

“Because like I said at paintballing, I want to get to know you.”

“One question. You only get one question, but I get to ask you one first.”

I feel myself smile widely, excited that he’s indulging me. “Okay, that’s fair.”

Killian turns his body towards me and leans on his hands. He looks down at my lips, for a second, I think I’m hallucinating or something before he meets my eyes again.

“What’s your favorite animal?”

“A lion.”

“Why?”

“Because they are powerful and strong. They are beautiful but also dangerous.”

Killian nods his head. “Beautiful things hurt.”

“What’s yours?”

“Is that your question?” Killian raises an eyebrow at me.

I blush. “No.”

“Ask,” Killian whispers softly.

“What are you afraid of Killian?”

Killian’s jaw clenches and his eyes darken. “My heart.” I furrow my eyebrows. Why would he be afraid of his heart? Like loving someone? I want to ask more but Killian stands up. “Come on.”

My mood dampens because the small moment we had together just vanished like it didn’t even happen.

Like I dreamt of us talking under the stars.