Page 25 of Of Nightmares & Fire (Elusive Umbra #1)

Chapter twenty-two

Astraea

“Where is she? Have you done something with her?” I hear my father growl in question as I, too, come out from behind the tapestry. “Maybe it was you and your heathen brother who kidnapped her in the first place. Have you come to claim your prize another way?”

“You’re really accusing me and my brother of kidnapping?

Honestly? Do you often make your guests feel so welcome, or am I just special?

” Kyros says flatly, and my feet halt as my jaw nearly hits the floor.

I don’t mean to eavesdrop, but now my curiosity is thoroughly piqued.

My stride turns to a crawl as I slowly come closer to where they are talking, just around the corner of a large bookshelf.

“Don’t you speak to me like that, if you—” My father’s warning is cut off by Kyros’ sharp tongue.

“If I what? Will you have my head like those you, so disgustingly, have spiked along your curtain wall? I will speak to you precisely, the way that you—- speak to me. If you wish to have my respect, you will earn it. Just like any other man or woman would,” Kyros interrupts, and I about die then and there.

This man is going to get himself killed, but he doesn’t stop there.

“Also, I’ll have you not forget, while you’re king now, I am in line to be one as well,” he says proudly as I chance a peek around the bookshelf and make out the men as they stand face to face.

Kyros, standing taller than my father, steps forward into his space, and the guards who always follow my father around put their hands on the weapons at their hips.

My father throws out his hand, a motion for them to stand down, and Kyros does not so much as flinch or take a step back.

“A kingdom is only strong if it has strong allies; it would be foolish to make an adversary out of another strong crown. Your empty threats only serve to piss me off.” He says to my father, who remains motionless like a statue.

A rough hand grips me by my arm and pushes me out of hiding, and I can’t help the yelp that comes at the sudden pain and shock.

“I found your petulant daughter, Connard. Hiding in the shadows and listening in on the conversations of men.” Pravin proclaims with an evil smirk plastered on his face, even as his eyes travel the length of my body and linger a moment too long at my ass.

Both my father and Kyros turn to face us.

My father’s glare is ice cold as he sees me, but Kyros’ black eyes hone in on the grip that Pravin has on my arm, and his teeth clench tight.

The muscle jumping under the shadow of hair along his jaw.

“Is that how you allow your men to treat your daughter? My potential wife ? The future of potentially two kingdoms?” He says through his teeth, but my father only lifts his chin.

Fire flares through my entire body at Kyros’ words, though, and I don’t know what to make of it.

The heat borders on anger and embarrassment as they all speak of me like I am not in the room.

“She is a troublemaker and needs to learn how to follow orders.” My father spits out snidely with a curl of his lip.

“Remove your hands from her. Now .” Kyros growls; the threat isn’t in his words, though, not even the sound of the gravel in his voice, as terrifying as it is.

The threat and the cause of real terror is in his eyes.

Black as night and filled with the promise of something more than pain.

Pravin’s grip loosens, but not before squeezing painfully and pushing me forward aggressively.

“I—I’m sorry.” I start, but I am interrupted by both men in front of me.

“It's not you who needs to apologize,” Kyros says.

“You should be sorry!” My father shouts at the same time, and my eyes flick between them both before settling on the ground between us.

I am sorry; I didn’t wish for this night to go like this.

I fear for Kyros and Mavros, even for Zinya, now.

My father is ruthless, and I wouldn’t put it past him to slit their throats in their sleep while they stay here in the castle, consequences be damned.

He has never handled disrespect with patience, and well, being out worded by a younger man?

A man here for his daughter's hand? A man who is not yet king and not even true royalty but only an appointed heir?

It’s probably one of the most disrespectful things he has heard aimed his way in a very long time.

Save for his petulant daughter that can’t keep her mouth shut, of course.

This whole thing is my father’s way of securing more power.

He can't have power over a man not willing to give it to him.

Kyros is the lowest on the list of men who would, considering the show he's put on tonight.

Somehow though, my father hasn't cut him down where he stands.

Meaning, his kingdom must hold a pretty high power. Something my father craves .

I chance another look through my lashes, but I know before I lay eyes on him that Kyros is staring right at me.

His nostrils flare as he keeps his eyes trained on my face, and I notice his hands splayed wide then clenching into a fist at his side.

Like he is trying to avoid reaching for his weapon.

Such a threat would not end well, not surrounded by the king's guard in a dark library filled with nothing but history. My father has no qualms about adding history to the books if it pleases him, but something about Kyros and his kingdom has my father pausing. If this had been anyone else, I know my father wouldn’t have thought twice about stringing him up at the gallows.

I need to find out more about them and where they come from. Cole seemed to know something.

“This is my fault. I should have known you would be worried,” I say to my father before turning my words to Kyros.

“Kyros, please understand the worry my father has been under since I went missing just days ago. I should have remembered to keep one of the staff with me while we were together.” When I speak, I don’t look him in the eyes.

I keep my focus on the toes of my slippers, and then I see Kyros’ hand reach for me.

He gently takes my hand into his, and I let my gaze drift up fully.

“Of course, then the apology is all mine. Connard, perhaps the next time I win alone time with the princess, I will be allowed to be the one to keep her safe. After all, you do know who I am… If anyone is able to keep her safe, you know it would be me.” He says cryptically and bows low, kissing the back of my hand but never taking his eyes from me.

“Yes, of course. This was all a misunderstanding, but Kyros Kahzal of Diemos, you will have to win time with her, just as the other suitors.” My father says, but I can hear the controlled frustration in his tone.

“And win I shall. Let me walk you back to your chambers, princess.” Kyros says, and my father speaks before I can manage.

“That would be highly inappropriate. Pravin will escort Princess Astraea back to her quarters.” My father demands, but Kyros keeps his grip on my hand as he turns round to face my father again.

“No,”

“Stop—” I cut in, squeezing Kyros’ hand with my plea. He clearly has a death wish. “I will walk myself to my quarters. I don’t need assistance.” A throat clears, and we all look toward the entrance. Relief floods my veins .

“Excuse me, my king, perhaps I can take the princess to her room? I have already drawn a bath for her and readied her bed. It is quite late, and we all have a very early morning.” Kyros and my father are stuck in a staring contest, but with a heavy sigh, my father surprisingly relents.

Maybe he has finally met his match in stubbornness.

“Fine, off to ready for bed, but Astraea?” He says threateningly.

“Bathe and bed; do not let me find that you have left your chamber. You will be needed at breakfast in the morning with all of the suitors when I announce the next trial.” His eyes track to Kyros.

“Make sure you don’t miss the announcement, Mister Kazhal. ”

“Thank you, my king; you are very gracious.” Cole says as she bows low before urgently taking me by the arm and guiding me toward the exit.

Before we leave the men behind, I can’t help but look over my shoulder to see Kyros one last time.

His eyes are like endless pools of darkness, his gaze darkened even more by his mood, and as he watches me leave, I can’t help but feel like something has changed.

“You wanna tell me what the hell that was about?” Colette asks with her eyes wide as she shuts the door behind her.

She wasn’t lying about having everything prepared for me in my room.

The night is unseasonably warm, so the hearth is not lit, but candles flicker around the room, casting shadows with their dance.

“Honestly, I’m still trying to figure that out for myself.

” I say, sitting heavily on the edge of my bed.

“Something about that man is driving me mad, Cole.” She quirks a brow, waiting for me to continue.

“He is so intriguing and mysterious…” I fall back with a huff, “But also, frustrating and boorish. I both want to punch him and climb him like a tree.” I let out a frustrated groan. “What is wrong with me?”

“Sounds like you’ve got a crush on a suitor.” She laughs, and I shoot back up and give her a face.

“I do not have a crush on him. He’s angry and annoying, and he’s going to get himself killed with the way he talks to my father!

Did you hear everything he said to him, Cole?

He’s got a death wish!” I say with vexation as I push myself up onto my elbows.

She is standing over me with her hands on her hips and head tilted.

“Whatever you say, Princess .” She smiles with candor, and I roll my eyes as I lift my foot.

She removes my slippers one at a time. We move easily into our usual routines, regardless of the rather unusual situation we are currently living through.

It’s one thing I can always count on Colette for.

She will always be there to keep me firmly rooted. My safety. My home.

“Do you think that my father is going to punish him?” I finally ask, standing and turning my back to her so she can help me out of the dress.

“I think, in all the years I have been in this castle, I have never once heard anyone speak to your father the way that he just did and live to tell the tale.” She places the bathrobe around my shoulders as I turn to face her.

She must see the worry I feel brewing in my stomach all over my face, because her eyes soften and she places a hand on my shoulder.

“But I also have never seen your father so honestly disturbed by the words of another either. Whatever Kyros is up to, he seems to know exactly what he is doing.”

She is right about that, but it doesn’t bring me any reassurance that he, his brother, and Zinya will be kept safe.

Plus, my father is likely to take his wrath out on someone undeserving if he can’t take it out on Kyros or the others, not that they deserve it either, but I’m sure in his mind they do.

My thoughts whirl through my head as I make my way to my bathing chamber.

Standing in the doorway, the reminder of what happened here earlier tonight presses heavily on me.

I know what would have happened had Cole not arrived when she did.

What Pravin would have done had he been given the time to do it.

My jaw clenches tight as unease builds in my chest. He’s never gone so far.

“Cole?” I say, turning around as she continues to straighten up the bedchamber.

“Yea?” She pauses.

“Will you stay with me tonight?” I chew my bottom lip as I wait for her response.

“Of course I will.” She pauses, looking around the room too. “Don’t let him get to you, Astraea. Men like him feed on your fear. Show him the strength you and I both know you have.” She says, and I nod before turning around and closing the bathing chamber door between us .

I don’t realize how tired I am until the heat of the water and steam in the room seeps into my body and relaxes my sore muscles.

The fight with Pravin, the beating he delivered, and then the tension through the dinner with Kyros has bunched up everywhere.

My eyes drift closed as I lay my head back on the neck roll, a sinking feeling creeping into my gut with every moment that passes.

A feeling that has my heart racing and gooseflesh peppering the skin that is exposed from the water.

The feeling of eyes creeping closer, watching, waiting— calling.