Chapter Eleven - Find the Darkness within
CASSIUS
I adjusted the cuff of my sleeve, smoothing out the deep blue embroidery as I strode through the stone corridors of the palace. My mind was elsewhere, preoccupied with the woman who had occupied my thoughts since last night.
She has been guarded in our conversation, but something in her eyes has unsettled me. She was hiding something. And after what had happened in the dining hall, after the cold, lunreadable way Kieran had treated her. I found myself wanting answers.
I was just rounding the corridor leading to her chambers when a shadow moved in front of me, blocking my path.
Kieran
His armor was absent, replaced by dark trousers and an open-collared shirt, no mask or hood, but there was nothing casual about the way he stood. His body was wound tight, his golden eyes burning with something dangerous.
I halted, eyebrow lifted, ''Kieran.''
''You are not going to see her.'' Kieran's voice was rough, edged with something lethal.
My expression didn't shifting, but my fingers twitched at my side. ''I wasn't aware I needed permission.'' Kieran stepped forward, tension rolling him in waves. ''This isn't a game, Cassius.''
I exhaled through my nose, leveling my brother with a patient but unyielding, ''Then perhaps you should tell me why you're acting as if it is.” Kieran didn't respond immediately. His jaw was tight, his posture rigid, as if his own body was barely containing something volatile
Then, after a beat of silence, his voice dropped lower, ''Something happened last night.” I studied him carefully. ''What kind of something?'’
His lips pressed into a thin line before he finally muttered, ''She was in the forest last night.'' I blinked. ''What… the forest?'' My voice sharpened. ''How?'' Kieran exhaled sharply, looking away for half a second as if the weight of the words burned his tongue. ''I don't know.'’
I frowned. ''You don't know Kieran, she's human. She can't just appear in the forest, or is she a witch? But witches don't jus teleport like that” “I know that!” He snapped, eyes flashing
I stilled, taking in the uncharacteristic crack in his composure. Kieran was always controlled, always calculated. But now, he looked shaken.
Kieran dragged a hand through his hair, his voice quieter this time. ''She was in her chambers. Then suddenly, she wasn't. I..." he hesitated. Before he finally forced it out,''I found her out there. I chased her.”
My expression darkened. ''You chased her.'' Kieran clenched his jaw, his hand curling into fists. ''Not by choice.'' I stepped forward, lowering my voice. ''What are you saying, brother?'’
The storm in Kieran's eye deepened as if he were at war with himself. ''I shifted,'' I felt his pulse running slow. ''What? How come did you do that? When it's not sunset. But not fully, did you?”
Kieran's throat worked as he swallowed ''No.'' I took in the slight tremor in Kieran's hands and the tension in his shoulders. Something had happened, something worse than Kieran was willing to admit.
''She saw it, didn't she?''
''She was there, in front of me, and then suddenly I shifted.'’
'That's impossible, brother. Are you trying to say you controlled the shift...'' He was quiet. ''...Or she did.” Confusion settled in Kieran's face. ''What do you mean?'' he asked, raising his left brow. ''I certainly don't know,'' I sighed, running a hand down to my face.
''Gods, Kieran. You realize this complicates everything.”
Kieran let out a humorless breath. ''You think I don't know that?” he said. I studied him for a long moment before shaking my head.
''So what now?You expect me to stay away from her?”
Kieran's gaze hardened. ''Yes.'' I let out a quiet, mirthless chuckle. ''I'm not the cause of your problem; I'm only making her feel alive in place of you. You truly expect me to leave her in your hand after last night?”
Kieran took a step closer,his presence imposing,his voice dangerously low. ''This isn't your concern,'' I didn't look down. ''Then why did you tell me? Kieran, she is my concern along as you are involved.'’
Kieran exhaled,the exhaustion seeping into his features. ''Whatever is happening to her,it's tied to something bigger. And if you keep pushing, you'll drag yourself into something you aren't ready for," he said.
I crossed my arms. ''And you are.''
Kieran's jaw tightened. ''No.'’
''That's the problem: she is your wife. Whether sent by Malachai or not… or even a slave. She is married to you and is your responsibility, which you care for most. Just to get to know her better, if you can't, I am ready to teach,even though I'm your younger brother. You think staying away from her will make look cool,''
''I'm not staying away from her just because of that,'' his voice was low and deep. ''Then what is the matter?'' I held my gaze for another long moment before signing. ''Fine,'' I stepped back. ''I won't go to her now. But this isn't over, and it won't stop me from telling you the main truth to your face, brother.”
Kieran didn't respond, only watching as I turned on my heel and walked away.
But the weight in Kieran's chest only grew heavier because he knew I was right.