Chapter Seventeen - A shift in the shadow
KIERAN
"So you think it's her?" I said. He locked his gaze into mine: "Who else do you think it would be? She's the only one there when all these are happening to you."
I just stare at the shelf like the answers are locked there. The door swung open again.
Cassius and I turn thinking the doctor has arrived
"What's going on?"
Darius strode in, his usual air of mischief absent as his sharp gaze flickered between us. The moment he saw Liora, his expression darkened.
"What happened to her?" he asked, his voice suddenly serious.
"And why would you care?" Cassius held my hand, as a sign not for me to speak again.
Cassius leaned back, rubbing his temple. "She fainted. Kieran brought her here."
Darius raised a brow at Cassius. "You? Carrying her through the halls in a panic? Now, that must have been a sight."
I shot him a glare. "This isn’t a joke, Darius."
Darius held up his hands in mock surrender. "Relax. I know." His expression sobered as he stepped closer, looking at Liora. "She doesn't look ill... how come about it?"
Cassius nodded. "That's what concerns me. She’s not just exhausted—there’s something else at play here."
Darius crossed his arms. "You think it’s something to do with Kieran?" he rolled his eyes.
I've always hated Darius' presence around me.
I stiffened.
Cassius exchanged a glance with him before speaking. "Probably"
Silence stretched between us.
Finally, I exhaled. "Then we need to find out exactly what’s happening to her."
Cassius studied me carefully. "The royal doctor should be here any moment"
I didn’t reply. I walked close to her, staring at her, my mind blank about what to do. "Look who's starting to care," I glared at Darius, who said that.
"Do you have a problem with that?" Cassius said from behind. "It's quite rare for nonchalant Kieran," Darius said, then Liora grasped, waking up like she had a nightmare.
She quickly crossed her arms round my neck, resting her head on my chest, breathing heavily like she ran for survival. We were all wearing a surprised face, then I saw a little bloodstain on the left side of her shoulder.
My eyes were widely open as I looked down at the stain.
Deep down, I already knew—whatever was happening to Liora, it was somehow tied to me.
"Kieran, she's awake already," I exhaled with my mouth. "I know that already."
Cassius step closer “Are you ok? Liora” she lifted her gaze up and I stare back at her.
“What happened?” She asked, before I could answer Darius cut in “Cassius said you fainted”
“Kieran brought you here and called for the royal doctor” he stressed on it.
I remove her hands from my neck “Hope your feeling better now?” Their eyes where all fixed on me but I was looking at her waiting for her reply.
She finally said “Yes, I am”
“You should go and change dress” I said, and their facial expression was full with surprise
“Why?” Cassius said “Oh I almost forgot the reason why I'm here Cassius. Father orders for a family dinner, together. No one should be excluded” Darius said walking towards Cassius.
“No one should be excluded but you mentioned only my name here”
“I believe Kieran heard me”
“You weren't talking to him” Cassius said, I never want to listen to their argument; I turned to Liora “You have a blood stain on your dress” I whispered to her then left, not ready to listen to anything.
I arrived at the dining hall.
The heavy doors of the dining hall groaned as they were pushed open, and all conversation within the grand chamber stilled.
The clinking of silverware against porcelain halted. Goblets of wine paused mid-air. Every gaze turned toward the entrance.
I stepped inside.
I wasn’t wearing a mask or any armor.
The air grew thick, tension rolling across the room like a slow-moving storm.
Alistair’s brows lifted, the faintest flicker of disbelief crossing his face. The king, ever composed, barely reacted, though his eyes sharpened as they settled on his son’s face.
Darius, who had been in the middle of lazily swirling his wine, stopped entirely, fingers tightening around the goblet.
But it was Kaira who showed the most open surprise, her grey eyes widening as she leaned forward slightly, scrutinizing me as if I was an apparition that had materialized from the depths of legend.
Liora, seated near the end of the long dining table, barely breathed.
I was fully exposed; my sharp features unhidden, my golden eyes unreadable as they swept across the room. My presence alone was powerful, but without the usual barrier of my mask, there was an unsettling rawness to me.
And then, without a word, I moved forward.
The tension only thickened as I walked with slow, deliberate steps, ignoring the reactions of those around me. Every movement was precise and controlled—as if daring anyone to comment. The long, elegant table stretched before me, filled with exquisite dishes untouched by hands now frozen in hesitation.
Then, without hesitation, I pulled out the chair beside Liora and sat down.
Liora stiffened, feeling the heat of my presence far too close. I had chosen this seat, next to her, without a second thought, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. But for the rest of the room, it was another shock layered upon the first.
A beat of silence passed before Alistair finally leaned back in his chair, exhaling a slow breath. “Well… that’s unexpected.”
Darius smirked. “That’s an understatement.”
The king, still unreadable, merely inclined his head. “You’ve made quite the entrance, Kieran.” He said,
I finally reached for my goblet and spoke for the first time. My voice was calm but carried weight. “Am I not allowed to dine with my own family?”
Obviously, surprise settled on their faces when I said that.
Alistair’s lips twitched, a dry chuckle escaping him. “Of course, brother. It’s just been a long time since we’ve seen your face at the table.”
Darius hummed in amusement, swirling his drink again. “Or anywhere, for that matter.”
Cassius tilted his head, his gaze calculating. “It’s not just that. You chose to sit beside your wife.”
At the mention of "wife," Liora swallowed, suddenly hyper-aware of the closeness between them.
I didn’t react to Cassius’s words, simply picking up my silverware with a grace that suggested I wasn’t bothered by the attention. “Is that a problem?” I said
“Not at all.” Cassius's lips curved slightly. “Simply… intriguing.”
Kaira was just staring before murmuring, "Quite interesting... It's been a while, brother. Never knew you looked this cute. Liora is lucky” everyone gazes and flickers towards her because of her last statement.
"Nice compliment, Kaira," Darius said.
Kaira felt the weight of everyone’s gazes, but before she could say anything, the king finally broke the growing tension.
“We didn’t gather here simply for dinner or annoying compliments," he said, lifting his goblet and glancing around the table. “There is something we must discuss.”