Chapter Twenty Nine - Garden Exit
RENESE
I stood beside Kaira, a half-full glass of wine cradled loosely in my gloved fingers. My gaze hadn’t left the dancing pair since Kieran stepped onto the ballroom floor. My eyes followed every movement—his hand on Liora’s waist, the way he leaned in to murmur something only she could hear, the rare softness in his otherwise stoic face.
Kaira, next to me, was beaming.
“They look beautiful together,” she said with a quiet smile, hands clasped in front of her. “Don’t they?”
I didn’t respond at first. My lips pressed into a thin line, eyes narrowing slightly as if I was trying to study a puzzle that didn’t quite fit. Eventually, I said, “Is that really Kieran?”
Kaira blinked, then turned her head slightly. “Of course.”
“Are you surprised?”
I gave a dry, almost breathless laugh. “Of course. I almost didn’t recognize him. He’s… different.”
“He is. I wasn't expecting his looks to change this way,” Kaira scoffed. “I think he's healing. In his own way.”
“He was never like this before,” I said, my voice softening, almost wistful. “He used to try to be among the crowd till that fateful day. He started avoiding it like the plague. He barely spoke to anyone outside of duty. And now—he’s here, in a ball, dancing, dressed like a prince from a storybook.”
Kaira’s smile faltered a little. “People change.”
My eyes drifted back to Liora. “Who is she?”
Kaira turned to fully face her. “Lady Liora, I introduced you to earlier.”
“What does she have with him?”
“She's his wife.”
“Oh, Kieran is married?” I said tightly. “But who is she really? Where is she from? She doesn’t carry herself like that princess she is.”
“She’s not,” Kaira replied, trying to remain polite. “She was?… I can't explain that right now, Renese.”
“I'm all ears to hear. It's been a few years; I wasn't present, and a lot of things had happened.”
“I can't explain that now. Here. We're at a party. A ball,” she was trying to avoid giving me some answers.
“We can go outside.” She turned back to the dance floor and said, “I'm not,” before placing the goblet on her lips.
In agony, “Ok then.”
My brow furrowed. I need to get these questions off my chest. “The ceremony they used to whisper about? I thought it was abolished.”
“Not entirely,” Kaira said. “And she was chosen. That’s all I’ll say about it.”
Chosen?
I tilted her head, watching Liora laugh at something Kieran said. The sound of her joy, free and unguarded, seemed to pull something taut in my chest.
“And how long have they been married?” I asked.
“Four months.”
I took a sip of my wine, then lowered the glass slowly. “Strange. I never know if Kieran will ever get married. Or even choose a girl.”
Kaira scoffed, but she was tired of my questions. “Perhaps not everything should be known,” Kaira said, her voice cooling. “They’re married now.”
I was quiet for a beat, then asked, “Do you think he loves her?”
Kaira turned away slightly, jaw tightening. “I think he’s trying.”
I lifted my brows. “That’s not a yes.”
“And you’re asking too many questions,” Kaira snapped, the edge in her voice finally surfacing. “If you’re so curious about their marriage, ask him yourself. Or her.”
I blinked at her, surprised by the sudden change in tone.
But Kaira was already stepping away. “Excuse me, Renese. I see a suitor I promised a dance to.”
And without waiting for a response, she walked off with her head high, leaving me behind in the flickering candlelight—eyes still fixed on the couple spinning in the center of the ballroom, wrapped in a moment that felt like it belonged to them alone.
I still need answers. How come Kieran got married, and judging by the girl, she doesn't look like someone with a title, not even a princess.
But those answers can't be gotten for only tonight. I need a holiday, a bit from Auradell.
LIORA
The last note of the song faded into the golden air of the ballroom, and Kieran leaned in close to my ear. His voice was soft, just for me.
“I’ll be right back,” he murmured, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
I blinked, startled by the suddenness. “Where are you going?” I asked, but he was already walking away, threading through the crowd with quiet purpose.
I watched him vanish through the side doors that led toward the gardens.
For a moment, I stayed where I was, uncertain. Maybe he would return quickly—maybe he just needed air. But minutes passed, and the ball resumed its gentle rhythm without him. My heart thudded with unease. The music didn’t sound the same anymore, not without him near.
Curiosity and concern intertwined in my chest.
Quietly slipping away from the crowd, I followed the path he’d taken, my gown trailing over the smooth marble floor, heels tapping lightly until I reached the garden entrance.
The air was cooler here, hushed by night. Torches lined the path, flickering against the wind. And there—near the edge of the garden, just before the woods began—stood Kieran, his back to me, his posture stiff. His hands clenched at his sides, head tilted slightly up toward the moon.
“Kieran!” I called, my voice uncertain but firm.
He turned sharply, his eyes shadowed by moonlight. “What are you doing out here?”
“I was waiting for you,” I said, stepping closer. “You left without saying much. I thought something happened.”
He hesitated, jaw tight. “Nothing happened,” he said. “I just needed… air.”
I looked past him, noticing how close he stood to the edge of the forest. “Why out here?”
Kieran’s eyes flicked away. “It’s quieter.” Then softer, “You should go back inside. The ball is still going.”
I stepped closer, brushing my hand against his. “Are you coming back?”
He shook his head faintly. “Not yet.”
“Where are you going?”
A long pause.
“I won’t be gone long,” he finally said. “Just… go back, Liora. Enjoy the night.”
I watched his expression, searching his face. Something in his eyes had changed—wilder, darker. Like something inside him was stirring.
“Are you… shifting?” I whispered.
He didn’t answer. But his silence was loud enough.
“I could come with you,” I offered gently, but he stepped back.
“No. It’s dangerous.” His voice was sharper than he intended. Then, quieter, regretful, “Not this time. Just—stay where it’s safe.”
My heart tugged at the worry in his tone. She knew better than to push. Not now.
“Will you come back?” I asked again, my voice barely a whisper.
He glanced at me one last time, something storming behind those golden eyes. “I always do.”
Then he turned and strode into the trees, shadows swallowing him whole.
I stood there alone, the music of the ball faint in the distance, my hand still cold from where it had almost touched his hand.