Page 120 of Hidden Kingdoms

I nodded, giving him the ghost of a smile; it was all I could manage, and his thumbs brushed over my skin before dropping away.

A distant door groaned open, and footsteps sounded on the shiny floor until the second largest man I’d ever had thedispleasureto meet, stepped towards the end of the bed. Whatever weakness had been pulling at me was swept away as my magik raced to prepare itself for whatever Prince Dickhead was going to throw my way.

He must have been busy since I had last seen him, because this wasn’t the same dirty, exhausted man who had been calling orders. Now he was clean, perfect. Golden curls falling around his head like his own crown, black shirt stretched across his broad chest tucked into tan trousers. Ruby rings dotted his hands, their facets catching the light, calling to me.

“Has she recovered?” Bastian spoke over my head to the healer behind.

“She’s right fucking here, you asshole.” He didn’t bother to look my way.

“Not quite, my Lord,” Kale answered carefully, his head dipping slightly. “While her wounds are stable, they will need more attention.”

Bastian nodded. “But she isn’t required to stay here.” I saw Kale shake his head from the corner of my eye.

“Clean yourself up. You have somewhere to be.” His eyes finally slid to mine, but whatever had passed between us when I’d grabbed his hand to share our powers was long gone. We were back to our regularly scheduled mutual dislike.

“No.”

“No?” The word low and deadly as heat rolled off him.

“You don’t get to order me around,Prince.” The tension in the room was a heavy blanket attempting to smother me, but my magik was buzzing with a renewed vigour, excited for the fight I knew he could bring.

"Is that so?"

"It is. Not when you’re keeping so much to yourself. When you brought me here and still refuse to give me a reason why. When you haven’t even acknowledged the fact that I’mhereright now because I used my magik to helpyou.”

Was it too much to expect a thank you? A ‘you did a good job out there’.

Of course it was.

Heat lashed at me invisible in the air between us, agitating my recently closed wounds. I ignored it, willing my magik to coat my skin in a smooth barrier that was surprisingly easy to maintain. Kaius shifted next to me, his body angled at his friend, one hand resting on my thigh, but I didn’t need his protection.

“You’re right.” I froze in shock at the words that so unexpectedly came from his mouth, and the stifling air dissipated.

Gods, surely I’m hearing things.

Maybe I died out there.

“Your abilities do seem to be useful.”

Fucking dick.

“Which is why you’ll be receiving training. Can’t have you keep causing a scene like you like to do.” His mouth twisted into a smug grin, and I felt the rage he invoked so easily within me, desperate to wipe it right off his face.

With magik or my fist, I’m not fussy.

“When?” I ground out, conflicted between irritation at his orders, and the excitement of finally getting some help with controlling my magik.

“Now.”

“She needs to rest.” The healer's voice came softly.

“I don’t really care what she needs.” My eyes pressed closed, too exhausted for more of his shit. Kaius’ sigh of exasperation told me he was, too.

“Fine,” I said through gritted teeth.

“It’s funny you think you had a choice in the matter.” His eyes flicked down to where Kaius’ hand gripped my thigh.

Bastian turned to Alouette who was leaning casually against the wall, eyeing the back and forth with interest. “Take her to Arden, see what he makes of her.” She gave him a two-fingered salute, and he turned, striding back towards the door.

---