Page 134 of Hidden Kingdoms

His eyes dipped towards them before meeting mine, and clearing his throat he said, “Alouette will be waiting for you by now.”

I made no move to turn away, wanting to hold onto this moment for a little longer while it was still just us—here in our own little world. The seconds passed, or it could have been minutes. Time holding no weight as my heart pulled painfully in my chest until I had to look away. As I moved to leave, he surged forward, hand twisting in my white hair, he pulled me into him. Our lips clashed again, my hands trapped between us digging into his hard muscles.

“Elodie baby, go to Alouette,” he murmured, almost painfully against my lips. Slowly releasing his grip on my hair, I nodded. Stepping away to pull in a clear breath, I knew I needed the space to clear my head.

The dark entrance to the tunnel loomed as I turned to it, picking my way barefoot across the stones and willing myself not to look back. I heard the crunch of the stones as he went back to the water. I braced one hand on the wall, ready to step into the darkness that would lead me out of here, but I couldn’t help glancing back towards the pool.Towards him.

The towel he had used to cover himself had been left at the water’s edge, and I was rewarded with the view of his toned ass walking away from me back into those crystal waters.

“I told you, you can look at my arse another time, Goldie. Now go.” Kaius’ voice bounced off the walls, and I didn’t hold back the laugh that fell so easily when I was around him, even after everything that today had been.

The nearest flames flickered to life as I walked, my magik humming contentedly with the memory of Kaius’ tattooed body rising from the water.

I didn’t know what this would mean for the rest of my time here, but I had the feeling that leaving had gotten ten times harder.

And made being here ten times more complicated.

49

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

ELODIE

“You look... refreshed.” Alouette smirked as the door opened up, her sage eyes glinting as my cheeks flushed pink.

“I might look refreshed, but I feel like I need to sleep for a few weeks.”

“Ah, don’t say that, I’d miss you so very much.”

“You’d be glad for a break from babysitting.”

“You’re not so bad, Killer.” She nodded down the hall, and I fell into step bedside her, noticing how different I felt from when she first pushed me into the dark. That water definitely was blessed, because my body felt like it could easily take on a hundred-mile run, climb a mountain and fight a bear all without breaking a sweat.

Not that would I do any of those things, but Ifeltlike I could.

My mind, however, was foggy with exhaustion and struggling to piece together the events of the never ending day I had just lived through.

“I think today may have been the longest day of my life,” I mused, as the floor started to slope upwards.

“Tell me about it. Once I get you to your room, I’m going straight to bed. Saying that, I might not even make it and will have to snuggle with you.”

“I wouldn’t even mind if I’m being honest.” Having Alouette in bed with me would probably be quite nice considering everything else.

“So—my new room—straw beds and rats?” I cringed at the thought as she laughed.

“Definitely not, have you not noticed you’ve got some very powerful Fae wrapped around those pretty fingers of yours?”

I scoffed at her, shoving weakly at her shoulder, not surprised in the slightest that she barely moved. I needed to get myself in the gym, build up these muscles if I’m ever going to stand a chance in this place.

“If that was the case, I would be able to convince them to let me go home.”

“And that’s what you want is it, to leave?”

My mind was not sharp enough right now for this conversation, so I just shrugged, letting the paintings lining the walls take my attention as Alouette led me through the castle. I paid no attention to the turns or number of staircases we ascended. Knowing I’d never yet been able to keep track of anywhere I went within the palace, so there was no point trying now. I did notice as the corridor got wider and the carpet thicker. Smooth, dark, grey granite walls held ornate frames, and the clear windows were replaced with beautiful stained glass images of women wreathed by fire, the last rays of the sun beaming through.

The corridor ended in a huge black door dotted with the golden studs they seemed to love so much here. The top of the door, too high for anyone to see through, was made up of red and black stained glass. The walls around the door were no longer grey stone, but black, streaked with veins of red and white thatI was sure writhed and twisted the moment my eyes were not directly focused on them.

“This… is where I’m staying?” I whispered in awe as we stopped in front of the door.

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