Page 183 of Hidden Kingdoms

Etched there was a circular shape that bore resemblance to a compass, only with seven markers and cardinal points that I wasn’t familiar with. Thickets of tangled brambles were woven around it, leaves layered one upon another, weaving their own patterns, and the thick veins that rose across his forearm stood in relief beneath the thorny branches.

The ink continued up his arm and my fingers followed, where they entwined with other plants and flowers. Most of which I didn’t recognise despite the intricate details that had been expertly branded on his skin. Every delicate petal, every vein on the leaves visible.

I traced them past the crook of his elbow, and over the curved muscle of his bicep until they disappeared under the fabric of his dark top, delighting in the goosebumps that peppered his skin inthe wake of my touch. His hand tightened slightly where it was laid on my hip.

Slowly, I ran my fingers back down to his, and he clasped my hand, twining our fingers together so that my gold rings knocked against the silver ones he wore, his thumb tracing across the twisted metal and gemstones that adorned my fingers.

“They’re beautiful,” he murmured, following the patterns woven from gold.

“Thank you.” My pulse beat in time with each pass of his thumb, his body heat sinking into my skin. “I made most of them.”

Kaius pulled my fingers to his face as he studied them closer, pressing a soft kiss against an oval-cut ruby that went straight to my core. “Impressive.”

“I sell them, too,” I added, revelling in the lingering feel of his lips. “I’ve probably got a whole load of pissed off customers wondering why their order never turned up.”

He continued his examination. “Will you make me one?”

“I don’t really work with silver,” I blurted out, thrown a little by his request.

“I guessed as much, Goldie,” Kaius laughed softly before he shrugged against me. “I don’t mind what it’s made of, I’ll wear anything you make me.”

Something in my chest fluttered at his words, and I let myself consider the idea. As though it had been there all along, I could see the exact emerald I would use, knew which compartment it was kept in back home. The delicate leaves I would create to cradle it with thorny branches that wrapped around his finger would be as intricate as the art on his skin.

The thread of contentment I felt this close to him squeezed at the thought of him wearing something I made, and I decided that should the opportunity present itself, I would make himsomething. The quiet found us again as we lay together as my own question for him formed.

“CanIaskyousomething?”

“Of course,” he replied instantly.

I only hesitated for a moment before I spoke. “Tell me about Blair.”

Kaius adjusted himself, pushing up onto his elbow and looking down at me with confusion wrinkling his brow.

“How do you know Blair?”

“Well,” I started, unsure how to explain this morning. “She kind of broke in here this morning, and I woke to her sitting on my bed.”

His laugh was deep and full as he laid back down next to me, the sound relieving a little of the tension I hadn’t known I still held over this morning’s revelations.

“Of course she did,” he said, more to himself than to me.

Kaius’ fingers found mine once more, and the room grew a little darker, the shadows almost reaching out to touch us. He remained quiet for longer than I expected, so long that I had begun to think he wasn’t going to answer.

“When I was born, I was appointed a Praecustos,” Kaius said, continuing before I had a chance to ask what exactly that was, his arm tensed under where my head rested against it. “They’re a type of guardian, someone who is supposed to guide you, teach you. It’s a practise mostly done by the Royal Lines and their relations, as their children are almost always guaranteed to be of a higher power level and need that extra bit of guidance.”

“My Praecustos, Eero...” He pulled in a slow breath lacing our hands together, the pad of his thumb moving in small, measured circles as I waited. “Was not a good man. There were others under his… tutelage, and we all suffered under his hands. Blair was one of them.”

There was more; I knew there was so much more to this story. I could feel the unspoken words that stayed trapped within him, but I wasn’t going to push. Something inside me cracked, an aching sadness that grew under his unsaid words, but his story was his own to tell or keep as he desired.

“That’s why she’s here.” Not needing an answer, I squeezed his hand with mine, knowing no more was going to be said today. He squeezed back, and I tucked myself a little closer as I thought back to my morning visitor.

“Not going to lie, the kid’s a little creepy.” His soft laugh was a rush of relief, and the room lightened, shadows slinking back to the far corners.

“I agree, she is definitely creepy. It’s one of my favourite things about her, though despite what she looks like, Blair’s not a child.”

“What is she then?”

“I have no idea, and neither does she.”

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