Page 67 of Hidden Kingdoms

Weak. I was anything but weak. I could feel the force of energy flowing through me, desperate to be released, and instinctively I knew he wouldn’t find it easy to hold me back. It crashed against my barriers, raging at this man sitting before me, but somehow it was easier to contain like this. I relished in the feel of it melding with my anger, the two seemingly in sync.

“You need my help,” I taunted, almost vibrating with satisfaction at the way he clenched his jaw. The flames behind his eyes danced, and I felt the sudden change in the air as his magik pushed forward.

“That’s enough.” Kaius stood from his seat next to me, hand gripping my elbow trying to turn me from the table. Pulses of his own magik were dark on my skin as they attempted to soothe me.

I stood, keeping my focus on Bastian as he rose, hands clenched into fists by his side and blazing eyes fixed on mine.

“Tell me why I’m here,” I ground out. “Ask for my help. Or let me go.” As his temper flared through the heat surrounding us, I knew he wasn’t used to people telling him what to do.

“No.”

“Fine.” My anger drained away as I realised I would be no better off banging my head against a brick wall—he was too stubborn.

Despite my frustration at this complete waste of time, I let Kaius turn me from the table, his hand sliding to rest on my lower back. What had been the point of any of this?

It definitely wasn’t because he wanted the pleasure of my company over some sandwiches.

Without another look at Bastian, Kaius opened the door, guiding me outside with the two guards.

“Wait here, just for a moment,” he said, releasing his hand from my back and stepping back into the room, the door cutting off all sound from within.

The barrier between me and them deflated the force of power that had been growing within me, shrinking back into the place it resided.

Wait here? Like fuck.

I started off down the corridor, half expecting the guards to follow me, but neither of them left their post.

I had no idea which way to go, but I kept walking. Someone would find me eventually.

27

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

KAIUS

As the door slammed behind me, all I could do was cross my fingers that Elodie would do as I had asked and not take off, trying to find her room herself.

My hopes weren’t high. It didn’t matter; I’d soon find her.

I’d find her anywhere.

Bastian whirled to face me as the door shut, fire dancing in his eyes. This was the second time I’d seen him lose his shit after being with Goldie, and while it amused me to see him riled up, it couldn’t continue. He needed to get a grip and not give in to her antagonising. It was funny as hell, but no one was benefiting from it.

“Well, that was pointless,” I said as he frowned in anger, hands still fisted at his side. “Why didn’t you just tell her?”

“I’m surprised you haven’t already. The two of you seem pretty cosy.” I rolled my eyes at him.

Yeah, I’d answered her questions, but he knew I hadn’t told her why she was really here. I wouldn’t be waiting much longer, though.

“Don’t be so dramatic.” He hated that. Gritting his teeth, he forced his power back down, rolling his neck to ease the strain of controlling it.

Bastian had always had a temper, and out of the two of us he was the quickest to anger, but being out of control was something he despised, and he had worked his ass off as we grew up to keep his emotions in check. His duties wouldn’t allow him to fly off the handle and yet, the tiny white-haired girl we had brought to this palace was breaking through that control at every encounter. After this little lunch date, I could see she enjoyed it, too.

“It makes no sense, Kaius,” he growled.

“Nothing much does, Bas, but regardless of whether it makes sense, we have to deal with it now.”

I understood his frustration. I really, really, did. All that time spent searching and when we finally think we have the answers, we’re thrown another obstacle. This time in the shape of a feisty woman who wanted nothing to do with us.

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