Page 74 of Hidden Kingdoms

Pulling again, a ball of energy formed in my chest, and I let it grow bigger and bigger until it became a painful knot of magik I needed to release. Straining against the pressure, I pushed it outwards, forcing it from my body.

In shock, I watched as a wave of magik poured from me to crash into the dresser, the drawers rattling and the stack of books tumbling to the floor, the vase and the flowers along with it. I froze, turning to the door expecting a guard to rush in, but when no one came, I let myself relax.

Didn’t really think that one through.

At the release of my power, a rush of energy flooded my body, flowing over my skin, and I breathed deep into the feeling. I ached to use it again, but it was risky without the control I knew I desperately needed. Sliding from the bed I picked up the books, lining them back up on the chest of drawers. Luckily the vase hadn’t smashed, the flowers as perfect as when Kaius had given them to me. Would they stay like this forever? I put them back, the growing dark patch of liquid spreading over the floor was now the only indication anything had happened.

The tall woman wasonce againsetting a tray down on the table, the familiarity of it now strangely comforting. My fingers brushed over the pendant hidden under my top as I eyed the new stack of clothes she had brought, quietly eager to unfold them. I glanced up realising that she hadn’t left and was still standing in the room.

I should probably ask her name. I can’t call her Tall Woman forever.

I won’t be here forever, so it doesn’t matter what her name is.

Her eyes were on the vase of flowers on my dresser, and as I shifted they locked on to where I was tracing the outline of Kaius’ necklace. I looked away, not willing to risk the stability of my mind at this moment.

As I went to awkwardly thank her for breakfast, she spoke. “You will be taken to the gardens in an hour.”

“Why?” Taken aback by her words I asked with a frown, my fingers clenching around the emerald. The tall woman’s face warmed with a gentle smile that eased my worry a fraction.

“Because you can’t be kept in here all the time,” she said, a knowing look in her eyes as shock rippled through me. Had she heard the conversation with Bastian yesterday?

“Ok.” My brain offered me nothing more and she turned to leave.

“There’s no clock in here, how will I know when an hour’s been?” I blurted before she could reach the door.

“It would seem there isn’t.” And with skirts swishing, she left, leaving me staring at the space she had just occupied.

I was going outside.

Thoughts circled in rapid succession. Was this some sort of trick Bastian was behind? I was more than happy to spend some time outside under the sun, but would it come at a cost? I chewed at my lip as excitement and nerves warred within me. As my stomach rumbled, I glanced at the table. I’d eat first then figure this out, although I didn’t have much time to do so.

I picked at the pastries in front of me, my knee bouncing as I tried to keep track of the time in my head seeing as I hadn’t yet mastered the art of horology, and contemplated all the ways that this could go wrong. All the ways this could be a trap, but without all the information, I had no idea what sort of trap it could even be.

Did I want to leave this room? Fuck yes.

Was time spent not staring at that stupid fruit painting just what I needed? Also, fuck yes.

I silently lamented the absence of coffee, wondering if that would have helped me figure out any potential traps I was about to head into. Yet soon enough breakfast was over without a single sip of caffeine.

Knowing it was best to get ready sooner rather than later, I unfolded a long black dress that fell to my ankles, with a sizable slit up its side that would expose skin with every movement. With it was a quilted jacket that belted at my waist which I knew I would need if I was headed outside. I had Kaius’ jacket that I had slept in last night like a loser but this was probably better.

Dressing, I pulled on silky black underwear and thick socks that brushed my thighs. Glad that finally I had been given some proper shoes, ones withactualsoles.

Killing time, I brushed my teeth and tied my hair into a messy bun, before perching on the end of the bed to nervously wait for the knock on the door. Who would it be that comes to get me this time? I was hoping it would be Kaius with him there was some chance of finding out more about this place.

It was nothing to do with his ridiculously beautiful face and large body full of tattoos that I wanted to lick all over.

Or the heady way my power reacted to him.

No, it was for the information.

For the millionth time my eyes trailed around the room as if this time it would reveal some hidden clue, some information that I needed. But no, this was just a bland room they were using to house their newest prisoner.

Being grateful I’m not in a dungeon doesn’t mean I don’t wish this wasn’t the way my life was right now.

The knock finally came, and the thought it could be the creepy guard from the other night had my hand hesitating on the handle. It came again, more insistent, and I drew in a breath asI opened the door. I released it in a whoosh, and my shoulders sagged in obvious relief as I took in the guard standing in front of me. It wasn’t the creeper, it was a regular guard.

Who was now looking at me like I was mental.

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