Page 16 of Legacy of the Heirs
“He had a fear he wished to get off his chest.” Larelle picked at the skin around her fingers, and Alvan reached for her again.
“Larelle,” he said softly. “Please, unburden yourself.” She glanced sideways at him, spurred on by the softness of his expression.
“He told me we cannot trust Kazaar,” she said, and Alvan frowned.
“Queen Elisara’s commander?”
Larelle nodded. “He informed me of something he read in a history book once. At first, he recited the final lines of the prophecy, but then he added two new lines.Watch for the dark one that will bring suffering to all. The rise of old power, the Kingdom will fall.”She studied Alvan’s reaction but saw only confusion as he leanedagainst the railing.
“What does that have to do with Kazaar?”
“The Historian said he sensed his dark power when we were last at the temple.”
Alvan stared out across the treetops, and Larelle waited while he processed this new information. “It is just one man’s word with no proof. We cannot take it as fact.”
“It would be an odd thing to lie about, though,” Larelle countered. Alvan made a noise of agreement.
“Will you tell him or the other rulers?” he asked. Larelle embraced herself against the chill. “That’s what you are so uncertain about.” He sighed and reached for Larelle’s waist, turning her to face him. “Larelle, you are wise; you have a natural instinct for things.” Larelle avoided his gaze, uneasy at the compliment until Alvan moved her head to look at him with a gentle touch. “It is difficult being queen. I imagine it has been even more difficult bearing this secret, and I am honoured you trust me enough to share it. I trust you will make the decision you deem best. If you decide to keep this to yourself, I am here as your lord. If you decide to tell the other rulers, I am here as your confidant, and if you decide to wait and gather more information, I am here as your friend.” Alvan stepped closer, brushing his hand against hers. Larelle did not move, holding her breath.
“Whatever it is,” he said, his breath tickling her face. “I am always here.”
Chapter Ten
Elisara
Elisara stared into the eyes of the man she had trusted, a man she could no longer deny her feelings for. How could she when he inundated every thought in her mind? He was everywhere. He was everything. Yet a part of her did not want him near, reminded by betrayal—not only his but the betrayal of her parents, particularly her mother, who not only had an affair with the king of Keres but conspired with him to set the explosion. The revelations bombarded Elisara, as did her warped memories. Yet one constant remained.Him.
“I’ll spend my life proving myself to you,angel.” His voice softened.Angel. Elisara did not react to him comparing her to the creatures of beauty foretold in children’s stories, nor did she ask why he called her that, nor accept his declaration. She did not melt at his feet like he probably expected. Instead, a rush of emotions overwhelmed her, yet she focused on only one. Rage. Rage at her mother, the late King Razik, the gods and their damned prophecy, and Kazaar for looking at her with such longing as if he would offer her the world on a platter. Lightning struck outside the chambers. She did not recognise her whereabouts, but from the colours of the sheets and the mosaic on the floor, she assumed they were still in Keres, no longer trapped in the confines of her mind. Elisara stared at her reflection in the darkness of his eyes, the white light ebbing within her own.
“Your power does not scare me, angel.” He raised his hand to stroke his thumb along her jaw, a flame flickering in response to the lightning she conjured. She tried not to react to the flame’swhite glow, retaining a neutral expression despite the comfort of the flame and the stirring within her at his new nickname.
“Do not fucking call me that,” she hissed.
Neither made any attempt to move from their position. Elisara remained on the bed, and from its scent, she knew it once belonged to him. And there he knelt, Kazaar Elharar, the man who bowed to no one yet was on his knees before her, stroking her jaw.
“What would you rather I call you?” He hummed. “Angel?” He trailed his hand down her neck. “Elisara?” His fingers danced through her hair until skimming her collarbone. “My undoing?” he breathed, his thumb brushing against a spot that made her shiver. “Because that is what you are, Elisara. Knowing I hurt you, seeing the emotion in your eyes when we fought, and the agonising wait while I watched your chest rise and fall, fearing it may stop at any second… You strip away all my pretences. My mind is coming undone at your hand, and I have never feared for someone else before you. How am I to command at your side and lead armies if everything that makes me feared by others can be undone with just one look from you? What do I call you when you make me feel all that?” Elisara pulled herself together, burying the tears welling at the tenderness and raw honesty in his words.
“How about my queen?” she sneered, pushing him away as she stood. She stomped past him until pausing at the archway overlooking the Ashun Desert. Her legs wavered as she gripped the stone railing, unprepared for her weakness upon waking. Narrowing her eyes, she admired her power as lightning struck the sands. For once, she cared only about wielding it. Sensing his presence behind her, she felt the whisper of his scent floating to her on the Keres breeze. She peered up at the stars and prayed to Vala—or any god—to instil her with the strength to either forgive or forget this man.
“I thought you were not mine to have?” he whispered in the shell of her ear, his hand hesitantly reaching towards her. Elisara swallowed and leaned back against him; her body betrayed her.Kazaar snaked his arm around her waist. It seemed the gods did not care for her wishes.
“I am not,” she whispered. Elisara felt her heart beating in tandem with his as Kazaar stroked her abdomen in silent reassurance.
“You don’t sound certain.”
Elisara pulled away instantly, flattening her back against the pillar of the archway. Kazaar’s eyes were wide and mirrored hers, a confirmation she had not imagined his voice in her head.
“Was that in your—”
“Mind.”His voice rang through her head.
“Get out of my head!” she screamed. Kazaar stepped back, raking his hands through his dishevelled hair.
“Elisara, I have as little understanding as you do of what in the gods name is happening here.” He locked his hands behind his head and paced the room.
“What did you do to me?” she demanded, flinching as pain pierced her chest, reflecting the pain in his expression. “The last thing I remember is—”
“The essence of our power merging.”The silkiness of his voice caressed her mind.
