Page 45 of Love of the Bladed Dove
Just when her lips parted in confusion or maybe anticipation, he veered to her ear instead. “You better now? Thought I was going to lose you there for a second.” Her entire body went rigid.Of course.It was a distraction. An act. Anger and humiliation burned through her. She ripped her arm free and stormed away.
“Woah, woah, what’s wrong?” Kain called, easily catching up with her.
She spun to face him, chest heaving. “You know what you did!”
He froze at her tone before his eyes narrowed in harrowing recognition. “What exactly did I do that was so upsetting,Layla?” Her name. He’d never used it before. Not like that. The seriousness in his voice stopped her anger cold. She stared at him, breath caught, her temper suspended by uncertainty. Then she yanked her arm away again and walked off, unwilling to confront whatever just passed between them. “Yeah,” Kain muttered behind her, “that’s what I thought.”
They continued to move through the crowd in silence for another hour. Layla refused to play into whatever game Kain was attempting. Refused to think about the way his fingers brushed hers when they passed too close or the heat of his body every time he leaned in to whisper something harmless, yet dangerously charming. She refused. Or so she kept reminding herself.
Finally, they stopped near the champagne table. Kain reached to offer her a glass, but Layla’s attention was caught by two noblewomen standing just behind the tiered crystal display. The women spoke in hushed tones, but their sharp-edged words carried easily enough.
“I don’t care if that stupid Graystonian bitch is pretty,” one of the women sneered, swirling her drink so hard it nearly spilled. “If we win the auction, imagine what Yssra could do with all that land… we would have it all.” Layla’s stomach twisted violently. Her hands clenched at her sides, nails biting crescent moons into her palms. Burning indignation surged up her spine, hot and blinding—And without thinking, she reached for Kain’s hand. Her fingers found his and locked tight, as if anchoring herself to something real. Something solid. Somethinghersin a room full of vultures, already circling.
“Just breathe, Little Dove,” he whispered, barely turning toward her. His voice was a steadying force, low and warm against the noise. “We’ll save them before anything happens. I promise.” She forced her eyes to his, grounding herself in their quiet fierceness. His certainty helped her remember who she was, who she’d fought to become and what they were here to do. But the women’s voices carried on, barbed with entitlement and ignorance.
“Frankly, I’m shocked Redmore even bothered to send delegates,” the second woman said coolly, adjusting the delicate lace cuff of her glove. “Everyone knows they don’t have the coin to place a serious bid.”
“Please,”the first scoffed, swirling her drink with a smirk. “You could say the same about Velastra.” She gave a sharp laugh. “Honestly, I’d stomach anyone winning but Xantar. I don’t trust anything that slithers out of those gods-forsaken mountains.”
The second woman let out a bitter laugh. “All that snow, and somehow it still manages to hide every secret ever whispered. No one knows what they’re planning up there.” Layla’s heart stuttered. She glanced sideways at Kain, wondering if he’d caught it too.He had. His eyes were already on her, unreadable now. The mention of Xantar darkened his expression, if only briefly.
“Let’s go find the others,” she said under her breath, her tone sharp with purpose. “It’s time to update the plan.” Kain nodded and slipped his hand from hers, but not before brushing a thumb once across her knuckles, subtle and comforting. And then they were gone, slipping into the crowd like silk drawn through fingers.
As they turned toward the jousting arena. Layla’s gaze swept the crowd—then stopped, fixating on a scene ahead. Theron. Standingmuchtoo close to a woman. One hand planted above her shoulder against a column. He was smiling. Laughing.Flirting. The sight sucker-punched her. She hadn’t even known Theroncouldsmile like that.Had he ever looked at her that way?Her blood boiled and on top of that, she knew she didn’t need to look to feel Kain’s eyes on her.
“Don’t say a damn word, Kain.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he replied smoothly, though she didn’t miss the faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Just then, Theron looked up and their eyes clashed. She watched in stewing anger as he turned to the woman, whispered something, and stepped back. The moment shattered as quickly as it formed. Theron approached, the smile gone, replaced by that stoic mask she knew all too well.
“We’ve got some information,” Kain said before the tension could boil over.
“So do I,” Theron replied, eyes never leaving Layla’s.
“Let’s find the others. Figure out our next move,” Kain interjected, breaking the standoff. Theron nodded, and they began walking. Layla fell into step between them, barely containing the blaze of anger seething inside her—every step beside him a battle not to explode.
Theron leaned in. “It didn’t mean anything,” he said under his breath. “I was just trying to get information.” Layla said nothing, her fists clenched so tight her nails dug into her palms. “Layla,” he tried again, quieter this time. “I was trying to helpyou.”
She spun to face him, her voice low and venomous. “So much forneverhurting me again.” Theron’s shoulders sank just enough for herto notice. She turned away and kept walking. Her sisters needed her. The mission mattered. Love, betrayal, confusion—all of it could wait. For now.
Chapter twenty-one
Theron.
As they approached the others, the guilt settled heavier on Theron’s shoulders with every step. The woman had thrown herself at him, and he’d made the calculated decision to flirt back. It had seemed the easiest way to draw out information without raising alarm. Easier than slitting a throat in broad daylight he thought. But now, he wasn’t so sure.
The look on Layla’s face when she saw them together had gutted him. He didn’t know where he stood with her after that morning, but after this? He had the sinking feeling he’d just made it worse.
“We haven’t found out much, other than the King won’t be making an appearance until tonight,” Xaden said as they rejoined the group.
Kain stepped forward, his voice rougher than usual. “It’s not just a wedding,”he said. “This entire weekend is about his wedding, yes—butalso… an auction.” The entire group stilled in confusion and wary anticipation. Even the air seemed to hold its breath.
“He’s selling the princesses,” Kain continued grimly.“To the highest bidders from the northern kingdoms. The auction is scheduled for morning.” He glanced down at Layla as he said it, and for a rare moment, the teasing gleam in his eyes was gone—replaced with something raw. Something close to heartbreak.
A stunned silence settled over the group like a storm cloud. Sparrow muttered a curse under his breath. Edwin’s fists clenched at his sides. Even Xaden stiffened, his brows knitting in barely contained vehement disapproval. But Theron just watched the shift in Kain—how he stood nearer to Layla than before, how his hand hovered close to hers, seemingly ready if she needed him. Protective even. It needled something deep inside Theron and he swallowed it like poison.
“Tonight’s the wedding feast, I guess more of a ball really,” Theron said, forcing his voice to steady. “A woman I spoke with owns a clothing shop just outside the main square. She mentioned it’s unattended. Accessible. We’ll use the festivities as cover to search the castle.” His gaze drifted to Layla, but she didn’t look at him. Didn’t look at anyone. Just stared past them, eyes distant, jaw clenched. But he could feel it—the heat radiating off her in waves. Not quiet anger. Not grief. This was a blazing, unforgiving wrath.
