Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Liora’s POV

Was this a trick?

He looked back at me with an amused smile, before he whispered, “Come on, Altharos, let’s go”

I closed my mouth, but I could barely move my feet.

He rolled his eyes before he moved towards me, grabbed my hand and pulled me through the small door. He had to bend to move through, but I just walked right through.

Whatever, still not too short.

As soon as we entered, the door closed behind us, and I jumped slightly, the sound catching me off guard.

My sight basically disappeared. It was so dark, I couldn’t even see my own hands. I grew slightly nervous, I did not like the idea of not seeing or knowing where I was.

“Relax,” Kysen's voice suddenly whispered in my ear, as I felt his presence behind me. So close. There was barely any space between us, as I felt my back graze his chest.

The hair on my skin stood and goosebumps scattered all over my body.

“Breathe,” he said softly, and that was when I realized I was not breathing.

I let out a slow breath.

Then I felt his arms wrap around me from behind and I stiffened again.

“What are you doing?” I asked. I hated how breathless I sounded.

Before I could open my mouth again, light glimmered right in front of my eyes and I gasped.

Fire.

Right in the middle of his palm, a ball of fire bloomed from it.

“Beautiful…” I whispered my thoughts.

It really was beautiful, I was so caught in it, that I almost forgot he had his arms wrapped around me.

“You think so?” He asked, right beside my ear again, and that was all it took for me to snap out of it. The effect his voice had on me was dangerous, and I was not going to let it take over.

I cleared my throat, “Uhh…”

He understood immediately.

“Oh.” he said softly, before he unwrapped himself from me, “I’m sorry, I got distracted”

By what? I wanted to ask, but I couldn’t get the words out.

I looked around instead, assessing the staircase that unfolded in front of us.

“So, what is this place?” I asked, as he grabbed a torch stick and lit it up with the fire in his hands.

He led the way down, the stairs uneven beneath our boots, carved straight into the rock.

“It’s just a secret chamber. Many years ago, during the great war, this room was built by the ruling faes to have secret meetings, fearing there was an imposter among them. Now, it is basically just a room, but not many people know about it. Only certain elders, and youth faes that are direct descendants of the people that used this room”

“Does my mother know about it?” I asked curiously.

“No, she does not. My family ruled during the war” he explained and I hummed in response, as he curved the staircase. I followed him carefully, trying not to miss my steps.

Who knew there was something my mother did not know about?

“It sounds like a family secret, why would you bring me here?” I asked.

“Because I trust you,” he said without missing a beat.

Silence settled between us as I processed it.

I wasn’t sure I would ever get used to knowing that.

“What if the other people that know about it find out you brought someone here?” I asked and he shrugged.

“Each of us has the liberty to bring one person we trust here, but they must be of royal blood.” he explained and I nodded my head in understanding.

One person… and he chose me.

“I’m guessing that’s why your girlfriend out there could not argue much, because I’m of royal blood?” I asked, trying to sound casual. But I was anything but. The words rolled out before I could think. I shut my eyes in embarrassment. Thank Green he had his back to me, and the staircase was narrow.

He chuckled in response, “Joan? I do not have a girlfriend, Altharos”

For some annoying reason, I liked his answer.

I didn’t say anything else, I was still reeling from the embarrassment. It sounded almost as if I was bothered by the possibility.

“Why? Are you jealous, Altharos?” He asked and I scoffed in response.

Right at that very moment, we reached the bottom, and the passage opened into a wide, circular chamber hidden deep beneath the library.

He turned to me immediately, a grin plastered on his face “Well, are you?”

I swallowed, suddenly feeling nervous knowing he was watching my every move.

I scoffed again, “You wish”

“I do,” he said, and my eyes widened slightly, but I quickly recovered, my eyes narrowing at him.

“I know you, Dravon. There is no way you are flirting with me” I said, completely turning the tables.

“And what if I am?” he asked, and I tilted my head to the side.

The room fell silent, both of us staring at each other, refusing to look away.

I hummed, finally breaking the silence, and looking around the room, my eyes dragging across the interior as I assessed it.

“So, we’re safe here?” I asked and he hummed in response, finally moving from his spot. He lit the other torches in the room with the one he had, and the room lit up.

The stone walls curved inward, etched with old tactical markings, lines, symbols, and faded notes, likely from a time when war strategies were whispered in secret. The air held the faint scent of ink and old metal. Not dust, which showed that it was probably being maintained to an extent. Along one side stood a long wooden table, solid and scarred with age, but cleared and organized.

A few old chairs were arranged around it, pushed in neatly.

In the corner, a narrow shelf held thin, old books, timeworn manuals and rolled maps tied with twine.

Kysen watched me take it all in.

“Do you come here often?” I asked, as I moved towards the table, and dragged a finger over it, like I was inspecting it. There was barely any dust.

“More often than not, but I’ve been extra busy recently” he said and I nodded.

“So, what do you do here?” I asked, and he tilted his head to the side, something I've now learned he does when he is thinking.

“I just like to be alone sometimes, away from the people. I think more clearly here, and I nap here too sometimes.” He said and I frowned, as I looked around, wondering if I missed a bed or something one can sleep on.

“Where? Do you nap on the floor?” I asked and he chuckled.

“Has anyone ever told you you're funny?” He asked, as he walked around me, and I spun around, following his movements.

“Who would? My mirror?” I said, mocking myself. I really had no friends. Ha, funny. I guess I really was funny.

He moved to the corner of the room, and pulled apart a curtain that I hadn’t noticed there before. The color blended right in with the walls.

Behind it, was a small bed, neatly made, tucked away in the corner.

I smiled, “Nice”