Chapter 29: The questioning
KAEL
For some reason, my resolve to stay away from Lilac is slowly crumbling. I didn’t intend for this, but here I am, inching closer each day. It’s why I agreed to Father’s demand that we keep a guard with us. I hate the admission that I can’t always protect her. She deserves that much, and I wish I could be by her side every moment. Yet, some nagging feeling tells me Father has more reasons for assigning this guard. My suspicions heighten when I recognize the guard as Alvin Russo’s brother. I push away the guilt that threatens to surface about selling Alvin off to Talon. I had to, even if it weighs on me.
For now, I let the thoughts slip into the back of my mind, burying them beneath a thin layer of control. My focus today is Lilac. I can’t shake the worry that I frightened her back in the palace. She looked vulnerable and wary, and I don’t want her seeing me as a threat. So, here we are. I don’t know why I brought her to this little hideaway, but I remember how Mother would fry me chicken whenever I was upset. It was a simple gesture, but it always helped. Somehow, I think it might do the same for her, even if it’s a bit ridiculous. I suppose there are worse things than being a “simp” for my fated.
I watch her as she sits across from me, fidgeting with the can of drink, her nervousness clear. "Are you though?" she asks me, that single question hanging in the air like a silent accusation. I should be the one squirming under her scrutiny, given all the rumors floating around.
I lean back, observing her quietly, taking in the subtle tension in her features. She’s strikingly beautiful, even more so when she’s deep in thought. Each time she licks the chicken sauce off her lips, I’m tempted to lean forward and capture her lips in a kiss that would take her breath away. I clench my hands, willing myself to stay composed. She’d probably jump out of her skin if I acted on those thoughts.
"If I am," I respond slowly, "would you leave me?"
Lilac’s eyes widen, and I see her swallow hard, the moment stretching between us. "I can’t leave," she murmurs, her words heavy, each syllable pronounced with care, as though speaking any louder would make them less true. Then, almost to herself, she adds, “Even if I wanted to.”
I let her words sink in, ignoring the pang they stir. She doesn’t want to be here. The realization settles in my chest like an icy weight, and I feel an odd disappointment. “I’m not moon-mad,” I finally say, my voice more defensive than I intended. “I’m… just a little different from the others.”
Her curiosity piqued, she stops eating, her gaze fixed on me. "Different? In what way?" Her eyes glint with interest, and I can’t deny the satisfaction of having her attention so completely.
I glance at the guard, standing close enough to catch every word. Lilac’s gaze follows mine, and I sigh inwardly, wishing for once that my life wasn’t constantly observed. I bring my attention back to her, choosing my words carefully. "What do you know about us?" I ask.
She shrugs, looking slightly embarrassed. "I used to think I knew quite a lot… but now I’m not so sure."
I offer her a small smile, one laced with a bit of humor. "It just shows how much you’ve misunderstood our kind."
She nods thoughtfully. "I guess so." Then, more insistently, she asks, "How different are you to make people think you’re moon-mad?"
The question lingers between us, and I feel the faintest spark of vulnerability. Just as I’m about to answer, my phone buzzes, interrupting the moment. I glance at the screen, and my lips tighten in frustration when I see Caulder’s name.
I end the call and look at her. "You have to come with me."
\---
Lilac
When Kael said I had to come with him, I didn’t know what to expect. Maybe another hidden corner of the palace, or a quiet garden tucked away from prying eyes. What I didn’t anticipate was being driven to a nearly deserted area filled with uniformed men. It takes a moment, but the realization clicks—the Lyncs base. My heart beats faster as we walk inside. He’s taking me to the Lyncs base.
The grandeur and intimidation of the building are unexpected. Its stone walls and imposing structure look almost medieval, like a fortress pulled from some ancient tale. The air is thick with authority, each step echoing with a sense of duty and purpose. This place makes the palace look quaint by comparison.
Kael’s hand remains lightly on my back as he guides me through a series of rooms and halls. Each space we pass only intensifies the atmosphere. Finally, we reach an elevator, and Kael presses a button to take us down. I feel the air grow cooler as we descend, the dim lighting creating a more ominous ambiance.
When we step out, the doors slide open with a soft ding, and Kael tells Roman to stay back. The guard merely nods, and Kael leads me into a small room that feels more like an interrogation chamber than anything else. My stomach churns slightly as I take in the sparse furniture and the cold, metallic shine of handcuffs hanging on the wall, alongside a silver dagger. The sight sends a chill down my spine, but I focus on steadying my breathing.
"It’s fine, Lilac," Kael says, his tone soothing yet distant. "You’re here as a witness to what happened that night." He pauses, his eyes narrowing slightly, as if even he is unwilling to remember the events in detail.
I nod, understanding enough not to push him for more. My gaze drops to the polished table as I wonder if Issy is here, too. Maybe she’s also being questioned. My fingers tighten around the edge of the table, the sterile scent of the room making me feel a bit claustrophobic.
Just then, the door opens, and Raul enters with another man. “Raul?” I blurt out, surprised to see him here. Isn’t he Emery’s fated? I didn’t realize he was also involved in this investigation.
Raul gives me a reassuring smile, his calm presence easing my nerves slightly. He settles into the chair across from me, but when Kael moves to stand beside me, I can sense a subtle shift in the room. The tension thickens, and a low growl escapes Kael’s throat when Raul meets my gaze with a hint of familiarity.
"Are you ready to answer a few questions, Princess Lilac Hirav Aspen?" Raul asks, his voice gentle but firm. I swallow, my mouth suddenly dry, and nod.
"Good." He opens a small notebook, the paper’s faint rustling adding to the stillness. "What was your relationship with the victims?"
My heart pounds as I struggle to find the right words. "Uhm... they were…" I pause, unsure how to express the strange, fragmented connections I had with Olivia and Nino. “They were my friends,” I finally say, the lie feeling hollow but necessary.
\---
The questioning, thankfully, doesn’t take long, but I can still feel the strain clinging to me as we leave the Lyncs base. Kael hasn’t spoken a word since we returned to the car. He merely dismissed Roman at the base, insisting he’d guard me himself tonight. But even as we approach his suite, his silence hangs like a dark cloud.
When we arrive, Sam opens the doors, his quiet, respectful nod a customary gesture that reminds me of just how alone I am in all this. Each subtle nod, each silent glance from the palace staff, only reinforces how foreign and isolating this world is for me. The thought rises unbidden, and I push it down, but it lingers, making me feel restless and frustrated.
Kael continues down the hall towards his room, his face hard and distant. The distance stings more than I’d like to admit, and before I can stop myself, words tumble out in a rush. “You really are cruel, aren’t you? Kael Aspen!”
My voice rings louder than I intended, and his steps halt abruptly. He turns slowly, his fierce blue eyes burning into mine, an intense mix of emotions flashing in his gaze. I feel a nervous shiver run down my spine as he stares at me, unblinking, assessing.
He steps closer, and I instinctively hold my ground, even though every nerve in my body is urging me to look away. His eyes darken, and I suddenly remember just who I’ve challenged.