Chapter 46

Chapter 46
OMARI

The training ended, but the tension didn’t.
Everyone was quiet as they picked up their things. The sound of footsteps filled the yard. I could still feel the heat from where Kael’s hand had brushed mine.

Leighton didn’t look at me again. Ashton 
gave a few more orders to the guards before turning toward the house. Paxton walked behind them, muttering something under his breath about Kael showing off.

Kael stayed where he was, wiping sweat from his face with the back of his arm. He looked calm, but I could tell he was enjoying how much he got under their skin.

When I turned to leave, his voice stopped me.
“Omari.”
I looked back.
“You shouldn’t be out here with them if 
you’re still sore,” he said.
“I’m fine,” I replied.
He tilted his head a little. “You sure? You almost fell twice.”
“That’s because you kept throwing me on the ground,” I said, my tone sharper than I meant.
His lips tilted. “That’s training.”

Before I could answer, Leighton’s voice cut in. “Training’s over. You can go now.”
Kael’s smile faded a little. “Didn’t realize I needed your permission.”

“You don’t,” Leighton said, stepping closer, “but I’d prefer if you didn’t talk to her like that.”

Kael gave a quiet laugh. “Like what? Are you jealous again?”
Leighton’s jaw clenched. His eyes darkened, and for a moment, I thought he’d hit him.
“Stop it,” I said quickly. “Both of you.”

They stared at each other for another long second before Leighton turned away, breathing hard through his nose. Kael didn’t move until he was gone. Then he looked at me again.

“You should eat something,” he said. “You look pale.”
“I said I’m fine,” I repeated, even though my stomach did feel weak.

He sighed, brushing his messy hair back. “You never listen.”
“And you talk too much,” I said, trying to hide the small smile that wanted to come out.
He chuckled softly. “Guess we’re even then.”

He walked away toward the garage. I watched him for a moment before going back inside. The house felt colder somehow. The maids were quiet. My mom was in the kitchen talking with my stepfather in a low tone. They stopped when they saw me.

“Training already?” my stepfather asked.
I nodded.
He smiled weakly. “Good. You need to learn to defend yourself.”
Mom looked at me with worry. “You shouldn’t push too hard. You’re still healing.”
“I’m fine,” I said again. It was the easiest lie to tell that day.

I ate lunch quietly. The triplets sat on the other side of the table. Leighton’s gaze never left his plate. Ashton tried to keep the peace by asking about the guards. Paxton just kept throwing cold looks at Kael, who had joined us without being invited.

Halfway through the meal, my stepfather cleared his throat. “Kael will stay in the east guest room for now. Until the next patrols report back.”
Leighton’s fork stopped midair. “He’s staying?”
“Yes,” my stepfather said. “He proved his loyalty last night. We could use another fighter.”
The table went silent. Kael didn’t react. He just kept eating like nothing had changed.

After lunch, everyone went their separate ways. I went out to the garden with a small watering can. The roses looked half-dead from last night’s mess, petals scattered all over the ground. The air smelled faintly of smoke and something strange. 

Watering the plants usually calmed me down. But today, my hands shook a little as I poured the water. I could still hear the screams from last night.

I didn’t notice Kael until his shadow fell across the flowers.
“You missed a spot,” he said softly.
I looked up and found him leaning against one of the stone pillars, his arms were folded, watching me.

“You’re following me again,” I said.
“Just walking,” he said with a half-smile. “Didn’t know the garden belonged to you.”
“It doesn’t,” I said, lowering my gaze. “But this part’s mine.”
He took a step closer. “You like roses?”
“They were my dad’s favorite,” I said quietly. “He planted them.”

Something softened in his face. “Then he had good taste.”
I didn’t answer. The water dripped down the leaves. I didn't know how to respond to that exactly. 

For a while, we both stayed quiet. The only sound was the water and the soft rustle of wind. Then he spoke again.

“You shouldn’t blame yourself, you know.”
I froze. “What?”
“For what happened,” he said. “It wasn’t your fault.”
I stared at the flowers, my throat tight. “If I hadn’t gone near the window,  maybe the rogues wouldn’t have seen me.”

“They would’ve come anyway,” he said. “They always do.”
His voice was low, steady. Like he knew more than he was saying.

I looked up at him. “What do you mean?”
He didn’t answer right away. “Just  keep your guard up.”
Then he turned to leave.

Before he could, I said, “Kael.”
He stopped.
“Thank you. For last night.”
He looked back, eyes unreadable. “You don’t need to thank me.”

“I do,” I said softly.
“You saved my life.”
His mouth twitched into something like a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Then don’t make me do it again.”

He walked off, leaving me standing there with the sound of the water dripping into the soil.
By evening, the house grew tense again. The guards doubled their patrols. My stepfather stayed locked in his office with Ashton.

Leighton trained alone in the back yard. I watched from my window as he swung his sword again and again, sweat glistening on his back.

Kael stood near the edge of the yard, talking quietly to one of the guards. They didn’t look friendly.
Something about it made my chest feel tight. I didn’t even know why.

Later that night, after dinner, I went to my room early. I tried reading but couldn’t focus.

Every sound in the house made me jump. When I finally put the book down, I noticed the moonlight barely touched the window. It was cloudy again.

Then came the knock.
Three soft taps.
I sighed. “Who is it?”
“It’s me,” Leighton’s voice said quietly.
I hesitated but opened the door.

He stood there in a dark hoodie, his hair damp from a shower. “Can I come in?”
I nodded and stepped aside.
He sat at the edge of the bed, looking down at the floor.

“You shouldn’t be alone tonight.”
“I’m fine,” I said automatically.
He shook his head. “No, you’re not. I can see it.”

He looked up, his blue eyes softer than usual. “When I saw you out there, when I thought those rogues” He stopped himself and exhaled sharply. “You mean more to me than you realize, Omari.”

My heart stuttered. “Leighton”
He didn’t touch me, but the space between us felt smaller and smaller. “You make it impossible to think straight,” he whispered.
Before I could speak, the door creaked open again.
Kael.

He leaned against the doorframe, arms folded, his expression unreadable. “Sorry. Didn’t know it was crowded in here.”
Leighton stood up fast. “You don’t knock?”
Kael smirked. “You never gave me a reason to.”

“What do you want?” Leighton demanded.
Kael’s eyes flicked to me, then back to him. “We need to talk. Your father’s calling a meeting.”
Leighton’s jaw tightened. “About what?”
Kael’s gaze darkened. “The rogues. They found something.”
The air in the room shifted again. I felt cold suddenly.