Ruby Red

Chapter Ten

The Ponsillar Sea was one of the most beautiful sights in the world, especially under the light of the full moon. The deep azure waters turned cobalt in the pale white moonlight, crashing onto shore with layers of foam on top. Waves hit the beach at constant intervals, and their melody was one of Karis's favorite sounds.

Alana and Karis had discovered this cliff not too far from the palace on patrol one day, and ever since, they had lovingly called it "their spot." No one else knew about it except for them. It was the perfect place to sit and think or to hold confidential conversations or to just bask in the other's company. They snuck out here whenever they could escape their duties.

Karis looked out over the waves, hands in his pockets. The wind nipped at his arms through the thin fabric of his shirt, and he wished he had brought something to keep him warm. Hopefully Alana would be here soon and they could talk before he got too cold.

He was hoping Alana would come back. However, that whole day passed with no sign of her. Especially with Indigo on the run again, he just wanted to make sure she was safe. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and never let go just to feel her close to him. He had never wanted to see anyone as badly as he did her.

"Karis."

He turned his head, then his body. There she was. Alive. A quick scan of her body didn't point to any injuries. He noticed Alana was wearing a flowing blood-red dress covered with a black cloak. The hood shadowed her features and the wind whipped the fabric up around her legs, but Karis undoubtedly recognized her.

"You came." He couldn't hide the smile on his face.

She didn't smile back as she said, "Of course I came." But her voice was soft. There was still some shred of connection between them, and Karis would hold onto it for dear life. "I don't have a lot of time, though. Make it quick."

"What do you mean?" Karis asked. "Aren't you coming back to the castle soon? Everyone's looking for you. There's a lot going on, and with the ball coming up in a few days..."

"I know what's going on." Alana stepped closer, clasping her hands in front of her. "I'm a part of what's going on. I'll be there for the ball, but I'm not sure when exactly I'll return after that. If I return after that."

"I'm worried, Alana. Three guards were found dead this morning. The Blue Bandit escaped from prison. People are starting to hunt for them, and Fallon even suggested that you're working with them. You've barely spoken to me since the queen's announcement, and then you just disappear? Why?"

Alana's voice remained calm as she walked closer and closer to Karis. He backed away from her, not because he was scared she was going to hurt him, but because he couldn't tell what she was thinking. When you couldn't tell what Alana was thinking, you knew her emotions were bubbling just below the surface, ready to explode. "I'm an adult, Karis. I can take care of myself. If I want to leave, I can leave."

"Not when you have a job to do! Not when you're sworn to protect the royal family! You joined the guard for one reason, and that was to protect them no matter what."

"That's not why I joined the guard. I joined the guard because I had to so I could keep my family alive. I'm doing what I need to do to keep us and others like us alive. You would think we would have talked about that by now, having been friends for a couple of years."

Karis chuckled. "I would know if you actually told me and trusted me to let me into your past."

"You are not obligated to know that about me just because we're friends," Alana snapped. She paused for a moment and straightened her shoulders. "Or maybe we're not friends anymore."