𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆'𝐒 𝐂𝐑𝐘

Chapter 14

As Kaida and Maven walk through the Stilts, there is a deafening silence.

Kaida is still reeling from the fight.

They both wonder who will speak first as the only thing that echoes is the sound of their footsteps.

Kaida cracks and she cannot hold back her anger a second longer, as it manifests more with each of her steps.

Her thoughts become very clear.

They exit the Stilts and take the path into central Archeon.

Kaida abruptly stops walking as Maven takes a few steps ahead before he notices, stops and turns around.

"Do you think so lowly of me?"

Kaida's fists both clench.

"That you only see me as a...as a prize! As an object! As something to show off. How dare you, Maven Calore."

Kaida was perhaps the angriest she had been, and Maven could tell from her glacial tone.

"You know that is not what I think, or feel."

He remains level.

"Then do not ever. Ever. Use me like that again. Not to make Elias jealous. Take me out of it."

Kaida scolds, deservingly.

"I cannot believe you did that. You used me as a tool, to play with him. It was...classless."

Kaida does not hold back, it was very clear how she feels about being used.

"Classless?"

Maven's eyebrow raise and his tongue pokes into his cheek which is still slightly bloody.

Kaida loves it when he does that, but she is not in the mood after seeing her friend and boyfriend nearly kill each other.

Maven's knuckles are now raw, pale from the bruised silver blood burst from the tiny capillaries, his skin pulled taut.

"Yes. Classless."

Kaida shoves into his shoulder as she marched past him, her hands folded and her hair swinging behind her.

"Okay. You're right. I shouldn't have treated you like that, in front of him. I apologise. But I meant what I said, every word. I mean, was I wrong?"

Kaida gives him the side eye but remains silent.

A new thought pops into her head, more like a sudden realisation as they arrive at the Palace's entrance.

They stride right past the Guards at the front who bow their heads in greeting.

"Did you follow me?"

They arrive at the junction between the throne room and the King's Quarters.

They both pull off their cloaks and hand them to passing maids.

"Yes, I did. And since we're asking questions, I have a lot for you."

The vibe between them is prickly, almost stand-offish and nothing comes across as a joke.

Kaida assumed they are going forward to the King's Quarters, to Maven's room, but he grabs her arm and stops her.

When their eyes meet, Maven simply shakes his head and gestures to the throne room.

A heavy metallic sound of boots suddenly rebounds around them as Rhizo Elson, Maven's Head Guard, comes stomping, his feet moving quickly.

"Your Grace."