One Eternal Ember

Chapter 11

   "Hey." Lilith says from my left, and I snap my head to glare at her.

   "Where the hell have you been? I've been looking for someone to talk too, so I don't have to think of the pair of eyes gouging a hole into my skull." I say exasperated. Lilith looks past my shoulder, then to me, and gives me a sheepish smile. "Do not-"

   "You mean the pair of eyes that belong to the Prince?" She wiggles her eyebrows. "Oh they must be sooo unnerving."

   I glare down at her, my eyebrows creasing. "It's not a joke Lilith. He won't stop staring at me."

  "Maybe he's reading your mind." She teases, "Or maybe.." A gasp. "He finds you attractive." She shrugs nonchalantly. "No one can really read him. I've never seen him with any women, except Zenna. She never leaves his side."

   I frown and continue to stare down at her. "I don't care about who he's been with, or who he's with now. I only care that he keeps looking at me like I've grown another head." I release a sigh. "I'm used to wearing my hood Lilith. I don't like the attention." She begins to turn to face the Prince, and I quickly step in front of her gaze to the Throne.

   She smiles and places a hand on her hip. "Kasdeya, I know you're not gonna wanna hear this...But....The King only brings people into the Castle like this if they're going to be staying for awhile. You should try to get used to the attention. You're noticed now. Being someone famous with a hood, is over. They recognize you as the Kingslayer. You can't escape that. Not to mention this pitch black hair of yours helps no one." She reaches up and tugs on my braid. "Is it even real anyways?" I glare at her and snag the strand of my hair from her fingers.

"Yes it's real." I pause and roll my eyes. "His gaze just unnerves me, is all."

"I highly doubt you're the only one. Now come on. Let's atleast dance a little bit. King Alastir is intoxicated, so the meeting won't be happening tonight."

"I think I'm just going to head to my quarters. I'm not dressed properly enough to dance. You go on, I'll see you in the morning." She looks me up and down, pursing her lips.

"Fine. Delano is speaking with the King now, so just ask him to show you to your quarters." She smiles. "I'll see you at the meeting tomorrow." She begins to walk away, and I begin to turn towards the Thrones.

"And Kas?" Lilith says, half turning back to me. "I think your hair makes you all the more interesting." With that she struts away, and disappears into the dancing crowd. I shake my head slightly and turn, just as Delano bows to the King, and turns to me. He makes his way over, but stops a polite distance away.

"The King is unfortunately drunk. The meeting will not be happening tonight." I nod, and look over his shoulder to find the Prince sipping on a white wine. Is everything with him so black and white? Just as I'm about to glance away, his eyes find mine. He lifts the glass to his lips once more, and takes a sip. I look back at Delano, who is glancing at me like I'm some kind of puzzle.

"I'm exhausted. If the meeting isn't happening tonight, then I would like to be shown to my quarters."

Delano's gaze narrows on me, but he says nothing. He looks over his shoulder at the Prince, and the whole room heats. The Prince is looking back at him with the coldest ice in his gaze. Delano then turns back to me, and stalks ahead. "Let's go."

Confusion spirals through me, as I glance at the Prince over a shoulder. What was that about? The whole atmosphere in the room changed the second Delano and this man locked eyes. Is there a history more than just the Captain protecting the Prince? I begin to turn to take a step, as the Prince lifts his glass and salutes me. A grin on his full lips. It takes everything in me not to glare pure fire his way. Instead I turn on my heel and stalk after Delano. That man is going to be the death of me.