𝑩𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅

chapter thirty-one

Emriana

"Kove!" I stood up from the floor and went over to him. He seemed startled by my presence, and I frowned.

I frowned upon noticing how he backed away from me. He had never done that before. His gaze was straight ahead. He wasn't even looking at me. I knew he was on duty and might not be able to talk to me right now.

"Princess, what are you doing?" I jumped, not expecting Zeke to be right behind me.

"I'm just saying Hi to a friend," I said, smiling at Kove before turning toward the three men glaring at me.

"I'll leave you alone, Kove. I hope you have a great day," I smiled back at him. My eyes dropped to his hand, and I noticed a streak of blood between his knuckles.

"Kove, what happened to your hand?" I asked as I gently pried his hand open to see some red nail marks inside his palm. He jerked his hand out of my own, straightening his posture as he moved away from me.

"Do you want me to go get the physician?" I asked, and he didn't acknowledge me.

"She asked you a fucking question!" Drakkar said in an aggravated tone.

Kove dropped his head. "No, it's fine, Emriana,"

"Are you sure?" I asked. He didn't look fine. In my opinion, he looked absolutely terrified.

He nodded.

"Okay then...I'll see you later," I said hesitantly before turning toward Zander, Zeke, and Drakkar, watching me with narrowed eyes.

"What?" I asked, and Zeke rolled his eyes before taking a sip of whiskey.

"I think I should go now. I have to go work on the chapel," I said to them after none of them said anything.

They looked to be in some kind of bad mood again, so I just headed out of the room, Akira in my trail. I pushed the heavy doors open and greeted the guards as I passed.

The door swung open, and Zander walked out as well after me. I waited for him, and together we walked toward the chapel. The walk was silent. I wasn't expecting a full-on conversation from Zander anyway.

"Why did you three look so mad earlier?" I said after a long period of silence, the question ringing inside my head.

He shrugged, clearly not wanting to talk about it. I sighed.

"You know you still owe me a flower-picking session," I changed the subject.

"I haven't forgotten," he muttered under his breath.

"What about tomorrow? Are...you free?" I asked him, and he tore his gaze from the floor to meet mine. He nodded, and I diverted my eyes from him, unable to hold his stern unreadable look.

"I'll see you later, Zander," I smiled, and he nodded again, watching me walk toward the chapel doors. I raised my hand and waved him goodbye, and he unskilfully returned the wave, almost like he had never done this before. I laughed at his confusion.

"How about we go in the gardens tonight?" I asked him as I gave a quick petting to his white coat. He purred under my touch, and I bent down to kiss the top of his head. A full-face lick rewarded me. I would've been disgusted, but I loved him too much to let him bother me.

I pushed it open and was immediately greeted by the strong smell of fresh paint I had come to love.

"Emriana!" a familiar voice yelled across the room, and soon I saw Dana running toward me. My eyes widened as I ran into her embrace.