Crowned in Crimson Cinders

Chapter 42: The Unexpected Arrival

It had been two days since the fire, two days I hadn't left my room. But today, Brock came back and apparently, he hadn't come alone.

"Who's with you?" I asked, my voice a little rusty.

"Darian," Brock replied.

Less than a few seconds later, as if his name were a summons, the door reopened. I sprang up from the bed. Darian walked in slowly, a hesitant uncertainty in his stride. Without another thought, I ran to him, wrapping my arms around his back. In that moment, I realized the depth of my relief, the overwhelming gratitude that he was still here, safe with me.

Darian didn't speak, but his arms tightened around me, holding me close. We stood there for a long moment before he finally pulled back, a soft release. "Aleah," he began, "I need to talk to you."

A wild panic erupted inside me. My mind raced through every possible outcome for this conversation. After all we'd just been through, after nearly dying, he wanted to talk? Was he angry? No, why would he be mad? Had I done something wrong?

"Okay," I managed to say.

He nodded. "Listen, I know how you feel about... us," he said, gesturing vaguely between and around us. "And I know this is probably the absolute worst time, especially after... yesterday. But I just need to tell you that you're the only per—"

"The only person I've been thinking about," I blurted, cutting him off.

"Yes, how did you—"

In that instant, everything from yesterday—the murders, the fire, the destruction—faded away.

"I'm so sorry for saying our relationship was a mistake," I rushed out, my words tumbling over each other. "I'm so sorry I stopped everything just as I started to have feelings for you. And I know it was only one kiss, but I want you to know it meant the world to me, and I'd give almost anything to have that moment with you again."

"Kiss?" I could hear Brock say from behind us, but we ignored him.

Darian was silent, his expression one of utter surprise. We stood there, staring at each other, a silent dare for who would speak next.

"Does this mean that..." he began, his voice hesitant, "that we can be...?"

"Yes!" I practically pounced on his offer.

This time, he was the one to pull me into a hug, and I clung to him, returning his embrace even tighter.

A discreet cough from the corner of the room jolted me back to reality. Brock. I had completely forgotten he was there. How embarrassing.

"Um, not to interrupt this tender moment," he said, sounding a bit awkward, "but I'm still here."

We sprang apart so fast, I could feel the heat creeping up my neck and cheeks.

Just then, a knock echoed from the door. We all exchanged bewildered glances, wondering who it could be. Brock started towards the door, but I stopped him halfway.

"No way am I letting you answer that. Remember what I told you? You're in a lot of danger now, being the last son of the family."

Brock backed off, and I was grateful. Instead, I stepped forward, my hand behind my back, conveniently summoning my power. A ball of steaming black fire pulsed in my palm.

I opened the door slowly. The face that appeared on the other side was not what I expected. It was Bri.

"Oh, thank goodness! You're still alive!" she cried, pulling me into a tight hug. "No one's saying anything! I tried asking the guards posted around the guest wing what happened, but they were like talking to a brick wall! I'm just so glad you all made it!" She hugged me a second time, her relief palpable. "I was closer to the back so I had more time to run out. When I did, I couldn't find any of you. There were so many people and I just couldn't get through."

Something inside me shattered. She didn't know. We would have to be the ones to tell her. I glanced back at Brock and Darian standing behind me. Bri, too, registered the somber mood in the room. Someone had to break the news, and no one wanted to.

Brock looked like he was preparing to speak, but then another set of footsteps echoed from the hall. I braced myself for anything: my mother, father, a guard, another assassin. However, I wasn't prepared for who did step through the doorway.

Brylee stood with her arms crossed, a look on her face I knew all too well. She was here for revenge.