A Kingdom of Bloodshed (A Crimson Court Series)

*¬*Chapter Twenty Nine*¬*

        Rivers are flowing from my eyes as I kiss him. I've never cried this much before. I've never been spoken to this way either. Kaz's words fill in the hollowed out spaces of my skeleton. They started to glue the cracks that had appeared in my skin. I didn't think he was capable of love. I wasn't certain of it. But now that he's said it, I'll do whatever it takes to make sure he doesn't stop. His mouth moves from my lips to my neck and he continues to lick my tears away.

The undiluted want that zings through my core is hard to mask. I'm supposed to be mad at him. I'm supposed to be angry that he couldn't say it back. But I understood why he choked, I understood why he was scared to admit it. The last woman he loved, hurt him in ways he never healed from and in his rage he hurt her too. I think Kaz is afraid to hurt me.

I don't know what to say to him, so I pull him closer, hoping my lips can speak words my tongue will not form. "Can you send word to your parents?" Why is that what he's asking me right now?

"What?" He chuckles, his lips brushing my cheek before he pulls away altogether. "Your parents. We need them at the council meeting I'm calling. To get all four Kingdoms united." I blink, still trying to pull myself from the dazed stupor.

"Oh, y-yes. I can send word or I can visit them myself." He nods and smiles at me, "I'll come with you." I open my mouth to protest but he smirks, "This is non-negotiable, Angel Heart. I'm going with you. Don't worry I'll keep my mouth shut." I roll my eyes but don't bother to argue with him. "So when should we leave?" He chuckles again as he pulls me closer to his chest, "Right now."

I don't even have time to protest when we've Folded from the room. The air around us warping and spinning, squeezing tightly smelling of midnight and sandalwood until my feet have touched the ground once more. The world now set back into place and there, towering before us are the large doors to my parents' palace. The smells of home hit me at once and I didn't realize I missed it until now. Kaz places a sturdy hand on my back before guiding me up the steps. We pause at the door before I reach forward and knock.

Seconds tick by and my heart is hammering in my chest. I don't know if they'll answer. "Maybe I should have-" The door groans open and a familiar face greets me. Rosemary stands still in the doorway. Her face held in shock and disbelief when she sees me. "Althea?" I smile, "Hello old friend, are my parents home?"

Rose blinks, staring at me before staring at the looming figure at my back. Her shudder makes me frown. "Y-yes. They're in your father's study. Come in."

Stepping beyond the threshold, I reach out and hug her. She holds me tightly before kissing my cheeks and murmuring, "Are you back for good? I heard the news." I frown some more, "What news?" She shifts nervously on her feet, "That you're mated to... him. And that you finally have your magic." The way she says it makes me bristle.

Easy, Thea. You wouldn't want to lose it in your own home.

Pure animal calmness. Kaz's voice soothes my bristled skin. "Are my parents available? I'd like to discuss something of importance with them." Judging by her expression, Rosemary wasn't expecting that answer. "Yes, I"ll go fetch them for you. Wait here. Both of you." She turns and briskly strides down the hallway, turning left which will lead you to my father's study.

"I don't like this." I whisper. Kaz places his hand on my spine once more and stands quietly next to me. His strength gives me the resolve to swallow the lump in my throat. Three sets of footsteps begin marching down the hallway. Hurriedly turning the corner and I am staring at my parents.

I have not seen them in such a long time. Not since I was here last. "Althea! Oh my sweet girl, you're home!" My mother rushes for me, wrapping her arms around my body and squeezing tightly. "Hello mom. How are you?" She just continues to sway with me from side to side until my father mumbles something about giving him a turn. Now both of them are holding on tightly, as if they're afraid I'll vanish forever.