Hiraeth

Chapter Six

The following days were a whirlwind of tension and unease. With Lord Blue's ominous warning lingering in her mind, Sage found herself navigating the hallways of her family's estate with heightened awareness. She no longer felt safe, not just from the threats outside, but from the dark undercurrents within her own heart.

Kade had taken to shadowing her more closely, a silent guardian in the wake of Blue's unsettling visit. Sage appreciated his protective nature, but there was a different kind of heat simmering between them. Their conversations were charged with an electricity that neither of them dared to name, a palpable tension that crackled in the air whenever they were together.

It was on one of those rare evenings, after an exhausting day spent within the confines of her family's estate, that Sage found herself in the stables with Kade. She leaned against Artemis's stall, the soft sounds of the horse munching hay filling the quiet space between them. Kade stood beside her, brushing Eres with slow, deliberate strokes.

"You seem distant," Kade remarked, glancing over at her, his green eyes piercing. "What's on your mind?"

Sage hesitated, biting her lip. The way he was standing there, focused and strong, sent an undeniable thrill through her. "Just... thinking about everything. The rumors, the riders, and my family's expectations."

Kade placed the brush down and stepped closer, his presence filling the space between them. "You don't have to think about them all the time. We can find our own way."

She looked up at him, the tension in the air thickening. "It's not that easy, Kade."

"Maybe it could be," he murmured, his gaze intent on hers.

For a moment, the air between them was heavy with unspoken words. Kade's gaze lingered on her, his expression unreadable, and Sage felt her breath quicken. She could sense the emotions swirling beneath the surface-both his and her own-and the depth of it made her feel unsteady, like standing on the edge of something that had been building for far too long.

"Kade..." she began, but her words faltered as the intensity of the moment seemed to close in around them.

"Sage," he said quietly, his voice steady. "You know I'd do anything to protect you."

She swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. The weight of his words and the sincerity behind them stirred something deep within her. But before she could respond, the sudden sound of hooves echoed outside the stable, shattering the fragile moment between them. They both stepped back, startled, as the spell that had woven around them broke.

"Damn it," Kade muttered, running a hand through his hair. "Who could that be?"

"I don't know," Sage said, trying to regain her composure. "But it can't be good."

They stepped outside to see a group of riders approaching, their figures outlined against the fading light. Sage's stomach twisted as she recognized one of them-Prince Beckett, the charming royal she had befriended at many of her father's tedious parties, riding at the front of the group with an air of casual confidence. He dismounted gracefully, his demeanor relaxed, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

Beckett strolled toward them, a casual ease in his movements that contrasted sharply with Kade's protective stance beside her. "Evening, Sage," Beckett said, his voice smooth and inviting. He cast a quick glance at Kade, the hint of a smirk on his lips. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything... interesting?"

Sage felt her cheeks heat at his insinuation, the tension from moments before still lingering in the air. "What do you want, Prince Beckett?" she asked, trying to sound unaffected.

"Just wanted to see how the lovely lady was faring," Beckett said, his eyes sparkling with playful challenge. "Rumor has it there's been some trouble in the area, and I thought you might appreciate some company." He flashed a knowing smile at Kade, the challenge clear.