The Awakening

Chapter Forty Nine

"Breathe." The golden-eyed Fae mouthed the word again, his gaze analysing and attentive. There was something about his aura—something commanding—that made Avelon's chest tighten and her mind slow. She drew in a shaky breath, feeling a strange, soothing pressure in her chest. Her eyes fluttered briefly, breaking contact long enough for her legs to wobble. When she steadied herself, she took another deep breath, trying to focus.

How had he done that? How had he managed to pierce through the chaos of her panic with nothing more than a look? She could not make sense of it.

Her gaze darted back to the meeting table. Ernin was rising from his seat and the two Fae he had been speaking to flanked him. The others around the table barely noticed their movement, though they cast furtive glances at them before diving back into what appeared to be a heated discussion, likely spurred by the bomb Elha had dropped earlier. Elha and Balor had disappeared into a nearby room, leaving no time for hesitation. If Avelon and Ernin did not act fast, their plan would fail.

She forced herself to gulp down another mouthful of air to calm and steady herself. She had no time for her nerves to overtake her now. Pushing away from the pillar, her legs trembling beneath her before she hurried to meet Ernin at the other end of the hall. As she passed the main table, she noticed the two Fae trailing behind him watching her cautiously. Their eyes tracked her every move. Her heart skipped as her eyes locked with the golden eyed Fae's. His golden gaze shimmered brighter as she drew closer. They seemed to glow with an intensity that pulled at something deep within her. For a moment, she forgot the reason she was there and the plan they needed to execute. His gaze flicked from her face to her body and back again, causing a flush to creep up her neck. She had forgotten all about her attire. The thought of appearing vulnerable made her squirm inwardly, but she pushed it away. There was no room for self-consciousness now.

"This is Geliah and Kaedon." Ernin said, his voice steady and snapping Avelon's attention back to what was important.

The two Fae nodded in acknowledgment toward Avelon before continuing on, passing them without another word, as though they had somewhere else to be. Avelon's brows knit together in confusion, watching them slip into the crowd.

"There's no time for more pleasantries," Ernin whispered, nudging her forward with his arm snaking around her waist. "They'll meet us at the docks. We must hurry if we want to find Fallon and get out of here."

Avelon hesitated, her gaze lingering on Kaedon and Geliah as they disappeared. Reluctantly she tore her eyes away from them. To any onlookers in the hall, it might have looked like Ernin had claimed a plaything, and that he was leading her off to a quieter corner of the palace. The thought left a bitter taste on her tongue. What they were doing was dangerous, and she had no time to wonder what other Fae were thinking about the situation.

Let them think whatever, as long as I get out of here. She thought to herself. Her mind anxiously drifted to Elha. It would not take Balor long to stop fretting over the information Elha had revealed. And once he started asking questions...

"Shouldn't we run?" Her heart hammered in her chest.

"No," Ernin whispered, his voice barely audible as he drew her closer. "That would draw attention. If Balor returns to the table, we should be fine for at least another hour. It's not uncommon for the Lords and Ladies to step away for a while." His eyes flickered toward the table, ensuring that they were not being watched too closely.

She glanced over her shoulder as well, back into the crowd of unknowing Fae. Her anxiety gnawed at her insides.

"Don't look so guilty, Avelon. Now avert your gaze, look at me and let's hurry to so that we can get Fallon." Ernin whispered close to Avelon's ear. Goosebumps rose on her exposed skin at his proximity.