Collaterals

Say the Word

He did not speak till they were in the hallways leading to her quarters. Then he took two bold steps till he was by her side, "I do not know what happened in that room. I don't know what nonsense Haitham spewed to you when you two were alone. But—."

She spun, stopping so abruptly that Khaled almost stumbled. It had the Young Lord's lips apart, breath caught in his chest when she— finally, finally, finally– opened her mouth, eyes sharp with some emotion. Then she gulped, glancing to the side. Khaled followed her eyes, to her ever present entourage, who were currently very much enamored with the details of the ceiling. The Young Lord frowned, looking to her only to find that she'd already turned, walking ahead of him as though they'd not been mid-conversation. Khaled bristled, walking in stride with her, his voice hushed as he asked, "If it is privacy you need then say the word and I will whisk you away wherever you may need, all you need to do is say. The. Word."

The look she shot him was not a kind one, which was unsurprising given the tone he'd taken. And so he straightened, letting out a breath as he looked to the side and pulled his clothes straight. 

Calm. He would calm. He would be supporting and he would wait for her to grieve, to find the time to say whatever words were so very hard for her to now utter and— the door to her quarters was just a few meters away. A few meters away from another chance at speaking to her being lost. Two meters, now. One, so close that in just one stride he could reach out and: Khaled grabbed the handle to her door before she could. 

It got her attention, that much was clear. Leila was glaring at him, now, brows creased as she gave a pointed glance to his hand. The meaning was clear: move.

Khaled only frowned, making sure his voice was heard, "I would like an audience with your highness."

She began to look away, but Khaled would not have it. No. He was done waiting. Absolutely done. His grip tightened on the handle, "as Hand. I would like an audience, a private audience with your Highness as Hand of the Tainish Empire."

Someone scoffed. Khaled did not need to look to know it was the Captain. He must be catching on to some Aradian words, then. Enough to know 'Hand of Tain', at least.

Leila's nose flared as she took in a breath, giving one short nod before pushing the door open.

--

A/n: Short, I know!!! I'm sorry. But, but, but, butttttt, I will upload more throughout the week to make up for it! Pinkie Promise! 

Also, I wanted you to know that in case you ever want to share thoughts or reach out in general, I am more than happy to receive you at my email: forgotten.tendencies.resurface@gmail.com 

It would mean the world to hear from you.