Kingdom Raiders

Chapter 4 - Ada

"ELYAS!" I CALLED, racing up behind the man who was carrying a stack of books and parchment.

He flinched but didn't stop. Huffing, I sped up my steps to catch up as he pushed the door open to the King's study. "I would appreciate Ada, if you'd leave me alone to do my work."

Leaning on the door so it closed, I looked around the room that was now illuminated by the window on the far side of the wall. I could see stacks of books and paper piled up in every corner, the candle from last night almost melted to the base, the wooden writing desk and chair had been sufficiently worn out by the King's past scribes.

"There's not much chance of that happening. I need answers." I get straight to the point.

Elyas sighs, rubbing a hand over his face as if already too tired to deal with my antics. Did this man never sleep? "It's not happening Ada. You need to get your head out of the clouds because it's top secret."

Pushing myself from the door, I step closer. He has to know I'm not leaving until I get some answers. "Is that why we would be killed? I still don't think King Roland would do that to me. I'm practically his niece. At least, he treats me like his niece."

"Well some things won't be forgiven."

"Over a tea party?" What is so special about that?" I was about to ask more questions but the burning in his eyes had stopped me before I could get any further.

There shouldn't be anything dangerous about a tea party...

"I really can't deal with you right now." He pinched between his brows as if a migraine was starting to form. "You need to leave, I have a job to do."

It was my turn to sign, albeit, a bit too fake and dramatic to be considered real. "I suppose I'll just go have to ask the King himself about the Tea-"

Before I could finish, the wind was knocked out of me and I was seeing dancing spots in my vision. Only when the spots cleared did I realise I had now been pushed against the door by two strong hands pinning my shoulders. Elyas was now standing over me, fire dancing in his eyes, only this time, he seemed almost amused. He leant forward, and my heart stopped, eyes going wide. My breath hitched as I felt his breath on the side of my face. This was not the type of intimate encounter you see drunk couples in corners at a royal ball have, no. This was much, much, worse. A metallic smell clung to his skin with a hint of perfume. Then it hit me, this was the smell of blood. For some reason, he no longer was just the King's Scribe.

"You promised not to tell a soul." He whispered into my ear with an underlying threat, as if we were in a crowded room and it was only meant for me.

I gulped, wishing that I could now morph with the door so he was no longer in front me. He seemed to realise he got the point across and let go, stepping away and back to sifting through papers like nothing ever happened.

Maybe it was a stretch to say I could breathe again, because I really couldn't. I don't know how I was staying upright for this long and not having passed out from lack of air. Leaning to the handle I pulled, hoping not to make a sound in my escape. Fate however must hate me and decided that now would be a great time for the door's hinges to squeak. I flinched and grimaced at the same time, stopping my movements to slowly check over my shoulder to see if he was looking. To my luck, he wasn't. I took a breath and kept pulling on the door, just as I was about to slip out of the room, I look up. Elyas was standing inches away, our noses almost touching. It took everything in me not to scream.

"Remember, not a soul." I nodded and shut the door the rest of the way. I could have been mistaken, but I swear I saw a hint of a smile in the last second I pulled the heavy wood between us.