Empire of Kingdoms Awakening

Chapter 4

As the people made their way back through the entrance, they found the passageway was full of many new faces and it was packed. As the members walked to the staircase to make their way back to the room, Celeste noticed a face that seemed familiar. A woman wearing a burgundy cloak who had a rigid look in her eyes stood at the bottom of the staircase. Her black hair streamed out of the hood of her cloak and ended above her amethyst necklace. Her green eyes fastened with Celeste's and a smile slowly revealed itself on her pale lips.

The woman had begun nearing for her and Alex as they approached to go to their room. "Celeste!" She said as she walked closer towards them. Alex provided the woman a seductive smile as she came to a halt, but she didn't give him a second glance. She placed her hands onto Celeste's shoulders. "I'm glad to see you out and thriving." By her eyes, you could tell that she was being honest.

"You know what they say," Celeste paused for a moment while reviewing her face. "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger." A smile was quick to formulate as she let out a joyous giggle. "It's nice to see you as well, Elaine." She reached out her arms and gave Elaine a quick hug.

"Well since you two seemed acquainted enough, I'm Alex." He declared as he took a step forward and outstretched his hand still holding his smile. "It's nice to meet you."

The woman nodded without taking his hand. She didn't look at him as he gave her a little pout and turned her attention back to Celeste. "Stronger indeed. The dragons live on. Do they all thrive as you do?" Elaine questioned.

Celeste's face sank and she peered around the area frantically. She looked back to Elaine in a shock to her speaking with such boldness. "We must go." She said as she grasped Alex's arm as she pulled him back towards the steps.

"I'm going to take that as they flourish! I will come to see you soon, my dear friend!" Elaine called out from behind them, before turning her attention to someone else nearby.

As they made their way, Alex drew his arm from Celeste's hold to try making her stop as she attempted to put as much distance between them as she could. "Care to tell who that is?" His expression showed pure curiosity.

She did not slow down her pace and avoided looking at him. "An old friend." Her reply was filled with heavy breathing and her face had begun to become pink as if she wasn't breathing at all as they went.

He was struggling to keep up with her. "And how do you know this old friend, as Samuel just got you and you've been passed out since your little breakdown?" She turned her head and glared at him but never stopped moving her feet. In her mind, the less he knew the better.

"I wonder if anyone will ever care enough to tell me about what I did when I was brought here." She stated, obviously not wanting to address what happened. The doorway to their room came into sight. She let out a sigh of relief and began to pick up her pace ever so slightly.

Alex was quick to leap in front of her to make her stop. "You're switching the subject." She tried to walk around him, but he tugged her back to the other side of him again. "Earth to Celeste!" He shouted as he swung his hands in front of her face.

"We aren't on Earth." She said again attempting to change his focus so that she could pass him. She was prepared to endure what remained of the meeting so she could get out of there. If looks could kill, the daggers she shot him with her eyes would have made him drop to the floor. He told her that he wasn't going to let this go as he threw his hands up in submission to let her pass. "I'd assume as much."

Upon entering the room, they realized not everyone had made their way back. Several were still mingling around the room. As they sat back down, Michael and Ryella were the next to reenter the room. They looked as if they had completed an enjoyable conversation.