by N. J. Cooper
“Yes, your Majesty.” She bit before going back through to the bedroom, yanking the curtain across.
~ 15 ~
‘You’re not seriously dropping it are you? We need to take that lead.’ Oracle demanded. Kyla scoffed.
‘Of course not. I want Byron and his connection with Onyx, dealt to. I just have to wait for the perfect opportunity to get out without being noticed. Everyone’s going to be asleep once we reach the goblins hotel, once they are, I’ll sneak out and get back to that warehouse.’ Kyla told the Oracle in their mind so she couldn’t be overheard. The Oracle laughed.
‘How cliché. The whole ‘sneak out while everyone’s sleeping’ trick never works. Someone always wakes up. Not to mention Zarek knows you well enough to predict you doing exactly that.’ Oracle teased. Kyla rolled her eyes.
‘Alright genius, what’s your plan?’ Kyla demanded. Oracle shrugged.
‘Same plan, but I’d execute it better. I won’t fall for those damn blue eyes your obsessed with on the Prince. I’ll get passed him easy.’ Kyla scoffed.
‘Keep dreaming Oracle. I’m not giving you control. Everything here will sense that change and be on high alert. Then how will we sneak into a guarded warehouse?’ Kyla asked. Oracle huffed, folding her arms.
‘Fine. We shall see. Either way, I’m going to go rest, I need to be at full strength and your turmoil over the Prince being angry with you, is giving me a headache. Try think of where that entrance to the tunnels could be so we don’t walk around in circles once we’re there.’ The Oracle ordered before leaving back to her room in Kyla’s mind that she occupied while they weren’t merged. Kyla sighed and looked up at the ceiling of the camper as she laid back on the bed. How was she going to find that entrance? Or even get passed the guards. What if Zarek knew what she was going to try? He was already so angry at her. Kyla sat up and was about to go and try smooth things over when Wyatt came through the curtain. He pulled it back across then sat down next to her. She leant her head on his shoulder.
“You’ve been quiet.” Kyla said, her eyes closing. He chuckled.
“We were meant to be quiet, remember?” He teased. She laughed, shoving him playfully.
“I’m not so good at that, obviously.” She admitted with a sigh then leant back on his shoulder.
“Hey, Kyla?” He said quietly. Kyla frowned at his hushed tone, leaning away to look at his frowning features.
“Yeah?” She prompted.
“I kind of have a theory to doing with the whole warehouse-tunnels thing. But I was deciding whether to tell you out there or privately because I’m not sure whether it’ll make you leave now and get Zarek in a whole lot of shit.” Wyatt admitted. Kyla’s eyebrows raised.
“You obviously decided to risk that if you’re in here whispering, so tell me.” Kyla tried. He glanced at the curtain then back, leaning in.
“That giant you killed wasn’t put there by accident.” He revealed.
“I already knew that Wyatt. Why is that important?” Kyla asked impatiently, annoyed that she had actually thought he had something she didn’t already know. He rolled his eyes.
“No Kyla, it was a distraction. Think about it. Out of every box in that entire warehouse, why was it put there? Where it could be easily found and sensed by the centaurs?” He tried. Kyla shrugged.
“I thought it was to send a message that they have leverage.” She assumed. He shook his head.
“I don’t think so. I think his scent was covering another. Having him there meant we didn’t check that area very thoroughly in fair of exposing what happened to the centaurs. I think that’s where we were captured, and our blood stains were still there, stains they didn’t want us finding otherwise we would know where to look so they put a stronger scent there to distract us.” Wyatt theorized. Kyla grinned at Wyatt, wrapping her arms around him, hugging his lean body tightly.
“You are a genius.” Kyla whispered against him, his blonde hair tickling her face. She leaned back to his blushing grin.
“I know. My question now is, what are you going to do with what I just told you because whatever escape plan you are hatching, I want in.”
Kyla cringed. She didn’t want anyone with her. Last time she had been in there with her friends, one of them had died and the others had been tortured. She wasn’t jumping at the idea of that happening again. In fact, it curled her stomach in so many twists she quickly shook her head.
“I…I’m sorry Wyatt. I just can’t. I’m not at full strength and I can’t risk losing you because I can’t protect you. Not after last time.” Kyla ended in a whisper, looking down at her hands, ashamed that she had to bring up her failure. Wyatt grabbed the sides of her arms.
“Kyla. I don’t blame you for what happened last time. None of us do. None of us were able to protect each other. This time won’t be like that, I promise. I’ve trained with you, I can hold my own, okay?” Wyatt promised. Kyla leaned into the hug he gave her but wasn’t committing to anything. She didn’t agree and was glad Zarek decided to come in at that moment to interrupt them, so she didn’t have to lie to Wyatt about her plans. Zarek frowned, looking between her and Wyatt so close. She moved away from Wyatt, standing up quickly, looking at him expectantly, waiting for him to say anything to dissolve the tension in the room.
“We’re here.” He strained. Kyla nodded and brushed passed him, acting as if the hurt in his eyes didn’t hurt her. But she couldn’t fool herself because acting was exactly what she was doing. She wanted to hold him, kiss him. Make him feel better about everything but it was impossible. He was Prince at the moment, not Zarek. He had been since finding out about his father which must have thrown him, but she just wished she could make it better for him. And the guilt that she had to make everything that much harder for him by going against the laws to get to Byron, ate away at her.
Zarek moved to stand in front of them, Wyatt behind her, waiting for the door to open.
“We have a suite in the hotel booked. Once in there, you can talk again. We’ll have something to eat then I suggest we get some sleep. Tomorrow we inspect the last site, then we head to the vampires.” Zarek said, but he was distracted, frowning. He wasn’t even looking at them. Kyla frowned. She went to step forward and check what was wrong, but the door opened, and he turned away to greet the goblins. They were led by a goblin, Zarek called Julian into the hotel that was unlike any hotel she had ever seen. A concrete building that stretched up high into a point at the top and had a mesmerizing water feature that released a waterfall down the side. Windows surrounded by moss and vines lined the concrete with the entrance being a wooden bridge over a small river that was made from the waterfall, into the heavy wooden gates set in iron fixtures. The entrance was arched and as the double entrance doors were pushed open with creaking protests, a rush of cold air hit her. She shivered, huddling closer to Zarek. His body tensed but he didn’t pull away. It was enough to make her remember not to get so close though. She bit her lip and slowed a bit, leaving a gap between them as they came to a stop in a concrete lobby. A rough stone bench sat in the middle with a goblin behind it, writing on a piece of paper with a quill. The goblin had brown hair, straight down one side with half its head shaved and a pointy silver earring hanging from a loose earlobe, the point of the ear pierced with a chain that connected to its nose. Heavy brown leather padding and armour covered its thin body, but it moved easily as it came around to greet them. There were concrete spiral steps to their left with archways everywhere, everything concrete, everything covered in more moss and vines. And the cold. It was damn near freezing. Kyla tried to stop her teeth from chattering, looking as unaffected as possible but she definitely would have appreciated anything warm at that point.
The goblin scurried over; a bow hung over its back as with all the goblins she had seen so far.
“Prince Zarek” It bent down onto one knee then got up quickly to hand an iron key to Orion.
“Here is your suite. The best for you of course. We’ve prepared
some dinner for you and your guests which has been left there for you. The centaur rooms are next door to yours and I trust you will find everything to your liking. Please don’t hesitate to ask if there’s something you need.” She rushed through her words as if this was the same thing that she said to all her guests, which it probably was. Kyla frowned. Maybe this goblin wasn’t one of the bad guys, it didn’t have the shady behaviour of its superiors. Kyla wasn’t ruling it out but wasn’t convinced either way.
“Thank you, Harlin. Your hospitality is very much appreciated.” Zarek nodded with a smile. A fond smile. Zarek knew this goblin personally. A friend? A source? Kyla wasn’t sure but either way, she liked the fact that not the entire area of goblins wished for the Royals downfall. Harlin nodded with a grin.
“Of Course, your Majesty. Enjoy your stay” She cheered before scurrying back to her desk, picking up her quill and writing furiously, clearly dismissing them.
“This way, Prince.” Julian interrupted leading them up the spiral staircase that was inconveniently narrow. It was fine if you were only 3-4 ft tall with a tiny, bony figure like the goblins, but Orion and Shemar were clearly having trouble, staggering slightly every second step with their large bodies brushing the walls. There were doors on either side of the stairs with numbers, each one another room but they kept climbing. She was glad though, the stairs she lost count of kept her warm. Finally, they got to the top, the staircase opening onto a landing with another archway. One to the left, one to the right. Julian pointed to the one on the right.
“That’s the only room we have for centaurs. Prince, you and your company are in that one on the other side. Our deluxe suite. Enjoy your stay.” He smirked leaving them with the keys.
“Goblins,” Orion sneered. He looked between Kyla, Zarek and single door, “Very clever, putting you two together, knowing the Prince’s proximity rules. Hmmm. If I thought I could fit through that door, I would be changing these arrangements. As it is, however, I’m going to be standing outside that door, and if I feel even the slightest bit of rule breaking, I’ll break the door down, okay?” Orion ordered. Kyla looked awkwardly at Zarek waiting for a response, but she needn’t have worried. He had one.
“It won’t be a problem, Orion.” He said through clenched teeth before turning to go into their room, the arch doorway creaking open to their suite. Kyla was about to ask Zarek what was wrong, as the frown still marred him, but the look of the suite had her catching her breath. The raw concrete ceiling had exposed beaming that supported three hammocks. Strange hammocks though. Each hammock had a border that kept it flat and still, made of raw tree branches, small circular ones. White rope was laced in between, in a cross over pattern that was softened by a blanket of soft green moss. Kyla walked over, her fingers brushing over the impressive design. A large arched window was behind the hammocks on the concrete wall that remained raw and natural. It was open, with white netting blowing in through the panels that were open either side, the sound of water splashing against the rock outside. She leaned out the window, the waterfall was right next to them. She smiled at the beauty, reaching over with careful fingers so the water cascaded over them. The dark night and cold air was forgotten as the water captured every thought. It was beautiful. Serene. The same feeling that she got from the pond that she went to with the King, to have their talks. She couldn’t help but sigh, leaning against the windowsill, keeping her hand in the water. Suddenly she was ripped away from the windowsill, Zarek’s strong hands held her away, grabbing a nearby napkin to wipe her hand of the water. Wyatt shut the windows behind her, sliding the netting closed. Kyla frowned.
“What are you doing? I was enjoying that.” Kyla growled snatching her now dry hand back.
“Yeah, they want you to enjoy it. Goblin water is enchanted. It distracts you so they can trick you. The Oracle should have known that.” Zarek scolded.
“She’s resting.” Kyla shrugged not elaborating on why her alter ego needed rest. Zarek narrowed eyes.
“Since when does she need rest?” He questioned.
“Since she got poisoned. Until we get back for those ashes, it’ll take ages for her to heal.” Kyla tried to explain without giving away her plan. It was harder than she thought, not to spurt out all the warm and fuzzies, and she assumed it was that damn goblin water. Did every creature’s tricks have to affect her so much?
‘Yes. Until we’re merged, you’re susceptible to pretty much everything.’ Oracle interrupted. Kyla huffed at that. Wyatt looked like he was about to say something, probably worried about her revealing the plan he didn’t even know about, but his phone rung. His face lit up when he saw who it was.
“Sky.” he grinned then excused himself outside so he could talk to her. Kyla looked at Zarek as they were left alone.
“What happened just before we left the camper? You got this look on your face that made me think something was wrong.” Kyla asked. He looked into her eyes, almost as if trying to decide whether to tell her. Finally, he sighed.
“I felt stronger,” he whispered “A rush of power. Power I shouldn’t have.” he ended. Kyla swallowed the lump in her throat over his words.
“Your father. Is King Carrick okay?” She asked softly, grabbing Zarek’s hand. He looked at them linked then back at her with a shrug.
“I don’t know. He’s still alive if that’s what you mean but every now and then I feel these power surges and I know it’s because he just got that much weaker. That much closer to death.” He trembled. Kyla didn’t know what to say to make it better, so she moved against him, wrapping her arms around his body to hold him. He hesitated for a second before closing his arms around her.
“I’m sorry Zarek.” She said honestly. He was silent for a short while until he pulled away.
“I wish you had told me what he was going through, Kyla. I don’t know how to trust you now. You don’t tell me things I should know; you lie to me. How do I ignore that?” Zarek asked. He didn’t seem angry or demand an answer, he was genuine. His voice soft and pleading. Kyla bit her lip. She didn’t even have an answer considering she hadn’t told him of her plan for that night and that it was going to go against everything he had asked her to comply with. She wouldn’t trust her either.
“Maybe you can’t,” Kyla whispered before looking back up at him “Not until this is all over. I have to do what it takes to take down Byron. Then I get my mom back. Then I can get at Onyx. That is what I have to work towards at the moment, otherwise what’s the point? No matter what we do or what we hide from everyone else, nothing will matter if I can’t take Onyx down.” Kyla realized, telling herself as much as Zarek. He took a shuddering breath.
“When this is over.” He said quietly, pulling her back in, his intentions clear in his eyes. She smiled.
“When this is over.” She agreed softly, leaning up to meet his mouth in a slow kiss that melted every part of her. He was warm and comforting and exactly what she needed to get rid of the harsh day they’d had. He seemed to share the sentiment as he held her tightly against him, his lips taking every bad moment and memory from her and replacing it with an empowering confidence that she could handle anything. She had a reason to get through everything, because at the end of it, he would be there waiting for her with the promise of more. More kisses, more warmth, more love. She wanted to keep going, keep his lips on hers, give in to the rush of heat that rolled through her body as he held her and maybe she would have but Wyatt came in then laughing his loud laugh that interrupted them. They broke apart, Kyla blushing, smoothing her clothes down as Zarek cleared his throat.
“You know, I’ve always wanted to see a door kicked down in real life and if I leave you two alone for longer than a few minutes, I think there is an antsy centaur out there, pretty close to granting my wish.” Wyatt laughed, shaking his head as he went over to one of the hammocks and lied down. Kyla chuckled, walking over to sit on the edge of the one next to him.
“What’d Sky have to say?” Kyla asked, knowing he was right
and that they couldn’t push Orion to far, not when they were in another territory. Wyatt shrugged.
“She’s working on finding your mom. She reckons Kasyn is close, that they have a few leads. I’ve already talked to Orion as well but apparently the witches over there have been going missing as well. But their souls aren’t in the shadow world where Sky is which means their souls are being kept, which is a pretty bad sign. But hey, good news isn’t what we expect at this point, so no harm done.” He laughed cynically. Kyla shook her head.
“It’ll be a miracle if we can achieve anything before Onyx takes over.” Kyla growled. Zarek looked over from where he was at the meal tray lifting the cover off.
“You guys hungry?” He asked pushing the tray over to reveal the goblins assorted food they had given them. After the giant’s food, Kyla was almost scared to find out what the goblins considered ‘food’. She moved over to the tray, a sigh of relief escaping her as a beautifully fresh, steaming roast sat on the platter with roast vegetables and gravy.
“Thank you for small favours.” Kyla grinned. Zarek handed her a plate with a smile as Wyatt popped a potato in his mouth with an appreciative groan.
“Goblins may be master manipulators, but damn do they know how to serve food.” Wyatt said picking up his own plate, grabbing a massive serving then sitting down at the table beside them made of rough wood and matching chairs with intricate carvings in the back arches.