Page 54 of The Awakening of Essensia

Elijah’s eyes flicked down the alley. He lifted a finger to his lips. “They weren’t,” he said, voice low. “Most of them were locked away. Someone broke in.”

He moved closer. She backed up instinctively, her back hitting the stone wall. He bent down, his lips brushing gently against the curve of her ear.

“You’re going to help me find them.”

13

Incense

They slipped through the noble gate and into the barracks, hurrying down the dark corridor to the courtyard. She wondered if he meant to walk her all the way to her room.

She hoped not. The last memories of Jon still lingered, and she needed time alone to sit with them, or at least pass out and be free of them for a while.

She would deal with all of this tomorrow, when her head stopped spinning.

Footsteps echoed across the courtyard. Lord Jurah stood under an archway, arms crossed over his broad chest. “With me. Now.”

Vaelira swallowed down the anxious energy rising in her throat. She turned to say goodbye, but Elijah strode past her, following Jurah towards his office.

Inside, a fire crackled in the grate. Jurah sank behind his worn desk and gestured for them to sit. Before she took a step, Elijah crossed to the window and drew the curtains. “She broke curfew at my request,” he said. “She entered the Noble Quarter because I asked her to. If punishment is coming, direct it at me.”

Vaelira hadn’t expected him to speak for her, and she hadn’t asked him to. It wasn’t like he’d forced her to go, and she fully intended on taking the blame.

Jurah’s gaze flicked to her and back to Elijah. “I can’t exactly punish the Crown Prince, can I?”

“No.” Elijah grinned. “But you also can’t punish her. Or the guard on duty. Both were following my orders.”

“Guard Peris was the one who informed me,” Jurah said mildly. “I have no intention of reprimanding him.”

“I shouldn’t have bothered paying him,” Elijah muttered.

“Did you tell him not to report it?”

“It was implied.”

“Then he followed your command and his duty. Seems to me like he earned the coin.”

“Semantics.”

Vaelira shifted, pressing her fingers to her temple. Her head throbbed. Her mouth was dry. She needed water, her bed, and silence. She sat down heavily, wincing as a pulse went through her temple.

Jurah leaned forward, eyes narrowing. “What have you done to the poor girl?”

“I’m fine,” Vaelira said tightly. “I’ll take whatever punishment you think is fair.”

She felt Elijah standing behind her. His presence warmed her like a cloak, but it didn’t comfort her. It made her chest feel heavier, somehow. She wished he would leave and let her handle this alone.

Jurah studied her for a moment and turned to Elijah. “I won’t discipline her for following orders. But I don’t like it. We have rules for a reason.”

“The Noble Quarter is safe,” Elijah said, his tone harder.

“For now.”

“Do you think me incapable of protecting her?”

Jurah leaned back with a sigh. “Tell me the truth. Are you involving her in another one of your schemes?”

“What if I am?”