Page 72 of The Awakening of Essensia

He lifted a hand, brushing his thumb across her cheekbone. There was something in his eyes she didn’t understand, something sharp beneath the warmth. Then his mouth was on hers and for a moment, she stood frozen. Then she was kissing him back, rising on her toes as her hands slipped around his neck, fingers tangling in his thick hair.

This was foolish. It wasn’t what she had come for, but gods he was good at it. She arched into him as his hand slid down her side and over her hip. His tongue writhed against hers and liquid molten pooled deep in her core. His long fingers dug almost painfully into her flesh, pulling her tighter against his firm, unyielding body. She could feel every tense line of him pressed into every soft part of hers.

The sensation overwhelmed her. She’d never been kissed like this. It was urgent. Desperate. As if he were drowning, and she was the only air left in this world.

A knock sounded at the door, and they broke apart. He looked down at her, shoulders heaving, but he didn’t smile. He watched her, like he was waiting for something.

The knock came again and he turned, his hands leaving her as he strode for the door. She rocked back slightly, unbalanced at his absence.

The heat that had been building inside her receded as he spoke quietly with whoever was outside.

He shut the door and crossed the room, grasping a jug of water so tightly his fingers whitened around the handle. The angry red of his knuckles flared against his pale skin. He set the jug on the nightstand and moved back to the door. “Get dressed,” he said. “We’re going to the palace.”

“I thought we were going to the Royal Library?” Her voice was quiet.

“If I enter the library through any other entrance than the one in the palace, my mother’s will be informed.” He was irritated, his words coming out clipped. “I’ll be waiting in the hall.” He left without another word.

Vaelira stood alone, her arms hanging at her sides. Her breath stuttered in her chest, her hands numb. She should’ve felt something, but instead, she felt hollow, like the moment had taken something from her, rather than given it. She drew a slow breath, shoulders lifting.

Focus.

Whatever that was, it wasn’t why she was here. She hadn’t come for him. She had come for answers. She turned towards the bed, finding the dress gleaming duller than before.

After doing her best with the small bag of cosmetics Elijah had brought, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her cheeks were dusted with a blush too pink for her complexion, her eyes shadowed with thick charcoal smudges. The emerald silk of the dress brought out the pale green flecks in her eyes, and she had undone her plait, letting her dark hair hang loose in soft waves to her waist. She was unrecognisable, which she supposed was the point.

They exited the tavern through a back entrance, avoiding the curious glances their clothing would have no doubt brought in such an establishment. Elijah had changed too. He wore a silk cream shirt with delicate embroidery stitched into the collar. The gold buttons of his jacket shone so brightly in the torchlight Vaelira suspected it had never been worn before. A deep crimson velvet cloak was slung over his shoulders, sweeping perfectly to his ankles, long enough to be impractical but fitting for Prince. He wasn’t hiding his identity tonight.

They passed through the gates and into the Noble Quarter by carriage but disembarked before reaching the palace gates. Vaelira gave Elijah a questioning glance as he took her hand and helped her step down from the carriage. He lent in close, whispering into her ear. “We will hide you in plain sight.”

The soft soles of her shoes glided over the cobblestones. They clearly hadn’t been designed to be worn more than once, and she could have sworn the soles grew thinner with every step she took.

Lamplighters were walking unhurriedly down the streets, leaving a warm glow in their wake. Light poured down from tall windows and balconies, catching in the ends of her hair and dancing along Elijah’s cloak.

They walked arm in arm, close enough that she could feel the warmth of his body through the fur shawl draped over her shoulders. She pulled her arm free, but his hand slid to her lower back, curling around her waist and keeping her at his side.

He bent to her ear once more, and to anyone watching, it would seem like a whisper shared between lovers. “Not yet," he said, breath tickling her neck. His expression transformed into something warm and effortless, his full lips stretching into a smile as he looked at her so intensely, she almost forgot it was a ruse.

Ahead, an ornate gate flanked by six guards rose from within the stone wall. An outpost high above was lined with archers, bows slung across their backs. The wall was far taller than the one separating Old Town from the Noble Quarter.

A bead of sweat slid down her temple. She wiped it away before it could smudge the powder and tilted her face towards Elijah, drawing close enough to seem enamoured. Leaning into his side, her heart hammering, she forced a steady smile into place.

Heavy footsteps approached. “My Prince,” a guard said, bowing deep at the waist. His cloak was pristine white, the Royal Crest pinned at his neck polished to a high shine.

“This is Lady Lucille,” Elijah said smoothly. “She will be joining me for dinner tonight.”

Elijah had assured her that the guards didn’t know the names of every noble, but that didn’t stop her nerves from spiking.

The guard's gaze shifted to her, his eyes dragging over her body. Her skin prickled, and for a moment she was certain he would see the magic beneath, but then his attention returned to Elijah.

“We’ve been told to refuse anyone without the King’s favour,” the guard said.

“I couldn’t care less about your orders,” Elijah said, sounding bored.

“My apologies, sir, but it is by Her Majesty’s orders.”

Vaelira’s chest tightened. She let her lower lip jut out. “Elijah,” she said, willing her voice into Cassivelle Dorevanne’s high pitch. “You promised to take me on a walk through the gardens again like last time.” She blinked hard, doing her best to summon tears. Just a spoiled girl denied her evening pleasure.

Elijah turned, his lips twitching with amusement. He snapped back to the guard, face hardening. “Look what you’ve done. You’ve upset her.”