Chapter 12: Echoes of the Forest
The walk back to the palace was surreal. The air was heavy with the scent of pine needles and the metallic tang of blood, humming with the aftermath of their encounter. Elara, her senses heightened, felt every touch of Kaelen's hand against hers, every brush of his arm against hers, as an electric shock.
Equally shaken, Kaelen said nothing, his eyes on the path ahead. Still, he tried to work out what had happened in those few minutes: the unexpected rise of this feeling of protection, the raw intensity of their kiss. He had never felt that before.
By the time they reached the palace gates, guards, alarmed by the commotion in the forest, were running toward them. Their faces wore concern, but at the sight of the Crown Prince very much in one piece, they relaxed a bit.
"Your Highness!" one of the guards said, "We were so worried! We heard the commotion and feared the worst."
Kaelen's voice was still husky as he said, "It was… an ambush." His gaze strayed to Elara, locking with hers. "But it's over now."
Turning back to her then, his eyes sought hers. "You have to go to your rooms," he ordered. "Sleep. You have had a night."
Elara, who hadn't wanted to leave his presence, nodded. She knew he was right. She had to rejuvenate, needed to sort her mind out.
She turned and, as she went away, took a last look at Kaelen. Standing by the palace gates, his figure silhouetted against the rising moon, he watched her. A queer sense of comfort swept over her, knowing she was watched over and safe.
Lying in bed as the night wore on, Elara felt the events of the evening replay themselves before her mind's eye in Technicolor. The fear, the adrenaline, the unexpected intensity of their kiss-it was all so unreal, a fever dream.
But the resinous smell of pine needles, the soft murmur of his heart against hers, were real. She closed her eyes, envisioning his face, his eyes with that raw emotion she had never seen before.
She had created this world, these characters, but she could never have anticipated this. She had never thought that even her emotions would be so intertwined with the lives of the characters she brought to life.
Nora, the writer, started to question herself whether this was no longer a story-it was her reality.
As she finally started to nod off, her maid Lyra's soft voice called out from the hallway outside her room. "Your Highness, the Prince is here to see you."
At the mention of Kaelen's name, her heart went into a race. He was inside within instants, looking grave yet concern softening his features.
"Elara," he started, his tone low. "May I come in?
"Of course," she said, sitting up in bed, her heart racing at the sight of him.
Kaelen stepped inside, closing the door behind him. "I wanted to check on you," he said, his gaze searching hers. "After everything that happened last night…"
Elara felt a warm sensation spread through her at his words. "I'm all right, really," she assured him. "Just trying to sort it all out."
Kaelen nodded, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes, a spark of mischief. "I have an idea," he said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Come with me."
Before she could utter a word in response, he reached out his hand, and she took it, feeling the now-familiar jolt of electricity between them. He led her through the palace, his grip firm and reassuring.
Up a winding staircase so well hidden and working its way to rooftop gardens he had never seen, they made their ascent. Finally, emerging into the open air, the vastness of the sky greeted them, painted in shades of blue and gold until the setting sun sat low on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the palace and the sprawling gardens beneath.
Kaelen shifted toward her, his features softening as he took in the view. "I thought you might like to appreciate the sky," he said barely above a whisper.
Elara nodded, but her gaze wasn't for the sky, but for Kaelen's face. The way the light danced across his features, bringing into prominence the sharp angles of his jaw, the intensity of his stormy eyes, was mesmerizing. She had a great urge to see him more clearly-to understand this man she had created for herself and had fallen in love with.
In a moment of boldness, she reached up and gently grasped the edges of his mask, pulling it away without asking. Kaelen's breath hitched; surprise flickered in his eyes, but he did not stop her. As she removed the mask to show his whole face, the sight took her breath away. He was incredibly handsome, his features striking and perfectly chiseled. The vulnerability in his expression made him even more alluring.
Her heart was racing as her fingers traced his cheek, in wonder at the warmth of his skin. "You're… beautiful," she breathed, her voice full of wonder.
Kaelen's lips curled into a soft smile, a mixture of surprise and delight. "I never thought I would hear those words from you," he replied, his voice low and teasing.
As they stood there, the world around them faded away. The sky, the palace, the dangers lurking in the shadows-all of it seemed to vanish, leaving only the two of them in that moment. They leaned closer, their breaths mingling, the tension between them palpable.
And just as their lips were about to meet again, another commotion spoiled the moment. An advisor burst onto the rooftop, his face frantic. "Your Highness!" he exclaimed, out of breath. "The Emperor requests your presence immediately."