12. Kellian

CHAPTER 12

Kellian

I t has been many days since Kellian felt his heart stop beating. Days since he threw himself in front of Kyeria and held her hard enough to bruise her burned body. He paced his room at night, visited Kyeria every dawn helping her regain strength again. But the days before she woke, when she lay still as stone in that bed after the Dragon fire had consumed her, Kellian refused to leave her despite his sister insisting he needed to rest and feel the fresh air on his skin. He told her to leave him alone, pried open a window in Kyeria's room, and sat back down in the chair he had dragged over to be by her side.

Once Kyeria had awoken, he felt himself take what felt like his first breath in days. But then the guilt crashed into him. He had failed to keep her safe—a Dragon, his own kind, had harmed her. Kellian couldn't make sense of it. But as Esmeralda threw herself into research, and Aura into training, Kellian turned most of his attention to his royal duties. Other than his morning visits to help Kyeria, he was buried in work. Fendiah had taken flight and would be back at the end of the month. Fendiah had gone to the Isles, to convene with the Northern Dragons and to inform the council of a new Venille hatchling.

Aura began taking some of their royal duties, helping to lessen the weight on Kellian's shoulders. She was up before him most mornings to get in training and then in her royal robes, meeting with councils and visiting villages by midday. Any of her free time was spent with Kyeria and Esmeralda. Kellian, however, busied himself during the day and found himself not being able to sleep and would instead take long flights at night to settle his mind.

Today was no different. He was walking the halls after a meeting with an advisor. The last two days consisted of enough royal duties to keep him from visiting Kyeria in the mornings. It had only been two days but his fingers itched to touch her soft skin, and he was convinced being near her was an addiction at this rate. Kellian wore a perfectly embroidered tailed jacket, the golden thread twisting into vines and leaves. It reminded him of her. Everything did. Kellian felt a tug deep in his core like something was calling to him. He rubbed his chest, unfamiliar with the feeling. His mind wandered to the bright light outside, where the flowers in his mother's gardens were in full bloom. Kyeria would love to see it , he thought.

Another tug.

Kellian passed another dozen windows and felt his feet take over, guiding him to the hall his and Kyeria's chambers resided in.

Soon his knuckles were tapping on her door and he heard her gentle voice float over to him. "Come in."

Kellian pushed the door open. She was sitting in her bed, and she looked so small surrounded by pillows, with a book propped in her lap.

"Oh!" Kyeria startled, taking in his presence, obviously expecting his sister or Esmeralda. He smirked at the surprise on her. She quickly ran a hand through her hair and adjusted her loose dress. "I wasn't expecting you."

"Would you like to go for a walk?" he asked. Her eyes gleamed at the idea before sadness invaded her green eyes again.

"I don't know that I can," she muttered. Kellian felt his heart shutter at her defeat. He would turn over the world to make it better, but he knew her magic ached to be outside, so today they would make that happen.

"I'll take you," Kellian said with a finality that seemed to shake her.

"I am not dressed," she countered. Kellian halted his walk to her and turned towards the closet, pulling out a long wool coat and a scarf.

"For the chill," he explained, bringing the items to her. She pushed herself up and swung her legs around, her feet hitting the cool ground. She could take a few steps on her own now, as her strength was returning. Her skin seemed brighter and Kellian assumed her magic was resurfacing as well. Kellian didn't say a word, just began helping her into the coat and buttoning it to keep her warm. When the skin of his fingers brushed her arms, he tried his best to not let his expression change, but it was like a shot of electricity right through his veins. Touching her was like his own personal drug. Kellian took a steading breath and pulled the scarf around her, gently reaching and pulling her hair out from beneath the scarf.

"Is it really cold enough for this?" she asked, her eyes twinkled with amusement, as if catching on to him being worried about her.

"Cold enough," he grunted. Kellian couldn't stand the thought of her being too cold, or hurting, or being anything but okay. The least he could do was make sure she was warm on a walk. Kyeria looked like she was trying to hold back a smile.

"Now what?" She looked at him in question. He responded by leaning in to her.

"Hold on," he said, before he lifted her into his arms easily. One arm wrapped around her waist, the other under her legs. He tried not to touch the worst of the burned areas he knew were littered along her body.

"So by walk, you meant carry?" Kyeria let out a small smile and Kellian felt himself smiling back. He was so relieved she was seeming more like herself again.

He walked out of the bedchamber across the hallway and to his own door, pushing it open with one hand. Kyeria's cheeks reddened.

"Why are we in your chambers?" she asked, looking down. He loved the way her cheeks reddened.

"I have a short cut to the gardens."

Her eyes shot up to meet his. Goddess above, he loved her eyes. He could get lost in them.

"You have your own path to the garden?" Her eyes were alight with excitement and Kellian felt the adrenaline from making her smile simmer through him. He nodded and walked them to the large windowed doors he always had open. Once outside, they met a stone staircase with an intricate iron railing.

"This is stunning," she whispered. It was, Kellian knew this. The view from his chambers of the gardens were some of the best. His room was high above them with his own personal set of stairs leading to the gardens. A guard stood at the bottom of the stairs and nodded at Kellian as he passed.

"Will you be carrying me the whole time?" Kyeria asked with a smile on her lips that made Kellian's insides warm.

"If you wish it," Kellian offered, but he looked ahead. "But I have a spot I quite prefer where we can sit if you don't mind going further," he explained. There was a patch of meadows past the main paths, a river cut in through, and a large willow tree and some tree stumps he had cut down over time to make into a long bench. It was one of his favorite spots inside the castle gates. Many hours had been spent there, as a younger man, hiding from royal duties, and now he came out here for silence and reprieve. The water was calming and always called to him.

Kellian walked, Kyeria in his arms. Her muscles had relaxed, he could feel her letting go of the tension, the fresh air bringing life back into her. As she closed her eyes the wind swept by, catching up in her loose hair. A smile crept on to her features and she relaxed into him even more.

Once they arrived at the willow, he gently set her down on the bench and sat next to her, his arm propped behind her in case she needed it.

"This is beautiful," she breathed. Her eyes flickered to his and they seemed clearer. Kellian could feel her pull. The want, if not need, to be closer to her, to have his lips on hers. He steeled his expression and looked out to the water streaming by. They sat in silence for a while until she reached her arm out and rested her small hand on his thigh. Electricity shot through him from the small touch.

"Thank you," she said. Kellian blinked, looking down to her.

"It's nothing," he replied. "You had been in the room too long." She nodded. He knew she needed to be outside, with the wind and the trees and the soil or grass under her feet.

"My magic feels more alive than it has in days," Kyeria muttered. She held out a hand, letting her fingers move in the wind. She focused and raised her hand. Small wildflowers bloomed around their feet. Branches rose from the soil, twisting and forming a table out of it in front of them. She leaned forwards, her elbows resting on the new table made of branches and vines. Little blossoms bloomed around the edges.

"Nice trick." Kellian smirked. She looked at him, remembering the first time he said those words the day they met.

"What has happened with the hatchling?" she asked after many moments of silence.

"The hatchling is in the caves, it is fine," Kellian supplied but Kyeria sighed, looking out to the water.

"What is wrong?" she asked. Kellian was a bit surprised she saw past his calm reply.

"It's quite odd actually, the hatchling seems very fatigued and sad, hasn't moved from its nest, won't let any of the keepers touch her."

"Her?" Kyeria perked at the information. "What's her name?"

"She has not spoken to anyone. Refuses to." Kellian ran a hand through his white hair. It was loose, neatly brushed and tucked behind an ear revealing piercings. She reached up and her fingers traced the bar of metal through his ear.

"This is new." She tapped the earring. It was a symbol of bravery—certain piercings were a gift, earned and fought for. Fendiah had awarded him with it for saving Kyeria, but he felt deeply conflicted instead of proud. It was an honor to save the life of one in need, but guilt of putting her in danger at all tugged at him nonetheless.

"I would like to see her," Kyeria announced. She pushed herself up from the bench, her hands grasping the table for stability.

"Excuse me?" Kellian shot back, standing to help her. She sent him a glare.

"I will see her." She squared her shoulders. Kellian could see she would not be dissuaded now that the thought had solidified for her. He simply nodded.

"As you wish," he simply replied. She pushed her legs forward, taking a few wobbly steps. Kellian followed, giving her the space to do it on her own. Each step seemed more secure and confident until she was at the river's edge. The water wading at her feet, she looked to the sky, closing her eyes.

"How does the water greet you?" Kellian asked. Her magic was such a blank slate for him to understand. Utterly different and new and endlessly interesting.

"That there is a beast eating at the magic of the land," she muttered. They knew that. "That there is new life here." She placed a hand to her heart. Palm outstretched across her scarf. "That I am safe here," she whispered. He pulled closer to her.

"Always," he whispered, he was trying to give her space but staying away from her was nearly impossible. So he stood behind her, close enough to smell her flowery scent and reach out. A finger wrapping around a strand of copper locks.

"You are upset," she noted but didn't look at him or move out of reach. He dropped his fingers nonetheless.

"There is much to be done, and things I cannot change," he replied.

"You think it is your fault," Kyeria pointed out, lifting an arm and glancing at the blotchy red skin peeking from under the bandages. She saw in the corner of her eye the grimace that raked through him.

"It is," he replied. "Hatchlings are unpredictable, it has been decades since the last one. But in my lifetime, a fae has not been present during the hatching ritual."

"You couldn't have known." She sighed and turned to him. Reaching out, she placed a hand on either side of his arms.

"But I should have known not to risk anything." He closed his eyes. "Not when it comes to you." His eyes were still closed when a ghost of a kiss was placed on the corner of his lips. His heart quickened, the same electricity charging through him, then he leaned in. Finally taking what he had been holding back. He kissed her like he would lose her, like she was his air, his reason for existing. Because she was. She was everything. Her almost dying had shaken something deep in him. He felt so protective of this sunlit woman. Like he would do anything to keep a smile on her lips and her heart light and loved.

Kyeria pulled away, resting her forehead on his. He tilted up and laid a kiss on her forehead before settling back into her gaze.

"Wounds heal." Her eyes were searching his, trying to convey how important it was to her that he did not blame himself. Kellian closed his eyes, let out a sigh, and nodded.

"I would like to meet her today," Kyeria said again, her voice confident and certain. Kellian nodded, in awe of her yet again.

"Okay."

Kyeria had refused Kellian's offer to carry her again. She insisted she needed to gain back her strength, and promised to take it slow. Her arm was looped into Kellian's, relying on him to stabilize her as her legs moved. She seemed more confident, her strength coming back into her body, like being outside made her magic wake up, like her fae healing was finally catching up.

They walked back into the castle.

"It is a far walk, are you sure?" Kellian asked again,

"I am perfectly fine. I have a royal Dragon to meet."

"They're not exactly royal," Kellian corrected.

"How come?"

"The royals, we exist as the Guardians, to protect the great lines of Dragons. The Venille line, which the hatchling is from, is one of the very first Dragon houses. The Venille line creates some of the most astonishing Dragons. They're faster and stronger than the others. With more authority as well. A Venille is first in line to be the head of the Dragon council," Kellian explained. She nodded along as they walked.

"You should know, Venille have different powers as I mentioned. Many from that line of Dragons have the ability to take human form."

"Like your grandfather, the king?" she asked.

"Fendiah is a human first, a Guardian first, then blessed with the ability to shift into Dragon form. The Venille's are Dragons first, but possess the power to take human form. But they are very much Dragons, with more power than any of us Guardians could ever hold."

"Is Fendiah the only Draconis?" she asked. Kellian grimaced. This was a truth he should have shared earlier.

"No," was all he managed to reply before they were in front of the large doors fronting the Dragon caves. He could see the question in her, he thought maybe a part of her knew already, that the pieces had already fallen into place. She was rather good at that, but he knew he owed it to her to formally tell her even if she only suspected.

"Ready?" he asked, turning to the doors into the caves. She nodded, stealing her shoulders, her head held high.

There she is, Kellian thought.