June 22nd - Afternoon - Arrested

As soon as we were out of the library, I rounded on Kane, "You knew? You knew they were demons and didn't tell me?" I demanded.

Kane paled, "I-I-"

"If you want to be my mate, you will want to work on your communication skills." I snapped. I was about to walk away when the sounds of steel shod boots rang out on the white stone floors.

Coming down the hall was a group of seven armed guards. They were actually running, in the palace. The leader reached me. He looked me up and down. Through the male's helm, I could see worry in his eyes. The rest of the guards surrounded Kane, hands on their sword hilts. I frowned at them.

"Is something-"

"Are you uninjured, Miss Adamare?" The leader guard asked cutting me off. I nodded slowly. He let out a relieved breath then turned to face Kane. "Mr. Essenvir, you have been accused of killing Mr. Trentalin Goldleaf, a national of Volantis. We are to take you to the cells for questioning. Will you come willingly?"

I gaped at Kane in astonishment.

He shook his head and vehemently said, "I didn't. Kylara, I swear I didn't."

"Do not call her that!" Snapped the lead guard, "You killed her guardian when he wouldn't sign your mating agreement. You couldn't accept his refusal, so you murdered him."

I paled, "When was Mr. Goldleaf found?" I asked softly.

The lead guard barely looked at me as he replied, "Saturday evening."

I nodded and my gaze hardened. Questioning by dragons or dragonkin meant torture until a confession. If he was forced to confess, Kane would probably lose everything. Ishmael had just gotten out of prison. I had to do something.

'Activate SKILL: Cloud Level 1?'

'Yes,' I thought.

Instantly, the hall filled with thick, wet, white clouds. The lead guard swore as I was tugged away from behind. Kane and I ran as fast as we could, but the guards were gaining on us. I knew Kane could move faster on his own.

I stopped running and gasped, "Kane, you go. I'll stay here and try to straighten this out."

"I don't want to leave you here with them." He retorted. He tried pull me to a run again. I could hear the guards closing in around us.

"Go now, Kane. I love you." I froze as the words slipped out of my mouth. I had been trying to deny it to myself for so long. I think, maybe, I'd never stopped loving him. Now, the words were spoken. My wide eyes stared up into Kane's. His face was lit by a warm, gentle smile as he squeezed my hand.

"I will come back for you, Kylara." He promised. Kane brought his lips to mine in a light kiss just as the guards closed in around us.

"Freeze!" The lead guard shouted. I felt Kane stiffen, and then searing heat ran across my lips. It was over in a second. Light ash floated in the place where Kane had been standing.

"Search for him!" The lead guard ordered. The other guards took off again in pairs. Then the leader turned back to me. "That was a dirty trick."

"Kane was with me all day on Saturday. There is no way he could have killed Mr. Goldleaf." I replied firmly.

The leader grimaced, "The two of you could have done it together."

"Then arrest me. We will see how long I can hold up to your questioning for." I said with a shrug.

The leader smiled frostily, "You are off the hook this time. His Majesty wants to see you." Now, it was my turn to grimace. If my guardian was dead, the King could only want to see me to appoint a new guardian. He may even use the death of my previous guardian, Mr. Goldleaf, to annul Kane's Mating Agreement.

My expression darkened. I was well aware that both King Regulus and High Lord Volanti wanted me for their sons. The King could declare himself my guardian and then sign my mating agreement to anyone he wished including his sons.

"Where is High Lord Volanti? I must speak with him first. It is urgent."

The guard's smile turned amused, "The High Lord is with his Majesty." I felt my stomach sink. This was bad. All my plans for freedom would be ruined if High Lord Volanti was working with King Regulus. "Well, since it is urgent, we should be on our way." The guard mocked.

I hid my shaking hands in my pockets and headed for the King's audience room.