Chapter 9

The afternoon sun bathed the courtyard in golden light, illuminating the shimmering fountain where Rhaine stood. The soft murmur of cascading water was the only sound, but she was acutely aware of his presence. The General stood not far from her, his gaze heavy and unrelenting, like an unseen force rooting her to the spot.

 "Is something wrong, General?" Rhaine finally asked, her voice even, though the weight of his stare unsettled her.

 His lips twitched, as though considering his response, before he finally spoke. "Kaelion," he said quietly, his voice as sharp and precise as the blade he undoubtedly carried.

 Rhaine blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

 "Call me Kaelion," he repeated, his tone flat but firm, leaving no room for argument.

 For a moment, she simply stared at him, uncertain of his intent. Finally, she looked away, her mind racing for an escape. "I feel restless," she said, her voice deliberately casual. "I think I'll take a walk to clear my head."

 She stepped forward, but Kaelion moved as well, closing the gap between them with deliberate precision.

 "That won't be necessary," he said evenly, his expression unreadable. "I'll follow you."

 The words struck her like a subtle warning, layered with an intensity that made her pause. She turned to face him fully, her head tilting slightly as she studied him. "There's no need for that. I won't go far," she said, her voice carefully measured, hoping to dissuade him.

 But Kaelion took another step forward, his towering frame casting a shadow over her. His gray eyes locked onto hers, and for a fleeting moment, she thought she caught something deeper beneath his stoic exterior—something unspoken, perhaps even protective.

 "Even so," he said, his voice low but unyielding. "I will follow you."

 There it was again—that tone, as if the words carried more meaning than he let on. Rhaine's jaw clenched, but she forced herself to remain calm. "Do you not trust me, General?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of challenge beneath its polite veneer.

 His gaze didn't waver. "Trust has little to do with it. It's my duty to ensure your safety, Saintess."

 "Your duty," she echoed, her lips curving into a faint, mirthless smile. "How noble of you."

 Before he could respond, the tension between them was broken by the sound of hurried footsteps.

 The princess emerged, her cheeks flushed and her usually composed expression tinged with urgency. "Saintess," she said, her voice soft yet commanding, "I hope I'm not interrupting, but may I borrow the General for a while?"

 Rhaine turned to the princess, grateful for the distraction even as suspicion flickered in her mind. "Of course," she said smoothly, forcing a polite smile. "Take all the time you need."

 Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away, her steps brisk and deliberate. She didn't dare look back, though she could feel Kaelion's gaze burning into her retreating form, the weight of it lingering long after she disappeared from view.

 As Rhaine reached the far end of the courtyard, her composure slipped for just a moment. She exhaled, her hand briefly brushing the veil that concealed her face. She would have to be more careful around him. Kaelion was no fool, and the intensity of his presence was something she could no longer afford to underestimate.

"You took your time," Selara muttered, her tone sharp. "Let's go."

Rhaine raised a hand to stop her. "No," she said firmly, her voice low. "Stay where you're visible. One of us has to be here. You can help here in case l take too long. A good distraction."

Selara frowned, her irritation clear. "Fine," she grumbled. "But you owe me for this."

Rhaine stepped closer, surprising her companion by pulling her into a brief embrace. "You know I love you," she murmured, her voice softening.

Selara rolled her eyes, though a faint smile tugged at her lips. "I know," she replied, her tone laced with reluctant affection.

The lush greenery of the castle grounds stretched out before Rhaine, her steps steady as she navigated the wooded paths alone. Her years of training had taught her patience, focus, and the ability to blend into her surroundings like a shadow.

As she neared a secluded area of the grounds, her gaze fell upon a breathtaking sight—a cave hidden behind a cascading waterfall, its entrance almost obscured by the sheer force of the water. Intrigued, she approached, the cool mist from the waterfall brushing against her skin.

Just as she reached the water's edge, a glint caught her eye. Kneeling down, she carefully sifted through the damp earth, uncovering a small curved rock like formation. Its surface was inscribed with faint markings—runes. Her heart raced.

Before she could study it further, a loose rock beneath her foot shifted, throwing her off balance. She stumbled, expecting to fall into the cold spray of the water, but instead collided with something solid—and unyielding.

She looked up, her breath catching in her throat.

The General.

Kaelion's towering frame seemed to block out the very sunlight, his dark cloak brushing against the wet ground. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes… his eyes burned with an intensity that she could not quiet understand.

"Saintess," he said, his voice low and steady, "I thought you were seeking solitude. Yet, here you are, venturing into places far from the castle grounds."

Rhaine straightened, quickly regaining her composure despite her racing pulse. "I was merely exploring," she said coolly, brushing a strand of hair back beneath her veil. "Surely a walk in nature isn't grounds for suspicion, General."

His gaze didn't waver, and the tension between them was almost palpable. "You should know better than to venture into dangerous areas unaccompanied. What would the king think if his esteemed guest were to come to harm?"

Rhaine's lips curved into a faint smile, though her eyes remained cold. "I appreciate your concern, General, but I am more capable than you seem to believe."

He stepped closer, his towering presence casting a shadow over her. "Capability," he murmured, his tone laced with something darker, "does not equate to invincibility. You walk a fine line, Saintess. I suggest you tread carefully."

She met his gaze head-on, refusing to be intimidated. "I tread where I must, General," she replied evenly, her voice like steel wrapped in silk.

"Don't call me General," he said, his voice low and firm, carrying a strange undercurrent of vulnerability that made her pause.

Her brow furrowed. "But that's what everyone calls you," she replied, her tone cautious but curious.

"Yes," he admitted, his gaze steady, "but I don't want you to call me that."

How was she supposed to respond to that? The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Rhaine blinked, momentarily at a loss. She searched his face for an explanation, but the intensity in his eyes only deepened, rendering her momentarily tongue-tied.

"I was only trying to show respect," she said softly, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "Why does it matter so much to you?"

He turned back to her, his expression a mix of determination and something gentler she couldn't quite place.

Kaelion shifted his gaze away, the faintest hint of color touching his otherwise stoic face. "Just because it's you," he said, the words almost shy but spoken with quiet sincerity.

For a moment, neither of them spoke, the sound of the waterfall crashing behind them the only noise in the stillness. Then, as quickly as the tension had built, Kaelion stepped back, his expression once again unreadable.

"If you're finished here, I suggest we return to the castle," he said, his voice curt.

Rhaine nodded, though her fingers tightened around the relic hidden within her sleeve. "Lead the way," she said softly, her thoughts already racing with what she had uncovered. Finally some progress. She smiled.