Chapter 59: KALEO - Way Down We Go
Veyron’s eyes with grief, though he tried to school his face into composure. "Your Highness, I beg of you. Please. No matter how tempting it is...no matter how much you want her, you must not mark this woman. The moment you do... it will destroy you."
Damien looked away, shoulders taut beneath the weight of inevitability.
"But," Veyron added quickly, stepping closer, "I promise you...I will do everything and anything in my power to fix this. I don’t care what I have to do. Whatever it takes. I owe you that."
"You don’t have to worry about me. Just... save her. She’s not going to choose me anyway."
That last sentence slipped out like a dagger he hadn’t meant to show. Without waiting for a reply, he turned sharply. "You can wait out here for me," he said over his shoulder, not bothering to look back.
He disappeared through the castle doors, the stone swallowing his retreating footsteps.
******
Inside, the guest living room buzzed with a nervous sort of silence. The royal family were seated. Queen Ravena, King Magnus and Luna sat between them.
Kyllian stood behind Luna, arms crossed, leaning just enough to look casual but alert enough to pounce if needed. When Damien entered, every head turned but it was Kyllian who read him first.
Something was off.
Damien’s posture was a little too rigid. His jaw was clenched and his eyes were distant.
Kyllian opened his mouth to ask, but then glanced at Luna. Her fingers were twisting the hem of her sleeve nervously. So Kyllian swallowed his concern and said nothing.