I narrowed my eyes, and tried to swallow the bile rising in my throat. Why had I never been disgusted by how spoiled he was? Was I supposed to fawn over how generous and self-sacrificing he was being? How sweet of him to fetch my captured best friend for me and let her be a prisoner with me in a palace instead of the dark, horrifying dungeon he was keeping her in presently.
“That's all right, I think I'll just get her myself,” I whispered hoarsely, venom dripping with every word.
He smiled at me, a patronizing smile that let me know how little he believed in me as leader of the Resistance. Although, I didn't think my recent captivity was doing my case any favors.
“She's Ok, if you're worried about her. I mean, I know she is fine. Talbott has been finding any reason to get to Romania, so I know he is making sure they treat her fairly and that she is well taken care of,” Kiran babbled and my hardened eyes turned incredulous; what was he trying to accomplish?
“How's the wedding planning?” I asked, changing the subject to something as far from us as possible.
His eyes shifted uncomfortably, and he cleared his throat nervously before answering, “Good, I mean, I think good. I've only been apart of them the last twenty-four hours or so. Well, you know that....” He laughed nervously.
“Right....” I sighed, removing my eyes from his and searching the jungle for a distraction. Naima would know by now that something had gone wrong and would hopefully figure out what. I trusted the individuals of the Rebellion far more than I trusted myself in these kinds of matters and I believed they would adjust their plan and assume we were captured.
Not a whole lot changed as far as the chain of events would go. In fact, an escort into the palace made things much easier. Once inside, I would just continue with the mission according to plan and hope that was what everyone else would be expecting.
“Your aunt is all right, too,” Kiran spoke up again, more nervously than before. I snapped my head back to face him, my mouth falling open from shock, “I mean, don't worry, we don't have her or anything, it's just that, my father put a small detail on her, just in case you went home. She's fine, she isn't in any danger or anything....” I shook my head in disgust, and he cleared his throat nervously again, “She is with Angelica and my father will not cross Angelica. She practically raised him.... Besides, entangling a human is messy business.... I just thought you would want to know that she is fine, I didn't know if you talked to her recently. I'm sure you're worried about her and I didn't want you to-”
“I get it,” I snapped, cutting off his nervous rambling.
“I'm sorry, I just don't know how to be with you like this, without our magics....” he trailed off, and I realized that I was keeping control of my magic the entire ride. In his room, in London, I had not been able to even pretend to keep my magic from the magnetic pull of his, but today, in the daylight and having had the shock of seeing him for the first time wear off, I was able to hold myself together.
“You'll figure it out,” I mumbled, turning my attention back to the jungle and the palace walls interrupting the exotic vegetation and centuries old trees.
“I don't want to figure it out.” He leaned forward, across the distance that was separating us and whispered passionately to me.
We were entering the palace grounds, and the gates the elephants walked through. The gate was only wide enough for one elephant to pass through at a time. Gabriel was held prisoner on an elephant in front of mine, with two other Titans keeping their eyes secured on him.
“Eden, my offer still stands,” Kiran continued, “please reconsider saving our kingdom a different way. If you were my wife, if we stood together, we could make a difference, any difference that you want to make. I would be on your side.”
He reached for my hand, grasping it in his as he appealed his case and my magic was suddenly pulsating under my skin at his unexpected touch. His eyes smoldered, turning from turquoise to deep blue and I felt his magic sigh in relief at our connection.
“Sounds lovely,” I found my sarcasm, and a plan formed decisively in my mind, “but I think you've made those promises to me before and I would rather not go down that road ever again.”
I ripped my hand from his and stood up abruptly. My necklace tumbled from underneath my shirt and his face lit up with pride and victorious possession. I couldn't take it anymore, I couldn't stand to be in his presence. So, I took in my surroundings quickly and threw myself over the side of the elephant. We were just inside the palace walls; Lucan's elephant was the first one through and on its way to the stables. I shouted at Gabriel to follow suit and he did, jumping over the side of his elephant and landing gracefully on the ground.
Before I could think about it, I sent magic, zapping the feet of all of the elephants still carrying the angry Titans, sending them reeling in fear. They bridled up, like angry horses, sending the Guards and Kiran in every direction and jamming the entrance from more entering.
I forced more fevered energy into the melee and fueled the confusion. The Titans struggled to gain control of their animals and protect Kiran at the same time. The elephant gridlock, loud and dangerous, drew the attention of the palace Guards who waited for their king's arrival.
Gabriel pulled on my arm and we were off, sprinting across the palace grounds and into a hotbed of Titan activity. I learned a little bit about the palace over my stay in December, but not nearly enough to know where the prisons were or the best way to get there.
“Do you know where they would keep Avalon?” I shouted at Gabriel, while we ducked from some Titan fire, sliding through an arched doorway and using our magic to keep from slipping on the slick marbled floor.