The basement was forbidden and I never knew the secret passageways and tunnels existed.
It’s dirty down here. The floors are cement, but they look like they have a layer of grime on them. The walls are concrete, but pipes run along them, some leaking onto the floor below.
It’s chillier down here too. Almost as if the chill from outside is setting in.
Kenji never lets go of me though. He makes his way down the pathways until we reach a long one. Once there, he pulls me up next to him, whispering to me.
“We are out from under the house now. At the end, there’s a hatch I’ll take you out. I’ll sneak you back in this way as well.”
“Thank you,” I whisper back to him. “How did you know about this?”
He shrugs as he walks. “Your family has been our enemy for so long, who knows where we got the information, but we’ve had it. The only thing stopping Kai’s father from using it is the all-out war it would cause. Don’t let that make you feel safe, though. It’s why Kai has me stationed on you. He doesn’t want anyone else to get to you.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Does he actually care about me or am I a pawn to him like I am my father?”
Kenji stops me, turning me to face him. “Listen, I won’t lie to you. At first, he went to the fundraiser. He was planning to mess with you.”
My heart drops in my chest.
“Hey, don’t look crushed yet. I’m not done. I said at first. Kai’s an impulsive man. He does what he wants when he wants to. He wouldn’t do something he doesn’t want to, no matter what. Have you heard the rumors about him? The stories they tell.”
I nod. “The dark prince. He moves in the night not afraid of death.”
“Exactly. That’s mostly because he’s impulsive. He trusts his instincts and follows them without hesitation. Making an offer on you? That was an impulse. Claiming you? Well, he’s never claimed a woman before. He’s going against his father to claim you. To keep you. Kai already had so much on his plate, but he added you to it without hesitation. Trust that he means what he says. Especially when it comes to you.”
I swallow hard. “Okay. I’ll try.”
He places my hand in the crook of his arm as he keeps leading me down the hall.
“I know it’s hard because your father probably raised you to hate us, but Kai isn’t your enemy.”
“I’m starting to see my only enemies are living within the same walls I do.”
It comes out a whisper, but Kenji squeezes my arm acknowledging my words.
I could have gone in for her myself, but Kenji made a good point.
If I was caught, I would die. Not that I care, but she would.
She would be upset if Kenji died, but not the same way she would if it were me.
So I let him go in after my girl.
I know he was right in his decision as soon as her eyes landed on me.
The familiar jealousy pooled in my stomach when I noticed she had her hand tucked into his elbow as he led her from the woods, but as soon as she saw me, she dropped his arm, running toward me.
As soon as she reaches me, I pull her into my arms, picking her up to spin her around.
“Princess, did you miss me?” I breathe in her ear.
When I finally set her back down, she pulls back, punching me in the chest.
“You asshole. I was worried sick about you,” she scolds.
