Page 173 of The Last Guardian

I got up, making my way to the bath, as the wooden floor creaked beneath my feet. The hot water melted the soreness of last night’s activities. I took a moment to observe the little carved design I had now on the side of my hand. With everything that happened last night, it had disappeared entirely from my mind. Maybe I should mention it to Zaid later, once the quest was over.

After the bath, my stomach begged me to eat something—a tray of food with chocolate cake, fruit, and hot cocoa, waited for me to fill my groaning belly.

It felt so good to eat. Even after a slice of cake, my appetite wasn’t satisfied yet. I reached for an apple, and my gaze fell on a piece of paper with my name on it just beside the tray.

With a frown, I took it and flipped it open as I gazed at a beautiful drawing: lines forming a young woman with long, thick, brown hair, reading at the top of a tower in a burgundy dress, facing a valley of green hills…

My heart stopped, catching my breath. The place was familiar; the moment was familiar. The dress—my dress.

Stars. It was the day Zaid had surprised me on the roof, back at Lorath.

The pinnacle of the palace, the sanctuary where I liked to lose myself in books, seeking solace and serenity, away from court. That day, I had felt so at peace, without sensing anyone around, thinking I was utterly alone.

Yet, Zaid had been watching me. And, apparently, sketching me.

Sometimes, when his mind is at peace, it happens. But it’s rare, Nefeli had told me the day we arrived at Lys—when I had discovered his paintings.

He had felt enough at peace to draw me that day.

I flipped the sheet, curious if there was another artwork on it, when my eyes fell on his handwriting: “I’ve never been able to look away from you.”

Oh, my heart melted.

My fingers brushed against his words, and a sob escaped me. My heart swelled with… so many emotions for him, for everything he made me feel.

Life was unfair. Really unfair.

Zaid had been right.

What a fucking mess!

EVERYTHING WAS IN full motion when I exited Zaid’s quarters. Members of the crew were shouting everywhere, running in haste.

Not a single one looked in my way when they saw me exit from Zaid’s floor. In swift moves, I descended the stairs, leading toward the main deck.

“Hey, stranger,” a female voice called me from the deck. I turned my head to see Nefeli. She made her way to meet me, her black hair tied at the back in a low bun; she beamed at me with her big blue eyes. “I came to your room earlier for breakfast. But you were already up. Where were you?” she asked, and I winced.

My lips parted, but nothing came out as I looked at her. A flush spread on my cheeks, provoking a frown from her.

“What—”

“Alyana!” someone else shouted—Dax. His broad arm pressed around my shoulder abruptly, and my body stumbled at his contact. I looked at his smiling face as he leaned against me. But my body felt another presence nearby, entering the little circle we were all in.

Why could I feel just his presence alone? My senses were on alert each time Zaid approached.

My gaze shifted to him, where he stood between Dax and Nefeli, and my chest caught. His eyes burned into mine with such adoration…

The moment passed quickly, with Nefeli scowling at Dax, forcing him to pull his arm away from my shoulder.

“Let her breathe, asshole,” Nefeli snarled with a frown and returned her attention to me. “Everything alright with you? What happened to make you wake up so early?”

“Trouble sleeping?” Dax asked, with a playful brow.

Zaid groaned, staring at Dax with a warning look. “Can you two leave her alone for one minute?”

A rushing, burning flush spread on my cheeks.

For some reason, Nefeli gave him a sharp look with a snarl forming on her lips, and she passed by her brother, hitting him on the shoulder.