A PALACE MADE OF STARS
341 Words
Amara's bedroom was larger than the house she had grown up in.
She stood in the doorway.
“Absolutely not.”
The palace attendant blinked.
“Your room, Lady Amara.”
“This is bigger than my entire apartment.”
“It is considered modest.”
Amara turned around.
“Your definition of modest is concerning.”
The attendant smiled.
“There are forty-seven rooms in this wing.”
“Forty-seven?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“For guests.”
“Who has forty-seven guests?”
The attendant hesitated.
“The royal family.”
“Of course.”
Amara walked inside.
The bed was enormous.
The curtains shimmered like stars.
The windows overlooked the city.
She touched the glass.
For the first time, she allowed herself to breathe.
She was alive.
She was safe.
Maybe.
A knock sounded.
She turned.
Kael stood at the door.
He had changed into a simple black shirt.
Somehow that made him more dangerous.
“Can I come in?”
She nodded.
He stepped inside.
“I wanted to tell you something.”
“What?”
“You're free.”
Amara stared at him.
“What?”
“I've dissolved the contract.”
Her heart stopped.
“Then I can leave?”
“Yes.”
She studied his face.
“You're serious.”
“Completely.”
“Why?”
Kael looked toward the window.
“Because nobody should be owned.”
Amara's throat tightened.
“Then why did you buy me?”
“To stop someone worse from doing it.”
Silence.
He reached into his pocket.
A small crystal appeared.
He placed it on the table.
“This contains your travel documents, identification and enough credits to start a new life.”
Amara stared at it.
“You're giving me money?”
“I'm returning your freedom.”
She looked at him.
“And if I stay?”
Kael's eyes met hers.
“Then you stay because you choose to.”
Something shifted between them.
Something neither of them was ready to name.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD