Royal Games

Chapter 46

"So, what's the plan then?" Isaac asks, breaking the tense silence on our walk towards the village clothes shop.

"Us two will use the portal to get directly into my rooms at the palace." I explain. Then I turn to Liam. "You will separate from us, using the portal to end up in the nearby town. No one will suspect anything from you, so you can enter and walk around the palace as normal. You will tell me and Isaac when the coast is clear.

"At that point, we'll turn invisible, stay silent, and let you lead the way to my dad's rooms, making sure we come into contact with as few people as possible. You'll clear out anyone in my dad's room. Then, I'll become visible and speak to my dad for a few minutes.

"If everything goes to plan, we'll basically reverse it to get back here. If something goes wrong, we all get out of there immediately." I finish.

"If something goes wrong, your life is the priority." Liam amends. "We get you out alive, by any means necessary."

A shiver runs down my spine, and not because of the cold.

"What fighting experience do you have?" Liam asks Isaac. "Because if we run into a problem, the less I have to worry about, the better."

"I have some experience with hand-to hand combat, and I've practiced plenty of battle magic, but I've never trained with physical weapons before." Isaac admits.

"Weapons would've been preferable, but magic should be enough. Hand-to-hand combat is unlikely to occur in a Topian palace full of trained guards."

"Right." Isaac sounds a little deflated.

"I can start training you with weapons when we get back." I offer.

"Thanks." He pulls me close for a quick kiss on the cheek. Liam averts his gaze. I blush. "I just might take you up on that offer."

We stop talking as we near the village centre. The village is just beginning to wake up, and it's not worth risking being overheard.

Isaac leads us round the back of the clothes shop. He clasps his hand over the handle of a door labelled 'Staff Only'. His hand illuminates with golden magic. A few seconds later, the glow fades away. Isaac pushes the door open with ease. Me and Liam follow him inside. Isaac seals the door shut behind us.

"I assume there's some kind of protection spell to make sure seelies don't enter for more nefarious reason than using the portal?" Liam wonders aloud.

"Of course." Isaac responds, guiding us across the shop towards a thick fabric curtain. He pulls it back, revealing a tiny changing room that would struggle to fit any two of us, never mind all three. A wall-length mirror reflects our dark forms.

"You're going to have to take the lead now." Isaac tells me. I knew this was coming. Most portals are connected together in one massive network. But you have to know the desired location, or you'll be spat out someone random. But Isaac doesn't know where he's going, meaning it's down to me to get us there.

"You know what you're doing?" I check with Liam.

"Yes." He sweeps me into a tight embrace, surprising me. "Don't get killed."

"You too." I reply.

He releases me, turning to face Isaac. "Look after her for me." I know he's talking about protecting me at the palace. But the way he says it... I think the words mean a whole lot more.

"No harm will ever come to Alyssa on my watch."

The two guys shake hands. They share a look, something passing between their firm gazes. It looks like some sort of understanding.

"Are you ready?" Isaac turns to me, holding out his hand. I take it, giving him a reassuring squeeze.

"Ready as I'll ever be." I step into the changing room, crossing my arm behind my back to keep hold of Isaac. Tentatively, I reach out to place my palm against the mirror. My magic tingles in response. I focus on the portal until the cold metal disappears, replaced by a wall of air that crackles with magic.

"See you on the other side." Liam calls.

I stride through the portal, envisioning my bedroom at the palace. I feel Isaac's presence as he follows a step behind me. I release his hand, taking in my surroundings.

My room remains untouched, I realise as I glance around. My bedding is slightly rumpled from my birthday when I was sat there with Helena and Nessa. The clock still ticks on the wall, showing it to be 8:40 in the morning. Even my notebook lies open on my desk. I peer at it, reading the list of potential university societies to join. I remember writing that list only a few days before my birthday. I shake my head, thinking of how different my life is now.

"So," Isaac startles me out of my thoughts. "This is your bedroom."

"It is." I reply, still taking in the room. A room I never thought I'd see again after I went into hiding.

"And we have a bit of time before Liam tells us it's safe to leave here."

I spin round just in time to see Isaac plop himself down onto the bed. He lies down in a casual position, so at odds with the high-stakes situation we're in.

"What are you doing?" I hiss.

"Come and join me." He smiles, patting the space beside him.

"Now isn't the time for this."

His answering smirk almost makes me melt. "Isn't it?"

I decide to play a little game with him. I need the distraction.

"Hmm." My voice turns sultry. "Perhaps you're right." I saunter towards the bed, grabbing onto the wooden bedposts when I get there. "Perhaps," I slowly trail a finger down one bedpost. "Now is the perfect time to claim your body," My finger reaches the soft bedding, and I begin crawling onto the bed. I crawl the length of Isaac's body, enjoying as his wide eyes watch me hungrily. I stop, my head hovering above his. "As mine."

"That's not what I..." I silence him with a finger to his lips.

"Shh. I know exactly what you meant." I reply softly. I sit myself down on his chest, folding my legs on either side of his body, and burst out laughing. "I really don't know what I'm doing." I use my regular voice once more.

"Move a little lower and you'll find out." At first, I continue to laugh. But then I consider Isaac's rough tone. And his heavy breathing. And his darken eyes. The laughter dies in my throat. If I reach behind me, I know I would feel something harder than his chest.

"Not now." My voice is strained. Knowing how much I've affected Isaac now seems to be causing a similar effect on me. My body yearns for his. It pleads for his touch. "Not here. But." I run my hands through his hair. "When it's safe." I trail my fingers across his face, marking each tiny contour and callous. "When we can take as much time as we want. I promise I will show every perfect inch of your body just how much I love you."

Isaac props himself up on his elbows. I bend my head down to meet him halfway. I brush my lips against his in a ghost of a kiss.

"Alyssa?" An all-too-familiar voice whispers from the doorway.