Property of a Gordon

Chapter Twenty Six

"Neither one of you is taking her home. I am."

Six pairs of eyes turned in the direction of the voice, which had come from the entryway of my room. There stood a man who didn't look the least bit ashamed and didn't even have the decency to look at me.

"I would rather ride alone with Calyx," I replied, my voice level with his. But the tension that was swirling and thickening in the room screamed loud enough for the both of us.

I knew everyone in the room could feel the tension building at their feet, but none of them made any move to leave. They were either remaining nosy or feared that only one of us would walk out of here alone. I knew just which one of us that would be.

"Now is not the time for childish remarks-" Kendall started, but he was cut off by a growl so deep that I was sure it did just the opposite of helping the healing process of my throat.

"I'm being anything but childish," I said, a warning in my throat. I could feel everyone in the room tensing at it, even though it was only directed towards one person.

Kendall ran a hand through his hair before he said, "Give us a moment. I am taking her home whether it pleases her or not."

They hesitated, but Raelynn was the first one out, pulling a reluctant Lex with her. Then, Calyx left with a wink, Cayne following behind him. Alex stood there nervously, meeting Kendall's eyes.

"Am I to ride with you and miss lady, my Prince?" Alex asked, but I could see what he was doing. He was attempting to stall my conversation with Kendall, which I was grateful for.

"No, Alex, Snowflake and I will be riding alone. You will ride back with Cayne and Calyx," Kendall replied, not paying close attention to Alex.

However when Alex didn't leave right away, Kendall looked at him, frost building in his eyes. "You are dismissed," Kendall pressed, causing Alex to finally make his way out. But not before giving me a sympathetic smile.

I watched Kendall with wary eyes as he slowly made his way to a chair that had been placed in the corner of the room. When Kendall walked slowly, he usually did so because he had no reason to rush, and he knew all attention was centered on him. However, it seemed like Kendall was doing so now because he was tired.

There were grayish bags under his faded blue eyes, but I hadn't realized them when I first saw him. He'd either forgotten to or simply didn't care for it anymore, but he also hadn't shaved. Stubble covered the lower half of his face, and I was sad to admit it, but it didn't take away from his physical attractiveness. His hair wasn't kept together as it usually was, and it just looked as if a brush had vaguely passed through it. I was also quite sure he'd worn that black suit for several days based on his smell.

Maybe it was because I hadn't seen him in a while or because I was simply tired of being angry at him, but noticing all of that softened my anger. I could also feel exhaustion weighing me down as it always seemed to do after my anger for Kendall retired.

"What do you want, Kendall?" I asked quietly, but it seemed loud enough in the silent room.

Kendall finally met my eyes, surprised I wasn't spitting venom at him. In that moment, I saw more emotions than just surprise. Weariness rimmed his eyes while anger created a storm in his pupils, and fear hid in their depths. But it was guilt that clouded his eyes and every other emotion. I saw each emotion briefly until Kendall looked away.

"I was in need of a Protector after I received an anonymous letter. Summarized, it read that I should watch my back as they would strike at the most unexpected moment. However, I did not have the luxury of wasting time to watch my every step. The guards could not assist me everywhere nor did I want them to. So what better way than to find a Protector?" Kendall started, laughing humorlessly at the last part. I wasn't quite sure I liked this side of Kendall.