Priya took a deep breath, trying to compose herself as she sat on the edge of the bed. She knew Priyank’s words were true, that he would do anything to keep her safe, but it didn’t make the guilt she felt any easier to bear.
“Maya said you wanted to talk to me,” she said softly, her eyes searching his face. “What is it?”
Priyank hesitated for a moment, not wanting to add to Priya’s worries, but knowing he had to share his concerns. “The assassin who attacked me… she whistled before she fled. I told you, you remember? I think it was a signal for something or someone.”
Priya’s eyes widened, a flicker of fear crossing her features. “Yes I do remember. You think there are more of them out there?”
“It’s a possibility we can’t ignore,” Priyank replied, his voice grave. “We need to be prepared for anything.”
Priya nodded, her mind racing with the implications of Priyank’s words. If there were more assassins, more people after her royal blood, then the danger he faced was far greater than she had initially thought.
“What do we do now?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Priyank met her gaze, his eyes filled with determination. “We have to leave from here.”
Priya squeezed his hand, drawing strength from his presence. “I’m scared, Priyank. I don’t want anyone else to get hurt because of me.”
“I know,” Priyank said softly, his thumb gently caressing the back of her hand. “Don’t be scared, I am here for you.”
Priya managed a small smile, grateful for Priyank’s unwavering support. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“Most welcome Angel.”
As Priya sat back, her expression grew serious once more. “We need to find out who’s behind this, who wants my royal blood and why. Only then can we truly be safe.”
Priyank nodded, his mind already working on the problem at hand. “We’ll figure it out, Priya. We have Maya, Levi, and the others to help us. We’re not alone in this.”
Priya took a deep breath, steeling herself for the challenges that lay ahead. “You’re right.”
“For now, we need to talk to everyone about how we have to change this safe house. We just arrived yesterday, and this attack happened. That means the people after you know about this place, and it’s clearly not safe at all,” Priyank said with a serious tone.
“But how sure are you that they won’t find us again?”
Priya’s question hung heavy in the air, the weight of their situation pressing down upon them. Priyank sighed, his brows furrowed in thought as he considered their options.
“I can’t be certain they won’t find us again,” he admitted, his voice low and honest. “But staying here is too risky. They know about this safe house, and it’s only a matter of time before they come back, likely with reinforcements.”
Priya nodded, understanding the gravity of their predicament. “Where do we go then? We can’t just wander aimlessly, hoping they won’t catch up to us.”
Priyank pushed himself up into a sitting position, ignoring the pain that shot through his body. “We need to find a new location, somewhere off the grid, where they won’t expect us to be.”
“But how do we do that without leaving a trail?” Priya asked, her mind racing with the logistics of their escape.
“We’ll have to be careful,” Priyank said, his voice firm with resolve.
Priya bit her lip. “It won’t be easy,” she said softly.
“No, it won’t,” Priyank agreed, reaching out to take her hand once more. “But we don’t have a choice. We have to do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”
Priya squeezed his hand, drawing strength from his touch. “We should talk to the others, let them know what we’re planning.”
Priyank nodded, already mentally preparing for the conversation ahead. “We’ll need their help too, Maya, Levi, Rish, Jackson, and Elk they all have skills and resources that could prove invaluable.”
“Then let’s do it. I’m going to bring them here,” Priya said, removing her hands from his grasp as she stood up.
Priyank pulled her toward him, making her fall onto him. He hissed in pain from his wounds.
“What are you doing? You’re already hurt. Did it hurt too much?” Priya’s eyes narrowed with anxiety, worried that falling on him like this had caused him more pain.
“I just wanted to hug you. Nothing happened, don’t worry,” he reassured her.
Priyank smiled softly, his eyes filled with warmth as he held Priya close, the pain from his injuries momentarily forgotten in the comfort of her embrace.
“I’m sorry for worrying you,” he said, his voice gentle and reassuring. “I just needed to feel you close, to remind myself that you’re here, safe in my arms.”
Priya’s expression softened, the anxiety in her eyes giving way to understanding. She wrapped her arms around him, careful not to put too much pressure on his wounds.
“I’m here,” she whispered, her breath tickling his ear. “And I’m not going anywhere.”
Priyank nodded, burying his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her familiar scent. “Angel, you are my home.”
Priya’s heart started beating so fast she didn’t know how to stop it. The way he called her his home left her speechless. His warm breath, her sitting in his lap, the way he hugged her with his face buried in the crook of her neck-everything was melting her.
“I have been thinking about something. Before, I believed that the number of people who knew my identity was minimal. At that time, Elk didn’t come to mind. I thought only Levi, Rish, Maya, and Jackson knew everything, but Elk knew too. After all, he was the one who arranged this safe house,” Priya stated.
Priyank’s senses heightened at her words. “What do you mean? Do you suspect Elk?”
“I don’t know. It’s just that he forgave Maya way too early for things. I find it awkward,” she replied.
Priyank gently shifted their position so he could look her in the eyes, his hands resting on her shoulders.
“You’re right,” he said slowly, his mind working through the implications of her observation. “Elk’s behaviour has been a bit unusual, especially considering the gravity of Maya’s past actions.”
Priya nodded, her eyes filled with a mix of concern and uncertainty. “I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but we can’t afford to overlook any potential threats, not with so much at stake.”