The next morning, Alara woke up to the sound of voices outside her door.She sat up, listening.
"…she's restless," Mara's voice said."That's not my problem," Darius replied. "It's your job to make sure she stays where she belongs."
There was a pause. Then another voice — male, deep, unfamiliar."Why not let me handle it?"
Alara frowned, curiosity spiking.
Darius said something too low to hear, then the door unlocked and swung open.
He stepped in first, with another man following him. The newcomer was tall, broad-shouldered, with dark hair and sharp eyes that looked her over like he was sizing her up.
"This is Rylan," Darius said. "He's here to make sure you don't go wandering again."
Alara crossed her arms. "So what, I get my own babysitter now?"
Rylan smirked. "Looks that way."
"This isn't funny," she said. "I'm not a child."
"Then stop acting like one," Darius said flatly.
Her cheeks burned. "Maybe if you told me the truth, I wouldn't have to go looking for it."
"You're not ready for the truth," he replied. "And until you are, Rylan stays with you. Everywhere."
"Everywhere?" she repeated, incredulous.
"Yes," Rylan said, leaning against the wall. "Breakfast, lunch, dinner… bathroom breaks if you need them."
Her mouth dropped open. "You're joking."
He shrugged. "Guess we'll find out."
Darius turned to leave, but Alara called after him. "You can't keep doing this!"
He paused in the doorway. "I can do whatever I want in my territory. Remember that."
The door closed behind him, leaving her alone with Rylan.
They stared at each other for a moment before she said, "So… do you just stand there all day?"
"If that's what it takes."
"That's going to get boring fast."
"Then don't make me work too hard," he said with a faint grin.
Alara sat back on the bed, annoyed. "This is ridiculous."
"I've seen worse."
She raised an eyebrow. "What, am I supposed to feel better now?"
"Not my job to make you feel better," Rylan said. "My job is to keep you alive."
Her eyes narrowed. "Alive? You say that like someone's trying to kill me."
He didn't answer.
Alara leaned forward. "Is someone trying to kill me?"
Rylan glanced at the door, then back at her. "You ask a lot of questions."
"And you avoid all of them."
He gave a small, almost amused shake of his head. "Maybe I'll answer one someday. Not today."
She exhaled sharply. "Great. Another man who talks in riddles."
For the rest of the morning, Rylan stayed close. When Mara brought food, he stood near the door. When Alara paced the room, he followed her with his eyes.
By midday, her patience was gone. "You know, if I wanted to run, you couldn't stop me."
He smirked. "Try me."
She considered it. Just to see what would happen. But something about the way he said it made her think he wasn't bluffing.
Instead, she asked, "Do you know what's in the east wing?"
Rylan's expression didn't change. "You shouldn't be asking about that."
"That's not a no."
"It's a 'drop it.'"
She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "If you tell me, I'll… I don't know… stop bothering you for a whole day."
He chuckled. "Tempting offer. Still no."
Alara groaned, flopping back on the bed. "You're all impossible."
Rylan didn't reply.
Later that night, when the house was quiet, she caught him watching the door instead of her. His shoulders were tense, his eyes sharp, like he was expecting something.
"You look like you're waiting for trouble," she said softly.
He didn't turn to her. "Trouble always comes. Question is when."
Alara felt a shiver run down her spine.