Chapter 49
I’d not wished to leave but as the wind started to pick up, it brought with it a chill. Nicholas wrapped his cloak around my shoulders along with my cape, as my shirt was discarded and completely ruined. Leaving a small kiss on my nose, he wrapped his arms around me. Slowly a whirl of black smoke surrounded us, engulfing us as the shoreline faded into darkness.
Holding on tightly, my fingers dug into his hips as the momentum of movement made me dizzy and slightly nauseous.
The ground thudded under my feet suddenly and Nicholas pulled me in closer. The world reappeared around us as the smoke receded, revealing the balcony of our suite.
“I don’t think I will ever get used to that,” I muttered.
Nic let go, stepping back. His warmth leaving my body felt like a piece of my own body was missing. I wasn’t sure if I would ever get used to that feeling either. I knew deep down by morning he would return to his stone-cold hard self.
“I will order dinner to be brought up to us. There is something I must speak with you about.”
Heading into the bedroom, I watched him closely as he swung open the doors. The guards didn’t even flinch when they saw Nic appear out of nowhere. Only seconds later he was leaning against the balcony door frame, staring at me.
“Shall we have a bath before or after dinner?”
“Oh, after would be best. What is it you wish to discuss?”
His eyes lowered to the floor for a second and then back up at me. I sensed his sudden change in demeanour. I wouldn”t like whatever this was about. Crossing the space between us, he took my hands in his and led me inside the room. Shutting the doors behind us with a wave of his hand, Nic set me on the same sofa we”d shared many meals together on. I was still wrapped in the cloak and cape, partially naked underneath.
“Nic, I could do with a shirt.”
He paid me no attention as he sat next to me and took my hands in his again.
“Your brother, Norok. He’s at the border and this morning, a letter arrived addressed to you.”
My eyes widened at how casual he spoke of Norok, and a lump formed in my throat. With everything that has happened between us, I didn’t believe he’d really healed my brother. It would take more than a letter for me to fully be convinced.
“What did it say?”
“I didn’t think it would be appropriate for me to open it, even if my court demanded it.”
Letting go of my hands, he headed to a small desk on the other side of the room, opened a draw and then held up a letter.
“It has your family”s seal. I know it’s from Norok as the messenger said it came directly from the crowned prince.”
He held it out for me, but I did not move, trembling from head to toe. If this was true, Norok may have woken up expecting to find me at his side. When he did not, he most likely flew into a panic after finding out I’d left. There was no telling what exactly our mother told him. If only he knew the reason, that I did it to save him. And selfishly, I’d done it to save myself.
“Here. I will give you a few minutes alone. I must speak to Nora, but I will be back momentarily.”
Kissing my forehead as he handed over the letter, he left me in the candle lit room. My fingers shook when I saw the beautiful handwriting of my brother.
My dearest sister,
How it pains me to find you were not at home when I awoke from my slumber. Talia explained that I was injured during the jousting, which seems so long ago now with you gone.
Mother has seethed ever since you left, even with me waking unharmed, as if nothing happened at all. I wonder if you had something to do with that.
She explained to me you had been taken, stolen away by some king in the valley. I did not even know there was another king. I must ask, could you please send word that you are safe? That I know my sweet sister is happy.
Father sent me along with Uncle Dorian to come to your rescue, but we’ve found a snag in our plans. This land is coated with some sort of protection spell. Magic! Can you believe it still exists!?
I miss you.
I wish I could just wrap my arms around you and hold you close, and then of course, feel you slap me for being too much. But after my near-death experience, I wouldn”t care. I know how much family means and true happiness means..
Dorian has said if we do not get word from you in three short days, we are to start breaking down the barrier with our own mage’s. So please, for the sake of the people of this land, come home.
It’s not the same without you.
If you don’t, and you’d rather stay, then I am afraid my orders are to bring you home, dead, or alive.
Your brother,
Norok.
My throat went dry with his last words. I’d expected him to understand, to want me to be happy. At least to give me the benefit of the doubt if he suspected I had something to do with his healing. If it wasn’t for the fact I could now feel Nic breathing down my neck as anger ran through him, I’d have thrown the letter in the fireplace. Said it meant nothing, just an I miss you letter.
No, instead he’d walked in as I’d read the final passage, and I could feel his anger rolling down my spine.
“Dead or alive.”
It wasn’t a question, but a statement that ran across his tongue. A snarl deep within his throat echoed around the room and I shuddered at the sound.
“He will have a hard time getting to you while I am at your side.”
“Wasn’t it you, who only a week ago wanted me dead?” I asked, trying to cover my nerves with sarcasm.
“That is different. He thinks he will be allowed to live after threatening my wife?”
Another growl rumbled from him as he walked over to the balcony doors. With a wave of his hand, they swung open, bringing in the cold, fresh air and rain once again. His fingers curled and crackled with what looked like black flames. I’d never seen him do that before. I couldn’t take my eyes off him.
“My brother won’t hurt me. This letter was probably scripted by my uncle. I’ve already assumed he was there with him,” I paused, choking back a lump in my throat, “Norok and I have a close bond. He most likely just wants to know I am safe and well. I should write to him.”
As I got up to head towards the small writing desk across the room, a blast of black flames flew in front of me. They missed me, but blocked my path.
“YOU WILL DO NO SUCH THING!”
Rolling my eyes at his voice, I sighed deeply. Our pleasant evening was gone. My husband was now replaced by the thing inside him. I tried not to let the sudden wave of emotions crush me. Instead, I threw the letter in the fireplace and sat down.
I needed to do better. Keep my feelings in check as every time Nicholas had some form of outburst, I returned it with anger or fear. I needed to be smart. Eventually I would get a letter to my brother, one way or another. Nicholas would become angry once he found out, and I would deal with it then. Rationally. Calm and collected.
“So, then what do you suppose we do?”
My next movements had to be calculated. I wanted him to calm down, return to the kind gentle husband from earlier. We still needed to have a discussion of what our next move should be. A calm discussion. I didn’t want an all-out war over who could claim me. I just wanted happiness and peace.
Narrow mindedness, I knew that deep down, but I would never give up hoping that would happen one day.
It took him a minute to calm down and the flames that danced at his fingertips died down. Food arrived shortly afterwards. He took the seat beside me and rubbed his forehead with his thumb and index finger.
“You will continue your training. Vanessa would like to train you tomorrow. Her skills are rather unorthodox but you will gain great knowledge from her. As for your brother’s ideal threat, leave it to me. I promised you I won’t harm him and I meant that. But if it comes down to you, or him and my blade, you should know I will always pick you.”
Twisting his body towards mine, he took hold of my hands and looked at me with his exhausted blue eyes. A sigh rumbled through his chest, he looked as if he would fall asleep standing up.
My breath caught in my throat as Nicholas dropped to his knees before me. “You are my Annwyl, I know I have a lot of trust I need to build with you as I have already burnt many bridges. But, know this, no one will ever lay a hand on you unless you say otherwise. Just please, do not send any messages to your family. Trust me to sort this out.”
“Nic,” I murmured, “Get up. I told you to never bow to me.”
He lifted his face towards me, tired eyes locking with mine. “I will do anything for you, Ornella. If I must drop to my knees at your feet to prove that, then so be it.”
Swallowing the lump forming in my throat, I whispered, “Okay.”
He rose to his feet once again, bringing his hand up and cupping the side of my face. I leaned into his hand breathing in his soft scent of pine and fire. The scent I was so unbelievably obsessed with.
“I won’t send any messages to my family,” I agreed.
We’d eaten rather quickly, not realising how hungry we both were. After that, we retired to bed, both too weary from the day to do anything but fall asleep in each other’s arms.
And as my eyes drifted shut, I could feel his heavy breathing against my neck. A thought settled within me. I knew it like I knew the sun would rise in the morning. When the news of my betrayal reached him, I would wish for death.