Chapter 7
The walk through the castle felt surreal to her, almost like she had jumped back a century in time.
She barely remembered her last visit here with her mother all those years ago.
They had come to talk about the final battle strategy days before they were sent to war.
She remembered a few of the giant windows, and the many sculptures and paintings of Fae warriors throughout the centuries that hung on the walls, but most were still a blur.
Both males walked with her as they followed her new house maiden through the many hallways, Silas never removing his hand from her lower back till they reached her new living quarters in the north end of the castle.
Kaden stayed a few steps behind them in silence, his towering presence making her oddly anxious.
Once they got to her door and entered the large room, her eyes instantly scanned the layout out of habit. She knew this room, and it gave her a slight shiver to think about.
Declan and her shared this exact suite before, its large windows and elegant decor flashing visions through her eyes she’d rather not remember.
Probably a small jab at her from the king himself, knowing exactly what he was doing when he assigned her this room.
Silas lightly rubbed his thumb on her back, no doubt feeling her spike in emotions.
There was a large archway to the left leading to the open bed chamber, the bed being visible from the door and a fireplace straight ahead with a couch facing it. The bathroom was to the right, the door ajar with the large bath visible. She was definitely getting in that as soon as possible.
All four of them stepped through the doorway, the maiden shutting it once everyone crossed the threshold.
“My lady,” the blonde-haired maiden started “I’m Raine, your personal maiden while you are here. If you or your guards need anything, please just pull th.is rope by the door and I will come straight away.”
Kaden had stayed next to the door looking like a statue, his muscles tense and eyes battling some kind of emotion inside him she couldn’t track.
She wondered if being assigned to train someone like her was inconvenient.
He couldn’t fight what the king ordered without facing major consequences and with the expression on his face, he was not amused.
Silas was standing with her a few feet into the room, his body casually relaxed next to her. She knew they were going to need to figure out a schedule fast because her training was going to start tomorrow whether she wanted it to or not.
“Your bags have been set in the bed area,” Raine continued. “And we have been ordered to fetch you more clothing for your wardrobe. Any special requests?”
“No dresses,” Alyra replied. “Just one for special occasions. I will need you to bring practice gear, a few cotton shirts, and leather pants.” Raine gave her a questioning look but nodded.
“I will need my gear brought here as well,” Silas added.
Raine nodded again and looked to Kaden for any requests he might have. The male just gave her a slight shake of his head before returning to his statue-like stance.
“I will go gather those right away, My Lady.”
“Please, call me Alyra. I’m not one for formal names.”
Raine gave a small smile and excused herself out the door leaving Alyra and both males standing in silence.
“I’ll let you get settled. Kaden and I will step out to discuss our plan.” Silas’s eyes glanced at the bathroom. “I’m sure you are aching to get in that tub.” he teased.
“You know me so well.” She teased back glancing at him. “Take your time, I’ll be in there a while.”
She looked at Kaden and saw him hesitantly look her way. “Looking forward to training,” she said casually.
“I’m sure.” His words were dull like she expected and he looked away from her quickly.
She looked to Silas who just shrugged before following Kaden out the door.
Standing still for a long moment, she tilted her head towards the ceiling as she closed her eyes.
This was not what she had planned for her life post-war, but here she was in the same castle getting ready to do the exact same objective.
Try to survive a war, only this time she had to find herself and her power before the battle, or death would surely win this time.
- - - - - - - -
She lowered herself into the steaming hot bath, the castle producing more additives for the water than she could ever imagine. Vanilla scented soap was on a shelf next to it, the exact smell Silas adorned when she inhaled his scent.
There was a mint bubble bath liquid she had never seen before, probably something created since she was away for so long. She had put a large amount in the tub while it filled, bubbles nearly overflowing the edge covering the surface of the water.
She now sat submerged beneath the white suds, her hair in a messy bun with her head resting backwards on the edge of the marble basin. The Fae light was illuminating over her and she noticed the upgrades since her last visit.
Walls had been decorated with new colored curtains framing the large window, the teal and gold colors matching the rug and towels. Gold colored accents bordered the mirror and shelving next to the sink.
She took in a deep breath to try and let go of the stress from today. At least the anticipation of meeting with the king was gone and felt like a huge weight off her shoulders. Unfortunately a whole new weight now rested in its place, and it was not going to be one so easily unloaded.
The bubbles covered her fully, the suds curling around her neck on top of the water and she took a deep breath to ease the anxiety in her chest. She had never been one to use fancy essentials, but she would indulge herself after today.
A long amount of time passed before a light knock sounded on the door. She opened her eyes, the bubbles still resting on the surface.
“Yeah?” she questioned.
“Can I come in?” Silas’s voice carried through the door.
“Yes.” She answered, a smile forming on her face.
He entered, his attire changed from his royal uniform to a loose black shirt and pants. His eyes gazed over her as the bubbles still hid her naked body. He looked at her with an inquisitive look.
“It’s not like you haven’t seen me naked before.” she taunted.
“True.” He shrugged, closing the door and padded across the room, sitting next to her with his back against the tub. “I still respect you enough not to take advantage of you.” he teased back.
“And that’s why you are one of the best males I know,” she whispered to him, her body moving in the water so her head was closer to his. “So, what's the plan?”
He leaned his head against the rim of the tub turning to face her, his eyes showing his exhaustion. “I will stay here in the evening and Kaden will switch out in the morning for training while I go to work.”
“I was hoping for that,” she exhaled and gently ran her wet fingers through his hair. His eyes closed, a soft grunt in approval sounding from him.
“How are you doing?” he asked quietly.
“Better than expected I guess,” she whispered and kept her fingers gliding through his red silk hair. “I'm a little nervous for tomorrow.”
“I don’t know Kaden all that well, but I do know he will teach you better than anyone else here.”
She let out a breath, her head resting on the edge of the tub next to his and watched his face go from relaxed to tense.
“I hate to ruin the mood,” he muttered, “but I did interrupt your bath for a reason other than enjoying your company.” His eyes opened and she knew his news was going to wreck her relaxation. “Declan is waiting in the other room.”
She let out a large sigh and retracted her hand from his hair. Shifting in the water again, she returned to resting the back of her head along the rim. Silas moved to lean his side along the tub, his eyes staring at her.
“I’m guessing he refused to wait for an explanation?” she mumbled.
“I tried to convince him to give you the night, but he pulled rank and won't leave till he speaks with you.”
“I figured as much.” Her eyes looked to the ceiling and then back to his. “I didn’t bring any clothes in here, I wasn't expecting company.”
“Let me help you out of the tub and you can have my shirt, it will be better than nothing.” He stood and grabbed a towel off the shelf nearby. “I promise I won’t look.” his cocky grin looking down at her. She just rolled her eyes and started to lift herself from the tub.
He did as he promised and turned his head, eyes closed while holding the towel up to her. She stepped out, and his arms moved around her helping wrap the towel over her wet skin. Turning, she looked up at him, his eyes still closed making her heart beat a little faster.
“Thank you.”
He opened his eyes, smiling down at her before stepping back and pulling his shirt over his head. Her eyes again fell on his well-built body before grabbing the clothing from his outstretched hand.
“No, you can’t keep it.” He smirked before turning to let her dress.
She watched the door shut, her heart starting to race even faster in anticipation. This was going to be the hardest part of the day, facing the biggest part of her past that was now haunting her present.
Adjusting Silas’s shirt on her body so that it fell just above her knees, she took a deep breath before placing her hand on the doorknob. She closed her eyes and let out a breath before opening the door to the main room.
Declan was leaning against the back of the couch with his arms crossed staring at Silas, who to his credit had put on another shirt and was eating silently at the table facing them. More food was placed next to him, she assumed for her but she was not ready to eat just yet.
At the sound of the door creaking the rest of the way open, Declan’s eyes shot to her, irritation crossing his face at the sight of Silas’s shirt on her.
“Hey,” she said hesitantly, her hair falling over the front of her shoulder.
“Are you two together?” Declan’s voice sharp, his eyes going between her and Silas.