24. Raelle
Chapter twenty-four
The sun slowly makes its way through the window of my room of the castle in Demetrey. Casting shadows across the cold stone floor. The castle itself groans as the wind crashes against it fiercely; a storm rolling in from the Ranmyrkr Sea. The smell of salt and moist earth fills my nose as the curtains billow at the open window.
Pulling the blanket closed at my throat, I sit near the fire, waiting. I’ve been ready for hours. Far before the sun began to crest. The only storm at the time was the one building inside of me. I couldn’t sleep. The shadows they put inside of me, I quickly realized—as much as they would have wanted it to be different—did nothing . They caused my mind some discomfort, and my body needed time to heal, but other than that… they only served to make my connection with the moon even stronger.
The book that Osiris had me read brought me just the information I needed. None of it is about dark magic, but royal power and how it is wielded. The magic I know will take a different sort of concentration to wield. I can do it though.
I will, and when I do finally master what I now know I can do, Soren Croix will meet his end and the sharp point of Meraki.
Snaking my hand out from the opening in the blanket, I straighten my spine and grit my teeth. Knowing what rides on me, I hold my hand out in front of me as I try to call the magic I felt thrumming through me in that chamber.
Feeling useless when it doesn’t happen, my fingers curl into a fist, and I slam it down on the arm of the chair I sit in. “ Motherfucker !”
“Not very ladylike language, especially for a queen,” Osiris’ deep voice gravels from where he stands, leaning in the doorway. I didn’t even hear him open the heavy wood door. I need to be more aware of my surroundings, especially when I’m doing this. I can’t have them seeing me wield the magic if I’m finally able to.
“I didn’t think I had an audience. Maybe consider announcing yourself, and I wouldn’t have been so vulgar for your princely ears.” He doesn’t laugh, doesn’t show any anger, and all the emotion from last night is void from his expression. He just stares. Cold eyes meet mine, and I shiver.
“What are you doing here anyway?” I ask, standing from the armchair and crossing the room to yank back the gauzy white inner curtain to match its heavier counterpart. Letting the storm in without a filter.
“Soren wishes to see you in the dining room,” he says flatly. Lightning strikes just outside the gray window, and I freeze as the white flash blanches the room. “There will be no training, Moon Raven. Just a meal.” He continues. Only there is never just anything with Soren Croix.
I know better than to expect anything less than evil. It’s as though he finds pleasure in my discomfort. Any way he can, he will endue pain onto others. He is a master manipulator. Physically and mentally needing to weaken those around him. Just the thought of being a child growing up with him has me feeling sorry for Cano, even after everything he’s done.
I close my eyes and take a collective breath. As I let it out, I hear Osiris moving about behind me, but I stay there. My breathing is shallow though, not filling my lungs nearly enough. I feel panic trying to grasp me and take me down. My lip trembles at the same time that my hands do. I’m trying to be as strong as I can, but fear of what is at stake still causes trepidation to sneak through the cracks in my walls. Still, tears do not fall.
“Dress in this,” Osiris says with bland cadence. Biting my unsteady lip, I turn to face him, fisting my shaking hands at my sides. “I will be attending this meal as well,” he continues, as I look down at the gown he’s laid on the bed, and confusion puckers between my eyes. He must see it because before he leaves the room, his eyes find mine. It’s only a split second, but I saw the emotion he was trying to hide. There was pity in his eyes as he looked at me. My emotionless keeper, the Prince of Dragons, pities me.
It causes anger to boil in my blood, and when he turns, shutting the door between us, I feel it. The ripple of magic is so deeply buried within me, but I would never be able to mistake it. My hand comes up to wrap around my throat—his name, the name I have yet to speak again since the moment I left the cliffside, leaves my lips with a gasp.
“Dax!” I cry out. Tears I’ve promised myself not to shed come rushing in, already on an emotional parapet, a well of burning moisture as pain and sorrow consume me.
Tears flow freely down my cheeks, and my hands come up to cover my mouth and the sob that tries to escape. I felt him—our bond. Looking down at my arm and the banded marks there. I let my fingers trail over them, and my resolve builds up again like an invisible armor only he places on me.
I cannot be afraid to face the monster that’s holding me. He needs to be afraid of the monster that’s within me. He needs to fear the power of the royal blood that courses through my veins and the power I was handed when my bloodline stopped on me.
Pulling steel into my spine, I wipe away the tears and the evidence of the weakness with the back of my hand. I feel the cold metal of my wedding band on my finger, and my eyes train on the red dress. I will play this part he wants me to play. I will give him what he wants, because regardless of what he thinks—I know that I’m stronger than he believes. He thinks he can break me, but he’s wrong. There is nothing that will deter me from the path that I’ve chosen to carve out for myself. Nothing will keep me from the greatness I’m destined for. The moment he made me choose to leave Dax on the cliffside, I chose to fight.
The ridiculous heels that were left with the dress click with each step, echoing through the dining chamber as I enter. The guards manning the door shut it behind me with a heavy clunk, and the sound of it makes me flinch, but I swallow any fear and straighten my back as my eyes land on the man I despise.
“Ahhh, there is my girl!” Soren exclaims, holding his arms wide as though he wishes to wrap me in them. I stop short of him reaching me, and his gaze darkens. “Are we going to behave ourselves tonight, my little bird?” His nickname for me causes any small appetite I may have had to leave immediately, and I remember I’d rather eat dirt than be near this man. He doesn’t let me get away from his slimy touch, though. His hand grips my bare upper arm as he guides me to the table where Osiris sits stoically in his usual seat near the head of the long table.
“I think it’s time we discuss what is to happen next in your remaking , little bird.” My teeth grind as he slowly walks around me, pulls out the chair, and gestures for me to sit in front of Osiris. The Prince of Dragons sits straighter in his seat, but doesn’t look up at me from where his goblet of mulled wine is being poured. Instead, he waits until it’s full and takes a long drink, draining the liquid before snapping at one of the servers to refill it.
I sit in the chair as Soren pushes it in and roll my eyes as he smiles, walking to his seat. Crossing his hands on the table, he blinks slowly as his tongue skates along his upper teeth and his smile widens wickedly. Goose flesh prickles my skin at the eeriness of his gaze. Soren stays silently staring at me as more drinks are served. Just waiting for me to step out of line; for my petulance to begin, but I’m not giving in to the desire tonight. My magic is urging me to be silent. If there is one thing I know to fully follow now more than ever, it’s the instinct about my magic and its guidance.
“So, are we playing the silent game tonight, my pet?” Soren asks, packing the end of a pipe and then using his fire magic to light the end. Smoke billows from his mouth in white, swirling puffs. Filling the room with the pungent scent of burned Millard leaves. It makes me wonder what he uses the medicinal herbs for… Sucking in a long pull from the pipe, he closes his eyes as he allows it to fill his lungs before blowing it out in my face. I squeeze my eyes shut and clamp down on my mouth as I stop breathing in all altogether. He just laughs.
“Are we going to get on with it? I have things I need to tend to.” Osiris says with a bored tone, pushing his once again empty goblet away from him. A table hand comes running to grab it before his hand even leaves the stem. With a bow, the boy refills the glass. Osiris folds his large arms over his equally large chest as he ignores him completely and stares blankly at Soren.
Confusion gnaws at me as I continue to watch the two. My eyes jump to the doors to the dining room when they snap open, and two of Soren’s guards come in, stopping short of actually approaching us.
“Your guest has arrived, sire.” The one with the pot belly finally says. He steps to the side and announces the next man who walks in, his aura demanding the room.
“King of Valeska, Phyrrohs Drach.” I choke as I drink from the single glass of wine they allow me. Sputtering as he continues into the room as though I have not reacted at all. Osiris is now stiff as a tree.
“Ahhh, my guest. You arrive earlier than expected! Please forgive me for not welcoming you myself.” Soren chides, but I see the vein pulsing in his neck, clearly angry at the intrusion. “I’m glad you are here, though. Perhaps we can get on with things earlier than planned.”
“Soren,” the king’s voice thunders with power, speaking just one word, and his eyes land on me. Under the table, Osiris nudges me with his foot. I clear my throat and lift my chin. I don’t know what Osiris means for me to do with the nudge, but I will not cower to a king entering the room when I am a queen in my own right. Perhaps that was a reminder of just that. He does not turn his gaze away from me while he continues to speak to Soren.
“The weather made for a rather unpleasant flight here. My dragon and the crew from sea need rest and recuperation before a wedding commences. The bride will have more time to prepare.”
“What?” I question quietly, and Osiris’ voice echoes my own, but much louder and more demanding.
“Wedding?” Osiris stands, his chair protesting loudly at the sudden movement. It startles me, but Soren doesn’t react. He merely tilts his head to the side like a predator surveying him. His father’s eyes are blue like his but as cold as ice as he stares at his son.
“Yes. You are well aware of the plan. I promised Valeska a powerful queen. When you become king, it shall have one in Raelle.” Soren says the words through puffs on the malodorous dried herbs. Osiris’ jaw ticks as he shifts his eyes quickly from Soren to me, then back to his father. His face blotting out with red as his temper seems to rise. He clamps his mouth tight as he glowers at the other men in the room.
“A discussion for another time,” Phyrrohs says with a wave of his hand. As though the discussion of my future, his son’s future, and a wedding that cannot take place for so many reasons is like dismissing the weather because it’s raining. “I’d like to retire, Soren. We can discuss this more formally once my soldiers and I have had due rest.”
“Of course!” Soren claps, and a handmaiden comes from behind one of the tapestries on the walls. She bows low at the men in the room, and my eyes flick back to the tapestry. To the system of hidden passages that must be within the castle walls…
“Please take the king to his chamber and ensure his men are well taken care of,” Soren barks, snapping my attention back to him.
“Yes, sire.” She curtsies once more before escorting the king from the room. He doesn’t so much as spare his son another look. As the door closes, Osiris crosses his arms, his gaze narrowed on Soren.
“Does my father know of the poison you have been subjecting my queen to?” Osiris growls, and Soren stands suddenly. Slamming his pipe to the table, embers fall to the wood, and smoke continues to swirl around him as he narrows his eyes on the much larger Prince of Dragons. Osiris doesn’t so much as blink at his display.
“ The girl is mine until the deal is done and I urge you to remember your place while you are here in Aldramani. You are speaking to the ruler of the kingdom after all. Show some damn respect. We are allies!” Soren comes over to me, ripping me up by my arm.
“Fucking asshole, let go of me!” I scream, pulling my arm back just as hard. His hand comes out fast and hard. The back of it splits my lip and causes the metallic tang of blood to fill my mouth. I fall to my knees, the slit in my dress splitting to my hip.
“What did I tell you? Your mouth will be used for other purposes if you can’t mind your words. You look good on your knees, little bird. Perhaps we can see what that mouth can do.” He grips my cheeks hard, splitting my mouth until it opens. He shoves his fingers between my teeth, all the way to the back of my throat, so hard that I gag. “Ah, the sound you make is so pretty. Isn’t she pretty on her knees, Osiris?” The giant in the room is silent for a moment before he makes an unintelligible grunt and storms from where he’s been rooted. Leaving me alone with the monster to do with me what he will. Soren laughs maniacally, pulling his fingers from my mouth and bringing them to his own.
“You are a sick bastard,” I growl before I rip my face from his bruising grip.
“Oh, little bird. You have no idea,” he says as he takes his fingers from his mouth, examining them with a tilt of his head.
“Why did you miss breakfast again?” A voice calls out. I startle, but don’t turn to face him. The deep rumble of Osiris’ voice at my back sends chills down my spine, pulling me from the painful memories I think of every morning. This time of day is the only time I have time to myself with the sun. Usually, they lock me away before the moon rises every day—afraid of my magic, no doubt. When the sun is up, they have me training and testing my magic…among other things, but the last three days have been different.
I don’t get to leave my room. Only Fae coming and going to ‘prepare’ me for my wedding, which is to take place in a fortnight, from what I’ve overheard. Osiris has been absent since the dinner. The dinner where he left me on my knees in front of Soren. He shouldn’t be in my room now. I heard Soren instruct his guards to keep him away. He seems to always find a way to do what he wants when it pleases him and has no problem turning away when it doesn’t hurt whatever his agenda is.
Well, I won’t be part of it.
“I wasn’t hungry,” I say, void of all emotion, as I turn to face him. His beard is trimmed closer than it has been, and golden brown hair is braided at the sides and pulled into a low pleat at his back per usual, and his blue eyes lock with mine. The prince doesn’t look like royalty, but I guess I can’t talk…
He is handsome, but more rugged than one would expect a prince to look. I huff a laugh out at the thought; maybe we are more alike than we think… Though Osiris is more like a foreign warrior coming to claim the blood of a kingdom, and in a way, he has. He’s come to claim mine. But just like him, I have come to claim blood too.
“You need to keep up your energy. Eat.” He places a tray of food that I didn’t realize he brought in on the thick stone railing of the balcony and walks away.
“Did you know?” I ask, and he scoffs not answering my question before lounging on the settee. His large body takes up more room than is available, and his feet hang off the arm of it where they are crossed at the ankle. He folds his arms over his chest and nods at the food at my side.
“Eat, Moon Raven.” Osiris says indifferently. I eye him speculatively with an eyebrow raised. We stare at each other for a long moment, neither of us saying a word.
I don’t want to give in, but at that very moment my stomach growls loudly, and the smirk that lifts the corner of his mouth has me stomping my foot as I turn around and shove some of the cheese on the plate into my mouth. I know he’s right. With what Soren has been putting me through and the fear of the unknown ahead, I know I need the fuel the food gives. It doesn’t make me want to punch his smug face any less, though.
In times like these, when we are alone behind closed doors, we almost seem to have an unspoken truce. Even with the clear secrets clogging the air between us. He doesn’t say anything else as I sulk on the balcony with the plate of meat, cheese, and bread. I eat every crumb because Soren denied me dinner last night—he didn’t like my attitude when he had come in to ask me about the shadows. Truth be told, I don’t mind the tests on my magic that they are putting me through.
I’m learning as much as they are, and I’m sure that’s more dangerous to them than it is to me, but what worries me is the fact they seem to think a wedding could even happen. Dax is alive. I am bonded fully to him, and I would without a doubt know if that bond was broken by death. Especially from what I’ve learned from the books I’ve been reading.
One thing that Soren’s help within the castle doesn’t have are tight lips, and I’ve heard talk of the journey to Valeska. The king wants his son to return with his prize.
Me.
Since they don’t know that I know—I need to learn all that I can in the time I have left here. I will not be some trophy womb for them to do as they please with. My eyes narrow on the prince, and as though he can read my thoughts, he leans forward and gestures to the seat in front of him.
“You and I need to discuss things…” he sighs, running a hand over his braids.
“There is nothing to discuss. I am not marrying you.”
“We need to discuss the real reason why I am here, Moon Raven. A marriage to you is the last thing I want.”