26. Raelle
Chapter twenty-six
Osiris and I have been staring at each other for what feels like hours, even though I know it’s only been minutes. I pull myself into the large wingback chair cross-legged and watch as he gets up and adds wood to the hearth. Winter has fully settled over all of Aldramani, and being this far north, I can feel the chill in my bones. When he sits back down on the seat in front of me, he leans back and crosses his arms over his chest.
“So what you’re telling me is that my family bartered with your kingdom… to keep dragons alive in Valeska, and in return, you wouldn’t invade? What does Aldramani have that Valeska doesn’t to keep the dragons alive?” I ask, pulling the throw from the arm of the chair and wrapping it around myself.
“Magic was used very differently… As I’m sure you know.” He looks at the door and then back to me. “The Soule Mountains are called what they are for a reason. Do you know what that reason is?” My brow gathers between my eyes as I think about the answer to his question. I paid attention to my studies, but I don’t recall learning about why the mountains in Aldramani were named what they were…
“I—guess I don’t know why.” I finally admit.
“It doesn’t surprise me. Had you grown up with your royal family, that would be very different. I don’t have time to go into the many details, unfortunately. I know I am asking a lot of you… but I need you to trust me.” He lowers his voice to a whisper on the last sentence he says and his eyes shine brightly in the dim lighting in the room. I’ve never gotten a bad feeling from Osiris—from my magic. I’ve always been weary of him, but how could I not? But still, do I trust the Prince of Dragons? I saw the way he tensed around his father.
“Why is your father working with Soren?” I ask plainly. His jaw ticks.
“My father thinks that we can get what we want and invade now that the king and queen, your parents, are gone. He thinks that the best route is to join our kingdoms as one with a marriage. Ours .”
“But I am bonded—does that mean nothing in Valeska? Valeska must respect the bonds given by gods…”
“Valeska does,” Osiris interrupts. “But my father is very determined, and he has what he believes is a good reason to do what he is doing. Soren is a stupid, power-hungry man. He is but a pawn to my father.” I consider what he’s saying for a moment. Thinking about the feeling my magic has been giving me. Around the prince and then his father. I feel like what he is saying is the truth, but what I don’t understand is why.
“If your father has this plan and it helps keep your dragons alive… Why are you not going along with his plan?”
“There are many reasons. One of which is that I don’t wish to kill a man to take his bonded mate. I am aware that you held a bonding ceremony. They tried to stop it, but even so, it would not halt my father when he has his mind set on something. He wants Aldramani, but your blood is what guarantees our dragons live.” He says, and my eyes snap to his.
“My blood?” I ask, as my lips turn down into a frown.
“Only the royal line—Aberra blood can retrieve what we need. A stone, similar to the moonstone from our mountains I gave you.” He twists a ring on his finger. The stone on it glints in the firelight. At first glance, it looks to be onyx, but as I watch it move, it… has a deep red hue. “Where our stones, those from the moon mountains, help you in a different way as the moon raven—your magic stems from the moon maiden herself. These stones will also aid seers and those with sight in channeling their magic. The red Soule stone from the Soule Mountains helps our dragons bond with new wielders. It’s a channeling stone, and without it, the bond cannot be formed, but it's more than that. Or it can be. It’s a very long, complicated history. But to keep a balance between our people, the fire and moon goddesses placed enchantments on the mountains, protecting what they housed. Only a living descendant of the royal line can enter the chamber of the channeling stones. My father thinks with the mixing of our lines he can claim both stones.”
My head feels like it’s spinning with all the information he’s given me, and my pocket feels heavy where the rough moonstone is. If this stone was so important in Aldramani, why have I never heard this tale? I could sum it up to because of the kingdom falling, but my gut is telling me it is more than that.
My eyes snap to the door as I hear footsteps on the granite in the hallway. Osiris straightens his back and balls his fists.
“I should be going. I can answer whatever questions you have, but until I find out where the chamber is, I just need you to play along. This will end with you on the throne, Raelle—with your mate. Not me at your side. I don’t want to rule in Aldramani.”
Something falls, waking me with a startle, and I jump to a sitting position in bed.
“Oh, I—Sorry, miss. I was getting your chamber prepared. I didn’t mean to wake you.” A young chambermaid whispers, folding a deep green dress over the back of the settee at the end of my bed.
“Prepared for what?” I ask more harshly than probably necessary, but I am a prisoner, and being seemingly forced into a marriage… dark magic… and apparently having Osiris’ babies. My stomach clenches at the thought. Not just the having babies, but the thought of all of it combined. I haven’t thought of whether or not I want children… When I was young, I saw my parents love. I knew I wanted that, but being responsible for a child? It never crossed my mind.
“I’m sorry, miss; I am just a chambermaid and have not been given a reason as to why. Lord Soren merely ordered it.”
“Of course.” I nod, and she scurries back to her tasks. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I watch as she prepares a place for me to eat breakfast in my room. She goes in and out of the bathing chamber multiple times. The last time, taking the green dress with her.
“Since you are awake, I prepared your bath, and your breakfast will be brought in.” She says while not meeting my eyes. The food will no doubt be brought in by the prince, as it has been since I’ve been here. Save for the three days he stayed away after that awful dinner night.
“Lord Soren will have you collected by midday.” My gaze moves to the window where the early morning sun is filtered by both clouds and the gauzy curtains. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice the chambermaid bow slightly before rushing out of the room without a backward glance. I sigh, pushing the blankets back and making my way to ready myself for the day.
I’m in the bath, the water lapping around my chin when Osiris steps through the door. The water sloshes over the side, and I jerk upright, covering myself the best I can with my hands and arms.
“What the fuck?” I yell, and he turns around with a smirk.
“I’m not looking at you, Moon Raven. It’s time to get started. Get out.” He walks from the bathing chamber, and I let out a string of curses as I do what he says. I dry myself with a towel and quickly get dressed.
Storming into the room, I come to a stop behind Osiris at the dining table, cross my arms, and huff out a breath. The small hairs at the nape of my neck are dripping where they got wet in the bath and causing dark lines to form on the green bodice of the dress. Osiris turns to face me when he hears my approach.
“What is so important you had to interrupt my bath?”
“I’m not interested in seeing anything you have to offer, Moon Raven.” He dismisses my anger and points to the chair where he has placed my breakfast. “Eat.” Sitting in the chair he offers, I let out another puff of breath, my annoyance getting the best of me, and I glare at him. “We need to convince Soren and my father that you are coming around to the idea of being my wife. You have already been doing a great job at pretending you don’t have knowledge of your power…Have you read the book I gave you?”
I continue my silent glare, still mad about his intrusion. The book has given me so much insight into the potential of my royal bonds, the magic I have inherited, and the prophecy of the moon raven. I close my eyes, and he allows me a moment to collect my thoughts. Silently waiting.
It’s an impossible situation, but as I think about everything, one thing is certain… My magic, time and time again, has given me a sense of trust with Osiris. Regardless of the fact that I know he is not telling me the full truth of the situation. I came into this knowing I would do whatever it takes to bring Dax back to me and bring the kingdom to peace. If this is the way I have to do it, so be it.
“I’ve read the book,” I say, lifting my eyes to his. “What you told me about the mountains makes sense, but I do think there is more you are not telling me.” He starts to open his mouth to speak, but I lift my hand, halting his words. “I will do it. I will play whatever part is needed in this, but I need your word.”
“I can give you something better.” He comes around the table to the side of my chair, pulling it to face him. “Royal bonds are different as you have learned…” he says as he eyes me and my magic surges along with my heart. He slowly drops to one knee and continues. “A dragon’s bond is forged by flame; I offer you this pledge, my word, and my blade. A king by right, a prince by name, I, Osiris ruler of dragons, bid you this bond if you shall accept it.” Bright white light lines my vision, and the hum of my magic fills not only my chest but the room. Taking a deep breath, I push all my apprehension into my magic, and in return, I receive a surging hum through my chest.
“I accept your bond, and I, Raelle Apus-Aberra, ruler of Aldramani, Moon Raven, Queen of the Night, give you my word, my blessing, and fight.” I say with reverence with my hand over my heart. Osiris stands, his eyes burning like blue flames; he pulls me to his side, and as our hands clap, icy hot pain stabs at my ribs, burning like the embers of a fire. I don’t have to look to know what is there. The evidence of the bond we forged. Two kingdoms coming together, not by blood but by magic in a twist of fate.
We nod at each other, acknowledging that this deal has been made. I just hope that it’s not a mistake.