Chapter 33
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
ALINA
The delicate, feathery light brushed against the silk pillowcase when I opened my eyes.
Tynan was already gone and I was not able to hold back a sigh of regret.
I knew he rarely slept, that he was up half the night, and it never bothered me before, but lately, all I wanted was to wake up in his arms, warm and safe, protected.
I turned to my side, staring at the outlines of the unfamiliar furniture.
There were so many things we still have not talked about. We could feel each other through our bond, but time and trust could do so much more for both of us.
Slowly, I approached the window. Below, was the massive wooden wall that ensured the protection of the settlement, and far beyond, were the vast, wild woods, just like the forest of my childhood. I opened one of the panes, the rush of air was rich with the scents of tree bark and fresh grass.
For a long moment, I could not shake the feeling that I was back in Gora. This new land was calling me, as if it wanted me to unravel its deepest, darkest secrets. My heart raced and I experienced something close to premonition. I needed to do something but I had no idea what it was.
A knock sounded at the door and I wrapped myself in a shawl, before answering. May walked in holding a silver tray in her hands.
“Good morning, milady.”
“Good morning.”
“I hope you slept well.”
“Yes, thank you. Do you know where my husband went?” I asked.
“Yes, milady. Milord is addressing a wall breach.”
“What?”
“I don’t know the details, milady, but last night, some crawlers got into the city. It’s over now, minimal casualties. They are securing the wall.”
“Why didn’t he tell me?”
“I don’t know, milady. I have your breakfast here.”
I turned away in an attempt to conceal my frustration. I was not simply upset that he just left in the middle of the night, I knew he needed to go fight the crawlers. It was that he did not think it was important enough to tell me.
Was that because he thought I couldn’t help? Was that because he worried that I would be in his way?
The deepest, most intense humiliation burned me from the inside. I was the one who, just a day ago, took the throne and he bowed to me in front of everybody.
Did he really think so little of me?
“Milady?” May waited.
“Yes? Oh, thank you.”
“Would you like me to help you dress?”
“Do you know where the former clan leader is?”
“Yes, milady. I took liberties to talk to the servants in the palace, although they were obviously told not to talk to any of us. But I managed to find out that Lord Hubert is very sickly, and not leaving his chambers.”
Was he really so weak, or was it just a ploy to delay the transfer of power?
“I see. Did you hear anything about Lady Augusta?”
“Lady Augusta, milady?”
“Yes.”
“I heard that she doesn’t partake in the clan business.”
That, no doubt, would have also been my destiny if I had chosen Rutherford as my husband. I would have been reduced to a mere decoration, a house plant that only needed to look pretty. My mind went back to Tynan and more gloomy thoughts entered my head.
Was Tynan treating me the same? I bit my lip, too frustrated to finish this line of thinking.
“Can you help me find some clothes to wear?”
“Your flying suit, milady?”
“No. Find me something a servant would wear.”
“Yes, milady.”
May hurried out of the room.
“Milady, I’m not sure it’s safe.” May stayed beside me.
Her head turned from side to side as we walked through the streets of Alsaard. I adjusted the hood of my cape, ignoring her complaints.
The narrow, neatly decorated streets were made out of light, polished brick and lined with structures that stood no taller than two stories, three at most. Residential buildings were mixed with the small storefronts: bakeries, barbers, and galleries.
“Do you get the money?”
“Yes, milady. I told Sage that you needed to buy some female supplies, just the way you told me. He never asked anything,” she said.
“Perfect.”
We continued on in silence. I was unaware of how close May was following me until her voice sounded right next to my ear.
“If I may ask, milady. What are you planning to do?” she whispered.
I smiled, watching the merchants haggle with customers in a free, unguarded manner.
From where we stood, it seemed like pure chaos.
Coins exchanged hands. People shouted prices and a bunch of kids ran around with caramel apples on sticks.
The scent of melted sugar, wine, and aromatic herbs filled the air.
“Milady?” May squeaked beside me.
“Follow me,” I said, entering the labyrinth of disorganized rows.
I walked through the maze of sellers who mostly looked rugged and rough. At the corner, two women’s loud voices carried over their fruit cart. I paused, selecting a ripened apple.
“The monsters from the clan of black are going to ruin us, mark my words. I’m going to sell all this and I’m closing the shop.
Dark times are upon us. They are not like us.
Barbarians, let me tell you. They say that the leader has one eye and he takes the eyes of his opponents every time he fights.
And the woman with him is not who she says she is. ”
My ears perked up. I picked more vegetables and placed them in my canvas bag.
“They say that she’s a gigantic woman, built like the largest knight. Some say that she is, in fact, a man.”
Against my will, my mouth hung open and the seller noticed me staring at her.
“Are you buying?” she inquired.
“Yes. I will take these.” I smiled at her, but she only scowled.
“They’re going to push us out of the city and take our homes. Mind my words.” The seller continued talking to her quiet friend.
“Are you sure about that?” I tried my best to look worried.
“Mind my words.”
“Why don’t they do something about it?” I asked.
“Who? Old Hubert? He’s a coward. I bet he’s not even sick, just buying time. They struck a deal with the council and are waiting for help. But the council doesn’t care about anyone else,” the merchant woman continued.
“What about Augusta?” I asked.
“What about her?”
“She could take his place. Couldn’t she?” I offered the coins in my hand.
“Not in that family. Hubert’s son was always his pride and joy. He never cared about his daughter.”
“It’s true,” the other woman suddenly added. “He only wanted her to marry well, but the girl wanted no part of it.”
“That’s right.” The seller nodded, looking for change in her well worn apron.
“Thank you,” I said.
“And who are you? I haven’t seen you here before.” The seller stared at me.
“I’m that giant woman you heard about. Keep the change,” I said.
The seller's eyes went as wide as the pumpkins she was selling. Satisfied with the reaction, I turned on my heel, leaving the stall behind.