Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
ISLA
T he morning sun barely touches the edges of my curtains when a persistent knock pulls me from sleep. I burrow deeper under the covers, determined to ignore the world a little longer, but the voice that follows the knock seeps through the wood.
Asher .
Just thinking his name makes my chest tighten. Of all the people I’m least prepared to face, he tops the list. I muffle my groans with a pillow, hoping to drown him out. Yet he persists, his voice softening into a plea.
“I have something for you, Isla. I won’t go until I see you’re all right. Just a moment, and then I’ll leave you to your day once I do.”
That’s a change from the domineering man I encountered yesterday. Hell, the man from then probably would have busted down the door and not replaced it out of spite. Still, curiosity piques despite my irritation.
I throw the blankets off, not caring that I’m still in yesterday’s clothes or that my hair is probably a mess. Asher can think whatever he wants about me.
I swing the door open with a brisk pull, and there he stands—less the monarch, more the penitent. In his hands is a bouquet of my favorite flowers, yellow and white lilies, their vibrant blooms placed in a delicate pink crystal vase.
He extends them with a gentle voice. “These are for you, as an apology for my behavior before.”
My hand grips the door as I lean casually against it. “For which before ? When you demanded your servant bring me to this room or when you used a man’s life to force me to stay here?”
He at least looks ashamed as his eyes cast down to my feet. “I’m sorry for both those things, Isla. There is a lot that you don’t know and I’d love to tell you, but I didn’t come here to bother you.”
I scoff and nod toward the door. “I’d say continually knocking and telling me that you won’t leave until I open is the opposite of that statement.”
“Yes, I’d have to agree, but I needed to see that you were okay.” He glances behind me before meeting my hardened stare again. “Please take these flowers, even if you don’t accept my apology.”
“Great.” I grab the vase from his hands, ignoring the flare of warmth that floods through me when our fingers brush together. “Now, goodbye.”
I shut the door in his face and lock it. Of course, he could likely easily get in, but the action makes me feel better as I stomp across the room. There’s no way in hell that I’ll ever forgive that man for his actions. Flowers or no flowers, he doesn’t deserve my mercy .
When I set the massive arrangement on the table, I notice a folded note tucked between the stems.
I cross my arms and shake my head. “Nope, I’m not going to read that.”
Heading for the bathroom, I’m intent on getting in the shower and starting my boring day of hanging out in this room, but I practically growl as I hesitate to pull my pajama shirt over my head. “Damn it!”
I go back to the main room and grab the stupid piece of paper.
Isla,
In case you didn’t let me say it before, I’m sincerely sorry for the way I’ve acted since your arrival.
I roll my eyes. Yeah, you should be, buddy.
As you’ve learned by now, we Lunarians live long lives and your arrival brought me back to a painful time in my life. That’s no excuse, but it is the truth. You won’t see that version of me again, I promise you that.
These people and their promises… Though his words do remind me that I need to figure out just what the old me’s relationship was with this man. Being close to him and being engaged with the intention of becoming a queen are two completely different things.
I shudder. Though I don’t know if the action is because I’m actually freaked out over the potential answer or something else entirely that I will refuse to admit even on my deathbed.
Please enjoy these flowers. They were your favorite before and I hope they still are. They also remind me of brighter days. Maybe they can do the same for you.
If you feel up for it, I encourage you to explore the castle, or even the town. Ask Cain to go with you if you want an escort. I’ve requested that he be available to you at all hours should you need him.
My invitation to dinner last night, that you rightly declined, stands open for every evening you’re here, should you change your mind.
I’ll see you soon, Isla.
Asher
I crumple the note within my palm and throw it across the room. More out of frustration for myself than the infuriating king.
I certainly don’t forgive him and his words shouldn’t affect me, yet my mind reels, wondering when he’s going to come see me again. Will he show up every morning or does he plan on checking on me multiple times throughout the day?
Well, if I’m not here, then I won’t have to see him. Maybe I should take his suggestion and go exploring. Though not in the castle. This place is where I’m most likely to run into him and I’m not ready for that. Not if he’s going to act all nice and apologetic. My body thinks too highly of that man and I need my mind to remain in charge. Distance will be key for that.
Quickly, I shower but don’t bother to wash my hair. The sooner I can get out of this room, the better.
Within fifteen minutes, I’m as ready as I’m going to get. I’ve brushed my hair and put a few curls in because, well, with all these fancy clothes and the fact that people keep calling me a princess, I should probably be a little more put-together than my normal self if I don’t want to draw more attention.
I’m dressed in black slacks that feel like air against my legs and opt for silver flats that match my sweater, hoping these clothes are something I’m supposed to wear. I didn’t actually ask before, assuming they were for me. Oh, well.
As I head to the door, my stomach swirls and I almost don’t reach for the doorknob. Maybe staying in is best. Maybe jumping out the window would be even better. Kidding. Mostly.
With an aggravated sigh, I open the door and am surprised to find an empty hallway. I expected someone to be waiting for me. Not sure who, but these people would be right not to trust me. I wouldn’t blame them for having me followed. Though I’m grateful to be getting out of this room, even if I’m nervous.
As I walk down the stairs, people pass me without the wide-eyed stares from before. Instead, I receive polite nods and smiles. Everyone’s dressed in slightly fancier business-style clothes than mine, but I don’t feel out of place .
By the time I get downstairs, I remember that I wanted to chat with Grayson again but decide that I can wait until dinner tonight. That is if I don’t join Asher…
Giving my head a solid shake, I head down the hallway that Cain brought me through my first night here. The castle feels brighter this morning. The intimidating aura lurking with the shadows is replaced by the glory of the stone walls, wall sconces, and aged portraits that seem more magnificent than I remembered.
I want to linger to appreciate the beauty of everything, but the farther I get from my room, the harder it is to breathe. I need fresh air urgently.
My stride lengthens and I find myself going out the double doors that once again open on their own. Freaking magic. I want to say I’m surprised any of this is real, but after learning about manifestation from Elodee and seeing how powerful thoughts really can be, I can’t deny that anything is possible. Though that’s more her expertise than mine.
Outside, Asher’s voice reaches my ears. He’s not talking to me, and I can’t even tell where he is, but I’m not ready to face him again. I dart around a corner, finding a secluded walkway that takes me around the side of the castle, farther from the front gates.
Eventually, I slow down as I reach a vast back yard. Though calling it a yard seems inadequate—it’s more like a sprawling field of perfectly manicured grass resembling a prestigious golf course. To my left, the open area stretches under clear, blue skies. To my right, another intriguing structure beckons me with its numerous windows. But it’s the forest in front of me, dense with towering trees under a sunlit canopy, that captures my full attention.
My shoulders instantly soften the moment I take in the tall, thick trees and I know where I’m going.
As I’m walking across the yard, it almost feels as if I’m moving over water. My steps are light and fluid and sure. Not that I’ve ever been clumsy, but this new surety within my body is foreign. Though not in a bad way, just new. Confidence isn’t something I’ve had in spades over the years.
I’ve always known I’m a good person and worthy of good things, but knowing and believing are two different things. Still, I’ve been trying. Especially with Elodee gone, I needed to be my own hero.
A snort of a laugh escapes me. “And look how that’s working out for me.”
Getting to the edge of the forest, there’s a breeze, blowing the taller grass here ever so slightly and carrying the sound of chirping through the air. The moment I step off the grass onto the dirt ground, a chill runs through me. I close my eyes, surrendering to the overwhelmingness of… I don’t know what, but whatever is here, it’s as if my soul is yearning for the freedom within the shadows of these trees.
Every footstep forward brings a boost of energy flowing into my body and the desire to lie down, soaking up whatever power is here, nearly consumes me. My skin tingles and itches and my bones, it’s like they’re craving to be stretched.
“What kind of magic is this?” I whisper to myself, pausing to lean against a tree. I press my palms against the rough bark but suddenly pull back as something pricks me. There’s no mark, yet the pain lingers.
As I rub my hands together, they grow uncomfortably warm. Before I can process this odd sensation, a rustling noise comes from behind.
I whip around, my heart racing. Is this place getting darker, or is my mind playing tricks on me?
The leaves crunch louder, and I inch closer to the tree, wishing that I could disappear within its bark as I slink closer to the ground, attempting to make myself less visible.
What the hell was I thinking going into a forest that I know nothing about?
My mouth drops open, and I nearly scream out of frustration. I don’t know how I could have forgotten that I saw a large wolf out here my first night in the castle. Though that doesn’t mean whatever is nearby could be the same beast. Maybe they’re more nocturnal and whatever’s getting closer is just a squirrel or raccoon…with rabies that will want to tear my eyes out.
Yeah, that’s not helping.
It’s time to make a run for it.
Getting back up, I take a step away from the tree and a deep growl stops me cold as the rumble echoes around me, loud and menacing. You’ve got to be shitting me.
“Easy, boy,” I say calmly, remembering some random video about bear safety that I watched years ago. Not that I think this is a bear based on the sounds and what I’ve already seen, but maybe the same rules apply for all savage animals.
“I’m a human. You don’t want to hurt me. ”
More branches break and the growl turns into a snarl. Great, so not a friendly animal. More like a rabid dog.
Golden eyes break through the shadows, leering right into my soul, and I do the next stupid thing I can recall.
My arms go up in the air, making myself as big as possible while screaming like a banshee. “You can bite me, but I won’t go down without a fight,” I feebly threaten, as if this beast can understand my words.
Holy shit, is this actually working? What I believe to be a wolf creeps back into the shadows and I start to walk backward, but my hope only lasts for so long.
I trip over an exposed root and the moment I’m down, a large shadow flies over me, something new and headed farther into the forest. There’s a beat of silence before I hear the clash of teeth and more growls.
Not wasting a moment, I scramble to my feet, smacking my cheek against a branch, and run like hell in the opposite direction. Only, I don’t think I’m heading back toward the castle. Great. Not even an hour on my own and I’ve nearly been eaten alive, I’m bleeding, and I’m likely about to get myself lost.
Still, I don’t stop running. At least not until I hear my name called.
“Isla!” Asher roars into the dark forest.
I pause, my chest heaving from the exertion, and my legs shaking with adrenaline. My head swivels around and it’s not even a minute later that Asher comes skidding to a stop in front of me.
There’s a cut on his forearm and his eyes are practically glowing, making me take a step back.
He holds his hands out in front of his body, reaching for me. “It’s okay, Isla. You’re safe. ”
I shake my head and point toward his face, then his arm. “You just… How did…?”
Asher comes closer and lowers his head. “There’s something we haven’t told you yet and we probably should.”
Or maybe they shouldn’t because I have a feeling that whatever comes out of his mouth next is going to turn my entire world upside down for what feels like the hundredth time since appearing in that cave.