Chapter 67
Abody-wide tremor wracked my frame, and I wrapped my arms around myself as the adrenaline ceased rushing through my veins. Lyriasthe slid to the floor, resting her head on the seat of a still-upright chair. Her lashes brushed against her cheekbones as her shoulders slumped inward.
Our ride had been taxing on all of us. Exhaustion tugged on every limb in the room.
Yet there could be no rest when the Seers were in danger, the palace was in upheaval, and we were confined to Vaeron’s rooms.
How different everything was now than it had been when we’d departed. I’d been so furious with him for switching out my virelthorn. I’d taken off the House R?viel ring. I’d told him he’d used his love for me to turn me into a weapon without my consent.
Now?
I wielded my Sight to guide us to victory. To point us toward peace. I’d forgiven Vaeron for his betrayal. I welcomed his possessive, protective love.
He was my partner in every dance, the amplifier of my stormy rage.
His devotion was endless; my adoration was absolute.
We were one.
As if he sensed the direction of my thoughts, Vaeron finished his perusal of the space and approached me. “How about a bath, little fugitive?”
“Please.” My eyelids were heavy, laden things, and my body still buzzed from the interaction with the monarchs. I needed to come down, to regroup before our final push.
Maelsar went to the window, pulling an askew curtain back in place and peering out from behind it. “I’ll keep watch here and let you know when Stadiel leaves.”
A small smile tugged up the corners of my mouth at the memory of how Iaoth had trembled while speaking to Stadiel, and how he had rejected her outright. She was weak and breaking and absolutely fucking deserved it for everything she’d done.
I wouldn’t let her hurt anyone else.
“Don’t take too long because I will murder you and take the hot water for myself,” Lyriasthe commented as we disappeared into the sleeping chamber.
I huffed a laugh and shut the doors behind us.
“We need to find that stone too and free the Seers,” I said to my mate as he turned the taps and let the tub fill.
He picked his head up, meeting my gaze. Love shone in his incongruous eyes. “We will, little fugitive.”
With a sigh, I rested my head on his shoulder. “So what do we do?”
“Stadiel must depart before we can make any moves. And I have a sneaking suspicion that the moment he’s gone, Iaoth will be here,” he told me, guiding me up and peeling my clothes off my body.
“What about Kiira and Maariya?” I asked. They were helpless, locked away down the hall, their magic contained.
He stripped out of his leathers, tossing them into a corner. “We will listen for signs of anyone approaching. No harm will come to them either.”
We stepped into the water together, the blue immediately turning brown. After a quick scrub, we drained and refilled the bath. Vaeron dragged me into his hard body, and I sighed as I settled between his thighs. He pressed a kiss to my temple, and my lashes fluttered against my cheekbones.
“Goddess, I can’t wait to sleep,” I murmured, allowing myself a moment to drift. A moment to surrender all the tension that had flayed my nerves.
“We’ll finish up here and then we can rest while Maelsar and Lyriasthe have their turn.” He grabbed soaps off the nearby ledge and handed one to me. Together, we scrubbed off the remaining grime. Because if we were going to install ourselves as rulers, we needed to look the part.
As we dried off, Vaeron went to his wardrobe and rummaged inside, producing a fresh dress for me and new leathers for him. I stepped into the white linen, running my hands over the soft, clean fabric.
I nearly groaned at how good it felt against my skin after months of being on the road. Vaeron’s attire was a dark gray bleeding into indigo—his signature color. Because he was who people feared; I was who people adored.
And together, we would rule.
I threaded my fingers through his as we returned to the sitting area.
Maelsar grinned at us. “You two clean up nice.”
Vaeron rolled his eyes. “Any movement out there?”
“A contingent is gathering, but they haven’t left yet,” Maelsar explained, going to the couch where Lyriasthe curled into a tight ball and hefting her into his arms. She yawned but didn’t protest. “We’ve got…
company outside. I asked them for some food, but we’ll see if the crown feels like feeding us. ”
My heart leaped into my throat. What if they’d barged into the Demons’ room while we’d been bathing?
Vaeron dropped my hand and strode to the door, peeking into the hall. I peered from a distance, spotting a handful of guards milling about.
And one female approached, pushing a cart laden with covered platters.
“There’s no sign of forced entry. Kiira and Maariya are safe,” Vaeron spoke into my mind. The tension in my shoulders eased.
My mate opened the door wider, allowing the servant entry. Atop a now-righted table, she arranged a meal. My stomach growled as she revealed an array of cured meats, steamed vegetables, fresh fruit, and pastries.
She left without saying a word.
I brushed past Vaeron and snatched a slice of cake. “Goddess,” I moaned as flavor exploded across my tongue. In three bites, I finished the rest, licking my fingers clean. Then I tore into the rest of the food, scarcely chewing before I was swallowing it down.
Maelsar and Lyriasthe finished washing up, then rejoined us in the living space. They’d stolen more clothing from Vaeron’s wardrobe. And as I looked around the table, I drank in the sight of my friends—my family—tidier and eyes brighter than they had been in a week.
Yet through our bond, I sensed Vaeron’s weariness. “Do you need to rest to restore your well?”
Because if anyone rebelled against us, his Command would be essential.
“It would help,” he admitted, shaking out his damp hair. “But we have to make a plan first. We can’t stay locked in here.”
“No, we have to free the Seers before what I Saw in my vision happens.” At least the food had renewed my energy. Scraps and rations were not how I wanted to live ever again.
“Once Stadiel leaves, I can use my Mirror to repel our guards,” Maelsar offered. “We have to find my father too. He can help us with the nobles.”
“Or I can use my Illusion to sneak out and pass him a message,” Lyriasthe pointed out.
“You don’t know what he looks like,” Maelsar replied, a wariness in his tone.
Because Kisst Caerelith didn’t know of his son’s intent to marry her. And as the new heir, he would have expectations placed on him that didn’t involve a commoner.
But once Vaeron and I wore the Angel crowns, that would change. We’d formally betroth them, and they’d get to live and love in the open.
Lyriasthe rolled her lips. “Fine. Then what else do we need to do?”
“Let me See.” I closed my eyes and dove into my well, seeking the path forward.
Slumbering snores. Shimmering curtains. Shattering diamonds. Shining moon. The fragments came like bolts of lightning. I turned them over. Watched the ones that repeated. Heard the snores reach a crescendo.
My brows pinched. “I think we need to drug the nobles.”
Lyriasthe gasped, shooting to her feet. “I know some kitchen workers who can put valerian root in the dinner wine.”
“That’s brilliant, Lyr.” Maelsar grinned up at his intended.
“And once Stadiel is gone, we need to find Iaoth. Then the Seers,” I said, each word rolling slow off my tongue as I pressed my power. All I gained was glimpses. “But where can the Seers go?”
“We’ll find a place for them,” Vaeron assured me, nudging his foot against mine.
A massive house among the treetops. A ramp spiraling from base to tip. A hand pressed palm-up against a heart.
“There’s an Elessarum stronghold in Sivy,” I murmured. I sensed Vaeron join me in my mind as I held onto the images.
“I know where that is. We can take them there once we’re finished with the nobles,” Vaeron promised, rubbing his jaw. “I think I might have to Command the nobles to gather. Or Command the remaining royal sentinels to do it for me.”
“Which means you need to sleep,” I said, resting my hand on his forearm and giving it a squeeze.
He nodded. “Night hasn’t fallen yet. While Lyriasthe sneaks out, we can rest. Once the nobles are slumbering, we’ll break out of here.”
Lyriasthe went to the window, peering outside. “I don’t think anyone will see me open this.”
Maelsar was at her side in an instant, confirming her assessment. He flicked the latch open, letting in the humid air. “Go now.”
She spun and rose onto her tiptoes, pressing a kiss to his lips. “I promise I’ll be safe.”
“No risks,” he warned as she wove an Illusion around herself.
I blinked, and she was no longer visible. “Go in peace.”
“Always in peace,” her invisible form replied. Her words lingered long after she departed.
Vaeron dropped onto a couch. “I’ll rest right here. I’m tired enough that I don’t need a comfortable bed and quiet.”
Maelsar snorted and claimed a chair, stretching his long legs out and resting his hands on his stomach. “Same here.”
Within minutes, both were fast asleep. Yet my heart beat a staccato rhythm against my ribs. Would Lyriasthe be caught? Would the servants turn her in? They’d certainly be rewarded for doing so…
I rose, drifting toward the window and peering at what little sky was visible among the thick canopy. The downpour had passed, leaving behind the fading sun. Restlessness itched beneath my skin, and I continued to wander like a wraith around the room until buttery light disappeared entirely.
What if Stadiel learned of our coup and turned his horse around? What if we couldn’t get the nobles to break? What if Iaoth killed all the Seers before I could save them?
The twin strike of boots cut through my spiral.
Maelsar and Vaeron shot to their feet. My mate ate up the distance to the entrance, cracking open the door and peering out at whomever approached. Then, he opened it wider and ushered two people inside.
Lyriasthe and Kisst Caerelith.