Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
We reappeared in my chambers within the palace. Betsee was there, changing the bed sheets.
The lady’s attendant let out a flustered Oh the second we materialized, but Kole reacted just as fast.
“I’ll be heading out. Your nighttime guard should already be here.” He kept his gaze over my head. “I’ll be back in the morning.”
He was out of the door and closing it behind him before I could blink, and then, it was just Betsee and me.
For a moment, all I could do was stand in shock. What just happened?
“Princess Primelle! Welcome back.” Betsee folded the used fitted sheet with two hands, and the flat sheet with her others.
It was quite impressive to watch. “I trust you enjoyed the meal with your family?” Her smile stayed plastered to her face, but her attention kept flicking to the blue cuff upon my wrist.
Nervously smoothing my hair, I grinned broadly and fell back on my usual response when something flustered me. “It was lovely.” I smiled even wider, then waved toward the newly made bed. “That was nice of you to provide clean sheets.”
“Of course, I was just turning it down for you. Shall I help you undress?”
Normally, I would have said no, but the extravagant ballgown was heavy and cumbersome and had more buttons than I wanted to deal with. “That would be most kind. Thank you.”
Betsee helped me ready for bed, and after she left, I slipped under the covers and gazed up at the windows. Moonlight streamed into the chambers, the same moonlight that had been glimmering on the Nelive Sea as Kole’s and my words had danced around one another.
But one thing had become clear to me. Kole didn’t have Solis magic that prevented intimacy. He could be intimate, but that magic flaring around his wrist was the Council’s reminder that he shouldn’t. At least, not with me.
It was the last thought I had before I fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, Betsee returned, helped me dress, and then began stripping the bed as I ate breakfast on the couch. As before, the magical potion had shone green after being dumped over my food.
While eating, I used the opportunity to check in with Ree. So much had happened since I’d spoken with her yesterday. Too much.
As she had the previous morning, she opened to me immediately.
Princess Primelle? she said in a teasing tone.
I stopped mid-chew. Wait, you already know? So that means you know who my true parents are? I hadn’t spoken with her since everything had been revealed, but before I could continue, she sighed.
Indeed, I went to Gwen and Timith’s last night, probably not long after you were there. Oh, Prim. He’s saved! I’m so, so happy for all of you.
My heart warmed. Yes, that’s the best thing that’s come out of all of this.
I felt her nod. They also filled me in on everything since that warrior finally let me inside. So Opalin and Roosep aren’t actually Opalin and Roosep, eh?
I laughed inwardly. Thank the gods you already know. I wasn’t even sure where to start.
Her teasing tone vanished, her tone gentling. I can only imagine, but in all seriousness, that’s a lot to deal with. How are you faring?
I leaned back on the couch. Honestly, I don’t know. It’s . . . a lot.
Understatement of the millennium.
Yes, so true, and believe it or not, there’s more.
I told her everything else that had happened, the stuff Gwen and Timith didn’t know about.
I didn’t hold back, describing in detail what had happened with Verin, how the disastrous meeting with my sisters had gone, how I would one day have to marry someone suitable, my near panic attack, and Kole’s protective and caring response on the Nelive Sea, and how I’d finally learned what that magic was on his wrist.
When I at last finished, a long pause came from her. Okay, so Verin’s the most wicked witch ever, and I agree with Kole. Don’t for a moment feel guilty about what happened. She was out to hurt you. That in itself means she needed to die.
Her vehement response made me smile, even though I knew she didn’t actually wish anyone dead. But her loyalty was one of the reasons I loved her so much. I knew she would defend me until the day I died, just as I would for her.
I’m so lucky to have you, I said quietly.
Not nearly as lucky as I am to have you. Her words turned more cautious. But as for Kole, it sounds like he does have feelings for you.
I think so too, but he’s too duty-bound to admit it.
She sighed. Males. Can’t live with them. Can’t live without them.
I laughed out loud, which got me a side-eye from Betsee, so I muffled the sound and returned my attention inward. One of these days, I need to see you again and not just catch up with my magic.
I know. It’s been too long. Do you know how we can see each other?
I’ll speak with my parents and ask if you and Siam can come visit.
She snorted. Sounds lovely, Your Highness.
I almost laughed again but managed to contain myself. I’ll be in touch, but I better go. My lady’s attendant is starting to look at me as though I’ve gone crazy.
Well, considering what you’ve been through, some insanity is understandable.
I pinched my lips to stop another laugh. Love you. Thanks for listening to all of this.
Anytime, and I mean that.
I know. That’s why you’re the best.
We said our goodbyes, and I finished munching on my toast, which had long grown cold, and a quick look around revealed that in the time I’d been talking to Ree, Betsee had accomplished a lot.
I cocked my head at the lady’s servant who was still hard at work. A brief moment of pity filled me that I now led a life of leisure while she worked tirelessly to provide me every luxury.
In a friendly voice, I said to her, “It isn’t necessary to change my sheets daily, Betsee. Didn’t you just do it last night?”
She snapped the sheet and stuffed it into her laundry basket. “Indeed, I did, Your Highness, but I’ve been told you’re aware that you’re to move into the royal wing this morning?”
The royal wing. Some of the blood drained from my face, and I was reminded of my new role. My new life. “Oh, yes, my parents did mention that last night.”
She smiled good-naturedly. “Wonderful. In that case, I shall continue. I’m to ready these chambers for a new guest should one arrive, which means clean sheets are needed, but if you prefer me not changing your sheets daily in your royal suite, I will endeavor to follow whatever schedule you prefer. ”
“Oh, okay.” Absentmindedly, I took another bite of toast because I didn’t know what else to say. I had no idea what kind of schedule I should give the attendant.
Just as fast, I wondered if Kole had arrived yet and was waiting for me in the hall. If he was, it would be the first time he hadn’t mistphased directly into my suite. His words from last night again pounded through my thoughts. My vows. My duty.
I couldn’t help but wonder if he was intentionally putting distance between us.
Appetite disappearing, I set my toast down and drank one last sip of tea.
Betsee dumped the rest of the dirty sheets into a small laundry basket and then removed a cleaning charm from her pocket.
She activated its magic, and before my eyes, dust began disappearing from surfaces, the windows turned gleaming, every area rug looked freshly scrubbed, and not a grain of dirt was in sight.
Once done, she dusted off her hands. “There we are. All clean and ready.”
“Is someone planning to stay here soon?” I wondered if that could be the reason for moving me so quickly. Or if it truly was now that the secret was out about my identity, that there was no longer a reason to keep me here.
Betsee shook her head. “Nobody yet. I’m just to ready it for a new guest should one arrive unexpectedly.” She picked up the laundry basket. “I can show you to your permanent quarters if you’ve finished eating? You’ll need to be there this morning anyway. You’re to have a gown fitting at ten.”
“My gown fitting. I almost forgot about that.” I stood and smoothed my dress. Gowns. Balls. Royal wings. Once again, it all came crashing back, and my brief reprieve that a good night’s rest and my time last evening with Kole on the Nelive Sea had brought me fell to the great beyond.
This is my new life now.
My forced smile was stretched so broad that my cheeks began burning, but I followed Betsee out the door.
In the hall, Kole stood watch, having already arrived exactly as I’d suspected he might have, and my attention inadvertently drifted to him.
As he’d looked last night when he left, his face was a mask of stone, and he refused to make eye contact. Instead, he automatically fell into step behind me without saying a word.
My stomach began to flip even though his closed-off demeanor didn’t surprise me. We’d stepped into new territory last night. Dangerous territory. Kole had all but admitted he felt things for me, things the Council would not approve of.
Yet one look at the warrior’s face told me he wasn’t going to acknowledge that.
My vows. My duty.
While a part of me greatly admired how noble of a male Kole was, disappointment also welled up in me, and a sharp stab of regret followed.
To cover it up, I plastered on a bright smile and launched into twenty questions, all directed at Betsee. Even though Kole might be intent on ignoring me, I was fairly certain the lady’s attendant wouldn’t shun me, and I needed to distract myself in some way.
“And where exactly are we right now, Betsee?” I asked her cheerfully.
She gave me a sheepish smile. “The east wing, Your Highness.”
“And there?” I said, pointing down a long hall.
“That leads to the conservatory, and if you go all the way to the end, the domal stables.”
Our tapping steps continued, and I grilled her on everything about the palace as she led me down the myriad of hallways.