Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
After my family and everyone else finally left, silence filled the room. For a moment, I just stood there. Then, I began to tremble. So much had happened in that maze. So much.
I eyed my feet. Dirt lined my soles, and mud was splattered on my calves. Drops of Lillith’s blood had soaked into my ruined gown too, but I didn’t see any of the creature’s blood, and none of them had touched me.
“You need to wash.” Kole’s quiet yet firm demand reminded me of his concern in Inisville. Even though none of the creatures had come into true contact with me, he wasn’t taking any chances.
Despite my blue cuff, I released a strong burst of self-cleansing magic, wicking away all of the grime. It wasn’t like it mattered anymore anyway. Everyone knew the cuff was a farce.
Throughout it, Kole watched me closely, as though assessing every inch of my skin to ensure I hadn’t missed anything. It was only when he seemed appeased that I realized he and the other warriors had already done the same.
With a start, I studied the three warriors who looked freshly bathed. Their weapons were gleaming, their clothes immaculate. They’d obviously encountered those things enough to know what was needed immediately.
“She has a courtyard to be stationed at, as well as the hallway.” Kole nodded toward the doors leading to each. “I’ll stay inside her chambers tonight to keep watch while she sleeps.”
My eyes widened at the thought of Kole watching me all night, but the two males nodded, as if such a thing were as normal as eating crumpets and drinking tea.
The blond one put his hands on his hips, which accentuated the throwing stars locked into the leather straps on his chest. “When were her wards last reworked?” Like Kole, he appeared young and strong.
“Two days ago,” Kole replied. “They were reinforced and are still fresh and fully capable.”
“Does the courtyard have access to the outside wall?” the other asked. Like the blond, he was armed. A crossbow hung from his back, and an earring flashed in his ear, the diamond at least a carat. Since his dark hair was shorn close to his head, the jewelry twinkled and was hard to miss.
But apart from that singular flashy piece of jewelry, both males were dressed simply, and similarly to Kole. Supple black breeches and a fitted tunic adorned their powerful frames. Nothing about their attire screamed that they came from the Council, and I supposed the Council preferred it that way.
Kole shook his head. “No, her courtyard’s fully contained within the palace, so it’s highly unlikely the wards to it have been breached, but don’t let your guard down on the off chance it has been.
The spellcasters are to be working through the night as well to assess how the wards were shattered and to fix the holes in their spells. ”
“Anything else we need to know?” the blond asked.
Kole again shook his head. “Not that I can think of.”
“I can think of one thing,” I said and clasped my trembling hands behind my back.
All three males turned their attention to me, and I realized I probably looked ridiculous in bare feet with a gown torn to my thighs, all while wearing a sparkling tiara nonetheless. But at least my skin was clean again.
I didn’t let my ludicrous appearance deter me.
Instead, I cleared my throat and smiled brightly.
“I would love to know both of your names since you likely already know that I’m Primelle Holl”—I stopped myself.
I was no longer Primelle Hollaran. I was now Princess Primelle Rose Everline Manafold, third daughter to the king and queen of Mistvale Kingdom—“I mean Primelle Manafold.”
The blond smirked. “Yes, Your Highness. We’re quite aware of who you are.” He bowed. “Xaven Starthrower, at your service.”
The other also bowed. “Callahan Bowwielder, Your Highness. It’s a pleasure to serve you.”
My smile grew strained, and my heart thundered. They’d addressed me so formally, bowing and using reverent tones despite my silly attire. It was all so odd, and I wondered how many summers it would take to get used to my new station.
I dipped my head, thankful for the distraction since the evening was beginning to catch up with me.
I clasped my hands even tighter. They were shaking more violently, and I hoped none of them noticed.
“Thank you, Xaven and Callahan, and please, call me Primelle or Prim. And if you need anything through the night, don’t hesitate to voice it.
I could ring for coffee or tea now to help keep you awake, or if you’re hungry, the kitchens are open at all hours, or so I’ve been told. ”
Xaven inclined his head. “No need to, Your Highness. We always come prepared.” He patted a small pocket in his tunic. A slight bulge filled it, and I wondered what sustenance he had in there.
Callahan did the same. “We shall be fine. Thank you for the offer, though.”
“Whatever you prefer.” I smiled again, and both males’ gazes dipped to my mouth. Despite my efforts, my lips were trembling.
Kole stepped forward, his aura rising. “Both of you to your stations,” he said tersely.
“Yes, sir.” They simultaneously turned on their heels and departed.
Once Kole and I were alone in my chambers, I cocked my head and peered up at him. “Are you in charge or something?”
“Regarding this job, yes, since I’m your assigned Imperial Warrior.”
“And are you always that short with your fellow warriors?” I asked to keep the focus off me and off the fact that those creatures had been sent for me tonight.
He worked his jaw, his aura growing stronger. “Not usually.” He studied me more intently, and the energy surrounding him grew even more.
“I should wash.” I lifted my hands. Even though blood no longer stained them, it still felt like it did. “A bath may feel nice.”
For a heartbeat, Kole stared at my fingers. “It was brave, what you did to help your sister.”
I shrugged, but I couldn’t stop a memory of one of the creature’s fangs. It pierced the front of my mind, and a shudder ran through me.
“Shh, it’s all right.” Kole clasped my biceps and ran his hands up and down my arms gently. “They didn’t touch you, and they didn’t take you. You’re still safe.”
I began trembling in earnest. “Maybe, but what if they’d gotten closer to Lillith or me? My sister could have been bitten. She wouldn’t have been able to defend herself. And then what? She would have turned into one of those things, and I couldn’t have saved her. The Wishing Stone is long gone.”
“But she wasn’t bitten. She’s safe too.”
“But she could have been. And I would have been helpless to save her.” I shook myself, trying to rid myself of the terror coursing through me. Think, Primelle. Think! What can you do? What can you do to stop this from ever happening again?
Kole continued rubbing my arms, and I took a deep breath.
Finally, my thoughts began to realign, and I peered up at him.
“I need to figure out who’s behind this, Kole.
If I’m to be locked up in here, then I can use the time to study and research what we know of those creatures.
Maybe that will give us a clue and lead us somewhere, because I’m quite good at research.
Perhaps I should utilize that skill. And I need to learn to mistphase.
If I’d been able to, I could have gotten Lillith out of the maze right away. We wouldn’t have been so helpless.”
His movements on my arms stilled. “All right. We can do all of that.”
I nodded hastily and tried to take some comfort in that.
Kole rubbed my arms soothingly again. “We’ll work on figuring this out together, okay? I’ll keep you safe, you do your research, and I’ll keep trying to teach you to mistphase.”
His reassurances had some of my anxiety calming, and I nodded again, but a part of me still wondered if I would ever be able to learn to mistphase.
Kole had attempted to teach me several times, with hours of effort put into it.
But despite my magic being unique and incredibly powerful, I still couldn’t get past the first step of untangling my magic from itself.
But then I forced a rush of optimism through me and lifted my chin. “Sooner or later, I’ll figure it out.” Yet despite my efforts to see the bright side, my chin still wobbled.
Storm clouds rolled in his eyes, and he pulled me to him, enclosing me in his arms. “Shh, it’s all right.”
I clung to him, and perhaps it was because I truly needed him, needed him to hold me and reassure me, that his Council magic never flared. Whatever the case, I was thankful that his magic allowed it.
Closing my eyes, I relaxed into his frame, and his grip tightened.
“I owe you an apology,” he whispered into my hair. “I’m sorry that I didn’t protect you better tonight. It’s my job to keep you safe, Primelle, and I didn’t. I’m sorry I put you through that.”
I scoffed and ran my hands up his broad back. “It’s kind of hard to protect me when someone forces us to split up.”
He growled quietly. “Don’t even get me started on Lordling Ryderdim. I wanted to murder that prick all night.”
Despite my fear, a laugh escaped me. “I know his behavior in the maze was annoying, but he seems genuinely sorry. I’ve already forgiven him, and perhaps you should too.”
“Forgive him?” He pulled back and cupped my cheeks. Warring emotions scattered over his face. “He’s not only attracted to you, Prim, but he took you from me.” A glow burst in his eyes. “I won’t be forgiving him,” he growled.
My cheeks warmed, but I was thankful for the change of subjects. It kept me from thinking about my sister’s injury. From the fact that those creatures had been after me. “You don’t know that he’s attracted to me. He could just be a very friendly fairy.”
Kole shook his head, and his aura roiled. “No, he wants you. I could scent his arousal all night.”
For the first time, I felt a spark of my playful self return, and I poked his chest. “Well, then I suppose it’s too bad that I’m so smitten with my Imperial Warrior.”