Chapter 31
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
By the time I was bathed, dressed, and had eaten breakfast, it was already well past eight in the morning. There was still no sign of Kole. No word from the Council and nothing from my parents. And of course, Royden was a closed book.
I debated not going to my uncle’s estate and wondered if I should instead spend the day trying to figure out why Kole hadn’t returned, but as soon as that desire hit me, so did the reality that not going to Arnel’s and instead fretting over Kole’s whereabouts would only raise suspicions.
Such a thing wouldn’t be done for her guard by a princess.
And if his mysterious disappearance truly was because of an innocent reason, and the Council didn’t know of our affair, then I would have possibly alerted them to my attraction for Kole, only exacerbating the problem.
But that didn’t mean that I couldn’t check in with him mentally.
Even though I’d never done so before and had balked at doing so when we’d first met, since mentally projecting myself to an unsuspecting fae could feel like an ailment or the feeling of going psychotic, I also knew that Kole was my mate.
He would never shut me out. And if need be, I could force my way into his consciousness, and once I was there, I could quickly explain that it was only me and nothing for him to be concerned over.
Thankfully, I knew Kole’s essence like the back of my hand. Mind made up, I retreated to the bathing chambers for a moment of privacy, then closed my eyes and unleashed my magic.
My magic soared through the capital, pouring out of my mind as I sought Kole. The call of his essence thrummed into me, and perhaps it was our bond or the fact that we’d spent so much time together, but I found him almost immediately.
He wasn’t far, just on the outskirts of the capital, and I wondered if that was where the elusive Imperial Council’s headquarters were.
I stopped my magic at the edge of his mind and scratched. I didn’t know if Kole would recognize me, but I hope he’d understand, or maybe his bond would alert him to it being me.
No sooner had I had that thought, than I felt his mind open. Primelle? he said hesitantly.
I breathed a sigh of relief. He had recognized the feel of me. Yes, it’s me. Sorry, did I ever mention that I can mentally project myself into fae’s thoughts?
No, you forgot to mention that. He chuffed lightly. Stars Above. I thought I might be going insane.
You’re not. It’s just your fated mate and her crazy magic. In a more serious tone, I added, Sorry if I startled you, but Royden won’t tell me anything, and I’m so worried about you. Why aren’t you here?
His laughter faded, and his voice turned serious.
I’m sorry, Princess. I would have told you if I could, but I’m in isolation.
I couldn’t summon a dillemsill. Last night, after I left you, your nighttime warrior reported me to our superiors, saying I was acting possessive and territorial around you and wouldn’t leave when my shift ended.
And then Royden jumped in, saying that he smelled me on you the other day and that my scent was so strong that I’ve likely bedded you.
He growled low in his throat. Fucking prick, but that’s why I’m not there.
I’m to have a meeting with my superiors this morning.
My jaw dropped as Royden’s initial assessments of my scent the first day we’d met came careening back to me. Oh Gods, Kole.
It’s all right, he replied. If needed, I intend to tell them that I’m your mate.
Is that wise? What if they ban you from me?
He growled again. They may be able to ban me from you as your assigned Imperial Warrior, but they can’t ban me from you as a male. Only your parents can do that.
You’re saying if it comes to it, you’ll quit the Council in order to see me?
Yes.
Stars Above, Kole, I don’t want you to lose your job over me.
He laughed lightly. Don’t worry about that, Princess. I would move mountains for you. A job is nothing.
My heart warmed, and the bond in my chest tingled at his vehement declaration, because I had no doubt he meant it.
I’ll speak to my parents too if needed. We’ll figure this out, and we’ll find a way so you don’t lose your job.
Can I check in with you later to ask how it went?
If it didn’t go well, I’ll talk to them, but I’m about to head out now.
Although I feel so much better now that I know what’s going on.
Are you going to your uncle’s?
Yes, I guess Royden will have to come with me.
Lucky bastard. I laughed quietly, and he added, But yes, check in with me later. My meeting with them is in two hours. I should know more this afternoon.
Okay, I’ll talk to you soon.
You will, and, Princess?
Yeah?
I love you more than words can say.
My heart felt as though it burst. Throat feeling thick, I somehow managed to reply, I love you too, Kole. So much.
Somehow, I managed to compose my worry over what the next few hours would bring. Taking a deep breath, I returned to my bedroom chambers to join Royden.
I approached him with a wide smile, hoping none of my anxiety was written upon my face.
“I was planning to visit my uncle today. Does that sound all right with you? My parents have only stated that I have to be behind the palace wards by sundown, but I’m allowed out of the palace during daylight hours. ”
He bowed. “Of course, Your Highness. We can leave for his estate whenever you’re ready.”
“I’m ready now, and I can mistphase us. It’ll be fastest.”
He smirked. “All right. If you’re sure you can transport me too?”
“I can. I’ve mistphased others many times before.”
His smirk increased, and Royden held out his hand.
I took it and could only hope the visit to my uncle’s would be brief.
In all likelihood, it would only take a few hours to translate what he’d found, as long as it wasn’t an entire book’s length.
Then I could return to the palace and check in with Kole to learn what the Council had decided.
And if needed, I would speak to my parents.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. Focusing on all that I’d learned, I disentangled my mental magic, then called upon it for my mistphase. In a rush of power, the realm dropped out from beneath us, and we disappeared in a blast of mist and shadows, air and wind.
I concentrated on where I wanted us to go, thinking of my uncle’s home library and how I wanted to travel us directly into it, but when the realm solidified around us, and I opened my eyes, it wasn’t to a library.
Instead, a breeze blew across my cheeks, and morning sunshine streamed upon my forehead.
“What in the realm?” I spun around. “This isn’t right.” We were outside of a vast estate, right at the gate, but when I glanced upward, I sagged in relief. The gate’s header read Manafold Estates. “Stars, we’re here, but I didn’t get us past his wards.”
“But you did mistphase us right to his home. I’m impressed.” Royden studied the area too, his expression a bit nauseated, but he quickly shrugged it off.
“I guess that’s true.” I placed my hands on my hips and frowned at the gates, wondering how we’d get in.
At least it was a lovely day and not raining.
Instead, the pale-green sky shone, not a cloud to be seen, and around us, only a meadow grew, and just beyond the perimeter of my uncle’s vast lawn, the Wood waited.
Thick trees swamped the area, and when another breeze picked up, the leaves parted to reveal a distant stone structure too.
Regardless, this wasn’t where I’d wanted us to rematerialize.
I slapped a hand to my forehead, and the reason why that was hit me like lightning. “I know what happened. My uncle was expecting me and Kole to arrive this morning, not me and you. You probably aren’t cleared to pass through his wards.”
Royden shrugged. “That explains it, which means we’ll have to find your uncle.”
Facing the estate, I reached toward it to touch the magical ward that encased his home. But whereas Royden would likely encounter a spark or zing of my uncle’s wards if he touched them, my hand easily slipped through them, and the gate opened readily for me.
I huffed in frustration. “I’m sorry. I’ll go find him so you can get in.”
Royden stepped forward, blocking me. “Princess Primelle, you’re not to go anywhere without me.”
“I know, I know, but it’s just my uncle.”
As if my touch on his wards alerted him to my arrival, down the gravel walkway leading to my uncle’s large home, the front door opened.
My uncle stepped out and waved, beckoning us. “Good morning! Come on inside. I’ve been expecting you!”
Even from the distance, Arnel’s fresh appearance and alert demeanor were evident. I chuckled lightly. He obviously hadn’t been kidding when he said that he slept just fine in his carriage.
I waved back and said to Royden, “I’ll let him know you’re locked out.”
I rushed toward my uncle even though Royden called for me to stop, and when I reached the front door, I was slightly breathless.
“Good morning, Uncle. We just got here, but Kole’s not with me today.
” I waved toward where Royden waited. “Another warrior is accompanying me, but he needs clearance from your wards to get in.”
“A different warrior?” My uncle cocked his head.
“Yes, so if you’ll just let Royden in, we can venture to your library. I can’t wait to see what you’ve found!” I beamed.
He chuckled. “Of course, of course. I’ll have to get my spellcaster.
” My uncle’s smile increased, and he opened the door wider, then cupped his mouth with his hands and called to Royden, “I shall find my spellcaster so you may enter. One minute, please!” He beckoned me inside, then closed the door behind us.
“My library is just down the hall on the main floor. I’ll show you to it, and you can get to work on the translation while I find my spellcaster. ”