Chapter 20 Audryn
AUDRYN
“Breakfast, Miss Audryn,” Roark said with a smile, “it’s in the garden.” The prior battle mask was nonexistent, and he’d returned to his old self.
“Thank you.” I hurried past. It didn’t matter how hard I tried; I was always running behind, and in doing so, I’d forever remain on Leanna’s bad side.
After breakfast, I’d try to get to the royal library again.
Each day I’d attempted to gain access to the private corridor but continuously fell short.
With a guard stationed at every hall, there was only so much progress I could make without making my intentions obvious.
They likely thought me an idiot since I’d found myself lost multiple times a day, each time ending up at the corridor to the royal quarters.
With a slow jog, I moved through the complex network of halls, finding the glass-paned double doors leading to the garden.
Over the last few days, I’d had every meal with Maris and Allura; Ryder was nowhere in sight. Leanna had explained he was busy with matters that took precedence, which I assumed was the aftermath of the attack. His sister assured us she’d keep us busy in the meantime, and she had.
Countless hours of painting, strolling in the garden, and sitting in the common room occupied most of our time.
In addition, we’d spent endless hours learning the formal etiquette required for royal events, whether a dinner or a ceremony.
The two women performed perfectly during each task while I floundered.
As if that weren’t enough, Leanna’s personal ladies placed our hair in torturous designs, tugging and twisting our strands into appalling compositions.
Aside from her forcing her personal style upon us, Leanna had become more tolerable.
She forgave my missteps during activities and lessons, and gradually became easier to converse with.
Taking a moment, I drew in a deep breath and quietly urged my heart rate to slow before I interrupted breakfast. My hands raked down the olive green material as I straightened out my skirt.
I had only a handful of day dresses to wear and had exhausted my last one.
Either I needed to figure out where I could launder my clothes or switch to pants.
Straightening my back, I plastered a smile across my face and prepared to exit.
The guard standing at the door carefully eyed me, waiting for my cue to proceed.
I dipped my chin and stepped toward the doors right as they were pulled inward.
Before I realized what’d happened, I’d fallen on my ass, and my forehead splintered with hurt.
Expecting the doors to push outward, I’d walked into the thick pieces of wood, rattling the embedded light-blue glass panels.
“Audryn!” Ryder ran to where I sat sprawled on the ground. “Are you okay?”
I nodded and accepted his hand, staggering to my feet. If it weren’t for the pain soaring across my forehead, I would have laughed at my gracelessness. A headache formed behind the bump beginning to decorate my face.
“Here, sit.” Leanna pulled out a chair for me, immediately to the left of Ryder’s seat.
“Thank you.” My words faltered, more stunned by her kindness than the hit I’d taken. I gathered the cloth napkin and set it down in my lap and glanced up. A small gasp escaped from my mouth the moment I saw King Grave seated directly across. A smirk formed on his lips as he watched me recoil.
“Grave and his sister, Amalee, are staying for a few days.” Ryder’s tone was dismissive, as if his guests were more of an inconvenience than anything else.
“Splendid.” I straightened the silverware next to my plate and responded exactly how the lessons instructed. “I look forward to getting to better know those of Kuroden.”
The white iron table held a large glass top, which was delicately set for each of us.
Despite arriving late, the plates in front of everyone remained empty.
Realizing it was only the five of us, Allura and Maris absent from the meal, I looked around to see if I’d missed them roaming among the flowers.
The scent of earth and florals filled the air while magic hummed from the life thriving around us.
My body was made to remain close to the land; it was something I’d discovered at an early age.
I was sluggish on the days I spent indoors without time outside.
Only when I stood barefoot in the soil was I revitalized and filled with the vibrations of the magic surrounding me.
“Ryder,” I said, turning to face him, “I’d like to visit my father today.
It’s been more than a week since I’ve spoken with him or my friends.
” My voice trailed off as irritation marked his face.
We hadn’t seen each other in quite some time, but the last time we had, I’d felt a spark of connection forming between the two of us.
“You must address him by title,” Leanna whispered as she leaned in.
Her tone was softer than I had grown used to.
“Especially in the presence of another royal. It’s one thing to speak his name privately, but quite different when you’re with others.
” She’d become helpful recently, though she might’ve been doing it begrudgingly; either way, I’d accepted her guidance.
My vision shot up to Grave and Amalee who remained quiet, but watchful. Damn, Ryder hadn’t given me that piece of information when he told me to call him by his first name.
“Apologies, Prince Sutton.” I averted my eyes and stared down at the empty dish, attempting to provide the same reverence I’d give him if I were standing.
“Unfortunately, I’m entirely too busy to take you as we originally planned,” Ryder replied coolly. “However, I’ll consider it next week.”
“I can go on my own,” I offered. “I don’t need you to—”
Ryder narrowed his eyes and silently warned that I had somehow managed to misstep again. Grave drew in a deep breath, but I didn’t dare look to see the disapproval waiting on his face too.
The doors opened, and Maris exited, pink dress flowing and her hair elegantly curled.
It wasn’t her beauty that took me by surprise, but the bouquet of yellow flowers she held in her hands, flowers I’d not seen since my childhood.
I racked my mind trying to recall why mental warning bells were sounding.
“Good morning.” Maris grinned and sashayed to the table, taking up the vacant chair next to Leanna. “Apologies for my late arrival, Prince Sutton.” She was always so graceful and proper; it was infuriating.
Amalee, seated next to Grave, narrowed her dark eyes on Maris, and even with her plain expression, I saw concern lingering.
Despite the harshness of the woman’s black, straight locks against her pale skin, her beauty rivaled Leanna’s.
Fortunately, she kept her hair simple, unlike the princess of Rivale, who wore a towering style, mimicking a lighthouse guiding a ship home from sea.
Amalee’s almond-shaped eyes gave away her relation to Grave; however, the tone of her skin and sharp, angular features made the two appear more like cousins than siblings.
Grave was no doubt a warrior, but there was something fiercer in his sister.
Her disposition was tense and unsettled, like she could snap any minute and go to war over something as simple as an insult.
“Good of you to join us,” Leanna said, more bothered than normal. She’d always favored Maris during our interactions, but had pulled back recently.
“Why do you have those?” I leaned forward and looked at Maris, who was rubbing at her arms and the temple of her head.
“Why wouldn’t I?” she barked as if I’d said something rude.
An attendant stepped from the castle doors and made her way to Ryder. Bending down, she spoke low and, even with her standing right next to me, the conversation was so hushed I couldn’t make out her words.
“Very well.” Ryder waved her off. “Update Leanna about her condition as the day progresses.”
The woman nodded and disappeared through the doors.
With serving plates in their hands, the kitchen staff returned and set the dishes on the table.
Fruit, cheeses, breakfast meats, biscuits and pastries were all beautifully placed on display.
Unfortunately for me, the dish containing filets of salmon was put directly in front of me; the scent making my stomach tilt.
“It appears Allura won’t be joining us today,” Ryder announced and scanned over the food. “Somehow, a cup of tea found its way to her room this morning.”
Leanna turned to her brother with a scrunched face.
“It contained citrus,” Ryder continued. “She didn’t realize until it was too late.”
Maris let out a theatrical gasp. I eyed her, wondering if she’d delivered the drink herself.
“She’s with the healer, no need to worry.” Ryder poured a glass of wine and offered it to Grave, who declined.
“How?” Leanna asked. “Who would do that?”
I looked around and found Grave’s brown eyes waiting. There was an underlying darkness in him that sent a chill through me.
“Only a limited number of people have access to the area. I’ll speak to Roark later.” Ryder peered down the table, and his eyes widened. He hesitated before continuing. “In the meantime, let’s proceed with breakfast, I suppose. That is … if we are all feeling well.”
My gaze followed his and stopped on Maris, who was aggressively clawing at her arms and the left side of her face. A rash was spreading across her skin, and it hit me abruptly—buttercups, or properly known as Ranunculus.
“Where’d you get the flowers, Maris?” My voice was urgent, but the situation was critical.
She paused for a moment and fluttered her eyelashes at Ryder. “Prince Sutton, of course.” Her eyes flicked to me. “Jealous?”
Grave let out a chuckle and sat back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. Amalee tilted her head in my direction and tapped a finger at the center of her pursed lips.