Chapter 37 Reunited
Verena
A s Hadeon and I approach the towering stone walls of the castle, the setting sun casts a golden hue over the land, bathing everything in a warm glow. The air is filled with the sound of birds returning to their nests and the distant rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. The castle stands proud and strong, its turrets reaching up toward the darkening sky.
As we pass through the towering gates, my gaze falls upon familiar guards that I know had accompanied Eryx on his journey. My heart begins to race with anticipation as we enter the courtyard, my eyes eagerly scanning for any sign of him. And then I saw him, standing by the ornate fountain in the center of the grounds, his black as night hair catching the last rays of sun and giving him an dark angelic aura. His perceptive brown eyes gazing off into the distance, lost in thought as he spoke with Esmeray, the sunlight illuminating their faces like a spotlight on a stage.
Without a second thought, I dismount my horse, the leather reins slipping from my grip as I kick up clouds of dust with each step. My cloak flutters in the wind like a banner, marking my determination to reach him. Hadeon follows close behind, his keen eyes observing our reunion with a small smile playing on his lips. But my focus is solely on my husband as I run toward him, feeling the pounding of my heart and the burn in my lungs. Finally, I throw myself into his arms, feeling the warmth of his embrace and the solidness of his body against mine. He lifts me off the ground, twirling us around in pure joy and relief at being reunited. In that moment, nothing else exists but the two of us wrapped in each other’s arm.
As he sets me down gently on the soft grass, I can feel the blades tickling the backs of my calves. His touch is like a warm embrace, comforting and soothing. “I am sorry,” he starts, but I don’t want to hear apologies. Not right now, not when his lips are so close to mine.
“None of that matters,” I whisper, my hands cupping his cheeks as I lean in to meet his tender kiss. The feeling of his lips against mine is like a spark of electricity, sending shivers down my spine. The grass beneath us seems to come alive with the sweet scent of spring flowers, perfuming the air with their delicate fragrance. In this moment, nothing else matters except for the warmth of his touch and the taste of his lips on mine.
It’s only been a week, but I missed him so much. I never thought I’d miss another human like this.
A loud, harsh squawk pierces through the air and my eyes instinctively search for the source. They lock onto a majestic raven, its sleek black feathers glinting in the sunlight as it takes flight. It lands gracefully on a high windowsill, its beady eyes scanning the scene below. I can’t help but wonder if this is the same raven I’ve seen before, or if it’s just one of the many wild birds that roam these lands. But something about its discerning gaze makes me feel like it’s watching me specifically. A shiver runs down my spine at the thought, and I can see Eryx glancing in the direction of the bird with a furrowed brow and confusion dancing across his dark brown irises. As if sensing our unease, the raven lets out another squawk before flying off into the distance, leaving us with a sense of anxiety that lingers in the air. “That is odd. That looks just like the raven I saw in Elmswood.” My gaze turns to his frantically.
“What?” I ask him.
“I was fending off Zoryan soldiers and a raven flew past me, almost signaling that someone was in trouble behind me. But I can’t see any one aside from our own soldiers fighting as well and the bird whips around again, somehow convincing me to follow it before it lead me around the corner where I saw a child being cornered by a Zoryan. I saved his life. The bird saved his life.” He explains to me and I gape while Esmeray adds to it.
“Ravens are very intellectual. It probably followed us.”
I can’t believe my eyes. The raven was the same one I had seen earlier this morning in Aradon. How can this be possible? Was it just a mere coincidence or did this bird hold some deeper meaning? My mind races with thoughts and questions, but one stands out above the rest: was this raven an ally or a foe? The idea of being able to shape-shift as a High Fae feels like a distant legend, something that hadn’t been seen in centuries. Yet here I was, faced with the possibility of encountering one.
Amaelya shape-shifted but she couldn’t form into animals or items. It was strictly fae or human beings and even then, Eryx had told me it was only for short limited spurts of time.
There was only one person that I knew who could possess such power. But the chances of them being here, now, seemed impossible. I can’t wrap my head around it all — it feels as if chaos and order were battling within me. Was I overthinking things or was there truly more to this than meets the eye?
* * *
Exhausted, we made our way to our room, longing for some much-needed rest. But duty calls for other obligations. We had to prepare ourselves for the grand dinner being held tonight. However, before that, there were important matters we needed to discuss. As Eryx closes the door behind him, I walk over to the end of the bed and turn to face him.
“I should’ve made it a point to tell you. I know that. I guess in my brain, I didn’t see it as important but the real reason is because I didn’t want you to look at me differently.” I speak first. He steps closer, taking my hands in his.
“I can never look at you differently. You are my little star, Verena. The light that leads me home every night. The moral compass that brings me back from my own dark thoughts. My northern light. I love you. You are my queen. My wife. My mate. You matter to me more than anything else on this Gods-forsaken Dimencreas.”
“I should give up the need for revenge. It’s childish. This country is more important. You are more important.” I breathe out a sigh as I speak, the words heavy.
“No.” He surprises me. “You are right. Dryston might’ve died but his mother would never had allowed you to continue. Dryston was planning a war before you even left him. He deserves everything you want to give him.”
I feel my heart swell with love at Eryx’s words, his sincerity washing away any doubts that linger in my mind. I look into his eyes, seeing the depth of his feelings reflect back at me. In that moment, I know that we were truly meant to be together, no matter the challenges we have faced.
“I love you, Eryx,” I tell him softly, my voice full of emotion. “You are my rock, my strength. I am grateful every day that our paths finally crossed again.”
Eryx pulls me into a warm embrace, holding me close as if he never wants to let me go. We stand there, wrapped in each other’s arms, finding solace in the presence of our love.
As we prepare for the grand dinner ahead, I can’t shake off the feeling of unease that the raven had stirred within me. I wonder if it was a mere coincidence or a sign of something more sinister lurking in the shadows.
But as we enter the grand hall filled with nobles and dignitaries, all thoughts of the raven are pushed to the back of my mind. I want to enjoy the few good moments left before this war. The room was a spectacle of opulence, with chandeliers casting a warm glow over the guests and tables swathe with lavish decorations. I feel a sense of pride as I stand by Eryx’s side, my hand resting in the crook of his arm as we greet our esteemed guests.
My dress was a stunning masterpiece, its deep blue shade perfectly matching the hue of my hair. Within the soft tulle fabric, flickers of golden sparkles caught and shimmered in the light. A regal crown, adorned with purple jewels, graces my golden locks as a symbol of royalty. The material was so delicate and intricate, it feels as if I was wearing a piece of art. As I twirl and move, the dress sways and flows around me like an enchanted spell. Each step I take feels like I am walking on clouds, as if transported to another world where beauty and elegance were magnified tenfold. It is definitely a Queen’s gown and I wore it with pride.
The evening progresses with music and laughter filling the air, but I still can’t shake off the feeling that something was amiss. I glance around, catching sight of a hooded figure watching us from a dark corner of the room, their eyes hidden in the shadows. A chill runs down my spine as I try to catch a glimpse of their face, but they remain elusive.
As the music swells and the guests chatter around us, Eryx notices the tension in my posture and follows my gaze to the dark corner but no one is there now. His fingers tighten around mine, a silent gesture of reassurance as he scans the room for any signs of trouble. But the figure had disappeared now into thin air, leaving behind a trail of unease that lingers in the grand hall. For all I know, it was apart of my imagination.
After exchanging a few polite words with a nearby noble, Eryx leans in close to whisper in my ear. “Did you see something, my dear?” His voice is laced with concern, his eyes searching mine for answers.
I hesitate for a moment, unsure if I should voice my suspicions amidst the festivities. But the memory of the raven’s keen stare and the mystery savior from Aradon spurs me to speak. “There was someone watching us from the shadows,” I confess quietly, glancing around discreetly to ensure no prying ears overhear our conversation.
Eryx takes another glance around the room, speaking with a guard close by before looking at me. “It was probably a staff member. But I’ll have Hadeon check it out for us. Okay?” I nod, content with his answer, shaking it off to enjoy his company.
His hand around my waist rubs against the dress and I think of how handsome he looks in fighting leathers.
I squeeze my hand against him, trying to gain his attention but he continues the conversation with another noble.
The rubbing on my waist sends shivers down my spine and a buzz of energy to my core.
“Eryx,” I mumble and he catches my gaze. “My king. I am… exhausted.” I try to tell him with my eyes, wanting him to understand my meaning.
Recognition flickers within his own eyes and suddenly, he’s bidding goodnight to anyone who needs to know before he whisks me to our room. I giggle, giddy with excitement for what awaits me as he leads me through the halls.