Chapter 26 #2
Aryel and Danai helped her onto his horse after he’d already mounted up. Corinne leaned back against his chest, her head tucked into the crook of his neck, sighing at the warmth of his body. She could feel guilty about this later too.
“I’ll bring your horse back to the castle in the morning,” Iliana assured her, and Corinne managed a nod.
The ride back to the castle was slower than their urgent gallop to arrive earlier that day, and Corinne fought to remain awake.
Aryel rode with careful skill through the streets behind Danai, ensuring Corinne remained upright and avoiding the most crowded areas of Vytanos.
Stars had begun to appear when they approached the castle gates.
“Corinne,” Aryel murmured in her ear. “If you can sit up straighter as we arrive, that would appear better for us both.”
The dutiful voice in the back of her exhausted mind nagged at her. He’s right. With great effort, Corinne straightened, forcing her eyes open with false alertness.
“Your Highness,” a guard at the gate said, bowing. “Welcome back.”
They opened the gates promptly, and Danai handed their horse off to a stable hand before hurrying to help Corinne dismount.
Aryel thanked the guards as they closed the gates again, jumping down and hovering near Corinne as she called upon every ounce of her will to take a step forward.
A few more minutes, she told herself. Then sleep.
“Aryel!”
Corinne’s head snapped up. The king and queen were storming out of the castle entrance, headed right for them.
“Where in the name of Helaera have you been?” King Theo demanded, an ugly snarl on his face.
Corinne fought the urge to unsheathe her sword as he got within a foot of Aryel.
“A castle guard’s brother had an accident,” Aryel explained calmly. “They needed Corinne’s help, and instead of forcing her to remain here, I went with them. She saved the boy’s life.”
“And what of your life, Aryel?” Queen Erina asked.
Corinne was glad for the shadowy light of the nearby torches; she was certain her face clearly displayed her disgust. If she cared so much for her son’s safety, why did she enable the king’s abuse of Aryel?
“I was with Corinne and two of our most highly skilled guards in a residential home all day,” Aryel said. “I was perfectly safe.”
That sinister, dangerous anger flashed across the king’s face, and Corinne took an involuntary step forward.
“I assure you I wouldn’t have allowed the prince to join us if he was in any danger,” Corinne said, masking her aggression with a little bow.
It took enormous effort to straighten herself again.
“Thanks to his willingness to accompany me, everyone knows the generosity and selflessness of the Crown.”
Corinne didn’t know where such savvy had come from, but her subtle manipulation worked; King Theo’s face smoothed over as he considered it.
“Very well,” he said. His eyes roved over Corinne, and she fought a grimace. “I expect Captain Ekhana has dismissed the guard who was standing outside your empty bedchamber, Aryel, so she will be on duty tonight.”
Aryel stiffened beside Corinne, and she knew they both recognized that for what it was. Punishment.
Corinne could have cried; there was no way she could stay awake all night, but she couldn’t admit that to the king, or in front of all the surrounding guards. The king turned on his heel and headed back inside, the queen close behind, and Danai stepped closer to Aryel and Corinne.
“I’m sorry, Corinne,” they said quietly. “I’m on duty tonight, otherwise I’d offer to take over for you.”
“My father can kiss the ground of the fifth gates of hell,” Aryel muttered, his voice low enough that no one else could overhear. “I’ll make sure Corinne gets the rest she needs.”
Danai looked between Aryel and Corinne, and something a little devious sparked in their eyes. But all they said was, “Thank you, Your Highness. I’ll see you tomorrow, Corinne.”
Corinne bid them good night, then followed Aryel with every air of alertness she could muster. They made it up to the second floor before she nearly collapsed.
“Just a little farther, Sunshine,” Aryel said, wrapping an arm around her waist and helping her walk. “Breezeway is just ahead.”
“Ari,” she huffed when he pushed the doors open. “How am I going to—?”
“We’ll stay in your room like we did that one night,” he said. “I’ll be in your direct vicinity if something impossibly horrible should happen, and you’ll wake up immediately if I’m in danger. Simple.”
“That seems foolish,” she said, but she didn’t fight him when he pushed her door open and stepped inside with her.
“Well, there’s no way for you to stand outside my door all night without collapsing.” He helped her to the bed, and Corinne didn’t bother removing anything except her boots before curling up onto the mattress. “See? You’re already halfway asleep.”
“Fine,” Corinne sighed, her eyes drooping shut. “But wake me immediately if someone approaches outside. Or if something impossibly horrible happens.”
Aryel chuckled, and Corinne smiled into her pillow.
“Sleep well, Corinne.”