Chapter Eight
Auraelia
The guard at her door had been wide-eyed and white as a sheet like he’d seen a ghost strolling the castle halls.
After taking the parchment from his trembling fingers and reading the scrawling script across its ivory surface, Auraelia immediately turned toward her bedchamber, her magic coursing frantically beneath the surface of her skin.
A man at the gates is requesting an audience with Her Majesty.
That was it. No other details, no name or court affiliation. It was late; who in their right mind would show up and request an audience at this hour?
Needing to dress quickly, Auraelia threw on a simple pair of pants, a tunic, and an overdress that laced across her torso, taking the place of a corset. After strapping her dagger to her thigh, she laced up her boots and headed out the door of her suite, Piper hot on her heels.
“Learn to fight and run in dresses and heels, but always choose ease when you have the choice. Choose pants, and keep your weapons close.” The lesson that Aesira had drilled into her for as long as she could remember filled her head, and she was grateful for it as she walked into her throne room.
Aesira and Iridessa stood like sentinels at the base of the dais while Ser Aeron and Xander framed the sides of the throne.
Her mother was never one to use this room except for formal occasions, but that wasn’t the case here.
Not knowing who would walk through the doors, Auraelia wanted to make sure she had as much of an advantage as she could achieve on short notice, using the dais as a vantage point.
The stones within her throne calmed and channeled the magic that coiled in her veins like vipers ready to strike.
As Auraelia settled into the seat of the throne, the emeralds responded immediately, warming to her touch as she ran her fingers across them.
She took a deep breath, spooling her magic into her core.
Then she straightened her shoulders, nodded toward the guards at the door, and let the air in her lungs loose as Xander’s shield glided around the dais, protecting her and the people she loved.
A man, tall and lithe, strolled into the room, dressed much too formally for the late hour. There was not a stitch out of place on his onyx jacket, and his boots were shined to the point of reflection, but the grape-sized, blood-red garnet that adorned his ring finger caught Auraelia’s attention.
“Who are you?” she asked, using every ounce of calm to keep her voice steady; the emeralds within the stone illuminated as her magic pulsed through them.
“I’m Lord Caius of the Court of Garnet, Your Majesty.” Caius bowed with a flourish, and when he rose, a feline smile appeared on his lips. “We saw each other…briefly, on that fateful night so many months ago.”
“The snow.” The words were spoken through clenched teeth. It wasn’t a question, merely a confirmation that she understood who he was.
Auraelia’s gaze narrowed as she took him in.
He was an attractive man. Flawless ivory skin stretched over strong cheekbones and a chiseled jaw. His eyes were winter blue and framed by dark lashes despite his shoulder-length hair being white as freshly fallen snow.
“Am I to assume you’re another cousin I was unaware of?” Venom dripped from every word. Secrets, so many secrets. And more were popping up every day.
Caius chuckled. “No, Your Majesty, I am not your cousin.”
“But you look so much like her.” She couldn’t mask the sneer that tugged on her lips.
A knowing smile spread across Caius’ face. “Characteristics that are common among our court, but I assure you, we are of no relation. I am the emissary for the Court of Garnet and the lover to your enemy.”
“Lover? You’re Davina’s lover?” Disbelief filled her tone as she stared down at the man. Not at the fact that Davina would choose him, but that he would choose her.
“I am. Which is one of the reasons why I am here.”
Auraelia relaxed a fraction, but her eyes narrowed as she leaned back against her throne, her head propped up on a fist. “How did you get here?”
A knowing smile pulled at his lips. “By horse, of course, and it’s quite a long journey from Garnet.
But as I’m sure you’re aware, your brother has placed some quite impressive wards around this place.
Wards that even I would have trouble breaking through.
But seeing as I am here as a friendly face and not as a foe, I chose the safer route. ”
“Why come here, knowing that I could have had you killed on the spot?” She didn’t like the Cheshire smile that spread across his face. “What is it you want, exactly?”
“I want your boy out of the way. And since you’re in love with him, at least, I assume you’re still in love with him; I suspect you’ll help me.”
Lightning simmered at her fingertips as her anger began to rise. “Why would I help you?”
“Because, Your Majesty, I’m the only one who can help you. You see, I know Davina. I know how she thinks. What makes her tick.”
“What makes you think that I would believe a single word that falls from your lips?”
The smile on his face grew, and the room fell eerily silent as Caius stared into the depths of her eyes. His crystalline blues burrowing into the stormy grays of her own. But it was Aesira who shattered the silence. “He speaks the truth.”
All heads whipped toward the warrior who still stood at the bottom of the dais, her unwavering gaze locked onto the emissary from Garnet.
“Lady Aesira?” A million questions filled Auraelia’s mind as her eyes flicked between Aesira and Caius.
Caius’ smile only broadened as he returned the warrior’s stare. “So it’s true, then? The great warrior leader from Opal is a truth seeker.”
Iridessa stiffened, a blade appearing in her hand from thin air. “Watch it, snake,” she hissed between clenched teeth, Xander’s shield rippling as he reinforced it around their group.
“Enough.” Auraelia’s voice boomed throughout the room. “That’s enough. I will consider your proposal, but do not hold your breath.”
Caius dipped into a low bow, then rose with a cocky smirk on his face. “When you’ve decided to be smart about this and see me as an asset, use this.” He pulled a box from his coat pocket and opened it. Sitting on a velvet pillow the color of obsidian was a jagged, clear stone.
“What is that?” Auraelia asked as she leaned forward a fraction.
“It’s clear quartz, but it’s been spelled with my magic. When you decide you want my help, simply pull it from the box, grasp it in your hand, and think my name.”
Great, another magic stone. What could possibly go wrong?
Auraelia stood, lightning wrapping around her arms as she descended the steps of the dais. When she reached the end, Aesira stepped up beside her. “He speaks the truth, but I still don’t know if this is a good idea.” Her voice was barely a whisper, words meant only for her ears.
Auraelia paused, then after a deep breath, said, “Drop the shield, Xander.”
“Your Majesty—” he began to object, but Auraelia looked over her shoulder and repeated the order.
“Drop. The. Shield.” Each word was enunciated. The last thing she needed was to look weak in front of Caius, and Xander questioning her did exactly that.
It took more time than she would have liked, but Xander did as she bid, and she cautiously closed the distance between herself and the emissary. “If I choose to trust you, and if I decide to accept your offer of assistance, what is it that you get out of this?”
His wicked grin appeared once more. “Oh, Your Majesty. That’s for me to know, and for you to find out.” Then he winked and, in a flurry of snow, vanished.
The box with the stone rested at Auraelia’s feet. “That son of a bitch.”
So much for the wards.