37. Astraea #2
“Thank you, Brynne. I’ll meet you in my study in a moment.” Kyros says, never removing his hands from me, even as the woman’s eyes flick from the floor to where our hands are clasped.
“Of course, Lord Kyros.” She nods and excuses herself after that.
The hinges squeal as the heavy door closes behind her.
Kyros eases me back out of the chair and pushes it back into the table before he clears his throat, waiting for all eyes in the room to fall on him once again. Rowan is the last to lift his gaze.
“I need you and Beckett to stay here and continue researching all you can on Umbra Vitae. And if you find anything regarding Astraea, we need to know. If Astraea’s mother was in fact Princess Mina Lazuro, that means she could be the rightful heir to the Diemos throne.
I want to know if you can find anything on Connard too.
I think that bastard may have had more secrets than we’ve been led to believe.
” Kyros gives the order to Rowan, and though he stays silent, he does give a subtle incline of his head in agreement.
Beckett doesn’t even hesitate; he just pulls another book from his stack and begins flipping through the pages.
“I can stay and help too. I still can't get around well on my feet. And I have at least one good eye.” Kellan offers with a small laugh.
It's meant to lighten the mood, but it doesn't land, given the heaviness of the situation, and considering I blame myself for his injuries, I don’t see anything humorous in it.
Whether he wants to admit it or not, Kyros agrees with him with a subtle look of understanding toward the hurt I know is written all over my face, ignoring the quick dark humor.
Colette shuffles on her feet. I know my best friend and sitting in a library doing research is not what she wants to be doing.
“Brynne said there is going to be a banquet?” Viltarin asks, and the muscle in Kyros’ jaw feathers.
“Yes. Come with us. You and Ruaan.” Kyros says as he begins pulling me toward the door.
“I want Cole to stay with me.” I interject, stopping and turning back to where she stands next to Kellan. Her green eyes fill with relief, and she rolls her lips between her teeth to trap a smile.
“Of course.” Kyros agrees, and I offer my hand out to her. She rubs Kellan’s shoulder once before stepping away and putting her hand in mine. If I’m going to face this castle that could house the history of who I really am and a family I have never known, I want my best friend to be at my side.
The room Kyros leads us to quite literally wraps around my senses in every way possible.
His scent combined with the overall energy that is Kyros permeates from every surface.
The furnishing is all dark wood and bronzed accents.
Weapons and maps are hung on the wall like decor, and books are stacked on every possible table or shelf.
It's messy in a way that isn’t dirty but fully lived in.
Plants sit on top shelves, and along the back of the room, where massive floor to ceiling windows decorate the entire wall, and at the center, three intricately carved arched peaks.
It's like seeing a whole other side to the broody man who doesn’t allow many people to see who he really is.
I’m skimming the spines of a stack of books of dark leather with gold and silver lettering, lost in thought, when I hear my name.
I turn to see Kyros speaking to the woman who came to the library to discuss the banquet.
I remain watching their interaction as Cole pulls my attention to her.
“Are you ok?” Cole asks. I can see why Kellan is getting tired of people asking that.
“I’m trying not to think about it.” I respond, continuing to watch Kyros have a hushed conversation with the others. His eyes shift to us and around the room every few seconds.
“You need to think about it, Astraea. If your mother was—”
“I know.” I cut her off. If my mother was supposed to be Queen of Diemos, I am the rightful heir now.
“I will, Cole. I just need a second to process in my own way.” I breathe out.
Like burying the thoughts so deep that no one else can touch them.
My breath comes out heavy as I return my attention to Kyros.
“Of course. I will send someone to gather some for her.” I overhear the woman respond to whatever it is Kyros said.
She gives me a shy smile as I cross the room to where the group is gathered.
“Princess Astraea,” she curtsies, bowing lower than anyone ever has for me, but doesn’t rise right away. Confused, I look at Kyros for guidance.
“You may rise.” He says with an echo of authority I’ve never heard from him as he looks down at the bowing woman. The woman's eyes jump from me to Kyros, surprised that it is him dismissing her, but she quickly stands, brushing her hands down her skirt.
“Oh yes, sorry, that won’t be necessary. Thank you.” I say as heat rises in my cheeks. Kyros’ lips twitch with barely perceptible amusement, and I narrow my eyes on him.
“It’s a pleasure meeting you, Princess Astraea. Lord Kyros has asked that I bring dresses up for you to choose from for the banquet. I usually need to take some measurements…” She looks around the room at the men still standing around. “We can always go somewhere more private.”
“We were actually just leaving.” Viltarin states, rolling up a piece of parchment and tucking it away beneath one of the straps on his chest. “We’ll see you both soon.
” He says, looking between Kyros and me.
Kyros strides further into the room, where the walls taper into an alcove, lying down on the enormous bed.
The study, I realize now, is also his bed chamber.
He props himself up with one elbow as he lounges across several shades of gray linen bedding, his legs hanging over the edge.
“Are you not going with them?” I ask. The look on Brynne’s and Cole’s faces seems to ask the same question.
“No. I’m not. Brynne, do whatever you need to for measurements.” He picks at the fabric of the lighter ash-colored duvet covering beneath him as he keeps his eyes on me. “I don’t mind waiting.” He finishes with a tilt of his mouth.
Brynne silently gets to work as Ruaan and Viltarin turn to leave, and all the while, Kyros watches. Cole hesitates, but Viltarin helps to guide her to the door.