Chapter 17
You are a complete idiot.
Sune seethed, glaring at Rhyel from his perch on the edge of Sana's bed.
Don't worry, ancient one. I will have words with my brother.
Rhyel's wolf grumbled.
You had better.
"We're so glad you're home, my Lord," Kezi said, bowing to him as she opened the door. "If you and my Lady plan to have tea together every morning, Eula and I will be sure to have the night maids make tea for two."
Rhyel looked back at the closed door to Sana's bathroom. "Yes, I hope that will be the case," he said, nodding to Kezi and Eula. "I'm glad I'm home too."
"Enjoy your day, my Lord," Eula said, bowing to him. "I'm sure my Lady will want to have tea with you again."
"Thank you," he said, slipping out of the room and dragging a hand through his hair.
What were you thinking asking her something like that? We're supposed to be getting to know her. Not driving her away!
His wolf seethed.
Rhyel sighed, hanging his head as he walked back to his room. He slipped his hands into his robe pockets and cursed under his breath as he felt the letter for Sana brush against his fingertips.
I know and I messed up. I didn't give her the letter either.
Yes, you did, and of course you forgot that too.
His wolf grumbled in annoyance.
Rhyel pushed open his bedroom door, shrugging off his robe as he shuffled into the bathroom. He held his hand over the bath to warm the lukewarm water again before stepping in.
"What am I going to do, brother? What if she doesn't want to speak to me now?"
His wolf huffed, baring his fangs as he stretched his claws.
I don't know, but you better figure out how to make it up to her. Ask Zena. Maybe she can help.
"Yeah, that's a good idea," he murmured and sighed as he slid his hands over his face.
Why did he have to mess things up so quickly with Sana? Things were going so well. He should've known better than to ask her about her life before she was sent here. How could he expect her to open up to him about that when she barely trusted him?
Rhyel frowned as he stared up at the ceiling. It'd been a long time since he actively tried to make a new friend. Everyone he knew was from his childhood and he never got close to any of the women Zena tried to wed him off to, nor did he want to.
He laid a hand over his heart, but he needed Sana's friendship. He wanted to be close to her so there would never be a reason for her to leave or for him to let her go because he couldn't let the future he lived through ever come to fruition.
Taking a deep breath as he slipped under the bubbly water. He'd just have to take things slow with her. There was no rush and if he wanted her to trust him and be his friend, then he would need to take his time.
Rhyel sat in his office with Zena and Oziel who were catching him up on the happenings he missed around the castle while his embarrassing fumble with Sana plagued his mind.
He wanted to visit her during her lesson with Loic but when he approached the ballroom and saw her dressed in a beautifully fitting blue gown, deep in concentration as she attempted to walk with grace and poise like Loic instructed, he couldn't bring himself to interrupt her.
And what was he going to say to her, anyway? That he was sorry again? Yes, but he had to come to her with something more than another apology.
"Rhyel?" Oziel said, waving his hand in front of him. "Are you with us?"
"Hm?" Rhyel said, clearing his throat as he looked up at Oziel. "What, uh, what were you saying?"
"I was asking why you sent Junak to the eastern border this morning, but maybe you need some more time to rest after your quest," Oziel said, sitting back in his chair, frowning. "Are you alright? You're not normally this preoccupied."
"No, no. I'm fine. I don't need any rest." Rhyel shook his head. "I sent Junak to the border to see if House Venzor knew of Lord Zehev's marriage to Lady Aneera."
Zena's eyes grew wide. "What do you mean he's marrying Aneera? What is Sirius planning with all these new alliances?"
Oziel scoffed, dragging a hand through his short black locks. "Sounds like House Lightbourne is looking for power. With these alliances, Sirius will be one of the most powerful Lords in the south."
"It would seem that way," Rhyel murmured. "That's why I want to know how widely this news has traveled. If it hasn't reached the far ends of the east, then this marriage isn't a notable one to House Issian."
"That makes sense." Zena nodded. "House Issian is fickle, and Lord Zon likes to give false hope for power to Lords like Sirius. It'll be interesting to know what Junak finds out," she said, tapping a finger to her chin before she looked over at Oziel. "Leave us. I need to speak with Rhyel alone."
"Yes, General," Oziel said, standing from his chair. "Would you like me to send any troops to assist Junak?"
Rhyel shook his head. "No. He'll be fine on his own for now."
"Very well." Oziel bowed. "I hope you'll join the warriors for a session once you've had a good rest, and I'm glad you're back, cousin."
"I will and thank you," Rhyel said as Oziel slipped out of his office, closing the door behind him. Dragging a hand through his hair, Rhyel turned his gaze on Zena. "What do you need to speak to me about?"
Zena leaned back in her chair. "What's going on with you?"
"What do you mean?"
Raising an eyebrow, Zena laughed. "Your mind has been elsewhere all morning and when you came back last night, all you could think about was seeing Sana. What happened on that quest?"
Rhyel sighed, looking away from her to the window. "I saw and lived through things no one should ever have to."
"Mm, and do these things have to do with Sana?"
"Yes, and I messed up trying to get to know her this morning," he said, watching a peek of sun break through the heavy gray clouds. "It's important that Sana and I have a strong friendship, and I realized I don't know how to do that."
"I see," Zena murmured. "But that's not true. You and I are close friends, right?"
"Yes, but we grew up together. That's different," he said, looking back at her. "You trust me like your brother, but Sana's guarded. She didn't have the same upbringing as us and I stupidly asked her to tell me about it."
"You idiot." Zena scoffed. "After being gone for two weeks you thought having that conversation was the way to get to know her? She won't even talk to me about it, and I've been spending every day with her."
"I know." Rhyel groaned, dragging his hands over his face. "And now I don't know what to do."
Zena sighed, shaking her head. "I should let you wallow in your stupidity, but I can see this is important to you," she said, crossing her arms over her chest. "You should want to get to know Sana regardless of what you went through on your quest."
"I do and I know I need to take it slow with her, but I need your help," he said, looking down at his hands. "How...how can I become her friend?"
"The first thing you're going to do is stop trying to pry into her past and let her tell you about it when she's ready," Zena said, tapping her fingers against her arm. "Got it?"
"Yes, I understand." Rhyel nodded. "But can I let her know that I'm here to listen when she's ready?"
"Of course you can." Zena tilted her head to the side and a smile tugged at her lips.
"I'm not going to give you a rundown of what you should say or do with Sana because I think you should figure these things out on your own as you get to know her, but as a start, Sana hasn't left the grounds of this castle.
She hasn't been to the city and none of us have taken her out to the wall or to explore any parts of the north.
You might want to do some of those things with her. "
"Right. I can do that," Rhyel said, chuckling softly as a blush burned over his cheeks. "I have never felt this unsure of how to act or how to be around someone before."
"I know." Zena laughed. "The Alpha of Darcanos seeking friendship advice from his Beta is quite funny, but I like this." She grinned and her brown eyes sparkled with mischief. "And I like that it's Sana you're fretting over."
"Don't get excited, Zena." Rhyel smirked. "I know that look of yours, and I want to be her friend. I'm not, nor will I ever, be able to fall in love with anyone."
"I know that." Zena rolled her eyes. "I'm just glad you want to get close to her. There's something about her that feels... right."
Rhyel's heart clenched. Could she sense what Sana carries in her blood? "What do you mean? Do you sense something about her?"
Zena frowned. "No. Why?" she asked, leaning forward. "Have you?"
"No. I just thought maybe you did." He shrugged. "You have a better sense of auras than I do."
"Mm, I would've told you if I did, but it's interesting that you asked. If this has anything to do with what you saw on your quest, maybe you should talk to Sana about it. As Sune's chosen, she's the only one you can share that experience with."
Rhyel shook his head. "I...I don't think she's ready for me to tell her about that."
"Mm-hm, so you both have things you're not ready to tell each other," Zena said, as a smug grin curled over her lips. "So, maybe when you're ready to tell her about your quest, she'll be ready to tell you about her past."
"Yeah, you're right," Rhyel murmured.
"Until then, do things to make her feel comfortable around you.
I'm more than happy for you to help me train her with Oziel.
The festive season is in a few weeks and I know Loic would welcome your presence while he trains her in etiquette and nobility," she said, standing from her chair.
"I'm joining Loic and Sana for lunch. You should come too. "
"I don't know." He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. "I'm not sure I should intrude."
"You won't be intruding on anything. Stop being silly." Zena huffed, sliding her hands to her hips. "You know, Eula and Kezi told me that Sana looked for you on your balcony every morning while you were gone."
Rhyel's heart thumped. "She did?"
"Yes, so even though you messed up this morning, I'm sure Sana would still welcome you having lunch with her," Zena said, nodding to the door. "Come on. I'm hungry."
"Alright," Rhyel said, standing and following Zena out of his office.
He'd never been nervous like this before and he probably wouldn't be if he hadn't made such a mess of things this morning, but he needed to push that out of his mind. Zena gave him some good ideas of things to do with Sana, and it was comforting to know that she was waiting for him to return.
I like that too. So, don't mess up this lunch.
I won't, brother. I'll do better.
Rhyel let out a deep breath as he followed Zena into the conservatory. His gaze fell on Sana sitting beside Loic, and a low growl rumbled through his mind as her violet eyes met his.
Beautiful...
A blush scorched Rhyel's cheeks at the whispered compliment from his dormant dragon stirring and stretching inside of him.
"Lord Rhyel, welcome back!" Loic said, standing from his chair as he bowed. "I wasn't aware you'd be joining us."
"Thank you, Loic. Zena invited me to dine with you," Rhyel said, praying the blush on his cheeks wasn't too noticeable. "I, um, I hope you and Sana don't mind my intrusion."
"My Lady," Loic said, sitting beside Sana. "Do you mind?"
"No, of course not," Sana said, shaking her head. "I'm glad you decided to join us."
"Told you," Zena murmured, nudging his side as they took their seats. "How has your training been going today?"
"It's going well, I think." Sana shrugged as she placed a napkin over her lap. "Better than my lessons with you and Oziel."
"That sounds about right. Warrior training takes time, my Lady," Zena said, smiling. "It's a bit more taxing than Loic's etiquette training."
"Yes, but I think you're ready to test out your new skills," Loic said as their lunch of seasoned chicken over a bed of roasted vegetables was served. "I planned to take you into the city tomorrow, but now that you're back, my Lord, how would you like to take Lady Sana out for a tour?"
Rhyel nodded as he took a drink of wine to calm his nerves. "I'd love to. If you'd like me to, Sana?"
Sana shook her head, and his heart sank. "Only if...if you have the time. You...you must be busy now that you're home."
Rhyel's heart slowed its descent. She wasn't completely pushing him away. "I'm not busy and it'll be good for me to show my face in the city since I've been away. So, you'd be doing me a favor by allowing me to give you a tour."
A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "If that's the case, then I'd...I'd be happy for you to take me to the city tomorrow."
"Wonderful! I'm glad that's settled," Loic said as he cut into his chicken. "And since you're here, now would be a good time to discuss the upcoming festive season."
Well done. It seems you may have begun to redeem yourself with my little flame.
Rhyel nodded to Sune nestled in Sana's curls. Tomorrow, he would redeem himself with her. He wouldn't bring up her life at the Lightbournes, but simply enjoy being in her presence.