Chapter 34
Sana sat snuggled in Rhyel's thick robe on his balcony, listening with wide eyes as he told her about his quest. Sune was right when he told her it was more a quest of the mind rather than a physical journey.
She never knew how much Rhyel struggled with the curse his father placed on his bloodline or how much he wished for a true mate to complete his soul. Her heart ached for him that the quest showed him a taste of what his life could've been with the one meant for him.
It was cruel to give him that hope and then snatch it away to teach him a lesson about loyalty, but he also never said why he accepted that fate or why he chose her instead of the future he could have.
"I'm not sure that made me feel any better," Sana murmured as she took a sip of the freshly brewed tea the maids brought them.
"I know the true mate in your quest was a witch who deceived you, but couldn't that mean there's still someone out there who's your mate?
I just... I just don't understand why you would choose to give up something so important to you. .. for me."
"There's no one out there for me. My soul will never be tied to another like the Alphas before me. That magic of the Darcanos bloodline died with my parents," he said, staring into his cup.
Rhyel sighed and shook his head as if there was something else on his mind, but that troubled look on his face disappeared before he looked over at her with a smile tugging at his lips.
"I didn't give up or choose you over anything.
The quest showed me my purpose in this life and that is to remain by your side.
I could never regret that or hope for something more than this. "
A blush burned over Sana's cheeks as she ducked her head and bit her lip. "But why? What... what would happen if you didn't?"
Rhyel chuckled softly. "Would you believe me if I told you it would cause the complete destruction of the realm as we know it?"
A laugh burst from her mouth at the absurdity of that notion. "No, and I don't think you should joke about something so ridiculous. I'm not that special," she said, shaking her head. "Seriously, what would happen if... if you didn't fulfill your purpose of staying by my side?"
"Mm, I'm sorry. You're right I shouldn't joke about such things," he said, taking a drink from his cup as his smile fell and worry tainted his blue depths. "I don't know what would happen, but if it was important enough for that to be a lesson from my quest, I'd rather not tempt fate to find out."
Sana nodded. "I understand and although I still feel some guilt over you having to endure that quest," she said, sliding her hand over his arm. "I'm... I'm glad you found your purpose and you want to stay by my side. I... um...I like you here."
Rhyel sat his cup on the table and thread his thick and calloused fingers through hers. "Do you?"
"Yes. You're important to me, Rhyel and I... I consider myself lucky to be your betrothed," she said, curling her fingers around his. "Especially after the life I lived before I... I met you."
"I want to know more about that," he said, bringing her hand to his lips.
"And I'm glad you want me by your side because you're important to me too, not just because of the quest, but because of who you are.
" He laughed softly as twin flags of red stained his cheeks.
"I'm quite fond of you, Sana Lightbourne, and although I never wanted an arranged marriage, I'm glad it's you. "
Sana's heart burst, melted and simmered at his tender confession. "I'm not sure I-I know what to say to that," she whispered.
"You don't have to say anything," he said, caressing the back of her hand before he let go. "I just want you to know that I'm always going to be here for you and I'll always be your friend."
"My Lord, my Lady, I'm so sorry to interrupt.
" A maid bowed from the balcony door. "But General Zena has asked me to fetch you both for breakfast in the main hall and Sir Loic asked me to remind you both that he will be training you today in the ballroom," she said, turning to Sana.
"My Lady, Eula and Kezi are waiting for you in your room to prepare you for the day. "
"Oh, yes, of course," Sana said, standing. "We've been talking so long I lost track of the time."
"So did I," Rhyel said, standing beside her and pressing his hand to the small of her back as they followed the maid inside. "I didn't mind it, though."
"Neither did I." She smiled. "Thank you for... for talking me down," she said, looking up at him as they neared his door. "I'm sorry for getting so upset."
"Never apologize for that," he said, tucking a curl behind her ear. "I'm glad you're feeling better."
"I am. Thank you," she said, shrugging his robe off her shoulders, but he caught her hand to stop her.
"Keep it and the slippers," he said, pulling the thick robe back over her shoulders and tying it closed. "You shouldn't be walking around the halls barefoot and only in your nightgown."
Sana chuckled softly. "Yes, you're right. Thank you."
Rhyel nodded and turned to the graying black haired maid standing beside the door. "Tirza, please escort Lady Sana back to her room and tell General Zena and Sir Loic we'll see them at breakfast."
Tirza bowed. "Yes, my Lord," she said, opening the door for Sana and her dark brown skin crinkled at the corners of her eyes as she smiled. "Come, my Lady. I'm sure you're ready for a bath after such an exciting morning."
"I am, yes," Sana said, walking out of the room, but not before looking back at Rhyel and her heart simmered again at the softness in his gaze as if his confession of his fondness for her was just the tip of something more.
"I'll see you soon, Sana."
She nodded with a blush scorching her cheeks as she looked away from him and followed Tirza down the stairs back to her room.
She sighed, bringing the collar of his robe to her nose and breathing in his soap and pine scent as a tingle unfurled in her gut like a tiny flame that ached for more than Rhyel's friendship.
Even though he said there would never be someone for him, that his soul would never be tied to another, she hoped that somehow, someway, she could become his true mate and cure the curse his father placed on his bloodline.
Because... because she wanted his fondness for her to grow into something more. Like... love.
Slipping her hands into the robe pockets as she hung her head.
How could that ever happen when she didn't understand what it meant to be loved?
But she wanted to.
She wanted to embrace this new life like Dante encouraged her to. She wanted to let people in—to let Rhyel in and see all of her.
And she wanted to understand why it was so important for him to stay by her side.
Why was that a lesson for him?
"Forgive me if I'm speaking out of turn, my Lady, but do you truly plan on staying here and marrying Lord Rhyel?"
Sana's heart thumped as she looked up at the elderly maid's hardened gaze. "I... yes. I do. If I'm capable of becoming the General."
Tirza's gaze warmed and softened. "Good.
You've lasted longer than his previous betrothals and everyone seems eager to accommodate you, but I had my doubts," she said, clasping her hands together.
"I thought your meekness was a show, that you were playing some sort of game to endear yourself to Lord Rhyel, but no one can fake the worry and fear I saw in your eyes this morning. You truly care for my Lord, don't you?"
"Yes, I-I do. I'm sorry you thought I wasn't sincere, but I care about Rhyel and I want to be the Lady this House deserves."
Tirza nodded as a smile graced her lips.
"And I'm sorry I judged you, my Lady," she said, bowing her head.
"This is the first time our Alpha has never been blessed with a mate, and I have been skeptical of you for no reason, but I can tell that my Lord sees a future with you.
" She laughed softly. "He wouldn't let just anyone barge into his room like you did.
So, I hope you become the General and earn the right to be the Lady of Darcanos. "
"Thank you for saying that, Tirza. I will try my best."
"I hope you do, because if you hurt our Alpha," she said, taking her hands and squeezing them tight as her brown eyes darkened to a sinister midnight. "The wolves who have been so welcoming to you won't be so kind."
Sana gulped as her eyes grew wide. "I would n-never dream of doing that," she said, shaking her head. "I-I don't think I have the power to do that to someone like him."
"Mm, I don't think you know what kind of power you hold," Tirza said as she released Sana's hands and gestured to her door. "Have a lovely day, my Lady," she said, bowing again.
"Thank you," Sana murmured as she watched Tirza turn away and march down the hall with her fists at her side and her back poker straight.
What was that about?
She would never hurt Rhyel or deceive him. Not when she wanted to find the courage to understand love and one day maybe, potentially—definitely unlikely—be something more to him than his friend.
Tirza's warning weighed on Sana's mind while Eula and Kezi greeted her and ushered her into the bath.
It didn't help that Sune flitted around her asking if she was alright until she gave into his nagging and told him about her dream, her irrational thought that Rhyel died and what Tirza said to her.
Mm, Tirza is an elderly she-wolf. It doesn't surprise me she said that to you especially with the way Lord Rhyel has been acting around you since he returned from his quest.
"What do you mean?" Sana frowned as she dragged a soapy cloth over her arms. "Jezel and Zekiel didn't say anything like that to me and they're elders like her."
No, but traditionally, she-wolves of a pack like the Darcanos would be the ones to challenge the future Luna and General. I get the feeling that's what Tirza was doing since Lord Rhyel has made it pretty clear you will most likely be his Luna one day.
Sana's cheeks burned as she looked over at Sune perched on the edge of the sink. "But I can't be his Luna. I'm... I'm not his mate and I-I never could be."
But you will officially be the Lady of Darcanos once you become General and marry Lord Rhyel, so to the people of this House and the north, that would essentially make you the pack's Luna.
"Oh, I never thought of it that way," she said, trailing her fingers through the soapy bubbles around her as doubt crept its way into her heart.
"Rhyel told me about his quest and the witch who made him believe she was his true mate.
I know he's cursed, but I can't help thinking one day, the person meant for his soul is going to show up and.
.. and he won't care about his loyalty to me anymore.
" She slid her hands over her face. "I'm scared he won't care about me anymore and I hate feeling this way. "
Then don't, little flame. You have nothing to fear.
"How... how do you know that?" she whispered as Sune fluttered to her shoulder.
Because I know the vision of the future Rhyel saw and it's true, there is no one meant for his soul. His purpose and loyalty belongs to you. He will not waiver and he will always care for you.
She sighed, wrapping her arms around her knees. "I guess so, but I still don't understand why. What's so special about me to deserve that from him or for you to pick me as your chosen?"
Only time will tell, little flame. There are some things the fates decide that even my ancient eyes aren't privy to.
A choked laugh of frustration left her lips. "That doesn't help and you're as vague as Dante," she said, shaking her head. "But I suppose I'll just keep learning how to be the Lady of Darcanos and get to know Rhyel so we can... rule this House together."
That's it, Sana, and you two will be marvelous leaders of Darcanos.
Sana laughed. "If you say so."
I do, and I am right. That much I can see.
Sana closed her eyes and rested her head on the cushioned rim of the tub. She wanted to believe Sune, but the nagging doubt wouldn't leave her mind that he and Rhyel weren't telling her something about this vision of the future.
She wrapped her arms around herself and sighed. Although she wanted more than Rhyel's friendship, she couldn't help thinking there was every possibility that somehow the curse would be lifted and his mate would come to claim him.
A twinge of envy snaked its way around her heart and soured in her stomach as she dug her nails into her skin.
She didn't want to know what her life would be like without Rhyel in it, and what would she do if that happened?