Chapter 66
Sana paced back and forth on the balcony, while Kezi and Eula tidied and packed up the room. Her heart was in her throat as she glanced at the door, waiting for Rhyel to return.
Everything's going to be fine, little flame.
"I know, but I'm still worried," she said, wringing her hands. "Aneera can be so manipulative and I don't know how Rhyel is going to prove to Lord Zehev that he didn't write those letters."
"It wasn't very hard."
Sana whipped her head to the balcony door and her heart simmered at Rhyel leaning against the doorframe. "But I owe you an apology, my Lady."
"Why?" She frowned as he closed the small distance between them.
He took her hands and bowed his head to her. "I couldn't keep my promise not to embarrass Aneera."
Sana squeezed his hands as worry slithered around her heart. "What did you do?"
"Lord Zehev and his wife-kin didn't allow me the privacy with Aneera I asked for. They wanted to be a witness to what I had to say."
"And... and what did you say?" Sana whispered with her heart sinking to the pit of her stomach.
It wouldn't matter what he said. Rhyel did the one thing she was afraid of. If he embarrassed Aneera and she cried about it to Kai, he'd do everything in his power to make her suffer for Rhyel's ridicule of Aneera.
"I told the truth, Sana," Rhyel said, sliding his hand to her cheek. "And defended your honor as I said I would."
Her eyes grew wide as Rhyel told her what happened when he confronted Aneera in front of her betrothed and wife-kin.
"And then I used a spell to prove it was her voice and her hand that wrote those letters."
"Oh Gods," she breathed as a giddy almost...self-righteous smugness swept over her. "I can't believe you did that."
"I'm sorry. I know you didn't want me to do anything that would shame her," Rhyel said, hanging his head again. "But that was the only way I could prove my innocence and ensure she understood that you're the only one my heart belongs to."
"And she got what she deserved," Sana said, sliding her hands to his cheeks. "I can't be mad at you for doing that." She pressed a soft kiss against his lips. "Thank you for defending my honor."
"Always, my Lady." Rhyel wrapped his arms around her waist as he pressed his forehead against hers. "Are you ready for our next journey?"
Sana's heart thumped as she gazed into Rhyel's tender blue eyes. She'd been so consumed with worry she nearly forgot why they were leaving and a new set of worries flooded her veins.
She stepped away from him, looking away to the dense forests, knowing beyond the tree-line were the desert lands of the south.
"I-I'm ready, but I'm scared too." Curling her fingers around her dragon's breath, her heart churned.
"When I left House Lightbourne, I never thought I'd ever return to my homeland. "
"I know this must be difficult for you." Rhyel stood behind her and his comforting warmth soothed her worries as if he was an anchor keeping her grounded. "But I promise you'll be safe and no one will dare to look down at you, least of all your family. They have no power over you, Sana."
She sighed, leaning back against his solid chest and nodded. "I know and I'll do my best to remember that."
"And I'll be right here beside you to help." He brushed a soft kiss against the side of her head before he gently turned her around in his arms. "How about we fly to Barshaa? Would you like that?"
Sana's heart leapt with excitement as a smile spread across her lips. "I'ld love that. I've always wanted to see the plains from the sky."
"Then let's fly, my Lady."
Sana never thought she'd ever see the sandy plains and red clay mountains from the sky.
And it was beautiful.
The mountains rippled along the edges of the vast desert dotted with oases of lush greenery and dazzling pools of water. She never knew there were places like that in the south.
Then again, until she went to the north, she'd never traveled beyond the walls of House Lightbourne and she was glad they hadn't flown near there.
She wasn't sure she was ready to see the place that was more like a prison than her home, but she also couldn't wait to see Uma again.
Tightening her grip on the leather straps across Rhyel's back, she sighed.
Would she even be able to speak to Uma now that she was a Lady of noble standing?
Her father was very strict about those things and she wouldn't want to get Uma in trouble if she tried to talk to her, but she'd have to find a way.
"Sana, are you alright?"
"Yes," she said, loosening her grip. "Yes, I'm fine."
"Alright, well," Rhyel said as they flew over a jagged mountain ridge. "We're nearly there."
Sana's eyes grew wide as the sandstone dwellings of Barshaa came into view.
Teal stones topped a few of the rooftops and glittered in the sun like the clear blue waters of the Kezrar sea while cavernous caves surrounded the small city as if it was a barrier between Barshaa and the rest of the southern lands.
A smile tugged at Sana's lips as she gazed down at the people going about their day at the markets. A few people looked up and waved to them while children raced after them as they flew over the white sandy beach.
Barshaa was beautiful. Had Dante taken her after her mother died, she imagined she would've been very happy here.
"Hang on," Rhyel said as they neared a sprawling white-stone estate carved out of the mountain at the edge of the beach. "I'm going to shift."
She loved flying with Rhyel, but this part of the journey always made her ache for her own wings so she could land beside him instead of in his arms.
Although, she also didn't mind the care he took in ensuring her safety, using his gifts to keep her floating in mid air while he shifted. She just yearned to shift with him and land wherever they were as equals.
"Lady Sana, Lord Rhyel! Welcome to Barshaa.
" Lady Inés greeted with her arms held wide.
Her head of ebon curls were wrapped in gold headdress while her flowing teal blue skirts brought out her deep brown skin and shining gray eyes.
Dante and Troya followed behind her with equally warm smiles on their faces in matching teal and gold robes.
"Thank you, Lady Inés," Sana and Rhyel bowed.
"I'm sorry we arrived so early without sending word," Rhyel said, slipping his arm around Sana's waist. "But I hope you don't mind hosting us."
"Of course we don't mind," Inés said, looking over at her husband and son. "We already saw you coming."
Rhyel chuckled. "Can't keep a secret from any of you, huh?"
Troya let out a bark of laughter with his gray eyes shining in amusement. "Never, cousin. You should know that by now," he said and turned his gaze on Sana. "Lady Sana, it's so nice to see you after all these years."
"You as well, Lord Troya. Congratulations on your wedding to Lyra."
"Ah, yes. Thank you," he said, grinning. "And congratulations on your engagement. I never thought I'd see the day Rhyel would finally choose a Lady for Darcanos," Troya said, taking Sana's hand. "I'm glad it's you, Sana."
"Thank you, Troya," she said, looking up at Rhyel and her heart simmered at the adoration shining in his blue depths. "I'm glad it's me, too."
"It seems you two are much closer since the last time I saw you," Dante said, clasping his hands behind his back. "I have a feeling that's why you've come so early, hm?"
"Yes," Rhyel said, squeezing Sana's waist. "Sana and I have some things we need to discuss with you and Aunt Inés."
Sana's heart thumped. They did? What did they need to discuss with them? Rhyel never mentioned anything like that. Just that Barshaa was the safest place for him to show her why Aneera couldn't take him from her.
"Of course." Inés nodded. "Troya, why don't you show Rhyel and Sana to their quarters? And make sure to assign our best maids to tend to them." She beamed. "It's not very often we get to host our Darcanos family."
Remember what I told you, little flame. Barshaa will give you answers to the many questions you will soon seek.
She wanted to roll her eyes and Sune's cryptic reminder. She still didn't understand what he meant, but now she knew whatever it was, it had to do with Inés and Dante.
And for some reason that made her stomach feel queasy.
"Yes, mother." Troya chuckled. "Come with me you two. I think she's more excited that you're here than my wedding."
"I'm sure that's not true," Rhyel said, shaking his head as they walked up the white sandstone steps to the arched entrance of the Barshaa palace. "She's been waiting for this day for a long time and you know it."
"I know, but still," he said, looking over his shoulder with his gray eyes shimmering with joy. "She's always had a soft spot for you two. Especially you, Sana."
"Me?" Sana frowned. She'd always been closer to Dante than Inés, mainly because Inés hardly ever visited House Lightbourne. "Since when?"
Troya let out a bark of laughter that echoed off the tiled teal and gold walls in the quiet foyer.
"Since always," he turned to her and the laughter in his eyes grew serious as did the smile gracing his deep brown features.
"Forgive me for saying this because I know how you grew up.
" He took her hands. "But my mother always loved you and my family's greatest regret is not taking you in when you most needed us. "
Tears pricked the corners of her eyes, feeling his deep remorse humming against her skin. He raised her hands and bowed his head against them. "I'm truly sorry and I hope one day you will forgive us."
"I do, Troya," she said, squeezing his hands. "And there's no reason for you to apologize. I'm not living that life anymore. Your father made sure of that."
"Yes he did," Troya said and the joy in his eyes returned. "And while we'll be celebrating my nuptials these next few days, don't be surprised or embarrassed when my mother dotes on you like her daughter. She's been waiting for this for a long time, too."
Sana laughed as a blush burned over her cheeks. She never knew Inés felt this way about her and she wasn't entirely sure what it meant to be doted on like a daughter. "I promise I'll take it in stride as best I can."
"Good," Troya said as a line of men and women dressed in hooded robes of deep blue walked into the foyer behind Troya. "Then this is her first gift to you."
Sana raised an eyebrow as Troya waved one of the women over. She approached them, pushing her hood from her face and her bouncy black curls framed her brown skin and golden brown eyes.
"Hello, Lady Sana."
A/N: And who do you think has entered the chat?
?? Full disclosure, this chapter was going to go on for ages and I had to split it up because.
.. I don't want to alarm y'all, but we are about to embark on a bit of a rollercoaster of emotions.
So please, prepare yourselves. No one will die, but.
...things will be revealed ?? In a good way. ... I think? ????