Chapter 31
Aiden
A hope I did not ask for,
neither tarry nor pray, did I,
She smells like something has died. And rotted.
Last year. The way she slumps into the seat with complete disregard only stokes the fury building in my chest. I had reluctantly agreed to let her stay in my mother’s old quarters, lest I be labelled selfish.
A practical decision. The quarters keep her well out of my way, while ensuring the Volker can reach her quickly if she cannot control the black flames.
Again. And kills everyone in the vicinity.
Again. A servant loads her plate with eggs, potatoes, and vegetables, but she squirms in her seat.
My uncle sends me a not-so-subtle glance over the morning parchment.
“Did you sleep well, Agni?” I ask. Duty done. I have spoken to her.
“Ashley. And no.” She stares at her food in disgust. I thought they starved her.
After a beat of silence, my uncle clears his throat and catches my eye.
I have been told this type of look is an encouragement to take action.
I cannot for the life of me figure out why everybody is so obsessed with me speaking to this person.
“A shame. Why ever not?” I move my eggs around with my fork, gritting my teeth.
“It’s hot and loud.” Sweat collects on her upper lip, though the Core has barely reached full glow.
“Well, I hope it becomes more hospitable for you during your short stay here.” I can see the amusement in Nykholas’s face from the corner of my eye.
My uncle sighs at something and sends his plate to the servant’s trolley.
Agni watches it titter through the air with her eyebrows raised and arms crossed.
“I have a pressing matter to discuss with my council this morning. We are in the process of extracting information from Theron and Cinder Cliffs. My apologies, I was not expecting this.” No.
None of us were. I stare at my toasted bread as he instructs, “You can accompany Aiden to the school, then he will take you on a tour of the city.” Great.
“After that, we shall meet back here for a meal, and I’ll give you a grand tour of your new home.
” The King looks hopeful, and she looks ungrateful.
She glances toward me with a raised eyebrow, and I rack my brain for excuses. Ah. Found one.
“It is unsafe for her to be prancing around in the streets, uncle. Very dangerous indeed. What if the Mer Army target her and she wanders to the edge? She does not know how to resist their song. She could be lost forever. Again.”
“Oh, nonsense.” He claps his hands together.
“We will send the Captain and lieutenants out with you also. We have streams of Volker in the city; it’ll be right as rain.
” I don’t miss the way her head snaps up at the mention of the Captain.
The bond must be calling to her. But she seems to have no clue whatsoever.
Kaed on the other hand is more than feeling the effects already.
I stopped to see Eira late last night and on the way found him pacing the corridor outside my mother’s chambers where Agni has been placed.
Restless as a starved hound scenting blood.
Every so often, he would stop at her door as though listening for proof she still breathed on the other side of it.
“I’ll be fine here until you get back. I can sit in my room.”
My room. Those two words call to the anger I bury deep in my chest. Just before it responds, Eira walks in, bowing to the room. I love watching her do that. Her presence alone soothing the burn and something in me exhales.
“You called, your Majesty?” She says, the beauty radiating from her shocking me as if I have not laid eyes on her a thousand times.
Dark hair pulled back into a low bun, edges coiling under her sweat.
I want to unravel it. Unravel her. The ash on her forehead tells me she has already been hard at work this morning, if only I could ease her.
A slow, knowing smile spreads across Nykholas’s lips, and Eira’s eyes are unable to meet his while she dusts off her apron.
Ah, yes. How could I forget. Someone is already easing her. I taste my breakfast in my throat.
“Eira, please meet Ashley. Ashley, this is Eira, our Ironwright.” She rolls her eyes as Eira curtseys. So distasteful.
“What’s an Ironwright?”
“I make weapons.” Her warm smile is incredibly inviting, Agni does not deserve it. “We’ve met before, kind of— I don’t know if you saw the white flowers when you woke up? Aiden and I brought them for you.”
“Oh, yes, I did, thank you.” I ignore her sideways glance.
“Aiden also helps me whenever he has time. He’s a very skilled metalworker.” When Eira grins at me, my cheeks heat and I pray Nykholas does not notice.
“I see.” Agni stands abruptly, pushing her untouched plate away, clearly unaware that her plastic boots are melting. “It’s nice to meet you, Eira. I’ll be in my room.”
I hope my uncle will let her go, but instead, he follows her out. The room falls silent as everyone tries to catch the conversation. His gentle pleading is answered by her inappreciative tone.
“I’ll take the tour another time, maybe with someone who actually wants to go with me.”
It is rather delightful she knows where she stands. Eira’s hand rests lightly on my shoulder, pulling me out of my thoughts before they spiral. I look up into her beautiful face, which, right now, only adds to my woes, because it does not belong to me anymore. For now.