Chapter 53
Ashley
She took at last her rightful place,
awoke the strength inside,
“Yes please,” I say, before I even know what he’s offering. Aiden raises an eyebrow and Cook beams, tapping the stool beside him. “Good afternoon, little lamb.” I roll my eyes but sit down anyway. Aiden offers a polite nod while Cook pours me a glass of something dark and red. I give it a sniff.
“Got anything stronger?” I ask, glancing between them. “Please, just a teeny tiny something.” Aiden pulls a flask from his pocket and adds a generous amount of whatever it is to the glass. “Urgh, you’re my favourite long-lost brother.”
“Careful lamb, don’t forget what happened last time you decided to drink, and the time before that.” Cook laughs, holding out his hand. Aiden passes him the flask, and he takes a long gulp, letting out an exaggerated sigh of satisfaction. “Just like school.”
I perk up. “Drinking in school? You, Aiden?”
Rhory lets out a laugh. “Your brother was a very naughty boy up until... not long ago, actually.”
Chuckling, I take another sip, reveling in the heat spreading into my chest. I’d better take this one slow. “I’ll believe that when I see it.”
A voice brushes against my ears and I turn instinctively, scanning the empty kitchen. No one is there except a couple of chefs snickering in the corner over a self-stirring cauldron of soup.
“Who was that?” I ask, glancing at Aiden.
“Who was what?” He shakes his head when Rhory tries to give the used flask back to him. “Absolutely not.”
“Someone just called me.” I look at Rhory this time, but he shrugs and takes another swig.
“I didn’t hear anything. Perhaps it’s the flask,” he chuckles, but his eyes linger on me.
Maybe he’s right. My head does feel a bit light.
“You came into your mind magic today,” Aiden muses. “It may be settling.”
I hesitate. “How do you—” Oh. Right. Kaed. “Never mind.”
Rhory slides a plate in front of me. “Yes, Captain Serious told the King almost instantly. Duty before booty.” I wonder if Kaed reported everything that happened. When I tear into the wrap, the flavors explode on my tongue and a muffled groan escapes my lips.
“That is the only way Cook can make a female do that,” Aiden quips.
I nearly choke.
“You made a joke, Prince? Someone send word to the territories!” Cook’s voice rings through the kitchen.
I spin around. Someone definitely called me this time. But the kitchen is the same. Aiden and Cook continue throwing jabs at each other, oblivious. This is not in my bloody head. Something is calling me, pulling me toward the door.
“Thanks Rhory, I’m going to eat it outside.”
I slip into the hallway following…something.
The deeper into the palace I go, the more intense the pull becomes, like my feet aren’t my own.
It’s louder now. My pace quickens, my grip on the plate tightening.
Turning the corner past my old room, I cringe slightly remembering all over again why I’m annoyed, but the tunnel calls me and my pace picks up.
I almost run down it towards the barracks, before crashing into something hard and warm.
A broad chest. Kaed. Calloused hands grip my arms, steadying me before I can stumble back.
“What are you doing! Get off.” I twist out of his hold.
“What do you mean what am I doing? What are you doing? Why were you running?”
We stand in the middle of the tunnel, neither of us wanting to answer the others questions.
“I’m going to my room. You’re the one going the wrong way. Off to reminisce about your affair in Aiden’s mum’s room, are we?” I huff and stalk past him to my bungalow.