by Camille Rae
I swallowed, unable to fully trust his acceptance. Was there a loophole in that statement that I was missing?
My stomach growled again, much louder.
“My apologies, my dear,” he said, his voice softening. “Let’s join our party and get you something to eat.”
We walked together out of the Solar and I was glad to be away from that cramped space with Theo’s intensity zeroed in on only me.
We walked down the hallway, my Graces falling into step behind us, and then we wove our way around a freestanding screen that had blocked off the hallway entirely. We stepped into the Great Hall, and I gasped at the sight. The hall was gigantic, long and narrow, maybe just under the size of a football field, and it was filled with tables and chairs and people. There were large windows on either side of the hall, but heavy burgundy curtains were pulled closed along them. Pillars lined the walls, and from the pillars rose stone vaults that cut across the ceiling, crisscrossing to form geometric shapes and flowers. The design was intricate and beautiful. Torches and chandeliers lit the entire hall in a warm yellow glow. Before us, a long table sat facing the room, raised on a platform.
The orchestra — yes, orchestra — was almost overbearingly loud and the crowd’s chatter had risen to be heard above it. The din of the room slowly fell away as people started casting me curious stares. I grew self-conscious and tried to take a step back, but Theo put his arm through mine.
We were on a raised platform of some sort, and the crowd of people were openly staring. Most of the women were dressed similarly to me in long gowns with their hair done, as though they were movie stars on a red carpet instead of just women out to dinner. The men were dressed in embellished tunics and jackets that came to their mid-thigh. Everyone was in bright colors, as though it was a celebration.
The four men I knew — the Wolves — were already on the platform, standing off to one side and talking to one another with wine glasses in hand.
I walked up to the men, so glad to see familiar faces after a strange evening. The drink on an empty stomach was beginning to catch up with me, making me waver slightly and Loel put a hand on my waist to steady me. I gave him a quick, thankful look and pressed between him and Lachlan, needing his calm more than ever. As soon as my hip pressed against his leg, I could feel waves of calming energy flow over me.
I took a deep breath, looking over Loel, Silas, Lachlan, and Cash. They were all dressed in matching black suits that looked vaguely military, but ornamental. Lots of ribbon and silver accents. I noticed badass black, lace-up boots with metal edging completed the look.
They all looked unbelievably handsome, but Loel looked like an entirely new man. He had trimmed his unruly facial hair and without mud or dirt on his skin, he looked as though he belonged on the silver screen, not some strange dining hall in another world. Loel gave me a wry smile as I looked him over approvingly. I knew he could feel my pleasure, because it pulsed back through me in waves.
Loel winked, drawing a hand across my bare shoulder, and I saw a flash of myself in my own mind, with the thought that I looked gorgeous as well. It took me a moment to realize he was sharing with me his own thought, and the realization made something clench in my stomach.
Theo stepped forward, and although his outfit matched the Wolves, I realized that his jacket had accents of gold instead of silver. Seriously, the Rebellion must have been rolling in cash to afford such well-made dress clothes.
“Caia, I would be honored for you to sit at my table,” Theo said, his voice deep and commanding. It was more of a demand than a request, and I nodded as he took my hand in his, leading me to sit next to him at the head table.
I leaned back and turned to Loel, who had taken the seat next to mine.
I gave him a small smile, happy to be near him after what felt like ages away, even if our bond wasn’t very long lived. The truth was, it felt inexplicably comforting to be in the presence of all the guys again.
I rested my fingertips on his jacket sleeve near his elbow and concentrated, picturing the moment I saw him in his suit and the feeling of giddiness that had risen up in me. If he could give his memories and thoughts to me, who was to say he couldn’t receive them?
His eyes widened for a fraction of a second, and then a knowing grin split his face. My plan had evidently worked.
“Where’s Mika?” I asked, realizing I hadn’t seen her since we entered Nos.
“She stays outside the walls. Seems to hate it in here, though I can’t blame her. I go check on her every day, don’t worry,” he said.
“You’re allowed to leave the walls?” I asked, though I wasn’t sure why I was surprised.
“Of course. Remember when I told you I’ve been living mainly in the woods for two years? Do you see why, now?” He asked, waving his hand in a small gesture to the chaos throughout the room.
The conversation had started up again, but still, most people were looking at me or talking to others who were looking at me. I felt as though I was on display.
Theo cleared his throat and rose, instructing the rest of the people in the hall to take their seats.
The orchestra grew quiet and the hall fell silent as people stopped their conversations to turn to us.
“Nos, my deepest gratitude to you joining us. As you all know, tonight is very special.”
My heart pounded and my palms began to sweat as I wondered what he was about to say. Surely, he wouldn’t just—
“A special guest is with us tonight,” he announced.
I could hear Cash’s low growl from beside Loel, and I looked away from Theo momentarily to see Cash and Loel both looking warily at Theo. Evidently, this wasn’t on the agenda they’d been given, either.
“The time has come, Nos. My wolves found her in the woods, as innocent as a doe, on the 326th moon. Nos, I present to you, the Lost Princess,” he said, gesturing to me.
Silence fell for about two seconds, and then the entire crowd erupted in sporadic applause, yells of confusion, and loud conversation as every eye in the room was back on me.
Out of the corner of my vision, I saw Loel’s hand go to his side, resting on the handle of his dagger.
They seemed to think I was in danger being called out so openly, and I seemed to think they were right.
I wanted to sink under the table. I looked around for Alivia and Maisy but they were in the crowd in front of me at a table, clapping wildly.
Movement caught my attention at the far end of the hall, and for a second, I thought I saw Flora in a flash of white. What would she be doing here?
Theo was saying something to me, and before I knew it, he had his hand on my elbow and I was standing.
Loel’s hand casually rested near my shaking knee, a subtle gesture I interpreted to be his way of letting me know he was supporting me.
I wasn’t a public speaker. In fact, I had failed Public Speaking in college and nearly didn’t graduate because of it. My mouth was dry and my hands shook.
I gave a small wave and said loudly, “Th-thanks.” Then I sat back down as quickly as I could.
The awkward and unexpectedly short speech set off a round of chatter and whispers throughout the hall as people leaned into one another while staring at me with confused expressions as if to say, Really? Her?
“To health and freedom, may it come sooner than we had ever imagined. Astra inclinant, sed non obligant,” Theo cheered, trying to rally the group once more after my extremely eloquent and uplifting speech. I recognized the Latin from a large tapestry in his Solar. I imagined it must have been the motto of Nos.
My cheeks burned and Loel rested his hand on my lower back. He was no Healing-Hands-Lachlan, but his touch was still a comfort.
The food was served shortly thereafter, and I dug into a strange meaty animal and sampled almost everything else that was set before us.
My glass was never empty, so although I wasn’t sure exactly how much I had consumed, I could safely assume a lot by the way I was feeling pretty loose and
chatty.
I tried to keep from speaking to Theo much, although it seemed like conversation naturally deferred to him.
I wanted to strangle him for announcing me to the world in such a way, not one hour after I told him I wasn’t sure I wanted any part of it.
He looked at me with a smug smile as if to say, Try getting out of it now.
At one point, I turned completely in my seat to only address Loel and Cash, who both wore slightly amused expressions.
It was only when I lifted my glass in a fake toast to “The Real Lost Princess, Whoever She May Be, Because I Am Definitely Not Some Wayward Princess, You Guys” that Loel reached for my hand and set my cup back down for me.
“Okay, I think Caia is a bit exhausted from our journey. I’ll see to it that she retires safely for the night,” he said, gripping under my elbow to help me stand. I watched as he shook his head to Alivia and Maisy, who were eyeing me warily from a table near the front of the room.
“Do you need any help?” Silas asked as Lachlan began to stand.
“I got her, don’t worry,” Loel said, tugging me away from the table.
I grabbed about seven of what looked like tea cookies and, after stuffing two in my mouth, thanked Theo for the “delicious meal” which sounded much more like “dewishish eel.” Silas and Lachlan laughed openly at this, but Theo only raised one eyebrow.
Loel dragged me behind the screen before scooping me into his arms.
His uniform jacket was rough against my cheek and he smelled like leather and warm wool. Distinctly male, distinctly Loel.
“Do you have pockets?” I asked with a hiccup, holding out my handful of cookies.
He looked down at me with a grin. “Just hold onto them, we’ll find a good spot for them once we’ve seen you safely to bed,” he said.
I wrapped my arm around his neck and nestled my head against his chest, trying to remember which one was my room.
“Don’t worry, I know which one,” he said, and carried me up the few flights of stairs, then paused in front of a door. “Can you, uh, get the door, Caia?”
I grabbed the handle and we pushed through the door. “It’s like we’re married and you’re carrying me over the threshold,” I said dramatically, swinging an arm and scattering a few cookies to the floor.
He kicked the door shut behind us.
“You have very strange customs in your land,” he said, setting me on my feet. He placed my hands on a post of the bed. “Here, hold onto this while I undo your laces.”
“I have to get out of here,” I said.
Loel made no noise of listening to me.
“I have to find Jude,” I repeated.
“Like I said, we’ll find Jude soon, okay?” He said appeasingly.
“I mean it,” I said, stomping my foot, very much wanting him to understand. “I’m here and getting drunk and eating cookies and she’s being eaten by… by tigers!”
“The Queen doesn’t have tigers in her army. All of the tiger shifters are on our side. They were some of the first to join the Rebellion,” he said lightly.
Frustrated by such an answer, I waved my hands in the air and lost my footing, catching myself against the dresser beside my bed.
“Steady,” he muttered to himself as he reached to grab my arm.
“I think I’m fine,” I said, stepping away from him. I recognized that I was being childish, but I didn’t want his help. I didn’t want to need him.
He watched me with patience, his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against my bedpost.
“I can’t get out of my dress,” I complained, reaching back to fumble around the back of my dress. With a wave of panic, I remembered I had been sewn into it.
“Here, let me help you,” he said, reaching for me again.
I sighed, giving in.
“You have to rip it,” I said, trying to gesture to the side. “I’m stuck.”
He began to rip very carefully, not making much headway.
“Rip. It,” I commanded, turning to give him my very best stern expression.
He growled and ripped the fabric down the seam.
My ribcage expanded and I took in a deeply appreciative breath.
“Such a shame to ruin something so beautiful,” he said, still holding the fabric in his hands.
I pulled the straps over my shoulders and pushed the bodice down my body, all hints of self-consciousness gone. The wine had made me feel a bit funny, but it sure did a lot for my lack of dignity at the moment.
“Isn’t it weird that you don’t wear underwear in Nos? Is that everyone or just prophesied royal returners?” I asked and held my hands out to have him help me get out of the dress.
Loel audibly gulped as he reached for me, pulling the fabric over my hips and letting me steady myself on his shoulders as I stepped out of the dress. I watched as he gingerly laid it over the back of a chair, not fully facing me.
I was completely naked, but I figured at this point, he had just about seen every inch of me anyway.
“And just what the hell kind of pajamas am I supposed to sleep in?” I asked, looking around.
Loel pulled open a few drawers of the dresser and grabbed a long undershirt, handing it to me without turning to face me. The gown went over my head and was apparently One Size Fits Humongous.
I excused myself to use the bathroom — thanking Laeris again for having indoor plumbing — and returned to find Loel sitting on the edge of the bed, his dress coat unbuttoned.
Butterflies swirled in my stomach and I felt the hint of a blush.
I climbed past him into the bed and settled down against the pillows. Sleeping in a real bed was such a luxury after sleeping on the ground for about a week, including camping with Jude and then the journey with the Wolves. I wiggled against the sheets, reveling in the softness.
Loel poured me a glass of water from a pitcher, setting it on the table near the bed, and patted my leg through the blankets before he turned to go. I reached out, grabbing his wrist. “Where do you sleep?” I asked, staring up at him.
The last few hours had been so confusing, and I was craving something I knew, something that felt right.
And Loel felt right.
He tilted his head down to me. “Another wing,” he said, rolling his eyes.
“That seems far away,” I said. “You could just sleep here.”
Drunk Caia was not exactly the best decision maker, but after a few nights of having others around to lessen the silence of the night, I didn’t want to give it up.
“I’m not going to take advantage of a belligerent drunk woman,” he said, rolling his eyes.
“Please,” I begged. “I’m kind of freaked out.”
It felt strange to admit. I blamed the drink.
He seemed to soften at that and shrugged his shoulders. “Alright, but I’m sleeping in the chair,” he said, pointing to the chair nearest the fireplace, and I saw the fire was still going strong.
I nodded, accepting that answer, and watched as he took off his jacket and laid it carefully on top of my dress. He bent and unlaced his boots, pulling off the thick and sturdy leather and setting them on the floor with a loud thud. He undid his belt and sat on the chair, pulling a nearby quilt to lay over his lap.
“If you weren’t so stubborn, you could be sleeping in a comfortable bed right now,” I sing-songed.
He made a grunting sound I had come to know as No — Cash was the expert at making that sound but Loel made an honorable attempt — and settled further onto the chair.
Chapter 12
Caia
The woman in royal blue was standing before me, her eyes soft and dark, the same color as mine. She smiled and reached for my hand, clasping it in hers. “You’re so close, Sister. I can feel you here with me,” she said. I felt warm with her affection.
She wore a necklace with a golden sphere around her throat. I had seen that necklace before.
When I tried to speak, no sound came.
“Everall
in,” she said, and turned to me, and I could see that her eyes were no longer the same dark brown as mine, but dark red, as though filled with blood.
Her smile turned into a grimace. “What’s wrong?” Her mouth was filled with blood, too, and I wrenched my hand out of hers, crying out in horror.
I sat straight up in bed. Loel was already beside me, rubbing my back.
“You were having a bad dream,” he said, his hands steadying my shoulders.
I turned to him, shaking my head, gulping in fresh air. “I can’t stop them,” I admitted.
“Do you have those dreams often? I noticed you woke up like this once or twice before,” he said, looking worried.
“Not too often, just… More since I’ve been in Laeris, I think,” I admitted, holding my pounding head.
I laid back down, noticing my hands were shaking. I gripped Loel’s shirt, not letting him leave my side again.
“It’s okay, I’m here,” he cooed softly, brushing my hair with his palm. “I won’t let any harm come to you.”
“I know,” I admitted and nuzzled closer to him. He moved to lay beside me, taking me fully in his arms.
“They’re just so real. I could swear she’s right there,” I said, shaking my head against him. I could feel his hard muscle beneath me and I ran my hands over the ridges of his pecs and abs shamelessly. In my defense, I was upset from a dream, not a Nun.
“Who?” He asked.
“I don’t know exactly,” I said, splaying my fingers on his chest and picturing her face again.
He jerked slightly, but said nothing.
“What’s wrong? Who is that?” I asked, lifting my head to peer at him in the dim light of the dying fire.
“I think you already have an idea,” he answered, his voice low, still brushing my hair with his palm. He was right. It was Queen Elestra. “It’s okay, it’s just a dream.”
He was a very bad liar, but I didn’t say so out loud. “What is she really like? Does she really look like that?” I asked against his chest. He sighed, and put his hand flat on my back, and I saw a woman who looked almost exactly like me. Her hair was different, cut a bit shorter than mine, but she had the same tall, lanky build as mine and the same high cheekbones. She was smiling and leaning in with her eyes closed.