Page 27 of Dreams of Ash and Smoke

“Oh, my Gods! Of course! I can’t believe I didn’t think of that! Be right back!” She exclaims and excitedly leaves the room.

As soon as the door shuts, my lungs release a large breath.

Now that I am alone, I can properly freak out in silence. What did I get myself into?

* **

Once I had my stomach full and my mind calm, Ruelle told me we can see the castle. It was daylight still but the night will be arriving soon and she was very excited to show me the throne room.

“I am sure you heard through rumors that we are really only awake during the night and while this can be the case, it’s mainly our city, Asterlayna. It’s a mouthful, I know. We also call it Aster as a shorter name. She is the city that never sleeps. Most of the shops don’t anyway. Some do close during the night…” Her tone is cheery as she rambles and I tune her out for a period of time. I am not sure if I can handle her being so joyful. I am supposed to be their enemy, why is she being so nice?

Ruelle waves and greets everybody we pass and it’s nice to see someone part of their court so hospitable. No one was like that in the Dawn Court.

It makes me second-guess everything I thought I knew about Khyrel.

As we walk, court members gaze at me, curiosity in their eyes.

“Can I see Hadeon?” I ask quietly, not wanting others to hear as I cut off her babbles. She looks at me as we walk and I note something in her eyes I can’t read.

“Of course!” She said in her cheery tone. The sun was fully set by the time we are finished looking at every other room she showed me, gossiping about other court members.

There was something off about this place. About her and the king. There was a secret, of that I was sure. I buried my true self down deep for decades so secrets are something I know well.

“Welcome to the most breathtaking room in all of the continent,” she beams, her smile contagious. With a graceful sweep of her hand, she opens a side door that leads to a grand balcony-like space. The walls are simply made up of open arches, giving way to the northern side of the castle and offering an unobstructed view of the night sky above. The moon shone down, casting its gentle light upon the floor below. Pillars decorated with ornatesconces line the edges of the room, providing gentle illumination to the already beautifully lit space. And as if to further emphasize the enchanting ambiance, there was no roof above, allowing for an uninterrupted view of the twinkling stars above us.

“I need to see her. To explain.” A familiar voice spoke out. I had thought the space was empty, but now two male voices are audible the further we walk into the room.

“She doesn’t know yet. If she did, we’d hear about it. I am sure. Something tells me she isn’t one to show her anger quietly.” This voice was the king. The other sounds much like Hadeon.

“With all due respect, Eryx, you do not know her. I do. I have spent five years with her. She hides her emotions well, she had to.” A huff from the king follows that response.

What in the Underworld are they talking about? Explain what?

Ruelle clears her throat, making Hadeon jump from surprise and he stares at Ruelle before looking at me and smiling wide. “Verena.” He breathes out, rushing over. I meet him halfway before wrapping my arms around him, eyes tearing up.

“I thought I had lost you.” My voice wavers, my feelings overwhelmed. I have been trying not to think about his health but it’s all I could do. His arms follow my lead, wrapping around me as one of his hands brush my hair down. My eyes squeeze tight, relishing in his comfort in this foreign place, before opening them and meeting eyes with the king. A look that I am not familiar with flashes in his eyes, his fists clench on the thrones armrests as shadows billow around. He looks angry but why would he be?

“You would never lose me, I swore my loyalty to you, Verena, and I meant it.” He pulls back, staring into my eyes before glancing at the royal family duo and back at me. “But, you are not the only one I have sworn my loyalty to.” He takes a deep breath and I can’t help but wonder why. Obviously, I know this. He took an oath to the king.

“I understand how royal guards are graduated, Hadeon.” I let out a shaky laugh, wondering why we are having this conversation in front of the royal family.

He shakes his head, “When I told you that Dryston is not my king, I meant it. You were at my graduation in Zorya. I swore loyalty tomyking, nottheking.” I step back from his grasp, shaking my head, confusion lining my features.

He glances back at King Eryx and I shake my head again, “No.” All eyes are on me. “No, absolutely not. Are you trying to tell me your king is Eryx? You’re from a small town in Zorya, how would Eryx be your king?” He speaks to me with his eyes; five years with someone will give you that. “No.” I shake my head profusely, my hands keeping anyone from nearing and I start stepping back further and staring at the floor as tears brim my eyes.

But he says it out loud anyway. “I am not from Zorya, V. I am Khyrelian.” I shake my head more and he takes a step closer but I throw my hands out further, staring at him with betrayal featuring in my teary gaze.

“No! Do not come closer to me. I do notknowyou.” I speak and the hurt in his eyes makes me want to take it back.

“I know it’s not easy to hear, Verena but it is the truth. There is an entire reason you do not know! I-”

“The reason is to make me look pathetic!” I yell. “You made a fool of me.” My voice breaks at the end. I clear my throat, willing the tears to not gather in my eyes. “Youliedto me. I thought you were my friend,” A humorless laugh leaves me, “myonlyfriend. How pathetic, the princess is so desperate for just a sliver of affection, of friendship, of someone who would accept her for who she truly is, that she completely ignored all signs pointing to a spy!” My voice stays raised, anger radiating off me in waves. King Eryx stands from his throne but betrayal burns my heavily beating chest. My hands shake and my eyes continue to water. I do not even care if it offends the king. My life had already been turned upside down and now this?

“No, of course not. You are not pathetic and I am not a spy, Verena, I was sent-” A voice clears, interrupting him and we look at the king, who is the culprit keeping him from speaking. I narrow my eyes at him before looking back at Hadeon, hurt filling his eyes.

“Loyalty to both,” I laugh again, “Wow. It’s all clear to me now why Dryston’s abuse always went unpunished. It wasn’t a lack of knowledge orunderstanding on your part; you knew exactly what was happening and probably even found amusement in it with your little circle of friends here. As theweak and patheticprincess of Zorya, I realize now that I was nothing but a source of entertainment for you. How foolish I was to think there could be an escape from this fate. I should never have come here.” I turn sharply and storm toward the main doors, ready to leave.

Hadeon grabs my arm, keeping me from walking out of the room. “Verena…” He says, more hurt spilling from his voice, willing me to understand his dilemma. “Please.” He begs quietly. I want to believe the tears in his eyes are real but my heart will no longer be fooled.

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