Page 32 of Dreams of Ash and Smoke

I turn from him, facing the raven-haired woman next to me, “Ruelle I am ready to go back to the library.” I smile at her, ignoring my former guard. “Away from liars.” I almost feel bad for saying it and for acting as if I hatehim. But the truth is that I hate myself more for not. I wasn’t lying when I told Eryx about how hurt I was and how in my heart, Dryston never lied about who he was, just what my position in his court would be. Hadeon pretended to be my friend and lied to me for years. Sure, he couldn’t exactly tell me his secrets from the start, but what about before my coronation? What about after I met Eryx? After he knew of my wavering loyalty to the Court of Dawn?

“Ladies,” He bows in dismissal before slipping into the king’s office and allowing us to take our leave. I want to forgive him and I will, sooner rather than later because he has been my only friend for all these years and I can’t just give that all up. I won’t. He is too important to me.

* * *

Ruelle and I continue reading in the library, enjoying the silence. I’ve tried learning more about this kingdom and the history of the continent that might have been left out in Zorya’s book— a common theme I’ve noticed. Anything good or helpful about Khyrel isn’t found in any books in the Court of Dawn.

“My mother would like you to join us for dinner.” A deep voice sends chills down my spine. I jump from my spot, swiftly turning my head to look up into Eryx’s eyes. Those deep gorgeous eyes that I want to hate but I can’t seem to.

“I am not dressed for dinner.” I inform him, running my hand over my outfit. “Are you sure it is a good idea?”

“Ruelle can help you to your room and she had the royal seamstress bring you some dresses. I’ll see you in an hour.” He leaves with nothing else to say. My brows furrow as he walks away. Was this apart of his courting? Inviting me to dinner with his family?

I blink my thoughts away and look at the youngest royal sibling. “You did?” I ask, my heart clenching.

She smiles brightly, nodding before looping her arm in mine once we rise to our feet, “Of course! You are going to be here a while,at least I hope so, and I want you to be comfortable. So I had her make up some different options we’ll try on and that way she knows what you like and do not.” She spoke in her usual cheery tone.

We depart from the library, gliding through the corridors with ease.

My admiration for the castle’s layout grew with every step. It was a perfect blend of functionality and grandeur, and I found myself quickly becoming familiar with its winding paths and secret passages. The design of the entire structure surpasses even my wildest dreams, with towering spires and intricate stone carvings that seem to come alive in the glimmering torchlight. As we walk, I can’t help but feel a stirring within me, as if this place held some kind of ancient power. Everywhere I look, the distinctive snake and raven crest adorn the walls and furnishings, a constant reminder to me of the witches words.

“I have one that is my absolute favorite. I think it’ll fit you so well.” She states, opening the closet in the room I’ve been staying in and pulling out a beautiful floor-length dress, it’s a lovely violet color and has a long slit down the leg with delicate thin straps holding it up over my shoulders before crisscrossing the back, leaving my skin viewable until it reaches the small of my back.

“Oh wow. Are we sure I should wear that tonight? It’s just dinner.”

“Trust me, Verena, we all get dressed up for family dinners. Eryx is usually off doing something so we do not get a lot of dinners together anymore, since the funeral a few years back.” She speaks sadly before shaking it off and thrusting the dress into my hands. “Try it on!” She sings before leading me to the divider so I get a little bit of privacy. I slip out of my current dress, staring at my body. I haven’t been able to train again since I’ve been here, not even sure if they’ll let me, but I made a mental note to ask soon.

The wine-colored mark on my hip bone catches my eye. The birthmark shaped like a bird. It wasn’t big at all, tiny as if the size of two thumbs side by side. I almost believed it to be a raven, quite similar to the trimming around this castle.

I shake from my thoughts, removing my hand from my hip and getting into the beautiful violet dress. It fits snugly against my chest and bust beforethe material drapes naturally to the floor. “How does it fit?”

I let out a small laugh, “Actually, like perfection.” I smooth my hands over the silky fabric. I wasn’t allowed to wear many darker colors in Zorya, it was ‘a bad look’ since the court colors are pink and green. I love those colors too, but purple has always had my heart. It’s a piece of me. It is the color that made me feel different from the hue of my irises. Children and adults alike pointed and whispered about my eyes many times when I was a young girl. It used to make me feel so out of place but once my parents died, I stopped caring so much about what they thought of my physical appearance.

A tear slips from my eye at the thought. It still doesn’t feel real that I am no longer there in the court, like every time I wake up I’ll be back and this would’ve been a dream.

“Hey now, no tears. Save that for tonight at dinner with our mother.” Ruelle laughs softly, “She can be a very soft and warm woman and she can be a tough woman. She was queen after all and until she’s comfortable with you, she might give you some grilling. But, you will be fine. She’ll love you, I can tell.” I smile at her, taking a deep breath and letting her help put on my shoes before touching up my hair and adding some rouge.

I had been here for a few days and had yet to step foot in the dining hall. I was trying to avoid everyone, avoid the questions. But, I know that with Eryx and I’s plan, I’d have to be more open and amicable toward everyone else here. I don’t have a problem with it, I just don’t want to deal with more whisperings about my intentions.

We walk through the halls again, winding down until we reach the level that also held the throne room. Guards open the ornate double doors for us, and another woman walks up to the doors at the same time.

She appears to be youthful, perhaps only a few years younger than myself. A beautiful array of colored floral tattoos grace her arm, contrasting elegantly against her jet-black hair. Her eyes are a striking contrast, one a deep brown and the other a pale, almost ethereal blue. Her skin was fair and glows in the dim light of the room, similar in complexion to Ruelle but with a hint of Eryx’s golden tan. The strapless dress she wore hugged her curves perfectly, accentuating her figure and drawing attentionto her full chest and defined waist. As my gaze travels down her other arm, I can’t help but notice the skull with a dagger piercing through it, and the seven tally marks on her chest. Despite my attempts not to stare, I couldn’t deny the sense of power emanating from her. She was definitely someone important within the royal family, possibly even the middle sibling? But there was something about her energy that made me uneasy, like she could easily overpower me without breaking a sweat.

“Ruelle, you look beautiful. I see you dressed up in one of the gowns you ordered for Verena.” She smirks. Ruelle smiles sweetly, a blush tinting her cheeks.

“It was too pretty to not.”

She looks at me then, and it feels as if she were staring into my soul, “Esmeray,” I assume she was announcing her name.

I try standing straighter, feigning confidence, “I’m Verena. It’s nice to meet you. You are the middle sibling, yes? Ruelle’s older sister?” I ask bravely, something akin to fear trickling along me, faint and confusing. There was no reason to be scared, so why did I feel it trekking up my spine?

Another smirk graces her face as she watches me adjust my standing and she nods. “Correct.” She says nothing more as she steps in front of us and walks into the room. The fear flees from my body and I wrack my brain on what just happened. Ruelle walks side by side with me, sensing my discomfort. I was used to this, but it feels weird when you don’t know anyone.

As I take in the room, my eyes fall upon the other dinner participants. Eryx sat at the head of the table, a regal and powerful presence emanating from him. On the opposite end was an older woman, her face lines with age but still bearing a striking resemblance to Eryx. Beside him sat Hadeon, his sharp features highlighted by the soft candlelight. And next to him was Esmeray, her delicate features seemingly glowing in this company.

The older woman must be their mother, I realize, noting the matching features that ran through the family. As my name was called, her gaze met mine and a flash of confusion flickers across her face. She stands and began to make her way over to me, her movements slow and deliberate as if shewere lost in thought. The others at the table remained still, but I caught a glimpse of tension in Eryx’s posture, as if he were ready to jump up at any moment.

“You…” She starts speaking but stops until she is standing directly in front of me. Her face softens and it seems like she snaps out of whatever thoughts were consuming her. “You are so beautiful.” I can’t help but throw a glance at Ruelle, who watches her mother with attentive eyes. But from her expression, I can tell that wasn’t what she had intended to say. There was something more there, hidden behind those words.

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