Page 37 of Dreams of Ash and Smoke

I scoff, “What is with all the questions? I don’t want to stain my fingers and I went to open it but the cork got stuck and then I dropped the glass when your knock frightened me.” I rush out, trying to calm my breathing from his sudden entrance as I blame him for me dropping it. My heart is racing, but honestly, it’s not from the scare, it’s from getting caught.

I’m not entirely sure why I have to dye my hair. I was just told by my mother ever since I was a young girl to do it or I’d be in danger.

Thinking about that now seems redundant since I’m already in danger. Even with my dark hair, the blue streak still gave me away, making Eryx and Hadeon think I was a part of something bigger than us.

Out of reflex, now worried he’ll see right through me, I start playing with the strands, trying to push back the front parts of my hair from my face, taking steps back as he bends to pick up the pieces of broken glass.

His eyes immediately zero in on the motion, scanning my hair with intense curiosity. I feel a sense of panic rise within me as I realize there’s a streak of spilled ink from my gloves running through my locks. The confusion in his eyes is evident as they flicker between my hair and my face, especially as I attempt to move the hair away from my eyes, only smudging more ink onto my forehead. The wetness of the ink seeps into my skin and I can’t help but feel self-conscious under his scrutiny.

Without hesitation, he rises from his position on the floor and forgets about the broken shards of glass beneath him as he slowly makes his way over to me. I try to back away, matching his pace, but he moves faster than I expect. Before I know it, my back hits the desk behind me and I’m left with no room to escape. He stands before me, towering over me with an intimidating aura.

My heart races, unsure if it’s due to his close proximity or the fact that he seems to be reading right through me. Our eyes meet, his deep brown orbs like a warm autumn night trying to unravel all of my secrets. His hand reaches up at a leisurely pace, gripping a section of my hair where the new ink has been smeared into.

“What is this? Why is the root of your hair lighter than the rest?” He inquires, his eyes moving from mine to the strands. Something burns in his gaze and I can’t tell why he cares so much.

Do I lie? We’re supposed to trust each other. Maybe he’ll have an answer as to why it’s different. While black hair isn’t rare, white is. White hair hasn’t been seen on a native to this continent in hundreds of years. I’d know, I read it in a history book. Not to mention the color that never fades, dyes, or changes except in length.

It’s as if he can see the turmoil turning in my head, going around faster than light.

His eyes trail back to mine, “Verena,” It’s the way he says my name, soft but firm. Like he wants the answers but as king he needs them.

I allow my eyes to move, from his eyes to his lips. They’re pink and soft. My eyes move down to his chiseled jawline before continuing down to his strong chest.

“Verena.” My eyes flick back up his brown eyes now black with emotion, “Tell me. I cannot risk my country, and my people, without knowing everything. We’re supposed to trust each other.” There’s the king in him.

“I…” I take a breath, hoping he can’t hear my heart. “I don’t know.” I take in a deep breath as he steps back, still watching and waiting. “For as long as I can remember, my mother was dying my hair. Honestly, my father and her never got along and I remember her telling me how much she hated covering up this piece of me but that it was for my safety and that if anyone found out about it, I’d be in more danger than anything or anyone. So, even after she passed away, I’ve stained it with ink. I haven’t seen the true white color ever. But, no matter how many times I try to stain or dye the blue, it won’t take.” I tell him the truth, not seeing any other way. He steps closer again, running his fingers into my hair and grabbing strands to feel.

“No more.” He says, throwing me off guard. His eyes darken as he looks at my hair. “You will no longer dye it, got it? As long as you’re with my family and I, you’re safe. You’re training with Esme and you will continue to do so, especially now. We can’t get our revenge if you’re dead.” I nod at him, watching as the strand falls from his fingers and he steps back. “No more lies. I’ll see you at breakfast, Verena.” He exits, just like that, leaving me breathless and confused.

Chapter 18: Fear

Verena

It had been a week since I told Eryx about my hair after he caught me in the act of dying it. Since then, I’ve trained every day with Esmeray and Eryx has donned me gifts every other day. The people in the castle are whispering, talking, and staring even more.

Some of the women are glaring, obviously thinking I’ve taken his eye over them but they don’t know it’s just a bargain— a way for both of us to get what we want.

I’m in his war room now, though, showing him where Dryston wanted to set warriors up for camp.

He hasn’t mentioned my hair but everyone can tell it’s changing and fast.

Ruelle asked me about it yesterday, since it had grown out a couple inches since the dye incident— almost like it knows I’m not dying it any longer and it can’t wait to be back to its original color.

I was nervous about seeing the white. I was so accustomed to the inky black that it will be odd seeing it any different, especially so light in such short time.

The tone was a blonde, warmer when the sun shines down on me and more ashy platinum in the shadows

The door opens and Esmeray walks in, not noticing me until after she shut the door. She freezes, staring at me before looking at Eryx and thenback at me.

“What the fuck?” She asks, cautiously glancing back and forth before staring at the giant table map with all the pieces on it. “What is going on here?”

My heart stops beating, I don’t know what to say and I don’t have to.

“Calm down, Esme.” He says, barely looking at her but studying the board. “Verena has offered to help me out.” She narrows her heterochromia eyes at me, walking over and very suddenly placing a blade against my throat as she shoves me against the wall. An involuntary squeak slips from my throat. Eryx sighs heavily, almost as if he was expecting this and it was just inconvenient. I look into her mismatch eyes and suddenly feel very ill; fear unexpectedly slides down my back, chills take over and a cold sweat breaks out over my entire body. Unadulterated fear wrecks me and tears brim my eyes at the confusing fear. I’ve never felt this unnatural feeling before. My knees want to give out, but I try to hold strong. He was supposed to tell her.

“Esmeray, enough.”

She doesn’t listen, whatever she’s doing continues as she speaks. “If you so much as think about betraying my family— my brother— or this kingdom, I will show you fear you have never seen or felt. I will make you so absolutely petrified that your body will go into a shock that will kill you slowly. You wouldn’t wish it on your worst enemy or the biggest monster on this planet. Do you understand?” Her voice is hard and cold as ice. I think about her power and wonder if she knows how it feels? The fear, the terror. It’s almost all-consuming. I try to push it off me as if it’s a solid force.

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