Page 39 of Dreams of Ash and Smoke

Eryx

It’s my mothers birthday and yet all I can think about isher.

Her hair, her eyes, her smile. I know them. Why do I know them? Where could I have possibly seen her before?

Flashes of memories from when I was a child keep flashing on the back of my eyelids while I try to sleep.

There was a child born five years after me, I vaguely remember her but I know I was betrothed to her before the girl and her family went missing. I can never remember her name but my mother might, I needed to speak with her about it.

I’m just not sure if bringing up her— presumed dead— best friend is a conversation for the night of her birthday.

This plan Verena and I came up with is messy and I knew it’d end badly but I couldn’t stop myself from wanting to see it play out. When she brought the idea to me, I thought she was crazy.

I couldn’t risk a war I wasn’t prepared for. Especially if he was playing dirty. But seeing the fire in her eyes when I told her I wasn’t interested?

It stirred something inside my chest that hasn’t been anything other than frozen solid in a decade.

When my last betrothal fell through, I swore off women. Not even because I was genuinely in love with her and thought she was my fated mate. I foundout she had been scheming against the crown and against me. She never truly loved me as I did her and after I learned of her treason, I knew I’d never trust another female who wasn’t apart of my family again.

Verena, however, was different. As soon as I laid my eyes on her I knew she was who the prophecy was about, regardless of her hair color being the complete opposite of what it’s supposed to be. I have yet to tell her the other prophetic piece of information. And now that I know it was dye and that her true hair color is white? I’ve never been more sure of something in my life.

Verena and I will either save Khyrel…

…Or we’ll destroy it.

* * *

I sit on my throne in the best room of the palace while people chat, dance, eat, and are merry. I have yet to see Verena arrive but I know Esmeray is here, as she stands off to the side of the band, speaking with a guard who is happily giving her the attention she seeks. Hadeon, looking far more pissed than usual as he glares at the male entertaining my sister or my sister herself, it gets hard to tell. I roll my eyes and continue watching the room.

My mother basks in all the attention, smiling bright and being happy. It warms my heart. She dealt with a lot of trauma from my father in their marriage but mates are mates and she couldn’t leave him without leaving us. She deserves to be happy in this life and the next.

I watch as she continuously peeks around the beings in the room and watches the entry door.

Who else could she possibly be waiting on?

The Herald slams his staff on the ground, the booming sound reverberates around the room and silence falls, awaiting the next guests arrival.

“Announcing King Perseus and his daughter, Princess Lieve of Sakaris.” A tall male waltzes in with a smaller fae female. They both have goldenhair and their eyes are as blue as the sea. Golden crowns adorn them and while he dons a white suit, shes in a golden gown. They greet me first, per custom, before finally he walks to my mother in greeting. I know when she was ruling, she had made friends across the seas. Our history books tells us of them and we do trade often with Sakaris.

The party continues and I start getting impatient waiting for this stubborn female.

I stand and make my way to the floor for some refreshments before a hand grabs mine and pulls me in with surprising strength.

“Alyra.” I state as fact as she smiles wide at me.

“King Eryx. You have not visited me in so long, I’ve been worried about you and your stress. The council-”

“The council does not run this country. I do.” My skin grows cold where she touches before jerking back from the sensation. She huffs.

“It’s because ofher, is it not?” Fury flashes in her eyes and I roll mine.

“If you are speaking of our recent guest then I suggest you choose your words carefully or hold your tongue. She has nothing to do with me not wanting to touch you. Leave me alone and stop grabbing me before I. Cut. Your hands. Off.” Tears brim her eyes but I can’t force myself to actually care. I start walking to the table of beverages and food, needing to get away from her.

“That was quite possibly all the entertainment I needed here.” Another female voice sounds, this one not as familiar. I glance at her, blonde hair in an elegant bun and bright sea eyes gleaming with mischief. “Princess Lieve, your majesty.” She gives me a small curtsy before grabbing her own glass of fae wine and shoving some cheese into her mouth. I stare at her in amusement. “Starving.” Is all she says when she notices my attention on her as she eats as much as she can.

I chuckle before turning back to what I was gathering. I down a glass of blackberry bourbon, not my usual but still delicious. One of Asterlayna’s most famous bourbons. I glance back at the doors, the Harold meeting my gaze and shaking his head. My fist clenches around my newly full glass and my jaw presses harder into the upper one. I feel the muscles in it flinch.

“Waiting for someone?” She asks, still standing next to me, downing her third glass of wine. Princess Lieve, unlike all the other females, doesn’t seem as if she’s trying to sleep with me, thank the Gods. She notes my tense stand before eyeing the door as well.

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