Page 81 of Chaos Tempted

CASTLE

TWYLA

Iuse all my hunting skills to approach the castle with stealth. I need to assess the situation before announcing my presence. After all, I might be considered the enemy now.

There are fires in the outer village area, but I haven’t seen Elven soldiers or any ghouls yet. Fortunately, I haven’t been spotted by the human soldiers patrolling the outer walls.

I wonder what would happen if I just sauntered right up to the castle gate. What excuse can I give to explain why I’m outside of the castle during this attack? I fear a confrontation might not go well.

My adopted father might not hold the same affection for me that he did earlier in the day. The strange influencer magic Wyn accused me of using. I’m guessing the source must be the Mage Weaver manipulating him.

But beyond his mood swings as of late might not just be an emotional upheaval over Wynstelle’s reappearance in his life or the mage. His uneven temperament is something that has been developing for a while.

King Nathaniel has been on many secret trips in the last few years and attending meetings. I wasn’t privy to their nature. Perhaps there’s something more to the threat of war onbothsides.

A flash of red hair in the throng of returning soldiers has me moving closer to see if it’s Rhys. I find it is. He’s heading toward the commander’s stables.

I pull the cloak over my head to hide my identity and keep to the forest. Careful to avoid any patrols, I scurry along as quietly as I can to catch up. There’s no guard at the entrance to the stables, and I thank the Goddess.

Peeking into the large opening, I call out, “Rhys?”

His head whips around to see the voice’s owner. “Princess?” He runs over to me and drags me into one of the empty stables with more force than is necessary. “What are you doing here? Your absence has been noticed.”

“You know I went out to fight the ghouls.” I implore him to remember my good intentions. “But then I was attacked. I’ve been unconscious the whole day.”

Rhys glares at me, then studies me carefully by the stable’s candlelight. His expression softens when he sees my tear-stained face and red-rimmed eyes. “You don’t look like your usually vibrant self,” he assesses. “Did someone hurt you?”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m here now. What happened while I was incapacitated?”

“I’m sorry, Your Highness, but it matters what happened to you.” Rhys lowers his voice. “I’m in this mess, too. And Iknow.”

“Know?” I attempt to look innocent.

“You aren’t the princess. You aren’t even human.”

“Why would you?—”

“Twyla… please. Wynstelle is the true heir.” Rhys huffs. “I might not be a scholar, but I’m not stupid.”

I press my lips together in irritation. Rhys will not let this go. Surprisingly, he doesn’t seem to be ready to kill me for not a mortal and having lied to him all these years. I get the impression he cares about me and wants to help.

“Are you a changeling?” he asks.

I need someone to trust. Rhys feels like a good someone to begin with.

I respond with a curt nod for an answer.

“Now that’s settled…” He looks relieved that I have come clean with him, and I’m shocked that he brushes past my confession by asking, “Who attacked you, and why?”

“A mage.”

“An Elven mage?” Rhys hisses. “What did this mage do to you?”

“I think her attack was meant to hurt Wynstelle or Prince Eldrin and her mates. Or all of them.” My eyes well with tears. I’m utterly empty without my soul sister. “Or perhaps it was only to break my link with her.”

“Link?”

“I could feel her. Sometimes, even sensed what was happening to her and vaguely sensed her mates too.” I wipe away my tears since I need to stay level headed. “But I can’t feel her anymore. I don’t know if she survived the attack.”

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