Page 14 of Blooms of Darkness

“What’s this now?” Ian asked, his curiosity clearly piqued.

Kalliah frowned, her eyes narrowing. You could practically see the steam about to come out of her ears. “You are mistaken, I don’t even know their names.”

I waggled my eyebrows at her.

“I thought you wanted to train with me because I’m your best friend,” Ian said, crossing his arms over his chest. “I’m hurt.” A playful pout started to sprout across his face. He coughed to hold in a laugh.

“Why don’t the two of you stop whatever this is you think you’re doing. I don’t have time to gossip like you. Now focus and tell me what you learned at this oh-so-important meeting?”

Kalliah flopped onto my window seat, overlooking the gardens, her favorite spot in my chambers. Honestly, the entire main sitting area served as my favorite place to relax. I had selected two beautiful hunter-green chaises and a lighter green couch with gold trimmings on the edges and pillows. The table placed in the center had intricate designs in the woodwork, carved by one of the locals in the city. All of the pieces formed a semicircle in front of a white and gold fireplace. The staff helped me pick roses constantly, and this summer, they were blooming so beautifully, I couldn’t help adding more and more vases to the mantle and table.

Out of patience, Kalliah waved her hands at me exasperatedly, as if to say “Proceed.”

Ian stood, placing his gloves on the table before taking a seat comfortably with his hands on his knees, swiveling his gaze between myself and Kalliah, waiting for the grand reveal.

I gave in, unwilling to push her too far this morning. I moved to sit next to her, when a knock on my door stopped me.

Ian stood quickly, moving to his formal guard position by the front of the room, facing the entryway. Kalliah grabbed a deep red robe from my wardrobe to cover the thin fabric of my black nightgown and tossed it at me.

Answering my door with my guardinsidemy room while wearing my nightgown, likely started the rumors of Ian sleeping with me to get his promotions in the Royal Guard.

Kalliah stood at the door, her hands pressing the nonexistent wrinkles from her beige apron, giving me another moment to tie the robe quickly around my waist.

The three of us had been scolded enough about our casual demeanor, and we didn’t want to deal with it again. Seamlessly, we shifted into more appropriate positions for a guard, lady-in-waiting, and princess.

I cracked my neck and steeled my nerves as I donned my perfect courtly princess mask before giving the go-ahead nod.

Kalliah opened the door—anyone on the other side would enter and find us each playing our expected role.

I waited to hear who Kalliah addressed. “Good morning, Counselor Braumlyn. What can I do for you?”

Of course. I knew he wouldn’t be able to resist taunting us after last night.

Andras sauntered in, with his typical arrogant swagger, and scrutinized the room. Undeniably taking notes to report back to the king, on how I might be slacking as a princess, yet again. My bedroom door hung open, making it easy to notice the bed a mess, pillows on the floor, clothes strewn about the room. He strode toward the balcony door, still not mentioning why he decided to grace us with his unwanted presence. Surveying the grounds below, for some reason, he made a small noise of disapproval before shifting to face us.

“The king would like to see you in the private dining room as soon as you are dressed.” I shivered as his attention lingered on me and tugged my robe closer.

He directed his attention to Ian. “Captain Stronholm, be certain all your duties are accounted for today. You claimed you are capable of handling both the role as Princess Illiana’s personal guard and Captain. I would hate to see you demoted after earning such accolades so quickly.” A smirk played across his face as he prowled toward the door to leave. Hesoclearly enjoyed these displays of dominance.

The first thing I would do as Queen one day would be to banish him from Ellevail. Well, if Ian didn’t kill him first.

Ian, standing at attention, quickly bowed to Counselor Braumlyn as he exited the room. Andras would likely be in the dining room later, watching me squirm. I would bet my favorite sitting area he’d told the king he saw me last night.

The door closed, and we released a collective breath, tension leaving our tightened shoulders.

“Could that guy be any more of an asshole?” Ian asked as he moved back to the sitting area to pick up his sword.

“Seriously,” Kalliah muttered.

I swiveled my gaze between my friends and sighed. “I guess it’s time to learn what my father has in store for me today. We’ll continue this conversation later. There are things we should discuss.”

Ian tilted his head in acknowledgment. “I’ll see you both later,” he said, his jaw ticking as he grabbed his gloves and exited my chambers.

I lifted my chin, believing it may help prepare me further for whatever discussion merited the private dining room. Heading toward the door, Kalliah grabbed my arm and yanked me back. “I think showing up in your nightgown to breakfast with the king isn’t the smartest choice,” she said. “Father or not.”

The laughter spilling from my mouth felt good compared to the heaviness of guilt I had woken with this morning. “Andras pisses me off so much, I forgot I wasn’t dressed.”

As soon as I returned to my room, Kalliah helped me dress in my brown training pants and a white tunic, since my regular training was scheduled in the pits later this morning. As long as my father didn’t derail my plans like he so often did.

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