Page 11 of Eclipse of Fate
“I’m pleased to inform you that he was dismissed some time ago. He and Ambriel headed to the kitchen for food. I’m actually heading that way if you need some help navigating the castle.” She offers.
“I would appreciate that very much.” I laugh. Though I have been here a good amount of time, I still get turned around.
When we walk into the doorway, Ginny touches my arm just the slightest before she nods her goodbye and continues her trek through the castle. Upon entering the kitchen, there is a mess of things all over the counter, and Ambriel is banging around as she cooks and cleans up with a fierce determination. My brows dip as I watch her frustration, which is clear to see, even though she has her back to me.
“If you’re back, you can clean up your own fucking mess.” She grumbles, and I roll my lips into a hard line, trying to suppress the laugh I feel coming up. I’ve not seen this side of her. I haven’t really seen any side of her, come to think of it. However, the sense I feel vibrating through the air when I’m around her is telling enough. We are fated to be in each other’s lives. Just as Dax. It’s different, but nonetheless more important.
I begin to clean up behind her, seeing that she could use the help, and someone else—likely Trent— made the mess. When I drop a bowl and it crashes to the floor, shattering, a curse leaves me regardless of my attempt to conceal the startle.
“For fuck’s sake!” Ambriel whips toward me, and her face is a bright apple red when she meets my eye.
“Sorry,” I laugh. “I was only trying to help.”
“Oh gods. Raelle. I—I’m so sorry! I thought you were Trent.”
“Ithink I’d like to hear the story behind why you're so upset with Trent. I guess the Ravendene boys have really been pissing off the women in this castle.”
“I think that’s a safe assessment.” She chuckles as she comes up to my side, handing me a broom. I’m thankful that my position hasn't affected the way she speaks to me—like I’m a normal person and not some pompous queen. I don’t want anyone treating me as though I am better than them or too far above cleaning up my own mess. I take the broom with a smile on my face.
“Some wolf showed up growling, and Trent took her for a bath.” She says this as she turns back to cooking.
“Kait!” I suck in a sharp breath and rush to sweep up the bits of bowl on the floor.
“Yeah, I think that was the name he said.” She doesn't turn toward me but stirs the stew in front of her forcefully. Some of the liquid sloshing over the edge and hitting the hot stone beneath it with a sizzle.
“Is there anything else bothering you?” I ask her, my brows dipping as I watch her shoulders stiffen.
“I’m fine.” Discarding the broken bowl into the waste bin, I meander up to her side, placing my hand on her stiff back. The gentle touch causes her to pause, and she looks up from the pot to meet my gaze.
“Trent is a good man. Whatever happened between you two, it’s probably not something to get worked up about. He sometimes doesn’t know when to be serious in situations, and sometimes his mouth gets the best of him. Like with Dax this morning.” Her gaze softens as she takes in my words, then falls flat as she shrugs her shoulders.
“It is what it is. I don’t have time for drama with men. We have other things to focus on.”
“Perhaps you’re right, but Ambriel? If there is one thing I’ve figured out since I lost my family and my memories, it’s that we always need to make time for those we care about, even those who we may not realize are important to our lives yet.” She looks at me seriously as she chews her inner cheek. “If I had not gone back to Trent when I found him, I would likely not have reached Dax when I did. I would not have found my mate—or that I am actually the long lost heir of Aldramani.” I give her a warm smile, and she nods and slowly turns back to the stew, but stirs it at a much more gentle pace.
“Everyone in this castle is mourning. There are going to be high emotions in everyone’s actions right now. Whatever happened—just try to remember that.” She nods again, her head tilting slightly so she can meet my gaze.
“Thank you, Raelle. It’s words like this that make me confident that you are going to make a great ruler. There is no doubt in my mind about that.”
“Thank you, Ambriel. I’m going to try my damnedest. Don’t put that on my royal scroll when I die.” I laugh, propping the broom up in the corner of the room, and pivot to leave. Looking over my shoulder, I call out as I grip the corner of the arch way. “I’m going to try to hunt down Trent and Kait. Are you good here?”
“I’ll be fine. Dinner will be ready soon. I’ve made enough for everyone, even the dog if she's done being groomed.” My eyebrow quirks up at that.
“Don’t ask.” She groans, and I laugh as I put my hands up in surrender and amble back to the hall to search for Trent.
***
“What the hell, woman! Stop acting like a feral animal!” I hear Trent yelling as a crash sounds from the other side of the door. I know that when a shifter stays in their shifted form for long periods of time, it can cause a shift in their actions when they shift back, but from the sounds coming from the room—Kait has gone rabid.
I inch open the door and laugh at the sight. Trent stands on the bed, the soft fabric caving under his weight. He has both hands wrapped around the tall, dark post as Kait throws random items at him. Cursing and growling at him with her teeth bared. I can't help but laugh, and I cover my mouth with my hand to stifle it.
“Raelle! Help me! Tell her to calm the fuck down!” He yells, ducking low as a boot whizzes past his head. Kait whips her eyes to me on a growl, but when she sees me standing there with brows raised, her face drops, and so does the candle holder she had held above her head, ready to throw next. I stand in the doorway with my eyes wide as I look between Kait and Trent.
“What the hell is happening here?” Kait huffs at my question, then storms into the en-suite slamming the door behind her. I quirk my brow at Trent as he blows out his cheeks and plops down to sit on the edge of the bed. He runs his hand down his face as exasperation fills his handsome features.
“Well, Kait walked into the kitchen while Ambriel and I were talking—and,”
“YOU WERE NOT TALKING!” Kait bellows through the thick wood door, bringing my attention back to her. When she doesn’t say anything else, I tilt my head, waiting for Trent to continue.
