Page 85 of Glass Hearts
Arabella turns to us.
“Dang, they acted fast. Petra says that the entire castle is on lockdown. Hendrickson, well, Victor, made an order that if you all were not to return by the full moon that he would abolish your titles and place himself as the king of Velora. Forgoing the treaties in place.”
“How would the council even condone this?” I say, so confused about how he can make the power plays so swiftly. Arabella turns to Petra, nodding her head, listening as the crow squawks.
“Petra says most of the council is imprisoned in their rooms. The rest that are out seem to be working with Victor.Victor is out of his disguise when around those few, so that is confirmation to me they are aware of the malice he intends to impose on Velora. Something tells me this was always the plan, and that you four were always to be brainless puppets to control.”
“Those mercenary fucks are going to want more gold for helping us save all of Velora.” Sylas groans as he rests his head back, looking up at the ceiling.
I have never been more thankful to have a spy until now. My woman’s magic is badass.
“Thank you, Petra.” She reaches for some fruit on the plate. The crow happily devours it all. “If you decide to go back, keep an eye out for Lo.”
The crow embarks back into the air.
Arabella turns back to us more determined than ever.
“I want you all to teach me how to fight, then we are going to form a plan and get you all your kingdoms back, whilst I ensure Lo and Bri are safe.”
Archer chuckles. “And here I thought we would have to convince the little thief to learn to fight.” He gets up to kiss her cheek. “Sy and I will instruct you today, princess. Gray and Koi have different tasks to do,” he adds, wrapping her up in an embrace.
At first, apprehension crosses her features, but she melts into it, seeming to need the contact too.
We are going to make this right. There is no other woman for us, and it’s damn time we show it.
Arabella
Getting back into the routine with the princes is almost too easy. I find myself swooning over their sweet touches and kind words. I have always prided myself on removing myself from the need to seek pleasure or formulate a romantic connection. Yet these damned princes easily break down all my walls that I carefully constructed.
My heart still reels from that dark night, but now I know it was never what they wanted or at all what they felt. Truthfully, I know I am just using it as an excuse to maintain my emotional distance from them. What would a relationship with them even look like? Eventually, they would make me choose between them. But I could never choose, nor would I want to.
“Copper for your thoughts, Princess?” Archer asks as we head towards the forest for privacy for my first fighting lesson.
Archer has also been an interesting addition. Ever since that night in the library, I knew he had feelings. But the icy prince is completely gone towards me. Instead, he feels like a warm breeze that I could get lost in.
“Why aren’t you so cold towards me? What changed?” I ask, avoiding the real reason for my innermost turmoil, he grabs my hand.
“I probably deserve that questioning. I-” He sighs and runs his free hand through his snow white hair. The forest is quiet as he stops, deciding to sit on a large fallen tree. “I have a hardtime trusting. Especially potential love interests. Last time I fell in love, I was stabbed on our wedding day.”
“You were married?”
He chuckles and pulls me down to sit on his lap. Sylas crosses his big arms, looking relaxed, leaning up against a tree, giving us space.
“I was. On our wedding night, while she was riding me, she pulled a dagger, and in my lust, I almost didn’t see it. Luckily, she missed anything of consequence. She was a childhood friend turned lover. So the betrayal felt extra brutal. It turned out she was groomed from the day she was born by her power-hungry father. He wanted to make her the wind queen. The whole isle wanted it, too. She did have really impressive wind powers and was an exceptional warrior.” I try not to bristle with jealousy at his description of his ex-lover. He chuckles as he pulls me in closer, nuzzling into my neck.
“What happened to her?”
“I had to kill her. It was either her or me. I realized that as she continued to try to stab me. I think part of her loved me, but her love for her father and power apparently was unmatched.” His eyes sadden, almost lost in thought.
“I can’t imagine having to kill someone you had loved. I am sorry that happened to you. I can see why my thieving ways would have brought alarm to you. Do you still love her a bit, even though she became villainous?”
“Definitely not. I loved her as a friend, as a companion. Our parents matched us to marry at sixteen. What I thought was love at the time was just youthful lust I think. And yes, she would have made a good queen. She had that kind of mentality. But I don’t think it would have been the happiest of marriages.” I nod. He swiftly stands up, taking me with him. I can’t help but let out a little shriek at the swift movement.
“Wait! Doesn’t that make you a king, then!?”
“Technically, yes.” He chuckles lightly as my eyes widen. “But the council intervened, saying they would keep my coronation a secret from the remaining isles and Velora, so I could not only grieve my betraying wife, but also so I could learn to be a good king along with my brothers. I was lonely and heartbroken, and as much as I dislike where the council has been heading, I also have a great appreciation for their intervening when they did.” Still holding me, he pecks me with a sweet kiss along my neck and jaw. “Now let’s stop stalling and get you all trained up, my little thief.”
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