Page 35 of Of Storm and Emerald
Pulling on a pair of soft, black leather pants, he turned to see Aiden leaning against the door frame picking dirt from his nails.
“Is there a reason you’re bursting into my room as soon as the sun crests the horizon?” Daemon asked as he moved past Aiden. Stopping in the middle of the room, he looked around before turning to glare at his friend, “You didn’t even bring coffee with you?”
Rolling his eyes, Aiden pushed off of the door frame, “My apologies, Your Highness.” His words dripped sarcasm as he bowed dramatically, then walked to the door and spoke to someone in the hall.
“Now that your precious coffee will be here shortly, when are we leaving?”
Daemon avoided eye contact with his friend and rubbed the hair at the nape of his neck.
“Weareleaving today, aren’t we?”
When he still didn’t answer, Aiden threw his arms in the air.
“Come on, are you serious? Surely, you’re not that hung up on this g–”
Daemon turned and narrowed his eyes at Aiden in warning.
“ –womanalready.”
Daemon threw himself down into one of the wingback chairs in front of their fireplace just as a knock at the door announced the arrival of breakfast and coffee.
When they were alone once more, he sat up and rested his arms on his knees. “I don’t know I really don’t. There’s justsomethingabout her that I’m drawn to. I couldn’t explain it if I tried.” He bowed his head and ran his fingers through his hair as he pushed out all the air from his lungs.
“Shit. All jokes aside, I wish that I could tell you what to do, but I can’t. We have to go back to Kalmeera.” Aiden walked over and placed a hand on Daemon’s shoulder, “Sooner rather than later.”
That final statement held more meaning than it should have. Daemon’s father was ill, and as far as he knew, no one knew what was causing it or how to cure it. He knew that he needed to get home. His family depended on him.
So did his people.
Daemon rubbed his hands down his face, took a deep breath, and let it go. “Come on, let’s eat. We’ll leave tomorrow, I just have some things I need to take care of first.”
Aiden glanced at Daemon and shook his head. He didn’t say anything, but Daemon knew his friend well enough to know that Aiden knew–and didn’t approve of–thethingshe needed to take care of.
Chapter Thirteen
Auraelia
“Isitjustme,or is Ser Aeron being a royal prick today?” Piper whispered between pants as they, once again, had to run a lap around the training field because their stances weren’t perfect.
“Pick up the pace, ladies, or I’ll have you running laps until you collapse,” Ser Aeron bellowed across the field.
The area they practiced on was near the stables outside the east wing of the castle. It had a range for archery, and a dirt pitch for combat and sword training. It also happened to be the only place that Queen Adelina hadn’t decided to put a garden, making it the only available space near the castle.
They had been out in the heat for hours now, but it didn’t matter. Ser Aeron seemed determined to run them ragged today. When they finished their final lap, they nearly collapsed, but somehow managed to stay on their feet. “Alright, ladies, grab some water. We’re starting close combat in five.”
Both women groaned with appreciation and stumbled their way toward the decanters of water that sat on the table near the weapons rack.
“Your Highness, might I have a quick word?”
Auraelia’s body stiffened slightly before she turned. “Yes, Ser Aeron?” Even though he was like a father figure to her, he was still the Army Commander, and could be extremely intimidating. But seeing the small smile on his face, she relaxed.
It took but one step for Ser Aeron to catch up to where she stood, and then gestured for them to continue walking toward the table
“How’s the magic coming along?”
She sighed. “It’scoming. Mother seems to think that there is more to what is currently presenting itself, but I’m not so sure.”
Ser Aeron placed his hand on her shoulder, pulling her to stop. When she looked up, eyes a beautiful shade of amber looked back at her.
