Page 83 of Of Storm and Emerald
“I’m Princess Auraelia, and this is Piper, my Lady in Waiting. My brother, Prince Xander, came with us as well, but I’m not sure where he is at the moment.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you both. Now, we’ve come bearing lunch and gifts.” Queen Avyanna gestured toward the doors where a line of people began entering the suite with trays and trays of delicious smelling food, who were then followed by two ladies carrying garment boxes.
Auraelia and Piper stood in awe as the flurry of people maneuvered around each other like a flock of birds flying in unison.
When the room cleared out, an awkward silence ensued.
Finally remembering her manners, Auraelia gestured to the sitting area in their suite, “Please, sit.”
Queen Avyanna smiled and inclined her head in acceptance of the offer. Then she and Yvaine took the matching armchairs, while Piper and Auraelia sat on the settee.
“I’m sure that you find this…odd.”
“Just a little.” Piper mumbled under her breath.
“Piper!” Auraelia admonished, then turned toward the Kalmeeran queen and princess, “I amsosorry.” An embarrassed flush crept over her cheeks.
Queen Avyanna laughed. “It’s quite alright, my dear. Why don’t we clear some things up for you, hmm?”
Auraelia nodded.
The queen gestured toward the food that was laid out before them. Piles of fruits, smoked meats, and cheeses–and it all smelled delicious.
While they all helped themselves to the spread, the queen spun her tale.
“First things first, Daemon doesnotknow that you’re here. Let’s just call you a surprise and an incentive–”
“I’m sorry, an incentive for what?” she cut in.
“For the last month and half, I have watched my son sulk around this castle. Doing everything he’s supposed to be doing and enjoying nothing outside of that. The night he returned home, he sat down with me for dinner. And after some prodding, he finally told me aboutyou.Obviously, I was curious, so here you are.
“As to being an incentive, my dear, you deserve more than just letters–yes, I know about those, he’s not as sneaky as he thinks he is. You deserve to be wooed, and you both deserve to be happy. I’m hoping that him seeing you here will push him into figuring out what he wants. And I do apologize for making you an unknowing pawn in all of this. But a mother does what she must for her children.”
Auraelia took a moment to take all that in. Letting it ricochet through her mind as she searched for what that meant forher.
Piper, however, didn’t miss a beat and wasn’t afraid to speak her mind to anyone–including a queen. “And what of what Auraelia wants?”
“Piper,” Auraelia grasped her hand, “It’s fine.”
“No, Rae, it’s not. I know we would have come regardless because your mother said so, but what aboutyou? This is your life too.”
Auraelia’s eyes softened as they met the stubborn gaze of her best friend.
“She’s right, you know,” Yvaine chimed in before popping a piece of yellow fruit into her mouth.
“Yvaine–”Queen Avyanna started, before she was cut off by her daughter.
“No, mother, she’s right. She does get a say in this. They’re on an even playing field. Both of them are heirs to their respective kingdoms, andthatis a huge factor in all of this. Almost as much as where their hearts lead them.”
Auraelia took in Daemon’s sister. Her long and lean frame draped over the chair like she hadn’t a care in the world. Her raven hair fell to just below her chin in a stylish, blunt cut, and she had the same moss green eyes as her brother. But instead of gold, there were streaks of blue. The perfect combination between Daemon and his mother’s eyes, and it made her wonder if King Evander was where their green eye trait was obtained.
She had the same olive complexion as her brother, and when Yvaine caught her gaze, her lips had the slightest uptick into the smirk she loved so much.
“As much as I love my friend for standing up for me, and for Princess Yvaine–”
“Just Yvaine, please. I don’t do titles in informal settings.”
Auraelia smiled, she completely agreed with the sentiment. “Yvaine, for agreeing with her. I’m not completely opposed to this idea. I too, would like to know where his head is at.”
