Page 145 of Of Storm and Emerald
Her robe still hung on the door to the bathing chamber.
There was a stack of unfinished books on the bedside table, none of which she would ever know the endings.
It was as if her mother had just walked out the door and would be back any minute demanding to know what Auraelia was doing in her rooms.
And the smell of peonies still permeated the air.
Auraelia ran her hand across the large wooden footboard of the bed and collapsed onto the bench that sat in front of it as a sob ripped through her chest.
Her head fell heavy into her hands as her grief tore through her again.
There was a heavy-handed knock on the door that led into the attached sitting area, and she immediately knew who it was.
Knew he was here in response to the letter she’d written him before running to the safety of her mother’s suite, and the security of Xander’s shield over them.
“Where is she?” Daemon demanded, his voice carrying through the closed door of the bedchambers.
“Daemon, how nice to see you again.” Xander’s response was cold, and it sent a shiver down her spine.
She stood from the bench, and quietly walked to the door, pressing her ear to the wood.
“Don’t give me that bullshit, Xander. Let me talk to her.” He was angry–rightfully so–but there was also pain behind his words, and it wrapped a strangling hand around her heart.
“She told you everything she wanted to say in the note. Now please, don’t make a scene.” Xander kept his voice calm and level, but there was a firm edge to it.
“Daemon, don’t make this harder than it needs to be, please,” Piper said. She sounded like she was just on the other side of the door, adding another barrier that he would have to cross if he wanted to get to her.
She could hear the break in his voice when he turned his attention to her friend. “Piper, please. Talk to her. Don’t let her do this.Please.”
She could feel the sobs that she had been holding begin to force their way out, so she hurried away from the door, and headed to the bathing chamber. After closing it behind her, she turned on every faucet and let the sound of the water wash away the sound of the pain in Daemon’s voice.
Let it drown out the thoughts that made her doubt every decision she’d made.
Minutes passed before there was a gentle knock on the bathing chamber door. “Rae? He’s gone, can I come in?”
Auraelia took a deep breath, suffocating the remaining sobs that were threatening to escape, then called for Piper to enter.
The room was full of steam, the mirrors were fogged, and she was a sweaty, sobbing heap on the floor.
Piper sank down next to Auraelia and pulled her head onto her shoulder. “What was in that letter you left him, Rae?”
She sighed, and pinched her eyes closed. “I told him to go home.”
“Rae–”
“I know, Piper. Trust me, I know. But it’s so much more complicated now. It’s a fight between Emerald and Garnet that I had no idea existed. It’s him being betrothed toher.It’s–it’s just too much.”
Piper grabbed her hand and squeezed. “I know, but we don’t even know if what Davina said was true.”
Auraelia bolted upright and planted a kiss on Piper's cheek. “You’re a genius.”
“Thank you…but what did I say?” Confusion and worry filled her tone.
Auraelia stood and ran the back of her hand across her damp brow. “I need to get into the archives. There has to be something in there about all of this, right? And now that I’m…queen…I have access to the records.”
“I guess? But, Rae, it’s late and you haven’t really eaten in almost four days. Please, for Xander’s and my own peace of mind, will youpleaseput this off until tomorrow. We can talk about what we need to look for over dinner.”
Auraelia released a breath, but acquiesced and stuck her hand out for Piper to take.
