Page 34 of Of Storm and Emerald
She felt…powerful.
The air in the room was still, but it stirred around Auraelia, lifting her hair so that it floated around her.
“Oh, my darling. There is so much more to your magic than you know, and I can’t wait to see you pull back all its layers.” The look her mother gave her was one of promise, and something else that she couldn’t quite place.
Auraelia placed the dagger back in its case, watching as the light faded from the stones.
Queen Adelina stood from the table and with a swish of her hand, removed her watery barricade from the door. If Auraelia hadn't witnessed it herself, she would have never known that it had been there.
Crossing the room to the door, the queen halted and turned back to her daughter, a small smile on her lips. “You better finish getting ready for the day, or you’ll be late for your lesson with Ser Aeron, and you know how much heloveswhen you’re late.” She winked at her daughter, then opened the door and left.
Auraelia sank into her chair and tried to process everything that she’d learned about her family’s legacy and its attachment to the land that they lived on, but also her magic. She heard mutters of reverence as her mother made her way down the hall, before her door finally closed.
“What the hell was that about?” Piper asked as she crossed the room to where Auraelia was still slouched in her chair.
She sighed, then pushed herself upright. “I’ll explain later. But for the time being, would you get my lady’s maids, please. I need them to work their magic on my hair and lace this damn corset before we’re late for our lesson with Ser Aeron. And I don’t know about you, but I sure as hell don’t want to muck stalls today.”
Piper’s eyes widened at the reminder of the last punishment they’d received for being late to a lesson and rushed to the door to let the ladies into the suite.
It didn’t happen often, but regardless of status, Ser Aeron believed that everyone had lessons to learn. Unfortunately, most of those lessons were spent mucking out stalls for the horses after hours of training, when their limbs were sore, and their muscles were liquid.
Auraelia made her way over to her vanity so that her ladies could work on her hair. Sitting down at the mirror, she let her mind drift back to everything her mother told her. The static feeling in her hands and fingertips was new, she wasn’t quite sure what it meant, but she was excited and determined to figure it out.
Maybe her mother was right. Maybe there was more to her magic. Only time would tell.
Chapter Twelve
Daemon
Inthemomentsafterhe shadow walked Auraelia to her chambers, he seemed to be rooted in place. Looking around his room, memories of their night together shone in every corner of the space. Her lavender scent still clung to the air around him, despite the numerous showers and baths that they had taken throughout the night.
Taking a deep breath, he walked toward his bed, deciding to try to sleep a few hours before he had to start his day. He still hadn’t decided when he wanted to head back to Kalmeera. The original plan was to leave today, but that was…before.
Before the smell of lavender enveloped his senses.
Before waves of honey spread across his pillows, and soft curves filled his hands.
Before eyes that reminded him of the sky before a storm drew him in.
Before he watched those same eyes shift to a combination of blues and greens like the ocean he loved so much. Eyes that held lightning within them and shot across them at the discovery of the magic that coursed through their depths.
Before he mether.
Before Auraelia.
Fuck.
A loud crack resonated around the room as Aiden came barging into their common area, unceremoniously slamming the door behind him in his haste.
“Hey, D!” he shouted through the space. “You up?”
Letting loose an exasperated sigh, Daemon closed his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “If I wasn’t already, I would be now, asshole.”
“Oh good, so when are we…” Aiden trailed off as he stepped into Daemon’s chambers. “Hey, uh, D. I appreciate the offer, but you know I prefer the ladies.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Daemon lashed back at his friend, spinning around to face where he stood at the door. Seeing the look on Aiden’s face–eyes wide and lips curled in as he tried to suppress the laugh that was bubbling to the surface–Daemon quirked a brow, then looked down–he was still fully nude.
“Oh, fuck off.” A mumbled stream of curses slipped as he rummaged through his wardrobe looking for a pair of trousers since Auraelia still had his robe.
