Page 44 of Of Storm and Emerald
It wasn’t until Mister Aramis started to speak that her focus was fully wrenched from Daemon.
“I’m sorry Mister Aramis, would you please repeat that?” Auraelia asked, wanting to make sure that she had indeed heard correctly.
“Of course, Your Highness. I’ve received word from my associates in the Court of Garnet. There have been some…stirrings within their court that could become of concern, should they escalate.”
“What kind of stirrings, Aramis?” Xander asked, his voice was laced with concern and his brows were knitted together in confusion.
The Court of Garnet was located on the other side of the Onyx Mountains and had always kept to themselves. It was the one court that was always glossed over in her lessons, though she never understood why. When she asked anyone about it, the response was always the same. Either‘they keep to themselves and don’t bother with us, so we don’t bother with them’or an incoherent mumble followed by‘please excuse me, Princess.’
So, the fact that the Court of Emerald had contactsinGarnet, and that they were warning the crown of possible discourse, was troubling to say the least.
Before Mister Aramis answered Xander’s question, he shot a questioning look at the queen.
Auraelia furrowed her brow as she turned to her mother. “Mother, what’s going on?”
Queen Adelina kept her eyes trained on Aramis, her face impassive as she answered Auraelia, “Nothing to concern yourself with, my dear.” There was a brief nod from Aramis before he sat back down, his eyes downcast.
Auraelia turned to her mother, poised to question her further, but with one look, she shut her mouth. Fury and concern swirled in the stormy depths of her mother’s eyes, and her lips were pressed into a thin line. She wasn’t sure what was going on, or why she and Xander were deliberately being kept out of the conversation, but the tight set of her mother’s jaw said that now wasn’t the time to prod.
When she looked at Xander, he looked as puzzled as she felt. She needed to get to the bottom of whatever it was, but it wasn’t going to happen right now.
Lost in her own thoughts, Auraelia hadn’t realized that Queen Adelina had started addressing Daemon.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Lord Aiden spoke with your stable master this morning and squared away all of our needs. We are to take our leave tomorrow morning after breakfast, if that’s alright with you, of course,” Daemon replied to whatever question the queen had asked.
“Yes of course, of course. And I’ll have our kitchen staff make sure to pack some things for you to take on your journey, as well.”
“We would appreciate that very much, Your Majesty, thank you. The princess introduced me to chocolate croissants this afternoon, and I must say, I would be remiss if I didn’t bring some back to Kalmeera with me for our chefs to recreate.”
“Did she now?” the queen asked, pinning Auraelia with a curious look that made her want to shrink down into the cushion of her chair.
“Ser Aeron brought them to me after my ordeal this afternoon at training. I did the courteous thing and shared. That was all,” she said in a whisper that only her mother would hear. It was received with pursed lips, and a‘hmm’then the subject was dropped.
“Back to business. Prince Daemon, I didn’t ask you to sit through this council meeting without reason. I have a letter that I need delivered to your mother and father. It entails information on our current trade agreement with the Sapphire Isles as well as a few new propositions that I would like them to look over at their leisure. If you would do me a kindness and deliver it to them, I would greatly appreciate it.”
“Of course, Your Majesty. Lord Aiden is the emissary for my court, so it would be no trouble at all. Your letter will be delivered without fail.”
“Well, then that settles it.” Queen Adelina rose from her chair, signaling the end of the council meeting and for the others to rise as well. Seeing as this room was part of the queen’s suite, the council members bowed or curtsied before making their exit.
Auraelia hung back, but nodded to Piper letting her know it was alright for her to leave, and followed her mother over to one of the benches that overlooked the garden.
When everyone had filtered out of the room, Auraelia turned from the garden and looked at her mother. “Mother, what’s going on? What aren’t you telling Xander and me about the Court of Garnet?”
Queen Adelina didn’t look away from the garden, she didn’t sit up straighter, she simply exhaled a breath. “It’s nothing to concern yourself with right now, little bug. I will tell you both when the time is right, but now is not that time.”
Queen Adelina finally turned from the window and gave Auraelia a small smile as she squeezed her hand. And though the smile didn’t reach her eyes, Auraelia decided to let it go.
For now.
Auraelia sat with her mother for a while, watching the sun make its way down to the horizon, changing the sky from a pale blue to one painted in pinks and oranges. When Lady Ophelia came back into the room a while later with dinner for the queen, Auraelia excused herself. Kissing her mother on the cheek, she left the council chambers in search of her own dinner.
And Daemon.
Chapter Fifteen
Daemon
Daemonhidinhisshadows outside the council chambers and waited patiently for Auraelia to emerge. He’d been surprised when Aiden explained that a messenger had been sent requesting their presence at the council meeting this afternoon. He, of course, agreed to attend. He loved the idea of surprising Auraelia and seeing how off kilter his presence would make her.
