Page 105 of Crown of Hearts
I sent a look Rhen’s way and he gave a small nod, following a distance behind the two of them. At least there would be someone to keep an eye on her. I followed the servants to my rooms.
Chapter 29
Elara
King Aries looked younger than I had expected. Still, he had to be at least a decade older than Cai. I wasn’t sure why I’d thought he would be further along in age. Maybe because everyone appeared so threatened by him all the time. Not to say I was entirely at ease. Every time his silver eyes looked at me, it felt as though he was staring right through my very being. Like he could tell all my secrets from one simple glance.
I followed behind him, trying to keep as much distance between us as possible.
I half expected Aries to make small talk but thankfully he remained quiet, strolling on. He was so much taller than me, and his hair was short and neat.
I walked after him until we stopped in front of a bedroom door.
He opened it and stepped to the side, allowing me to look inside. I didn’t have to walk into the room to see her.
Princess Eloisa sat on a comfortable chair, looking out the window. Her back was turned to me, but Eloisa’s side profile was enough to make me feel as though I were looking in a mirror. It was eerie, and I felt a twinge in my gut.
I expected her to look up at the sound of us, but she didn’t move, only staring into the distance. It didn’t even look like she was blinking.
“How long has she been like this?” I asked Aries.
“Since the day after she arrived here. We have servants take care of her and she eats a little, but other than that, she’s catatonic.”
“She hasn’t had any outbursts?” The kingdom of Argon knowing about Princess Eloisa’s mentally ill state probablywasn’t something we needed, but there was nothing to be done now.
“No, just staring into the distance, refusing to speak. It’s like she can’t even hear you.”
“Eloisa?” I tried anyway, but there was no movement.
“Has she always been like this?” Aries asked.
“My brother tells me so.” I shrugged.
“And no healer could find a cure?” How was I to know what kind of doctors and physicians Eloisa had seen throughout her life?
“Eloisa,” I tried again. Still no response.
“I should probably get to my room. I’m quite tired after our journey.” I stepped back in a hurry. This was all becoming very weird, very quickly.
“Of course. I hope our rooms are to your liking.” Aries was smirking again, and it unnerved me. I really hoped coming here wouldn’t be a mistake.
* * *
“This is a disaster.” I dramatically fell back onto the bed of the guest bedroom I was occupying for the duration of our stay in Argon.
“I wouldn’t call it a disaster just quite yet.” The bed dipped as Cai took a seat next to me.
“Your optimism inspires me to be a better person, really,” I said sarcastically and patted his leg.
Cai let out a chuckle before his face got serious. “Are you all right, though?”
“You mean with Eloisa?” I pulled myself up into a sitting position. “I’m not sure how I feel just yet.”
“It must have been strange.”
“I think Lance should be relieved to find out she’s safe and unharmed at least.”
“Well, I wouldn’t say I have a particular care for Lance’s feelings.” He scooted back to lie down and I joined him. We were exhausted. It had been a long day.
