Page 108 of Crown of Hearts
He sucked his teeth. “It would appear I chose the wrong sister.”
I continued my death stare.
“Well, come along, then,” he said nonchalantly while stepping back and holding his arm out to me again. “Breakfast is waiting.”
* * *
I avoided all eye contact with Aries as we sat through breakfast. Cai tried to set up a meeting so they could revise the conditions of the peace treaty, but apparently Aries already had business elsewhere and so the meeting was pushed back until the next day. Part of me was relieved that I didn’t have to see Aries for a whole day. It was one less conflict to worry about.
I needed to see Eloisa, but I didn’t have the courage to go alone. So, I asked Cai to come with me.
“Prepare to be unsettled,” I told him while knocking on the door. I wasn’t sure why I knocked. Did I expect her to answer it?
“It’s going to be fine.”
A servant opened the door, to my surprise, but Aries did say they had people looking after her. The woman was old and plump, and she had a calmness about her.
“I’m here to see my sister,” I informed her, and the servant stepped aside with a slight bow. She didn’t even appear shocked at my striking resemblance to Eloisa.
I led Cai into the room after me. Eloisa was on her chair again, looking out the window. The servant went back to making the bed.
“Good morning, Eloisa.” I took a seat opposite her and tried not to feel creeped out by the fact that I was practically staring into my own reflection. But she was much thinner and more pale, dark circles under her eyes. The bedroom was big and open, but furniture was scarce. No sharp objects lying around. No open windows.
“I’m not sure if Lance ever told you about me,” I said.
Cai took a seat next to me.
“But I’m your sister, Elara.”
She didn’t move or look my way. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting from her.
“This is Cai.” I placed my hand on his forearm. “He’s the king of Norrandale.”
Silence continued to fill the room while I thought of what I could say next. I cleared my throat.
“Lance wants you to come back home.” Maybe it would help if I reminded her of something familiar. “Your room is waiting for you back at the palace in Everness.” I scooted forwards in my seat. “You’re going to come home with me, okay?”
Nothing could have prepared me for her scream as she jumped up from her seat and came at me. Her momentum pushed my chair back, and she tackled me to the ground, clawing and screaming at me.
I tried to fight her off, but she was strong for someone so frail-looking. Cai and the servant pulled her off me. I sat up, catching my breath. The servant held her arms, whispering soothing things while she brushed her hair back with the palm of her hand. Cai helped me up.
“How often does that happen?” I asked the servant.
“Never,” she replied. “I think it’s best that you leave her be for a while.” She didn’t have to ask me twice. I didn’t even care to look back as I walked out of the room, slightly shaken.
* * *
After spending some time exploring the palace grounds with Cordelia and Anesta, I returned to my chambers. I closed my bedroom door, taking out the clip that had been holding my hair in place. It was too hot for this dress. I started pulling at the lacings of my bodice.
“I must admit, that’s the quickest a woman has ever started undressing in front of me. Which is saying a lot.” I jumped at the sound of King Aries’ voice. He was seated on a chair in the corner of the room, so still that I hadn’t seen him as I came in.
“What are you doing in my rooms?” There was a sense of violation. Where was Rhen? Had he gone through my things? Was he looking for evidence of the Myrgonite stone? Was someone going through Cai’s things as well?
“I thought we could have a chat, you and I,” Aries said. He stood up from the chair. I quickly tightened my dress, thinking about all the ways I could escape this room should it come down to it.
“What more could you have to say that we didn’t already establish this morning?”
He approached and I had to keep myself from recoiling. Every single one of my instincts wanted to put as much distance between me and him as possible. But I couldn’t let him see that on my face. Couldn’t let him believe for one moment that he had the upper hand.
