Page 40 of Madness

I inhaled long and slow, setting the chair back as it was. With long strides, I walked around the room blowing out the candles. Maybe my friendship with Daethian wasn’t meant to work outside of enslavement. Maybe we couldn’t exist as friends in a world such as this. Maybe we just needed a break from each other, and if I went with Dace it would make him realize that it was better to be friends than nothing at all.

My excitement to share my news with Shavarra had me practically skipping down the ruined hallways. It was a shame that a castle such as this one had to be destroyed, but I understood why it had to happen. Sometimes you had to take something that had caused you so much distress and make it into something of your very own. That’s what I intended to do with the power I would have back in the Twinity Court. This time I would do it right.

I skittered into the infirmary, rushing right in the door and to Shavarra’s bed. A curtain had been pulled around it but I flung it open. A fluffed pillow and neatly tucked sheet met my elation, my mouth already opening to share the news.

No Shavarra.

Twisting, my leather pants creaked. I slowed myself to take in my surroundings, only to realize many of the Nymphs had been released. Suzetta, the healer, poked her head out from the bunk at the back of the room where she helped a patient. Her mousey brown hair framed her face and her cheeks where spots similar to a cat’s curved around her temples “You just missed her. I released her maybe five minutes ago. Healthy as a horse. Kinda. Don’t let her start messing around in those training rings they have out there just yet.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I said as I started out the door. Taking a few steps back into the doorway, I leaned back and tried, “Would you happen to know where she might have run off to?”

“She said something about being curious how the kitchen was being operated at this time. She wanted to thank the chefs for the meals they brought in for her and the others.”

Classic Shavarra. Always going out of her way to make others feel appreciated. I didn’t deserve her as a friend. I couldn’t hide my smile as I weaved through the halls. Earning myself a few questioning looks from the Nymphs whose conversations fell quiet as I passed with a wave.

The doors to the kitchen were propped open. I noticed the windows were opened as well, letting in a nice morning breeze. Knives sliced through vegetables and bounced off the cutting board in the hands of the skilled Nymphs who had been forced to do it for far too long. It seemed now that they had some control it was something they didn't entirely loathe.

I spotted Shavarra with her back to me, talking enthusiastically to a few Nymphs while they worked whisks through whatever it was they were baking today. As quietly as I could manage, with my heart trying to rattle right out of my rib cage, I snaked between a large table and snuck behind her, wrapping my arms over her shoulders. Pulling her into me, I swayed back and forth as she gasped.

“Trying to sneak away without letting me know they finally set you free?” I whispered in her ear.

She vibrated with a light laugh as she untangled herself from my hug. “I was getting around to that. I didn’t think you’d be looking for me so early in the morning.”

“But you see, I have news.” I perched my hands on her shoulders and steered her away from her conversation.

“Uh,” she waved quickly as the Nymphs giggled. Knowingly, her feet carried her out of the kitchen and into the hall where she turned to look at me. “What’s the news?”

I could hardly stand to keep it in much longer. I felt like somebody again. Both of my hands gripped the sides of her face as I lowered myself to her height. Oh, I could just kiss her right now. But…I wouldn't. Because that was leading her on and we weren’t doing that anymore, I reminded myself.

“I’m getting my crown back.”

“I’m sorry, what?” She pulled my hands off her ears. “I’m certain I heard that wrong.”

“If you heard that I’m going to be Prince of the Twinity Court once more, then you heard me right.” I pointed at her.

Shavarra gave me a nervous smile. “This feels like a trick. How? Like, how can you even get that back?”

“The people love me.” I spun around with my arms held out, strutting the hall. “I don’t fucking know how because I’m a total dick, and I’ve only been nice to like three Fae and one hundred Nymphs in my entire lifetime, but here we are.” I placed a pretend crown on my head. “The people's king.”

“Don’t your parents hate you? Don’t you hate your parents?”

“Details. I negotiated. I return, thus settling the riots within our court, and I get my heir rights back, with a little more say in the running of our kingdom. Now, for the good or bad news first?” My arm fell over her shoulders as I steered her down the hallway.

“Oh gods, the bad news.”

“Okay, bad news is that I agreed to take a bride.”

“Who?” Shavarra said in surprise.

I rubbed the back of my neck, suddenly feeling like maybe I had jumped into this a little fast. “I don’t actually know, yet. I’m assuming I’ll have a say in it.”

“You’re assuming? Gods above, what’s the good news?”

“I want to put you in my court, as a spokesperson for the people.” The sounds of the kitchen finally faded completely away, leaving us in Shavarra’s stunned silence.

“Dace, I—” She shook her head. “I don’t have any money. I’m literally the most common commoner you’ll find. There is absolutely nothing special about me that would make sense for me to be in your court.”

I grabbed both her hands, locking my gaze on hers. “Everything about you is special, Shavarra. You deserve to be in the court more than half of the people who are currently in those positions. I don’t care how common you think you are. Your voice, your opinions need to be heard. You can keep me on the straight and narrow better than almost anyone else.”

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