Page 21 of Sky of Thorns

“Who are you and what did you do with my goofball guard, Nero?” I grin, helplessly trying to break the tension. I push aside my worry and lean forward to slap him affectionately on the shoulder. Nero smiles in return. He is like a brother to me. The lines between friendship and princely duty blur with him.

“But seriously, when did you grow wise on me, old man?” I grab my tankard of ale and down it swiftly in a few gulps, the cool liquid sliding down my throat. The familiar fruit and hoppy taste of the ale coats my tongue, reminding me of warm summer days.

“I’ve always been wise. Ye’ve just been too immature to notice.” Nero lets out a hearty laugh and I can’t help but shake my head at him. “I, for one, am looking forward to a hot bath and a warm bed with one of Cook’s famous apple tarts.”

“Oh, you’re going to take a sweet tart to your bed?” I wink at him, but at the mention of a warm bath, my thoughts stray back to Sybil upstairs above the tavern room. For the first time, when I think of her, my heart is light in my chest.

“What is on yer mind?” Nero reaches towards my plate, but I swat his hand away.

“If you’re still hungry, go try your charm on the kitchen staff,” I reply, ignoring his question. “Maybe you’ll find yourself some extra food and a warm bed to share.”

“What do ye think the queen will dae with Sybil?” Nero asks, his face turning serious and unreadable.

“You know as much as I do,” I reply, musing. Turning away from him, I watch the flames crackle in the fireplace, light and shadows dancing on the worn wood floor. Scuff marks mark the surface from years of patronage. With a sigh, I rub at my temples. “We were only tasked to bring the unicorn before my father and the queen for her crimes. I never told you this, but I overheard Kieran telling the Queen about a vision he had in which Sybil was leading a group of rebels,” I scoff at the absurdity of it. “She will probably be questioned, just like all the other shifters we retrieved from the raided villages.” My head hurts trying to put all the information in order.

“Fuck Kieran’s visions. They’re shit most of the time anyways,” Nero blurts out and I can’t help but break into a vigorous laugh at my best friend’s honesty.

She is going to prove her innocence; I tell myself. And then me and Nero are going to uncover what is really going on with the rebel group. To hell with Kieran’s visions. Indeed, I am going to do this my way from now on.

I finish my meal in silence as we both watch the embers in the fire slowly dim, lost to our thoughts.

***

My new theory concerning the shifter rebels plagues my thoughts as I make my way upstairs. I gently knock at the door but Sybil does not answer. For a moment in time, I’m aware how unreal the situation is–a shifter is in my room, alone, and I’mworriedfor her. Fear grips my chest, stemming from a place I can’t even remotely understand as I burst into the room expecting her to be gone, only to stop in my tracks. I stand watching from the doorframe. Sybil lays asleep on the far side of the bed, the blanket pulled up to her chin. Her eyes move behind the lids, her face twitching with emotion as she dreams.

Panting, I run a hand through my hair, looking around the room in shock.

This woman is still my prisoner. Yes?

Maybe it’s the fortnight I’ve spent with her. Maybe it’s believing, even for a moment, that she might be innocent and I’m about to ruin a life that doesn’t deserve it. Thinking hard, I trace back to when that changed–Edmund.

Her continuous protesting and arguing is infuriating. But like a moth to the flame, I am in constant awe of her resilience, courage, and her wide, disbelieving eyes make my heart flutter. How did one female get under my skin so thoroughly that I’ve begun to question my very beliefs?

She should not be asleep on the bed, but I can’t bring myself to disturb her just to make her move to the floor.

Were she any other prisoner, I would have her sleep on a bedroll, and tied her so she can’t attempt any escape. I simply can’t bring myself to do that to Sybil. Even if she’s been accused of treason against Shadowvale by my stepmother, I’ve seen too many rebels to not believe her story. But she is notjusta prisoner, not anymore. So I gently close the door to not disturb her and make my way towards the fireplace. Tossing more wood onto the fire causes sparks to fly, hungrily consuming the offering and warming the room. A draft of air catches my attention and I lift my gaze to the window where the shutters have blown open. The rain continues to drizzle down into the shadows below, the scent of evergreen. I can hear Sybil tossing and turning in the bed. From my pack I pull out a silver flask, stamped with the Aldrostos crest, and take a deep swing of the amber liquid, relishing in its burn. Sleep will be a long time coming for me.

My feet take me to the foot of the bed. I brace myself against the footboard.

“There’s enough space for the two of us, you know?” Sybil’s sleepy voice catches me by surprise and I turn to face her. The fire is casting a golden glow on her freckles, dusting faintly like constellations across her cheeks and nose against the firelight. A warm tug deep in my core beckons as my eyes trail from the faint star mark on her brow to the dark, long locks of hair framing her face and shoulder.

“Last time I offered you to share my sleep roll, you told me I was utterly insane. So, I thought I’d be more cautious this time and avoid the question altogether,” I say and take a sip from my flask. But the liquid does not warm me inside as much as the small smile spreading on Sybil’s lips does.

“I remember well. Let’s just say I am in much kinder spirit tonight then,” she says and scoots further to the left side of the bed. An invitation.

I slowly get to my feet, unsure whether to follow my instinct or remind myself of my duty. My heart is racing as I make my way towards the front of the bed, Sybil’s eyes fixed on me.

“I’ll be okay on the flo—”

“Aramis. It’s okay,” she interrupts me, her eyes shining more than any jewel I have seen in the castle, and moves the covers on my side. I could get lost in those eyes. “It’s been a long journey for both of us. You deserve a good rest as much as any.”

After removing my boots, I carefully sit on the bed, the mattress sinking under my weight as I stretch my body on top of the covers. I prop my head up on an arm and chance one last glimpse in her direction before fixing my eyes on the window in front of me.

“See, it was not so difficult, was it? I promise, unicorns don’t bite, much.” She adds, snickering, but I can hear her voice already drifting off.

I force my body to relax, careful not to touch her, but the electricity coursing through my veins at the sole thought of Sybil lying so close to me is driving me insane.

My resistance to look at Sybil crumbles, so I move on my side and face her. Her chest rises and falls under the blankets in a smooth, even rhythm. Her face calms to a peaceful expression. I ease my position slowly, just to fully appreciate her beauty.

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