Kaelen raised a brow. “Adjustments?”
Her smile turned knowing. “Reiya will be housed in the family wing, next to you and Alarik. The king made the decision himself last night after visiting your camp.”
Kaelen exchanged a glance with Alarik before grinning. “That’s certainly better than the guest wing.”
“Reiya is your bride. The family wing is where she belongs,” she said simply before turning to her again. “Let’s get you settled. Thalina insisted on giving you a tour.”
Thalina grabbed Reiya’s hand eagerly. “Come! I’ll show you everything!”
She let herself be pulled forward, laughter bubbling from her lips.
The warmth of their welcome—from Lady Neda’s quiet grace to Thalina’s boundless enthusiasm—filled her with something dangerously close to hope.
Perhaps, just perhaps, she wasn’t only stepping into a role here.
She was stepping into ahome.
Chapter Forty-Three
REIYANA
After two turns of the sand clock, Reiya sat before the mirror, wrapped in a robe of fine Asadian silk. Her fingers skimmed the fabric, marvelling at its texture—smooth as flowing water, impossibly light. Even in Nymaris, true Asadian silk was rare, coveted for its iridescent sheen and masterful craftsmanship. It was said to adapt to the desert’s extremes—cooling in the heat, warming in the chill—its weaving secrets passed down through generations of silk-weaver clans.
The lingering warmth of her bath clung to her skin, perfumed with citrus, rose oil, and exotic spices. Behind her, Amina, the handmaiden appointed by Lady Neda, worked fragrant oil through her hair with steady, practiced fingers.
The soothing motion nearly lulled Reiya to sleep, but she forced her eyes open, meeting her own reflection. The last traces of black dye had been washed away, revealing golden waves that shimmered in the candlelight. For more than a fortnight, she’d hidden beneath dark strands, a disguise of necessity. Now, as Amina’s careful hands smoothed her hair to a silken sheen, it felt as if she were reclaiming a part of herself—one she’d nearly forgotten.
Amina had just finished, gliding a final stroke of the comb throughher hair, when another maid entered, carrying a gilded tray. She whispered something to Amina, set the tray on the vanity, and quietly withdrew.
“The king asked us to deliver this to you, Your Highness.” Amina placed a small metal tube on the vanity with a respectful bow. “A Sparo delivered it a few days ago.”
Reiya’s heartbeat paused. She reached for the tube, tracing the familiar engraving of Aethonia’s royal seal. The weight of home, of family, pressed against her chest before she even opened it.
She smoothed the parchment over her lap and read.
Dearest Daughter,
We were overjoyed to hear from King Azarion that the princes found you safely. Knowing you are in their care eases our hearts, though we long to see you.
At his advice, we are monitoring Castiel’s whereabouts. He has not returned, but we proceed with caution.
Hold to your strength and grace. No matter what lies ahead, you are loved, cherished, and ever in our thoughts. We pray brighter news reaches us soon and that we may hold you in our arms again.
Love, your family.
She closed her eyes. The ink carried more than words—it carried her mother’s warmth, her father’s steady reassurance, her brothers’ laughter. She could almost hear them in the script, feel the comfort of their presence despite the great distance between them.
Yet, a shadow lurked at the edges of the letter’s warmth.
Castiel.
King Azarion had warned them—at Kaelen’s request, no doubt—but there was no mention of the message she’d sent from Vhalis Thorn. The omission confirmed what she already suspected: her family never received it.
Castiel’s hand in this was unmistakable. He’d manipulated the flow of information, ensuring that what little she’d revealed about him never reached her family. Whether he delayed the message or erased it entirely, the result was the same—silence where there should’ve been action.
The realization sent a slow burn through her veins.
Amina placed the hairbrush gently on the vanity. “Lady Neda has delivered your gowns and is waiting with Princess Thalina in your dressing room. Would you like to go there now, Princess?”
