Page 33 of A Thread of Breath and Bone

I nod, taking note of his demeanor. He seems so calm. I let his ease fall over me, soothing my nerves. “Neither did I,” I respond with a small smile.

“Happy birthday.” He turns and grabs a wrapped gift from the table. He seems so casual, as if the system isn’t changing.

In my periphery, men and women swarm around boards with military movements. The command center ahead has multiple screens flashing with transport whereabouts and live footage—albeit a bit delayed—from around the kingdom. It all feels very overwhelming. The last time I was in here, it was quiet. This is the safest room in the whole system, or so my father says.

“Thank you, Father,” I say, taking the box. It’s big and heavy. I unwrap the material and lift the lid to find a gorgeous sapphire gown inside. I am utterly speechless. I don’t know if it's a coincidence or if he and Ryker planned it, but it matches my necklace perfectly as if the two are part of the same ensemble. The ache hits instantly. I rub at my stomach, blowing out a breath for the count of three.

“He will be okay.” My father clutches my shoulders, offering me reassurance. “Queen Priana is strong and will know what to do. We’ve been in contact with her, and she will alert us if anything changes. I will see you at lunch. Ciara and Kellan must join us. Go now. Your mother awaits you in your chambers.”

I give him one last hug and carry my gown to my rooms. When the open door reveals my mother, my facade crumbles. On shaky feet, I run to her, letting her strong arms hold me together.

“Oh, sweet girl,” she coos, holding me as I sob. “Everything will be okay. No crying.”

I laugh despite the tears flowing down my cheeks. I’ve only ever seen my mother cry once. She shows emotion, but she’s able to hold herself together in a way I never can.

“Let’s get your hair fixed up. Would you like Ciara to come in here and get ready for lunch?”

I nod, and Zhel, my chambermaid, leaves. My mother follows, leaving me to get ready. I wipe my tears and admire the dress my father gave me before Mera lifts it off the bed and rushes it to my closet. Ciara comes in without knocking. She’s been crying. Her eyes are puffy, cheeks flushed.

“Come sit,” I say, patting the bed beside me.

When she sits down, I pull her into a hug and promise her everything will be alright. Her parents are making their way from Sislaf, a planet where they were sent to negotiate accepting refugees. Was it only a few weeks ago that I was working with Ryker on this very thing?

“Tell me about your necklace.” She sighs, lifting the cool sapphire from my chest and cradling it in her palm.

I smile and brush my fingers over the chain. Memories of this morning flash through my mind. It feels like it was ages ago. A different life. A life where I still hoped to finish school, to fall deeper in love with a boy I’m fated to marry, and spend Ryker’s twenty-fourth birthday in bed with him. Everything changed so quickly.

I clear my throat and my thoughts.

“Ryker,” I say.

She grins and rolls her eyes. “Obviously, you’ve been playing with it nonstop. Plus, c’mon, that shade of blue matches his eyes.”

I chuckle, scrunching my face and shrugging. I glance down at the necklace where it hangs between my breasts again.

“Are you guys going to be okay? You know, with like the Bond and the prophecy thing? I kind of feel like you guys should probably be together or something.”

My gut squeezes and I fight back the knot in my throat. I’ve been thinking the same thing, but I won’t ask him to choose me or his kingdom and there’s probably no chance of my parents letting me out of their sight. Besides, this is serious. This isn't a vacation. I can’t be on Malaya following him around while the kingdoms fall apart.

“I don’t know. We will just have to see what happens. Besides, I still have a year.” I melt into the comfortable, buttery soft sheets and hold back the urge to roll around and snuggle into the pillows.

“You can Bond now, Raea,” she argues, laying down beside me. “It might not be as strong, but you guys aren’t a normal couple. Your Bond is already much stronger than anyone I've ever talked to.”

I wrap my hand in hers. I’m glad she’s here.

The door opens as Mera stands before me. “Your Highness, Duchess, time to get up. Lunch will be served shortly.”

“Royal duties call,” Ciara whispers and winks at me.

I bite my lips, holding in my laugh.

“Kellan, your father wanted us to relay that your mother is on Kao, helping set up centers to accept refugees. She should return within the week,” my mother says.

The three of us are sitting at the family table with my parents. All of us are picking at our food. My appetite subsided the moment I left Ryker.

“This is all just precaution of course,” my father starts. He’s trying to make us feel better, but he doesn’t understand the prophecy. Or maybe he does and he doesn’t believe it. It was pretty clear though.

The days are numbered before the skies fall to night when Myrkr rises.