Page 40
He needs to see her.
XVII
BACK INTO RAEVERBAND
E
Elara’s eyes remain on the pale winter camellias.
Though, her mind remains elsewhere. She reflects upon her observation of the bare skin where Cael’s wedding band belonged, a striking absence within a palace she still finds difficulty calling her home. She cannot dismiss the sudden display of defiance, as if the growing alliance between them meant nothing.
Crouching on her knees, unbothered to make a single move, she feels someone step in beside her. She expects it to be Asma or one of the maids. Instead, it is Kaera.
Her black hair is down, unbrushed, her crown glimmering atop her head under the palace’s glowing candles, chandeliers, and windows. Her black dress smooths down to her ankles, the material thick despite being silk, covering her arms, collarbone, and whatever skin there is except her hands. Simple, black, polished thick shoes with heels complete her attire. Nothing else accompanies her look, no jewelry or cosmetics. Not even a smile.
“Admiring the little flowers we have?” Kaera comments in a teasing manner, tugging her skirt up to her knees and crouching beside Elara near the blossoms. “It is freezing out here.”
Elara swallows. “Kaera, I am confused,” she admits, hesitating to continue. “About what just happened.”
“With my father?” Kaera offers a weak smile. “He is an old man. He would have fallen ill one day anyway.”
Shaking her head, Elara clarifies. “It is not that. I am questioning why he would call for us and let us know. Is it only for us to know that we must strengthen our titles as princesses and make our appearances every single time beside Cael?”
Kaera only looks at her, her weak smile fading. “Yes, though I am sure it is more than that. My father considers you family. It is not always the public he is worried about,” a chuckle escapes her mouth. “Sure, he is stubborn and always mentions his duties and appearance as King. He does not truly care about that.”
Kaera falls silent, her fingers tightening into the black silk of her dress. She looks at Elara out of the corner of her eye, her expression guarded, as if calculating the danger of sharing a palace secret with a foreign princess.
Elara listens attentively, her hand instinctively reaching toward one of the winter camellias with her thumb and caress the softness.
“He wants us to avoid worrying over him. Especially Cael,” Kaera says, looking ahead at the flowers. A half-stifled laugh escapes her lips as she gestures toward the high palace walls. “He acts as though we will easily move on and forget his presence, but the grief is real. It is difficult to bear the weight of his decline alone, especially since Cael and I do not share the same mother to tie us together.”
Elara’s eyes widen, her breath catching with surprise at the confession. “You and Cael do not share the same mother?”
Kaera looks away, her fingers tightening around the edge of her fabric. “Keep the depth of our estrangement a secret. At least between us and Cael. I rarely admit these personal fractures within my family, unless I believe that person is entirely loyal.”
Elara’s entire body goes rigid. In her father’s castle, division between siblings was a vulnerability used to destroy alliances from within. Her mind flashes back to the rigid rules of her childhood, expecting Kaera to use this admission as a calculated demand for a political favor. But as she looks at the unbrushed hair and the complete lack of cosmetic paints on the princess beside her, the human grief breaks through her suspicion. Her hesitation melts, replacing her Veyrenn armor with empathy as she reaches out.
Shoulders easing at Kaera’s confession, Elara lays her hand on her back. Kaera turns her head and her composure melts. She looks the most vulnerable Elara has ever seen her.
“Cael and I have different mothers. I do not know much about his, and Father never confessed what happened to his previous marriage, except that I know he wishes to see her every day,” Kaera slowly lays her secret bare, trembling. “When I turned thirteen, my mother decided it was time for me to know the tension and secrets between her and Father.” She inclines her head, swallowing. “It never changed anything. Raelith has raised me and loved me and Cael equally, like no other. He abandoned his duties, and he would read us stories past our bedtimes separately when we were awake.”
A soft smile appears on Kaera’s lips. “By time, he always seemed like he was avoiding me simply to teach Cael how to be a better prince. Strong in strength and mentality. I thought he favored him more than he favored me.”
Elara’s brows furrow. “I am sure that is not true. I have seen it with my own eyes. He adores both you and Cael,” she says with confidence. The worry Raelith holds for his children has not escaped her in her short time here. She has noticed the manner in which he requests two separate dishes during meals so they both possess what they like, and the warm smile on his lips when he watches Cael and Kaera tease each other.
“I am sure of that,” Kaera breathes out. “But I fear he still has not moved on from his first wife and only lingers toward Cael because he is her biological son.”
Elara’s hand leaves Kaera’s shoulders, pressing both of her palms on her thighs. “I find it unnoticeable. You and Cael look exactly the same.” Taking her words back, she shakes her head. “I apologize. I only meant that as an extravagant compliment. You two hold such an amazing bond, and I promise King Raelith adores you both.”
The tip of Kaera’s nose reddens, along with her cheeks and chin. Tears fill her eyes and she hastily wipes them away. “I have never seen him ill like this. I am afraid something horrible will happen.”
Elara steps closer to Kaera, wrapping her in a sisterly embrace. She has never made such a move to console another before. She acts solely on what she once wished to receive when she mourned Queen Aline. “Let us not think negatively and hope for the best.”
“Father is too old, Elara. He is nearly sixty. Most of our family members only reach the age of fifty. I cannot lose him,” Kaera’s voice breaks.
“You will not,” Elara reassures. “No matter what, your father will forever remain in your heart. In everyone’s heart. He is a dear man.” She swallows, the rising fear and emotions reminding her of her own mother.
“I am anxious about how Cael feels,” Kaera says, shaking her head as if to dismiss the heavy reality.
