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CHAPTER 36
Iwoke up in Bennett’s arms in a room I was unfamiliar with. I blinked away the grogginess as my mind began to decipher if last night was simply a dream, or if it actually happened. Visions of Bennett’s broken body and the strike of Mendex’s craft filled my mind and I cringed. I saw the Golden shadows erupt within me, and even as I lay in this bed, I could feel them running in my veins. It was the oddest sensation; it felt foreign and alive.
Bennett shifted beneath me and placed a kiss on my forehead.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice scratchy with sleep.
I sighed. “I was just hoping that last night was a dream and that I’d wake up with everything back to normal.”
He stroked his fingers through my hair. “Dream or not, I don’t think normal was ever written in our fate, Rhia.”
He was right, who would’ve thought my wildest dream would be to have a normal life?
He turned on his side to face me straight on, and every time I looked at him it was like falling for him all over again.
He smiled. “As much as I’d love to spend all day in bed with you, we really need to get up. The Vespens are expecting answers, since I’m sure word has already spread about the enchantment being lifted. I’ll call for a gathering today in the courtyard. We can introduce you and talk about a plan to set up some new borders around the kingdom.”
He began to get up from the bed, but I stopped him, holding his forearm.
“We also need to think of a plan to get Amica and Miles out of Veladis.” I said, watching the realization hit him. “I couldn’t stop thinking about them last night and the danger they must be in. I know you want to focus on the people here in Vesper and I understand that, but my friends are my first priority. I can’t help but think that they’re now targets for the Red Bones.”
He nodded in understanding. “Then we shall discuss it at the court meeting today.”
“Huh?” I tilted my head, clearly missing something.
“We’ll be meeting with the court and generals of the guard in about an hour to discuss and plan everything. Feel free to explore the castle or raid the kitchens if you would like. I need to speak with Avun before our meeting and give him the rundown first.”
“Will he be joining us at the meeting?” I remembered Avun from the fire the night of the lantern festival. He was kind to me. I wondered how he’d react to his story of a third Artis blood actually being true.
Bennett smiled, as if he was happy I wanted him there too. “Yes, he will be.” He leaned forward and kissed me softly. “Someone will come and escort you to the boardroom when it’s time. I’ll see you soon.”
He threw on some breeches and a loose shirt, then was out the door in no time. I collapsed against the bed, letting my arms drape across the width of it as I stared at the ceiling.
After stumbling out of the warehouse, Bennett and I stuck close to the shadows as we worked our way through the kingdom. I stood guard while Bennett grabbed the reigns of two well-muscled horses outside of an inn, and I made a mental note to bring these horses back, as well as leave a good bit of gold for the inconvenience. After that, we took off, pushing the horses through the kingdom and into the Silver Forest.
When we arrived in Vesper last night, I was so exhausted I could hardly focus on anything besides standing upright. When we reached the outer border, guards met us there, but immediately put their weapons down at the sight of Bennett. He explained to them what was going on and told them to spread word through the kingdom that we would have a city gathering the following afternoon to talk about the legend. He was captivating when he took charge. I could watch him play King all day and never get sick of it.
When we finally made it to the castle, Bennett didn’t even offer me another room. He simply scooped me up, carried me to his chambers, and lay me down in his bed. I was happy he wanted me in his room; I always slept better next to him. He immediately called for the castle healers to tend to me and heal all the injuries I acquired from my battle with Mendex. When their craft had taken the initial pain away, my eyes fluttered closed and I fell asleep, not even having the energy to stay awake for the rest of the healing session.
I sat up, taking in the room around me. I could hardly appreciate it last night since it was dark and I fell asleep so quickly. The room was massive, probably three times the size of my room in Veladis. The bed I was in was so large it could probably fit six people. The sheets were black silk and heavenly to the touch.
The whole room had a dark aesthetic, which matched Bennett so well it made me chuckle. A beautiful grand bookshelf covered the far left of the room, while an expansive window covered the right, leaving the entire city on display below. A settee was placed at the foot of the bed, and draped over it was a simple dress. Bennett must have found something for me to wear last night.
I slipped on the silk lavender gown and walked over to the joint washroom, needing to clean up my appearance. As I brushed through my knotted hair I stared back at my reflection. I looked the same, and yet, somehow, I felt like a completely different person than I was a few months ago. I’d always struggled with identity—who I was, what I wanted, who I was meant to be. All those years feeling out of place, living for others instead of myself. This was why, because part of me had always been missing, and now that the shadows had been unlocked inside of me, I felt whole. Complete. I finally felt at peace with the reflection in the mirror and the destiny set before me.
???
My eyes scanned the meeting room, and I took note of the people who sat around the oak table. It was weird to be involved like this. To have men asking for my thoughts and my ideas, something that never would’ve been allowed back in Veladis.
There were about fifteen of us gathered. One other woman joined us in the meeting, which brought me comfort. As I gained power and influence in this kingdom, I planned to expand the number of women at the table. Bennett told me she was in charge of the safety department. She organized potential evacuation plans, helped with border security, oversaw Vespen crime—although crime rates were practically non-existent, compared to Veladis.
We came together with a plan to rescue Amica and Miles. A group of Vespen soldiers along with Bennett and I would leave tomorrow at dawn. We would cross the Silver Forest and then blend in as civilians as we crossed the city. When night fell, we would slip through the kitchen entrance by the lake. Bennett would retrieve Miles and I would find Amica. If all went according to plan, we could have them both out of the castle and to the Silver Forest by sunrise. I felt a bit sick, knowing I would have to tell Amica who Mendex was. What he was.
“Are we sure we need to focus on this matter immediately?” asked one of the men at the table. He was probably twice my size, with large shoulders. Bennett introduced me to Acies before the meeting began. He was in charge of training the Vespen soldiers. He’d ignored my presence for the entirety of the meeting.
A shorter man towards the end of the table cleared his throat. “That is what the queen has requested, so that is what we shall do.”
Acies scoffed. “She’s not our queen, she hasn’t even had a coronation yet. Plus, the first thing she wants to do in her position is go and save some Veladins. Is that what we can expect from her throughout her reign?” He shook his head in disgrace. “I will only listen to what Prince Bennett commands, as he is our rightful leader.”
