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Rubbing the bridge of her nose, Aria walked away towards the bed and let her head fall into her hands. “I’m not sure what’s going on, Callie. Either it’s this castle with its bricks imbued with dark magic, or it’s the bond with Travus I have.”
“Why…are you addressing him by his first name.”
“Well,his majesty the king of Eldoriais quite a mouthful, don’t you think.”
Callie rolled her eyes. “Sarcastic as ever, I see. Look, I have to head back before your mother finds out where I am, or she’ll come and drag you back by your wings.” She came forward and handed Aria a scroll. “But,please, be careful. Things are turning out well in our favor, and we can’t have any slip ups during this critical phase of resistance. Go through everything here for updates and act accordingly.”
Aria could only nod as she watched Callie fly out the window and disappear into thin air. The sight of flying seemed to tire her out as well, and she knew that she needed to be checked.
When she read through the scroll, she came across the mention of the Council Stones, which piqued her interest.
Why in the realms would such a thing matter?She thought to herself.It is nothing but folklore.
She put the scroll away as she felt herself getting overwhelmed. Mustering up her courage and strength, she made her way out of the room and down to Travus’s study where she heard faint commotion from behind the door.
“There is no way they would’ve been able to defend themselves so adeptly!” yelled someone. “One of youis the mole!”
“What reason wouldanyof us have to defy his majesty?”
“I don’t know!To overthrow him?!”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Lucius. We would’ve done that eons ago when he was a defenseless orphan.”
Silence ensued.
“Not that the thought ever crossed my mind, of course.”
“Right, enough,” Travus’s sigh was muffled and heavy. “Fine, we might have a mole, but it’s not Princess Mierna. Do we agree on that at least?”
“We still can’t rule her out.”
“Lucius,” growled Travus. “Like I’ve said, there’s nothing to gain from pointing fingers when we are well equipped.”
“Equipped?” scoffed someone who sounded rather aged. “We were forced to retreat last night. The nations are teaming up. We’re losing power against their numbers!”
Aria had heard enough and decided to move away from the study to head back to her bedchambers and prepare for a soak in the bath. Perhaps the warm waters would relieve her.
With clean robes gathered on one arm, she stepped out and caught Travus passing by her room.
“You seem upset,” she stated calmly as she walked behind him. “Rough morning?”
“Will you be adding to my misery?” he said gruffly.
She smirked. “If you wish, Then again, I’ll be doing so regardless of what you want.”
Travus suddenly stopped in his tracks as he sniffed the air, turning around slowly as his eyes landed on Aria. He marched toward her, making her step away from him until she hit the wall. In a flash, he grabbed her wrist and pulled it to his face, running the tip of his nose along her skin.
He glared at her from under his lashes. “You smell like someone else, Princess Mierna.”
Aria’s heart lurched in panic as his other hand slammed by her head, caging her in. She blinked up at him and tried composing herself. “I don’t understand.”
“Has someone else touched you?” he demanded in a low growl as he held her wrist by his jaw, glowering into her eyes with an intensity so strong that she could feel it rattle her bones. She was sure he was probably catching Callie’s scent on her wrist. His heat rolled off his body to envelope her body as he neared her. “Have you finally found yourself a lover from my guards while I was looking away?”
“That’s ridiculous, Travus,” she snapped and pushed his face away from her. “You truly have the most outlandish assumptions!”
“Answer me!”
“No!” she scoffed and snatched her hand away, shoving at his chest so hard that it sent him stumbling back in surprise. Aria noted that she should restrain her strength as it was clearly giving her away. “Really, your majesty, do you not have anything better to do than conquest? Whether it be nations or women, but you really must indulge in something else.”
