The Kingdom of Secrets and Ruin

Ruairi

I never thought I’d be glad to see Apheya.

My horse couldn’t carry me away from this place fast enough, and yet when I crossed the threshold of my castle, it felt right. The company travelling alongside me may have something to do with it, but the point remains.

It feels good to know that Dalliah will be respected this time around, no longer a maid serving people who don’t hold a candle to her, and able to sit by my side to help pass the time. Odelina is happy to feel less alone too, clearly bonding with Dalliah more than any of the other women of court, and I’m surprised to not have her question me yet on the companion position.

I’ve never had one before, and didn’t have the time or supposed reason to explain my change of heart on the tour, but now that we’re back where we started, the difference is felt more as she’s seen to have risen through the ranks. I can only hope this doesn’t present difficulties with those she knew before.

We’ve already seen what jealousy can do and I can’t promise my reaction will be any calmer should someone try to put her down, especially now that we’ve grown closer.

What started as a stolen kiss has grown into something greater than I could have imagined. Feeling her pressed against me, tasting her, it’s a sort of ecstasy I doubt I’d ever get enough of. It’s been torture to keep her at arm’s length on the journey back, but now that we’re home that can change.

If she wants it to.

I mean, we’ve not mentioned it when talking between ourselves, I’d never risk her reputation so carelessly, but it makes knowing where her mind is, a question I ache to have answered. I’ve never had a woman like Dalliah before, she’s everything other than predictable, and there’s no knowing where I stand without hearing it directly from her lips.

Those sweet lips.

“I can order you an ice bath if you want?”

Tedric’s voice is like a dose of cold water that’s been thrown down my body, and in response to his comment, I swiftly tuck my chair further under the table. This isn’t the first time that this has happened, but I’ve never been caught before which means I need to be more careful with my thoughts.

“Shut up,” I mutter in reply to his incessant stare and focus on skiming over the paper that I’ve been trying to read these past 10 minutes. You could put a sword to my neck I still couldn’t tell you the first sentence.

“It reminds me of our last night in Yeolan, I tell you, I couldn’t keep it down for the life of me.” Avery chimes in with a comment I could have lived my life happily not knowing.

I mean, it’s not like I forced them to notice my condition. is it? Why do I have to listen to this?

“I said shut up!” I snap, feeling the embarrassment that must show on my face.

Avery ignores me and leans over to nudge me with his elbow and I’m tempted to knock him out of his seat. “Come one Rhu, what’s a bit of teasing?”

I groan inwardly at the thought of this going on for however long it will take for him to get bored. Whoever ends up with him will need the patience of a saint and no wonder Odelina wasn’t interested. Here I am wishing I could opt out.

“I shudder to think what you’ll be like when you meet your woman.” I close my eyes the minutes my own words registar.

“Your woman, eh? Is that what we’re calling her now?”

It’s like I’ve just given candy to a baby, and if I could rip out my tongue in order to take it back, I would. I’ll never hear the end of this, I know it already.

Why the hell did I say that? “I didn’t say that.”

Did I mean it? I’ll need to think about that later, you know, when I’m not being interrogated by this idiot.

“You haven’t said much on that topic at all now that I think about it.” Tedric rejoins the conversation, uninvited.

“Have you considered there might be a reason?”

He pauses, but I don’t think for a second that he’s’ actually contemplating my words, he’s too sure of himself, “Maybe, but not when it comes to us. Hell Rhu, we went through puberty together, and if there was anything to hide, it was before-“

I interrupt him before he can finish, “Enough, you two are tag teaming me and we’re getting nowhere. I want these ravens sent out by end of day if we’re to stand any chance of getting the others to meet us this month.”

We’re in the process of summoning the other rulers I left in the kingdoms we won, it makes sense to bring them to me while I’m being held captive by my mother. As the sooner I identify any other Silas-like problems the better, as even now it’s proving to be a beast to fix.

I should have killed him, he’s lucky I’m days away.

“Whatever, we can work and talk at the same time, we’re not children.” Avery protests but the opening is far too easy so I merely raise my eyebrows. “Nevermind.”

“Fine, keep your secrets, but the next time you two burn one of my books I expect answers.” Tedric glares at me while rising to go and answer a knock at the door. “And she tripped, is not an answer by the way.”

I shake my head at him, smiling now that I know the subject will change, and wonder what this person he’s gone to see will want. It’s too early to dress for dinner and too late for any news, which makes it unexpected, especially with the work load we have to get through and I made it clear we weren’t to be disturbed.

“Rhu there’s a maid at the door for you, say’s it’s urgent.” He calls over and I narrow my eyes at him in case this is yet another joke to tease me about Dalliah as this is getting old pretty fast.

“Her name?” I drawl.

“I’m not sure,” He shrugs, kissing my suspicions, “But I think it’s Marjorie.”