Chapter 13

Béke Day Three

My head pounded. Or was that the door? I groaned as I pushed myself upright. Nope, definitely both. "Endre, go get the door," I moaned as I flopped back against the pillows. The pounding sounded again. "Endre," I smacked his side of the bed, only to find it empty.

"Liliana, do you want to miss the spa day or not?"

Was Domi's voice always this shrill?

"Coming!" I shouted, then groaned as the sound sent shooting pain through my ears and into my shoulders. "Fuck me," I swore as I slid from the bed, my head fuzzy and mouth dry. I stumbled to the bathroom, yelping when the bright light hit my eyes. My head felt like I was being stabbed repeatedly. I gulped down water from the basin, my thirst nearly unquenchable, then took in my appearance. My hair and makeup were a mess, lip stain smeared across my cheek, black circling my eyes. I washed my face quickly in the sink, removing all trace of color, then combed my fingers through the mess of waves that clumped together. I found a loose tunic and leggings on the floor of the bathroom and yanked them on quickly as another knock sounded on the bedroom door. My jacket rested near the foot of the bed, and I grabbed that too, shrugging it on and fastening it quickly.

"Almost ready!" I called as I burst into the room, bringing the sun with me. There was no sign of the males, and my fuzzy brain reminded me that they'd gone out for a hunt this morning.

"You were out late again last night," Domi observed as she led us from the apartment and out into the hallway.

"Yeah, we went out with Slavian and Anton again."

Domi snorted, "That much is obvious. You reek of them and–" she sniffed the air around me, "herbs?"

"Don't judge, Domi, these were the best I'd ever done. You and Kaztar should come another night. But fair warning, their club is very, very indecent. But so much fun," I drawled.

"Alright, tell us all about it when we get to the spa. Right now, we are running late."

"Sorry about that. By the way, what time is it?" The halls weren't overly busy, nor were they overly empty, and I honestly struggled to know which way was up or down as my head swam with another sharp turn.

"Mid-afternoon, almost two. We are supposed to meet Queen Immonen and Izidora in the courtyard so we can all ride together. Queen Viktoria is not feeling well, so she won't be joining us." We rounded a corner and found Immonen waiting for us in the hallway outside the Crystal Realm's apartment.

She pressed her lips together, suppressing a smile when she saw my appearance. "Another long night?"

"There were plenty of long parts about it," I said suggestively, and the females burst into laughter as we fell in line and strolled toward the citadel's courtyard. I liked both of them immensely, and we'd bonded during our time together as the only females in our traveling party. We trained together, laughed together, gossiped together, and I fervently hoped that Izidora would slot perfectly into our little group.

I winced as we entered the afternoon sun, finding a carriage waiting for us. Izidora stood in front of it, petting the horses' noses while Ruslan casually watched her and then us as we approached. The hairs on the back of my neck rose as I fell under his gaze, his whole being reminding me of a predator that enjoyed playing with its food before going for the kill. I could not deny how damn sexy he was, though. He was huge, muscles rippling beneath his thick, albeit skin-tight clothing. Tattoos peeked from every opening in his jacket, and his eyes were mesmerizing. Truth be told, I would have spread my legs for him too, if only to have one taste.

"Queen Immonen, Ladies, I have set you up at the Iron Mountain Spa for the afternoon. Pick whichever treatments you'd like – on me," Ruslan smiled at us, his demeanor more relaxed than I'd seen before.

Immonen dipped her head to him. "Thank you, King Ruslan, that is most generous. We promise to have lots of wine and pampering."

Ruslan held out his hand to Izidora, who eagerly rejoined him. He swooped her in for a long kiss, then rested his forehead against hers. "I'll miss you, my sprite," he breathed. For a moment, I saw the love he had for her, his words ringing sincere and true in my ears. He softened with her in his arms, even holding her hand until the last possible moment as she climbed into the carriage. With a parting glance in his direction, I followed her inside the warm and cozy space, Domi and Immonen behind me. Once the four of us settled, the carriage pulled away and we descended into Radence.

Izidora watched Ruslan disappear from view, then turned her attention to the rest of us. She looked me up and down for a moment, then asked, "Why do you look so awful?"

I scoffed. "It's nice to see you too."

"She didn't come in until nearly dawn this morning – again," Domi tsked.

Tattletale.

"Apparently it was a long night," Immonen said suggestively.

"Another trip to Steel? Do tell, Liliana." Izidora turned to me, waiting for me to spill all my secrets.

"Later, I promise. It is a tale that cannot be interrupted. Where is the Iron Mountain Spa anyway?" I fanned myself, trying to quell the nausea rising from my belly as we hit a bump in the road.

"It's on the far side of Radence, close to the mountains, I think," she responded.

"You haven't been there yet? How rude of King Ruslan to not treat you. But don't worry, we'll make up for it today," Immonen laughed.

A hint of a smile spread on Izidora's lips as she suppressed a snicker. "He treated me to a massage himself."

"I hope he was naked when it took place," I sighed. Ruslan was very easy on the eyes, more so than any of the Nighthounds, in my opinion. Izidora seemed genuinely happy with Ruslan, and the way he looked at her before we entered the carriage told me he felt the same. Izidora was my best friend, and all I wanted was for her to receive the love she deserved. Kazimir, in my opinion, wasn't capable of giving her that any longer. He had changed since the night he lost Izidora and his father, and at the rate he devolved, I worried for his sanity. He was not the stable friend of my brother's he used to be.

"Very, very naked. It was hard to relax." Izidora burst into laughter, and we all fell into it with her. We drifted into a lighthearted conversation as we rolled through Radence, the Agrenak Mountains growing closer and closer.

I was the first to hop out when we rolled to a stop in front of a long, gray stone building with large windows that revealed a serene interior. The entrance doors opened from the inside, and a female with a tight updo greeted us warmly.

"Welcome, Your Highnesses, we are so pleased to host you today. We've cleared the schedule so you have the whole spa to yourselves for as long as you'd like it. Come, let me show you inside."

A lightly scented breeze wafted in our faces as we entered the airy space. The click of our guide's heels on the polished stone floor was the only sound other than bubbling water, the silence peaceful instead of unnerving. We descended a wide staircase and turned right into a long hallway where the humidity rose with each step we took. Finally, we arrived at a large grotto where natural hot water bubbled from the earth and filled a deep soaking pool. The shallower end held four beds piled with linens, and close to us, lounge chairs and a table laden with wine, fruit, and cheese beckoned us to relax and unwind.

Our hostess poured a glass of sparkling white wine for each of us, handing them out in turn. The glasses already fogged and sweated in the humidity of the underground cave. "Robes are laid on the chaises for each of you, though feel free to dress to your comfort level. We'll be back in an hour after you've had time to soak and decide on treatments. Ring the bell if you need anything before then." She curtsied to us, then quietly closed the door behind her.

"To us!" Immonen cheered, clinking her glass against all of ours before taking a sip of the bubbles.

"To us!" we replied in unison.

The wine was perfectly chilled as it slid over my tongue. The alcohol beat back my hangover, and I nearly sighed with relief, deciding to down the rest of the glass. I smacked my lips when I finished, savoring the fruity taste left over there.

Setting the glass aside, I lifted one of the fluffy robes, rubbing the fabric against my face. The softness of it was much more inviting than my stiff leather clothing, especially as the humidity caused little flyaway hairs to cling to my face. Stripping quickly, I tossed my discarded clothes on a chair, then slipped the robe over my shoulders and tied it at my waist.

Domi floated a green bottle of wine in our direction using the silvery tendrils of her magic, picking up our discarded glasses along the way, and we each accepted the empty glass that hovered in front of us. She maintained her magic as she uncorked the bottle, then used it to pour a hefty measure of the bubbly liquid for each of us.

"Show-off," I teased her, and she winked at me before her magic disappeared.

The four glasses clinked and we sipped from them, savoring the fine wine. My brain immediately thanked me as more alcohol hit my stomach, relieving at least some of the headache and malaise still clinging to me. When my stomach growled moments later, I snickered, then grabbed a plate and piled it with cheese, fruit, and bread before settling on a lounger and picking up a handwritten menu of treatments.

Domi and Immonen carefully removed their jewelry, placing it strategically on an empty table far away from the water, then stripped out of their clothes, entering the pool fully nude, glasses in hand. Izidora looked between them and me, chewing her lip as if she were trying to decide what to do.

"Get naked and grab a robe!" I called, realizing that this was her first experience like this, and I'd left her clueless as to how to proceed.

With a giggle, she stripped, threw on a robe, and joined me for a quick snack.

"Sorry, I'm not sure how all of this works," she admitted, her gaze downcast as she picked at her food.

"Hey, no need to apologize. We've been apart for so long I've forgotten that you didn't grow up with things like this," I reassured her. "We'll hang out here for a bit, maybe soak in the water, and then when we're ready for massages, we'll just ring the bell and let them know. Today is all about us and relaxing."

"Thank you," she breathed, her shoulders dropping away from her ears. "But first, I need advice, Liliana, now that we're away from all the tension and noise at Ryza. I'm so lost and confused."

I glanced toward the deep end of the grotto where Immonen and Domi were chatting and sipping their drinks. "Whatever you're going to say needs to stay between us. I love Immonen and Domi, but with everything going on, it"s best that we only trust each other with this, okay?"

Izidora nodded and swiped a juicy berry from my plate, and I made a noise of protest before shrugging and downing more wine.

"I am half Angel," she began, chewing slowly.

"I know." I put my hand on her arm, reassuring her that her heritage did not bother me.

She swallowed the rest of the fruit, then sighed. "Okay, then I can skip ahead. There is another Angel at the Iron Realm, Zuriel, who was present the day the Goddess's Prophecy was spoken over a millennia ago. You saw him at the archery competition. We're related. His uncle was my mother's mate – my real father. But he told me when the original prophecy was spoken, it was delivered in an old language. In our modern tongue, the meaning was misinterpreted. It called for two mates, which is why I have to choose."

I sipped from my wine, needing it to steady me. "Go on," I encouraged.

"Honestly, I didn't know what to think, until Zuriel gave me a necklace enchanted with my mother's memories. When I put it on–" she paused, looking to the ceiling as her throat worked. I stroked her arm soothingly. That must have been life-changing for her, to hear from the mother she never knew. "When I put it on, I fell into moments of her with both Ithuriel and Zalan. King Zalan was so awful to her. And I felt what she felt for Ithuriel. At the end, she told me what a male should be and what a male should not be.

"I told Ruslan I needed time to decide. I wanted to see Kazimir again, to see which of the two was the better male. Because the fate of our world rests on who I pick, and the burden is so heavy." She took a drink, steadying herself. "But when Kazimir rode up to the citadel, I sensed he was different. He was not the male I left. He was," she paused as if she were searching for the right word, "sinister, almost reminding me of the guards in the cave."

Another sip as she recalled the horrific memories she carried.

"In the receiving line, he was so unnecessarily cruel. And then he called Ruslan a rapist and stabbed him. The Kazimir I knew would never have acted that way. But when we went out on our date and he returned Mistik to me, the old Kazimir broke through, and it sparked this tiny hope in me, despite the obvious warning signs."

I rubbed circles on her back as tears welled in her eyes. She dipped her chin, and with a shuddering breath, continued. "I am also an empath, so I feel everything. So deeply. A few nights ago, I slept and dreamed of them – my mother, my father, and the Goddess. I got to embrace them–" A sob wracked her petite frame, and I pulled her into my arms. My best friend had been through so much, all on her own, and my heart hurt for her.

She pulled away when she was ready to speak again. "You don't know Ruslan very well, but I do. We understand each other in a way that no one else can. He grew up parentless, just like me. He did what he had to do to survive, just like me. He struggles with his emotions, just like me. And that understanding means everything. He is afraid of being abandoned, just like me. He has his darkness, yes, but he follows my light. Our pain dances together and creates something beautiful. I want to choose him, but with the weight of the decision… I don't know. I guess I am fearful of making the wrong choice."

Izidora's voice broke, and then she shattered, tears flowing faster and harder than the small waterfall at the back of the grotto. I clutched her tighter to me, and her hands fisted my robe, clinging to me like she needed someone to save her from the demons that plagued her mind and the impossible decision that lay before her. My eyes burned, and not from the scented steam of the mountain's water. Guilt also settled in my belly, as I knew information that would help her make this choice, but would imparting it sway her in the wrong direction?

That was the thing about prophecies: they were all so vague and open to interpretation. And if I were the one who forced Izidora on the wrong path, what kind of friend would I be? Her burdens were already so much, I couldn't add to them.

So I sat in solidarity with Izidora, allowing her the space she needed to feel and process without pressing my opinions on her. Because the last thing she needed at that moment was to feel pressured by me to choose one way or another. How was anyone supposed to know what was light and what was dark until after the fact? Everything in this life existed on a spectrum of gray, and even then, how could anyone be certain of the shade unless it was held up against another?

"Izidora, you are so incredibly strong to go through all of this on your own. And you have empath magic – such a rare gift. You are the perfect person to wield it," I murmured after a few moments.

"I only want to do what is best for everyone around me. I don't want to plunge the world into chaos because I'm being selfish in my decision," she sniffed, lifting her head from my chest and revealing her watery, red-rimmed eyes.

"Well, someone has to take care of you, and it sounds to me like you could use a friend no matter what. You will always have that person in me, Izidora, no matter who you choose." I smiled at her through my own blurred vision.

She threw her arms around my neck and sobbed. "I thought you wouldn't want to be friends anymore after I told you I thought Ruslan was the right choice."

"Females first, always." I meant every word, and I hugged her back. "You are my friend, my best friend, and no male will ever change that."

"Thank you." Her laugh was hoarse and thick. "If Kazimir had someone else, I wouldn't feel so bad. Honestly, it would make this choice easier."

I pressed my lips together, debating revealing what he had been up to during each night since we'd arrived in the Iron Realm. Finally, I sighed. "He's been going to Steel too, and participating."

She nodded. "Well, I have been fucking Ruslan, so it's not like I should expect him to stay celibate."

I offered her another firm squeeze. "It's okay if you feel hurt by his actions."

She paused for a moment, the corners of her mouth momentarily dipping into a frown. "That's the thing, I don't. If I end up choosing him, we'll be on equal standing, having both been with others since we parted. If I don't choose him, there's hope that he can move on with his life." She swiped at her eyes with the backs of her hands, shaking her head and clearing it. "Thank you for listening."

"It sounds like you needed to talk. I missed you so much," I whispered to my friend. My hand rested on her shoulder and I gave it a light squeeze.

"Goddess, I did," she sighed, shoulders slumping inward. "No matter what happens, will you promise to stay with me?" Her eyes pleaded with me to say yes.

"Absolutely. I can give males hell from anywhere on this continent," I laughed, looping my arm through hers and then touching my temple to her shoulder. After a moment, I rose, pulling off the white robe and tossing it to the side, Izidora following my actions. We joined Domi and Immonen in the water, and I groaned as the heat enveloped me and chased away the chill of the Iron Realm. I brought along a menu to read from while the steam soaked into my every pore. I pointed out and explained the different options to Izidora while we sat, and eventually, Immonen insisted we get one of each type of treatment so Izidora could try them all. Once our decisions were made, Immonen rang the bell, and not a minute later, the female attendant reappeared. We relayed our choices, and she promised to return momentarily with supplies and body therapists to treat us.

"Okay, Liliana, you have to tell us what happened last night. I need a lighthearted topic," Domi chuckled as we each settled on the tables in the water.

"It's not quite a lighthearted topic so much as a long-dicked topic," I sniggered, flipping onto my front as the female rubbing mud all over me worked her way down my back.

"I simply must hear this story," she insisted, and we shared a laugh as I launched into the tale of Steel and the wildness of the previous nights. Many gasps and flushed faces filled the underground grotto as we were pampered, each passing moment pushing me into a deeper relaxation. Izidora, too, finally relaxed, and that was the happiest moment of them all.