Chapter Twelve

CHAPTER

TWELVE

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E AGOR AND VALIA RETURN TO THE CASTLE BEFORE I HAVE the chance to meet them, but Cayden informs me of a banquet happening tonight. We bound up the steep steps, and my legs wobble by the time we make it to the entryway. The castle is enchanting . . . truly, everywhere I turn looks like an enchanted forest. Vines create a canopy above an elaborate fountain fashioned after the tree on the Dasterian banner, and floor-to-ceiling windows illuminate the room, sunlight dancing in the jeweled chandelier.

A servant leads me through the halls and up a tower. Each room we pass is more magnificent than the last. It's odd to think that this would all be normal to me if I had been properly raised in Imirath. She pulls a key from her pocket to unlock a set of double doors bordered in gold. "This is your suite, my lady. Your private bathing chamber has various soaps and linens, and I'll return in an hour to help you prepare for the banquet unless you need my assistance washing up."

"No, thank you. I'll see you in an hour," I say. She curtsies and tucks a dark red curl from her face before turning away.

A small gasp leaves my lips when I enter. If I thought the entryway was beautiful . . . it's nothing compared to this. Three tall windows set behind a dining table fashioned from tree roots stretch toward the peaked ceiling and face the snowy mountains beyond the castle. The sitting room is filled with cream furniture with gold floral embroidery and dark wood that complements the stone walls and fireplace.

I step through a door on the left and enter my private chambers. Lanterns and vases filled with lilacs border a four-poster bed with an emerald canopy drawn back. The dark wood floor is the same as in the sitting area, as is the stone that makes up the fireplace and walls, and I note that the sitting area before my hearth is a smaller version of the main room.

I push open two glass doors leading to a half-circle balcony and rush forward, pressing my hands into the banister and staring out to the forest and the crisp blue lake below. "It's gorgeous," I murmur.

"I'd argue my view is better." I snap my head to the side and, much to my dismay, find Cayden sitting on a chair with his boots propped up on a breakfast table. I have an identical table on mine. Our balconies are exactly the same—down to the shrubs, vine-covered columns, and stone carvings. "I'd love to get a closer look to reinforce my theory, though."

"The closer you get, the more inviting the jump looks." I gesture to the deathly drop to emphasize my point.

He places his hands on his railing—they span almost the entire width of it—and his mischievous gaze rakes over me. "Just trying to be neighborly."

"Neighborly?"

He spins away, walking through his glass doors, and I follow suit. I pull the door to my private chambers open to reveal an incredibly smug Cayden standing in a doorway on the opposite side of the suite. "Neighborly," he whispers.

He cuts the distance and shoves his hand onto my door before I can slam it in his face, stepping around me to enter my room. "This is a hilarious joke, but you can call it off now."

"It's for your protection." He crosses his arms over his chest and widens his feet like he's preparing for a fight.

"You're going to protect me from my nightmares?" I pout.

"Not my original plan, but if you feel the need to scream my name during the night, you may do so."

Oh gods, he makes me want to pull my hair out. He's like a walking supply of endless innuendos, smirks, and glares. "I'm not much of a screamer, and I doubt you'll turn me into one."

He takes several steps closer, my heart pounding every time his boots thump against the wood, and leans down to whisper, "We'll see about that, angel."

He graces me with his absence, and I slam the door to my bathing chamber shut. Ailliard is going to loathe this arrangement. White tile replaces the wooden floor, and a two-tier soap tray and oil rests beside a large clawfoot tub. I turn the handles and add some vanilla and lavender to the water. The tub is so deep that the water rises to my shoulders. I run my hands through my tangled hair and scrub every inch of myself with luxurious soap. My aches ease the longer I stay in the tub, and I add hot water whenever it chills.

"Your Majesty?" A soft knock on the door stirs me from my relaxed state. My fingers must look like raisins.

"I'll be out in a moment!" I quickly dry myself and slip into an ivory satin robe. The same redheaded maid stands by my vanity, setting out various makeup and hair products. She offers me a small smile and gestures for me to sit. "What's your name?"

"Hyacinth, my lady," she says shyly.

"It's nice to meet you." I smile at her through the mirror, wanting to ease her anxiety.

We fall into a comfortable silence while Hyacinth works on making me look like I've had a sound sleep within the past several days. She wraps my hair around some heated curlers that will help it dry quicker, then begins lining my eyes and plump lips before adding rouge to finish the fresh and light look.

"What would you like to wear tonight?" Hyacinth asks.

"Do you think my lavender gown is suitable for the occasion?" It's the newest addition to my collection.

"Yes," she says. "I think it's beautiful."

I slide the shimmering gown up my body and hold the bodice to my chest while Hyacinth tightens the ribbons of the corset. She runs her fingers through my curls and finishes the look with the crown Finnian made. When I stare at myself in the full-length mirror, soaking in every detail, I see a different version of myself. I see the princess I wasn't allowed to be, and the queen my people chose. There is no antidote for the poison of my past other than my future.

The gown hugs my slender frame and a slit travels up my thigh, revealing one of my dragon daggers. The handle depicts a dragon head, and an amethyst sits between the wings bordering the blade. Sheer trumpet sleeves stretch to the floor and gold floral embellishments grace the skirts and the bodice that amplifies my small curves. I slip my feet into a pair of heels as Hyacinth answers the sharp knock on my door.

"Good evening, Commander Veles," she says. Annoyance and anticipation tingle under my skin.

"Muse of my nightmares, you have returned." I sigh while straightening my dagger. "Are you here to escort me?"

Nothing but silence greets me.

I spin on my heels to find his darkened gaze roaming over me and his jaw is clenched so tight it must be painful. His cheekbones are so sharp I could hone a blade on them. A black leather tunic hugs his broad frame, and the gold buckles along the front match the rings adorning his long fingers. A sword hangs around his waist, and he looks . . . No.

He blinks and shakes his head as if he's coming out of a trance. "Did you say something?" He clears his raspy throat, but his deep voice has me imagining— no!

"I asked if you're here to escort me to the banquet."

He schools his wanting look with an unreadable, blank face. "This banquet and any other banquet, ball, or dinner." He must notice the confusion on my face because he tacks on, "You're stuck with me, princess."

"Don't you have a job to do? You're not a guard."

"I added you to my job description." He smirks while walking toward my door. "It now reads ‘Cayden Veles—Commander of Vareveth and Defender of the Bane of His Existence.'?"

I loop my hand through his extended arm and try to ignore the fresh scent of pine and spice that surrounds him. "So you have officially given me the title?"

"It was only ever yours to take."

"It's truly an honor." I grin. "I hardly recognize you when you look civilized."

"I can take my clothes off if it's too confusing for you."

I glare. He grins.

My skin prickles with anxiety, considering that every click of my heels on the tile brings me closer to the banquet. Ailliard and I had a conversation about Eagor and Valia before we crossed into Vareveth. I'll have to win them over if I want the alliance papers to be signed in a timely manner. Royals habitually push things off just to be vexing.

Cayden pauses when we get to a set of closed double doors. They're covered in green and gold detailing, just like the walls of the hall. "You ready?" he asks.

I raise my chin while staring down the doors before meeting his eyes, which are already on me. "I'm not bowing," I state.

"Good. I never do," he says, raising his fist to knock three times on the door before straightening himself out by my side.

"Have you ever bowed to anyone?"

"No."

A staff thumps against the floor, silencing whatever crowd has gathered on the opposite side of the door. My hand involuntarily tightens on Cayden's arm, but if he notices, he doesn't make it known.

"Commander Cayden Veles of Vareveth and Her Majesty Elowen Atarah, Queen of Aestilian and Princess of Imirath." The doors fly open as the cheers of the crowd rise to meet us. Cayden guides us forward, and into the den of vipers we descend.