11. Chapter Eleven

Sunlight streams through the cracks in the shutters, waking me like petals blooming at daybreak. I yawn and stretch, delighting in the embrace of the blankets cocooning my body. My house's familiar scents of lavender and herbs permeate the room.

What a strange and terrible dream. Kidnapped and held prisoner as they take me to an entirely foreign kingdom. Yawning, I push myself up into a sitting position, rubbing the sleep from my eyes and looking around for Lemon when I spot the unfamiliar furniture around me.

Where am I?

The memories of the last few days come flooding back. Not a night terror, but reality, and with it comes the dread that today we would journey closer to Shadowvale. Frantically, I look around the room for Aramis, but there is no sign except an indentation of his body on the bed next to me. Running my hands over the fabric, remanents of heat cling to the sheets. Warmth floods my cheeks as I remember the way he stood at the foot of the bed, drinking me in. The door abruptly opens and the female from the night before comes bustling in the room, breaking my flow of thoughts. She stands in a sheer chemise that hardly leaves much to the imagination, carrying a tray laden with fruits, cheese, honey, and ale. She stops and looks at me, still laying in bed; an angry blush coloring her pale cheeks.

"Where is Prince Aramis?" She asks, her voice sickly sweet. Her eyes sweep over the bed, seeing the remains of his imprint on the cover. I can see the tick in her jaw as she grinds her teeth the more she stares at me in bed.

"How would I know?" I reply, pushing myself up to sit, drawing the covers up to my chin. I comb my fingers through my hair, attempting to detangle some of the knots. "I haven't seen him. I just woke up." And based on her expression, I'm pretty sure she hasn't seen him either. She couldn't possibly think there was something going on between the Prince and I, could she?

"Well." She purses her lips and looks around the room one last time, her eyes catching his cloak drying over the chair. She shifts the tray in her arms and glances back at me. "Do you know when he will be back?"

"I come and go as I please, Oletta." Aramis's tall form stands behind the blonde, his eyes watching my fingers confront a rather hateful knot. "Good, I'm glad to see that you're up. And it appears we have breakfast."

Aramis grabs the tray out of Oletta's arms, who storms out of the room, slamming the door with unneeded force, and places it on the bed next to me. Leaning forward, his hand sinking into the mattress, he grabs a raspberry, popping it into his mouth, all the while never breaking his gaze from mine. "Eat, Sybil. We leave within the hour." Our eyes lock on each other, never parting. A whisper of wind greets me as it curls around my cheek—almost friendly and sweet. My breath falters, unsure of how to interpret the gaze and greeting.

"I, uh, an hour?" I stutter as I nervously bite at my bottom lip, heat rushing to my cheeks at his obstinate studying.

"Yes, Sybil," he drawls softly in a deep baritone. His eyes darken as they lower, focusing on my lips. My breath hitches at the sight of his tongue darting out to eat another berry deliberately slow as he meets my gaze. I am losing my mind. "Or do you have a problem with that?" A twist of wind brushes through my hair and caresses down my neck, causing my toes to curl. Contrasting feelings battle within my heart and brain to the point that I no longer know how to address the man in front of me. Is your captor still your captor when he is rooting for your survival? When he tells you his court's secrets to prepare you to stand trial? Or when he looks at you like you are the one good thing left on this continent?

"No. Yes. Uhm." I blurt out and I am unsure whether I answered Aramis's question or the ones afflicting my mind. I scoot back and shake my head to clear it. Reaching forward, I grab a piece of cheese from the tray; better take advantage of the good food before we get back on the road.

I'll need everything I can get when preparing to face the king and queen.

"How many days will it take to reach Shadowvale from here?" I ask casually, trying to restore some normalcy between us. Whatever this is, I have much bigger problems awaiting me. I cannot risk getting distracted.

"Not more than two days if we stay on track. I have urgent matters to take care of. My people need me." The message Nero delivered yesterday must have contained important information. Before I wonder if it involves the rebels, he meets my gaze and continues, "A shifter attack has been foreseen directed at Larnwick, I need to make sure no innocent blood is lost." I nod understandingly, and this information reminds me that for the people of Shadowvale, I represent the enemy. I cast my eyes down and quickly cross my arms over my chest. My movements have caused the blankets to fall away, revealing my thin chemise.

"Sybil." The way he says my name…

"Aramis!" Nero's voice barks from the hallway.

I scramble to pull the covers back up, my eyes darting to the gown I'd lain out at the foot of the bed the night before. I meet his gaze, holding my breath.

"We're not finished," he says huskily, before he briskly turns and walks out the door.

I have no idea what's changing in him, but I also don't want to stop it.

***

The next two days creep by in silence. We are all restless from the journey it has taken, but my apprehension grows with each stride closer to the Shadowvale castle. I can now see the fortress stands tall and imposing, its shadow cast upon the rocky terrain surrounding it. The mountain range towers above the castle, its jagged peaks piercing the sky, radiating a sense of foreboding, as though something ominous is lurking within the imposing structure. I shiver as the cold wind whips through my hair, blowing the scent of pine trees and fresh snow towards me. I hear the sound of a wolf howling, a chill washing under my skin that mixes terribly with the cold. Was it only a few days ago that I was sitting in the pouring rain at the entrance to the tavern? The past fortnight feels like a blur as my jumbled thoughts turn to focus on what my future holds.

Let alone all the considerations with the prince.

"Aramis," I start, words forming in my head. We have hardly spoken a word since we left Lunaris, both unsure on how to process the moments we shared now that our little bubble is about to burst. Not that I wanted to speak with him, but the alternative was letting my thoughts consume me, eating away any barrier I have erected to prepare for the coming days.

"Sybil, you must address me as Prince Aramis from here forth." His body tenses behind me, his tone is cold and clipped.

My heart clenches at how cruel he sounds. "Oh? Back to formalities, your royal highness?" My reply drips with sarcasm and a hint of attitude, but I am careful to mask any hint of the sadness that has taken over me. He has never made it a secret that he lives for his duty as crown prince. It was foolish of me to think I might have changed his mind on my kind and made a friend. With an exasperated sigh, he loosens his grip on the reins.

"I'm sorry. There is a lot on my mind." His tone is sullen, lacking the heat from our usual banter. "What do you need?"

"What assurance do I have that they will not harm me upon reaching Shadowvale?" I blurt out, my insecurities winning over logic. As his silence stretches out, my heart rate increases. The only sound is the rhythmic beating of hooves against the ground.

"Sybil, you are–" He starts.

"I'm afraid." The honesty of my words hangs heavily between us. I clench my fists in my lap, trying to stop my hands from shaking and I have to remind myself to take deep breaths. A panic attack will do me no good in this situation. Aramis sighs behind me and gently takes one of my hands in his, absentmindedly drawing circles on the back of it to calm me down.

"You could help me. Vouch for me in front of the king and queen. Tell them about these last few days." My voice breaks as I plead once again my case to the Prince of Shadowvale.

"It's not that simple, Sybil. I cannot get involved because I… I can no longer be objective about you." His hand squeezes mine for a fraction of a second, and I wonder if I have imagined it. "I have a duty to uphold to protect my kingdom at all costs," Aramis continues. "Absolving you from your crimes without a fair trial would not be just. Believe me when I tell you that I have already helped you more than I have ever helped any shifter." He sighs heavily behind me. "Being afraid is part of being alive."

The sound of hooves echoes across the drawbridge as we cross onto a stone cobbled courtyard. Aramis slides off before removing me from the horse's back. My legs quiver beneath me, threatening to give out. A firm grip at my elbow steadies me, and I look up at Aramis.

"Promise me," I whisper as I stare from the massive door to his endless blue eyes. Eyes that only a few days before couldn't waver from me. Eyes that laughed as we shared a saccharine sweet silver apple. "Promise me they'll be fair. Promise me I'll be okay."

"My father will know the truth I have seen." He tears his gaze away. "My father is a just and honorable male and will see the truth. His word is law, even above the Queen's." Aramis sounds weary and resigned.

"Aramis," I plead. Pages rush out and take the horses, leading them away. My heart aches as I watch them, hoping they'll get the rest and care they deserve after the journey we've had. "I can't do this. They think I'm actually leading a rebel army. How am I supposed to prove I'm not involved with no proof except my own testament?"

"Yes, you can, Sybil. Believe in your truth. You saved me from a chimera, remember? You're braver than you think." Aramis refuses to meet my eyes as he whispers words of encouragement. His grip around my elbow holds onto me tightly, and the lithe and graceful stance I've come to expect from Aramis is all rigid stone.

"I don't belong here," I whisper. Panic settles into my bones like an electric current and I fall back into my old habits, scared to stand up for myself and wanting to hide from the world. I buck against his grip, my breath increasing. "Aramis–you know I don't belong here. "

"Come." His face twists into a scowl as he drags me towards the front door. "What will they think of your actions if you run away in fear? How will you prove your innocence, then?"

"Let me go," I seethe through clenched teeth. The iron cuff bites into my wrist as I pull away, digging my feet into the ground. I am not going down without a fight.

"Stop fighting. Please. Hurting yourself will not do anyone any good." His face is a mask of apathy, his features cold and distant.

Why is he acting like this?

"Sybil lass. We can nae just let ye go. Be strong." Nero steps up to my other side.

"I don't want to be delivered like some prized mare." Aramis wants to capture a wild pony. I'll fight him like one. I lift my leg, kicking him in the shin. The grip on my wrists loosens and I don't hesitate, pulling from his grasp before turning and sprinting towards the drawbridge.

Abruptly, I stumble and crash to the ground, my skin scuffing against the coarse stones. Strong, rough hands seize me, pinning my arms to my sides and my face against the cool ground. A bolt of panic has me pulling at my restrained arms.

"Sybil," Aramis grunts, and a soothing wind cascades over my skin. "I didn't want it to go down like this."

How dare he use his winds against me like this! I reach desperately for my magic. Aramis' grip on my arm is like an iron vice as he drags me upright and towards the carved stone staircase and the massive wood doors—my fate looming.

"How else is it supposed to go down? You're delivering me to my doom," I seethe through clenched teeth. "Who will believe me?"

I was such a fool to believe this would work. Of course, it won't! It felt so realistic when I saw the change in Aramis, but now I have to convince a king.

Another wind brushes against my cheek and temple, and I soften. Why didn't I fight harder? Why didn't I try harder to escape earlier? He did this to me. Aramis lured me into trusting him! I should have never stopped hating him.

Frantically looking around, I open my mouth to scream for help, but the rush of air leaves my lungs. I fall to my knees, black clouding the edge of my vision. A soft buzzing sounds in my ears as I take in the night sky, stars sparkling in its black void.

My body trembles involuntarily as he stands towering over me. "I'm sorry." His words are barely a whisper over the roaring in my ears.

"Then promise me you'll speak to your father and the queen about my innocence–" I beg at the last moment. "Promise me you'll fight for me. That the man I met isn't a lie. You speak of duty, then protect me, one of the people you owe by title alone."

I look at Aramis–waiting for a fraction of the male I was beginning to know. But he offers me nothing, and I drift away into oblivion as my heart breaks.