49. Chapter 49

Chapter forty-nine

H avens eyes flitted open at the sound of birds chirping and the warmth of early morning light. She was lying on her side with a large weight draped across her hip and a hardness digging into her backside. Niks bed, she reminded herself, she was in Niks bed. She cursed, having no idea what time it was. Tasha would have her ass if she was late for training. Haven scanned the room, finding a clock on Niks dresser. It read eight fifteen. Not late enough to risk strangulation but definitely not on time either.

Haven rushed from the bed, finding her robe lying on the floor. Tossing it on, she remembered to grab her dagger from where she dropped it last night when Nik shoved her against the wall.

Nik groaned from the bed ,

"Where are you going?" Sleep coated his voice, making it all too tempting to crawl back into bed. Maybe she'd get more acquainted with that hardness she'd felt earlier. Attempting to shove the thoughts from her mind she said,

"Sorry. I can't be any more late for training"

Haven stole one last glance to Niks bed, where he lay half naked and looking all too cozy.

As Haven rushed out the door, she couldn't bring herself to regret last night. They may not have talked about why Nik wanted her to hate him so much but she could feel the beginnings of something between them. Something strong, powerful and incredibly right.

Rushing down the hall, Haven almost slammed into Astrea who was preparing to knock on her door.

"Hey!" Rea jumped back in fright

"Sorry, just me" Haven reassured her, unlocking the door and leaving it open for Rea to follow.

"Where were," Rea paused before a shocked look unfurled across her face. "Oh my gods!"

"What?" Haven snapped, disrobing and attempting to get herself into her training clothes as fast as possible.

"You smell like him!" Rea whisper shouted, apparently afraid of spying ears.

Haven shrugged her shoulders. "Is that a bad thing?" She asked. She didn't care if the entire realm knew whose bed she had been in last night but she had a feeling that Nik might.

"Yes!" Rea snapped. "Wait here. I'll be right back" With that, Astrea rushed out the door, banging it shut behind her.

Haven threw on her clothes as quickly as she could. She was rapidly running out of time before she was exceptionally late to meet Tasha. Risking a glance in the mirror, Havens whole body heated at what she saw there.

Mussed hair sticking every which way, swollen lips and small bite marks up and down her neck. She looked like she'd been rolling around in bed all night. Which she had. Haven knew she could probably also use a shower, not that she had time for one.

Attempting to tame the rats nest of thick red hair, Haven wet her hair using the small bathroom sink. Next she grabbed a comb, pulling it roughly through the tangles and making the few curls puff up. After the knots were removed, along with a good chunk of hair, Haven tossed her hair in a quick braid. She tied it off with a leather band and prepared to leave her room. Before she could get out the door, Rea came rushing back inside her room.

"Oh good you're still here." Rea closed the door and dropped a few items onto the bed.

"Here take this first" Rea handed her a small white crystal. Haven was only confused for a second before Rea began to explain,

"It'll hide your scent. That way no one will smell him on you"

"Oh" Haven responded, "Is it really such a bad thing if people know we were together?"

Rea gave Haven a sympathetic look,

"Unfortunately, yes. In this realm you have a lot of supporters. Many due to the fact that they've been ruled by Niks father for so long and they don't like it. They don't like his actions, he's smarmy, rude and disrespectful among other things to anyone that doesn't have any powerful influence. That image extends to his son. If people were to find out about the two of you, you would lose a lot of support. Your claim to the throne would weaken. Not that there's anything anyone can do to prevent you from taking your place but they can make it harder. It's not worth it. For now, just take the crystal."

Rea closed Havens hands around the crystal. It felt warm in her hand, she could feel it attempting to press its magic into her. Haven only hesitated a moment before allowing the magic to wash over her. She could feel it covering her like a second skin.

"Good" Rea smiled, "If anyone asks, You're learning about new magics because the crystal won't only hide Niks scent, it'll hide yours as well"

Rea turned to the other object she brought with her.

"What's that?" Haven asked, trying to steal a glance over her Reas shoulder.

"It's a tonic" Rea spoke, turning to hand a small vial to Haven

"What does it do?"

"It's for birth control" Rea told her

"Oh! We um, didn't exactly" Haven could feel the blush rising to her cheeks as her eyes darted anywhere but the direction of her friend.

Rea smirked, "Yeah but you will" Before Haven could respond Rea continued,

"It works for thirty days. You can take it, he can or you both can"

Haven thanked Rea, unstopping the vial and downing it before she could second guess herself.

After Haven finished and handed back the vial, Rea all but shoved her out the door,

"Now get to training before Tasha hunts you down"

***

Tasha was indeed pissed at Haven for being late. She forced her to work extra hard, making her run a fourth lap, do sit ups and crunches until she felt like her non-existent breakfast was going to come up.

Overall the morning had been grueling, causing Haven to do nothing but sit in an old lounge chair she found in the depths of the library after lunch instead of her usual hunt for the diary from Binahs letter. Now she was just waiting for Elanor to show up for their evening lessons. Haven had come to truly look forward to her lessons with Tasha and Elanor.

Her entire world had turned upside down but the lessons helped her land on her feet. She was learning so much about politics, customs and traditions. She also had the confidence she'd be able to defend herself if she was put in a situation that called for it. The blades at her hip and ankle also helped reassure her.

Haven hadn't seen Roman in a few days, he'd told her he would be busy preparing for his travels to his home kingdom. Haven understood, she definitely missed her friend but was hoping to track him down to have dinner with him after her lesson.

A ring sounded through the library, Elanors signal she was ready to begin her teachings. Walking through the stacks, her sore body screaming the whole way, Haven found Elanor at her large desk. Books covered every inch of the surface like normal. Unlike normal, every book on the desk focused on one thing, war .

"What's this?" Haven asked. Originally they were supposed to be going over trade routes and agreements between Drailia and Avenell, another of her kingdoms neighbor across the sea.

"Sit" Elanor said sharply, in contrast to her usual firm but kind tone. The womans long gray hair was pinned high in a tight bun, her dress was a relaxed gray and Haven spotted a blue cloak draped across the back of the chair. Everything appeared normal, except for Elanors tight posture. Something was clearly bothering her.

"What's going on Elanor?" Haven asked, using her best queen voice. Not that it would work on Elanor but maybe it would help the older woman see how unsettled she was.

"Sit child!" Elanor snapped.

Haven sat down and picked up the book nearest her. It was about recent history. Specifically, the takeover of Shaston.

Haven looked up from her perusal of the books when she heard Elanor rustling around in a bag. What she pulled out confused Haven even more. A silencing candle. Elanor moved a book from the center of the table, replacing it with the candle.

"Light it" Elanor told her sharply

Haven sent a wisp of fire towards the candle, catching the wick and igniting the magic. She was starting to get very nervous now. They never used a silencing candle. In fact, sometimes they even invited some of the staff and children to sit in on their lessons. Nothing they ever discussed was a secret.

Elanor pulled another book from her bag and placed it in front of Haven. The title read,

The Creation of Magical Bonds and Ties

"The crown regent has been visiting that book for over a week" Elanor spoke, finally beginning to explain, " He has checked out countless books on magical rules, specifically the ones tying you to the throne. I'm sure you are aware he's been looking for any possible way to keep his position of power"

Haven nodded. She assumed he'd been doing his research, trying to find ways to keep her off the throne. Although she had no proof, Haven was also certain he was behind the attack on her room that took a guards life.

"Good," Elanor told her, "I, along with others, have been keeping an eye on him. We did our own searching, looking for anything he could use against you. At first we believed he was finding nothing as our own searches turned up the same. We have known that he has a back up plan in the event that he cannot find anything and you take over. Unfortunately we still do not know what that plan is."

"So what's with the book?" Haven gestured to the book sitting in front of her. The lack of answers made her nervous, as did her impending coronation. Time was running out for Niks father to make his move. Shadows danced around Havens feet, a manifestation of her nerves.

"We think he might have found something"

Haven sucked in a breath.

"It is my belief that he intends to force you into some kind of magical agreement. Something that would allow him to retain the influence he has. We don't know what, we don't know how he is planning to get you to agree but I know he will not let your coronation happen without attempting something."

"So what do I do?" Haven questioned, trying to get a handle on her nerves .

"As we do not know the exact details of his plans there is not much we can do to fortify against them. For now, I want you to read up on magical agreements. The specifics, the details, everything you can take in. Until he makes his move we are in the dark."

Haven nodded, taking everything in. One thing was bugging her,

"Why all the war books?"

Elanor took a deep breath, Haven steeled herself for what the older fae was about to say.

"The hope is that you will be able to get around, or completely avoid whatever he has planned for you. When you do, I fear our kingdom will fall into war."