55. Chapter 55

Chapter fifty-five

A fter they finished their talk, Tasha had slipped back into teacher mode, working Haven to the bone for the rest of the morning. Haven was thankful for Tashas lessons but as she sat in the library eating lunch and awaiting Elanor, the aches and pains coursing through her body made her feel anything but.

The longer Haven sat, the more nervous she became about what her tutor would have to say about her impending marriage.

Finishing up the last of her sandwich, Haven quickly dusted a few crumbs off the dress she had changed into and began to wander the library. Walking towards Elanors desk and not finding her there, Haven decided to get a head start on the books already laid out .

After almost a full hour reading about war strategy, Haven began to worry about her late tutor. Elanor was never late. If anything, Haven was the late one.

Footsteps sounded behind her, causing Haven to turn quickly in her chair. Relief flowed through Haven at the sight of her tutor bustling towards her.

"Sorry I'm late!" Elanor apologized as she sat down.

"It's no problem," Haven reassured the older woman, "Is everything alright?"

"Yes, quite! I got caught up talking with an old friend who I thought could help with our little situation." Elanor gestured to Havens hand that was palm down on the table. It wasn't hard to figure out what Elanor was referring to. The deal marking etched into Havens palm seemed to burn as it was so blatantly pointed out.

"How did you find out?" Haven asked.

"One sees things." Elanor tapped her temple and smiled, surprising Haven with her good mood.

"So what did your friend say?"

Elanors smile widened, "Not much, she simply told me not to worry. She was very adamant that everything would work out just fine."

Haven exhaled a breath, she didn't know how Elanors friend had come to that conclusion but it was reassuring nonetheless.

"Alright, let's get started" Elanor hurried on, pushing some books aside as she spoke. Shuffling through the ones laid out before the two women, Elanor picked up a specific edition and handed it to Haven.

"You still think we'll need this?" Haven questioned, in her hand was a copy similar to the book she had been reading before Elanor showed up. It was all about war between fae, about finding weaknesses and exploiting them.

Elanors smile dampened, "Unfortunately I do"

***

Lessons with Elanor ran long. The older fae had tried to apologize again for being late and causing them to be in the library longer than usual. Haven had, of course, reassured Elanor that it was no problem. After all, Haven was pretty sure all that would be waiting for her back in her room was a cold bed.

After grabbing dinner from the kitchens, Haven returned to her room to find her earlier suspicions were not correct, someone was waiting for her when she arrived.

"Hey Rea!" Haven greeted her friend who was lounging on the bed. Setting the plate of mashed potatoes and pulled pork on her desk, Haven tossed herself down next to Rea. It was silent and peaceful for a moment before Rea spoke,

"I heard you're getting married"

Haven sighed, "So everyone has heard then?"

Rea snickered, "No actually, just a few higher ranking members of the staff. I know because the crown regent requested I help get you ready tomorrow. He also requested I give you a fake birth control tonic but I never liked him so I have no plans to follow that particular request"

Haven laughed, the gall of that man astounded her. On a more serious note, she asked,

"Will you help me tomorrow?"

Rea nodded, "Of course. You're going to look amazing!"

"Thank you for not being against this." Haven nudged her friend, "I'm already nervous enough and about ninety percent sure Nik will not show so I appreciate the support."

"I'm sure he will," Rea told her, "Everyone else can say what they want but I know for a fact that he cares about you."

Haven wondered how Rea knew that. As far as Haven knew, Rea didn't have much contact with the crown regents son and Haven thought they'd been fairly discreet with everything going on between them.

"In other news," Rea started, "How's your search for the diary from Binahs letter going?"

Haven told her friend about her failings, about how she was almost certain she'd never find the diary seeing as she'd covered almost every inch of the library at this point. Rea offered to help during lunch tomorrow and Haven gladly accepted.

The pair talked about how Havens training was coming along, her nerves about her coronation in a couple of days and then laughed at the fact that the crown regents big bad plan had been to force Haven into marriage. The threatening note, breaking in and destroying her room, all of it had been orchestrated by him in a bid to remain in power.

Haven guessed that the crown regents plans were the reason Nik was such a jerk when they first met. He had wanted Haven to hate him, to despise him so that she would never agree to marry him. How he knew what his father had been planning, Haven had no idea but she was almost sure he did. She wondered if the crown regent had any other evil plans his son knew about.