Chapter Twenty-Two

*********

Tabitha

Iwake to a familiar sweet scent that has my mouth watering. It also has me confused. Sitting up, I look around and find I'm alone in my room. I get up, wash up, change, and head downstairs.

Theo is sitting on the couch with Koz, looking through a book. They both glance up when I reach the bottom landing.

"Good morning," Theodas says with a bright smile.

"Morning," Koz says.

"Morning," I return.

I hear clanking from the kitchen, so I go that way. The scent is much stronger here. My stomach gives a little grumble.

Dahlia and Skylar are sitting at the table, eating. Raisi is cleaning dishes. There is a pan with small, sugared dough pieces on the counter.

"You look beautiful this morning," Raisi says. I smile, ducking my head. "Sit and I will get you breakfast."

I take a seat at the table. Dahlia gives me a cocky smile, and I have no idea what it's for.

"How are you feeling?" I ask Skylar, who looks much better. Her skin is no longer pale. Her eyes are bright, and her golden hair is shining.

"Amazing," she answers.

"I'm glad."

She certainly needs to work on getting healthy by eating and taking care of herself, but at least she has a good starting point now that Dahlia healed her.

Raisi puts a plate down in front of me and a steaming mug of tea. When I reach for it, I pause, finding Dahlia still staring at me.

"What are you staring at?" I ask in a hushed whisper.

Dahlia only grins wider.

"She's been making comments all morning about your… Uh, Dravens?" Skylar adds, glancing at Dahlia questioningly.

I glance at Raisi, who is at the sink, and to Theo and Koz, who are still on the couch. I grin when I look back at Dahlia.

"They are amazing, are they not?"

"Amazing? That's the word you'd use? I'd say sexy, if I could choose only one."

I roll my eyes.

"That is not why I purchased them, and you know it."

"Oh, of course I know it. But don't tell me their looks didn't have some sway in your choice."

"Wait, you bought these men?" Skylar asks, her nose scrunching up.

"Dravens aren't human," Dahlia explains. "They're bred for protection, like guards."

"But they are still alive, no? They breathe, eat, sleep?"

"Uh, sort of? They actually don't need to eat or sleep much. But even though I purchased them, I do not treat them like animals. Those who purchase Dravens treat them well because they are so expensive, and no, they don't mind," I explain.

"The creatures are bred for this purpose. Trust me, they love it. They serve their masters and enjoy every moment of it. They're like… the best possible submissive you could ever find," Dahlia says with a smile.

"But if they're bred that way, do they truly have a choice?"

I can see Skylar doesn't quite understand how Dravens work, and that's understandable. She is human. She has probably been kept as a prisoner by more than just the ogres. Unfortunately, that is common for humans as they don't have much to protect themselves in a world of beings who have magic and other forms of protection—like ogres who are bigger than houses. It makes me wonder how she is from the Amarys realm and how she ended up with ogres at all, but that's something I will have to save for another time.

I put my hand on her forearm. "I understand your worries, and there isn't much I can do for the others. These three are treated very well, and I assure you, they take pride in what they do."

"Tabitha is going to be queen of Demtra, so they got lucky," Dahlia adds.

Skylar turns to me with wide eyes. "Queen?"

I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. I hate when people look at me like that, but Dahlia loves all the attention. So she has no problem throwing those words around. It's part of the reason I don't tell everyone what I am doing. The other part is that I don't need word getting back to my father. Though, that's likely already happened.

"Her father is the king, and she plans to overthrow him."

"Dahlia," I hiss. "You can't just tell everyone my plans."

"She's not everyone, Tabitha. She's someone you saved. Besides, is it really a secret?"

I hold Dahlia's stare. "Can we talk about the plan, please?"

"I will take Skylar with me for now. Between me and my uncle, we will find her a place to stay. Somewhere safe."

Interesting how she suddenly wants to take her along, when just last night she was complaining that she would need to stay here. I wonder what's changed. IT's best not to question Dahlia. She gets defensive over simple things, never mind something like this. I don't need her changing her mind at the last minute or making a big scene.

"Thank you," I grit out, glad she decided to go with that rather than leaving Skylar here. It's not that I don't want her here, but being closer to people will be better for her. I turn to Skylar and say, "If you want, when I take over the throne, you are more than welcome to come live at the castle with us."

"The castle?" she squeaks.

"Dahlia will be there," I add.

"Darn right I will be. How could I ever give up living in that place? Diamonds. Gold. Velvet. Oh, it's a wondrous thought." She clasps her hands together, fluttering her lashes.

I roll my eyes again, then turn my attention back to Skylar. "I am unsure how long it will be. Days. Months. Years. The fight my father will put up is unknown, but I can send someone for you if you'd like."

"I, uh… I'm not sure how to answer that."

"You have time to think it over. I'm just glad we could help you get back on your feet."

"Yes, about that," she starts, turning toward me. "I cannot thank you enough. That cage was full of people, but somehow, I ended up with you."

"It was meant to be," is my response. And it's what I truly believe. The universe gives us only what we can handle, and what is supposed to happen.

"Still. If there is anything I can do to repay you…"

I wave her off. "Completely unnecessary."

"Tabitha is half angel, so she has to be nice to people."

"You make it seem like I don't want to be!" I argue.

She points at me with her fork. "No, I'm just saying it's in your nature to be nice to people, so Skylar shouldn't feel bad about accepting your kindness. You aren't doing it out of pity or obligation. You're truly just a nice person, and you can't help it."

I don't bother arguing. Arguing with Dahlia is pointless. She never stops and it will end in one of us getting upset. I don't want to start the day that way. So, I focus on eating and drinking my tea.

When we are done, I find the three men packing new backpacks that Kozzanth and Theodas picked up in town this morning when they went for breakfast ingredients.

"Why does it seem we just did this?" I say with a huff.

Raisi smirks, while Theo and Koz don't look humored by my joke.

"We'll leave with you and part ways on the road," Dahlia says, stretching her arms above her head. "Thanks for breakfast, Raisi," she says, winking at him.

He frowns and looks at me. It makes me laugh. It's not that he doesn't understand the gesture, he just doesn't understand why she is doing it to him. And to me, that is funny.

Twenty minutes later, we've left the house, and I'm not as confident as the last time we did this. But I have a strong feeling we will make it to the castle this time. I'm just not sure what will happen when we do.

*********