Chapter 18
I woke up in my bed covered in sweat and all alone.
I started to sob. Not really sure why. Was I upset I was still here? Or was I relieved because I was still here? I wasn’t sure and this made me sob even harder. I cried until there were no more tears left. It was then that I realized two things. First thing I was in my bed, how had that happened? Evver was too small to carry me here. Who had she gotten to lift me? The thought embarrassed me.
Second was why would I be upset to be home and never be able to come back to Paradan?
After all, I had wished for it in the beginning. My dream had seemed so real. I wanted the life I saw at the start of my slumber. I wanted Paradan to return to its glory before Tommit took control and ruined so many lives. Most of all I wanted to be a part of it. My mind had been using my willingness to wed Tommit as the only way to save Evver and Cassius. What if there was another way? Could there be a way to bring him down and destroy the monster forever? I wasn’t sure. I needed to find a way but it was growing harder and harder to distinguish those around me from those I could trust. There seemed to be plenty of wolves in sheep’s clothing surrounding me.
Maybe I would have to play along with the wolves.
*
I got up and washed my face.
There was going to be a new Aurora when I walked out of this room. I may look the same on the outside but something in me had changed. I was tired of running from bullies. That was all Tommit, Drayben and Lote were. They were just big bullies who were used to getting their own way. If enough of us fought back then it might work but who could I entrust with my thoughts? My stomach growled in protest. I had eaten too much when I had gone to dinner with Tommit. I should have a belly ache but for some reason eating so much at dinner had increased my appetite. Perhaps it was my nap that had ignited my hunger.
I straightened my dress and used my fingers to smooth my hair. I was certain I looked a fright, but now I didn’t care much. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door. I was shocked there was no one standing guard.
This was strange. First Evver was gone and she never left my side these days. Now there was no guard. I was grateful but I wasn’t going to go looking for my missing guard. There were lanterns lit down the hallways lighting my way toward the small kitchen.
The castle was so silent it was.. eerie.
I found myself checking behind my shoulder for danger. My nerves were tingling. My steps were quick and quiet. I could see the opening of the kitchen and there was a warm light coming out welcoming me in. It was a relief to find my way to somewhere familiar. I stepped around the doorway. My heart stopped.
Sitting at the table were, Evver, Lote, and— Cassius.
Lote and Cassius were seated at the far end of the table. Evver was at the other end of the table and looking afraid. Cassius looked at ease. I was certain Evver hadn’t had a chance to share her shocking news with Cassius yet. He looked so at ease. I prayed he hadn’t said anything incriminating linking him and Evver.
“Aurora” Evver shouted jumping out of her chair. Suddenly all eyes were on me. I felt like I was interrupting.
“Hi. Sorry to interrupt. I was hungry.” I started looking around the room for something to eat. I willed my hands to become busy, so that I wouldn’t use them to reach out to Evver or Cassius. My eyes searched around the room and I looked in every direction except the table.
Evver was to me in a quick moment.
“Here, let me get you something.” Her hands were shaking and I looked into her eyes praying she would calm herself.
“So Cassius you were telling me why you were here.” Lote’s voice rang in my ears.
“I was just telling the girl here, I can’t recall her name, I am going to need a lunch packed for Miss Aurora tomorrow. Her riding lessons start in the morning. I promised King Tommit I would have her riding like a professional by week’s end. I would hate, to let the King down. So I thought I would save time and have lunch ready to go with us in the morning.” Relief flooded me.
“What is an excellent idea It would be great if everyone thought ahead like you. Now, I will be going so you may arrange it. Good night Aurora, Evver and Cassius.” She stood up and her wings made the smallest of movements as if they were fighting to take off. My stomach tightened thinking about it. I knew our charade would have to continue. I worried she would pop back in to check in on us.
When we were sure she had made her way far from the safety of the warm kitchen, we spoke.
“Evver, let’s go. I don’t want Lote returning and finding us still huddled together.” I turned to take a single glance at Cassius. I wouldn’t allow myself anything more. When I looked in his direction, my stomach dropped. He was looking at me and he looked so hurt. I hated putting any of the pain I saw in his eyes. It was for the best. I couldn’t have him linked to me or Evver more than he was already going to be. He recovered quickly.
“I will see you tomorrow morning Miss Aurora.” His tone was cold and sent ice cooling my blood. My heart was caught in my chest.
“Good night.” Were the only words I trusted myself to say out loud. My gaze lingered on him for a moment longer and then I grabbed Evver’s arm and dragged her out of the room. I didn’t give her a chance to say goodbye or to worry about my growling stomach. Without a word, I continued to drag her through the hallways of the castle. Making a beeline for my bedroom I was focused on getting her too somewhere safe. Right now it was the safest spot I knew. I could see someone coming, I could hear someone at my door and I could see the entire kingdom from my window.
I knew Evver had to be wondering what was going on.
She was still shaken up from our encounter with Lote. So was I. Cassius had played it cool but I wondered if Lote was still suspicious. It terrified me to knowing she could fly. It just showed me that she was not what she appeared.
Lote looked like a kind and caring mother figure.
She went out of her way to help everyone in the castle putting herself in the middle of everyone and their problems. Now I knew it was just her way of keeping tabs on all of us. Because of her I was being forced to marry the despicable Tommit. I would bet my life that she was the very reason Drayben knew so much about my affinity for Evver; it was simply because of Lote. I couldn’t risk her having any idea Cassius was anything other than a stable boy.
We rushed inside my room and shut the door.
We were both gasping for breath. It took us a few minutes to relieve our lungs of the pressure of from our run thru the halls. I walked over and sat down on the large window seat. Looking out the window I could see they had lit the torches for the night while I was away. It really was a beautiful sight. Evver sat across from me. We sat in silence for almost twenty minutes before she spoke.
“I’m sorry.” Her words brought my head up with a snap.
“Sorry? Why? What happened?” My mind was already playing a wicked game of torture with images which would end the lives of those I loved. My muscles tightened I worried they would burst.
“For leaving you if I would have just stayed here then Lote wouldn’t have found me and Cas.” She looked incredibly guilty and I could see it weighed on her heavily.
“What happened before I got there?” I was terrified of the answer.
*
“Cassius had just arrived. He was there to make arrangements for tomorrow. I couldn’t believe it when he told me. I wanted to laugh when he told me that Tommit insisted on Cassius spending time with you. If he only knew.”
“What about Lote?”
“Well, Cassius had just finished telling me about the riding lessons when Lote showed up. You should have seen her. She put on her sugary act and wanted to know all about Cassius. I prayed he would know better, see through her act when I couldn’t. Just then, you showed up. It was an answer to my prayer. One look at you and Cassius could tell something was up with her. I am just so glad he was smart enough to keep his mouth shut.” She smiled. I was certain she was thinking about how she had just pulled one over on Lote.
*
It relaxed me for a minute to see her smiling like that. It was so rare these days to see her experience even a moment of joy.
I wished I could give her a million moments like this.