On closer expectation, Alpha Aeris was not as tall or as striking as I thought he’d been when he approached us, and what was left of his warriors, on the road leading into his city. He was only a few inches taller than , and likely in his mid-forties, but he had the strangest eyes I’d ever seen in my life. They were orange, like the fruit.
I couldn’t help but stare at him as he chatted amiably with Jared while his warriors hissed and groaned on the road around us, rolling around in pain. Jared had released his death grip on my waist but was still standing next to , one of his fingers curled around the back center belt loop of my pants. It felt rather possessive. I kinda liked it. But also I could feel him thrumming with rage as he gritted his teeth and shared niceties with the Alpha standing before us.
I glanced at Archer and Brandt, who were standing beside us now, both of them covered in road dust. Brandt had blood coming out of one of his ears, but otherwise, everyone was in one piece.
“I see you brought a treat for the road this ti,” Aeris grinned, his eyes falling on mine.
I squared my shoulders, blinking at him as my face twisted into a scowl.
“Eliza is part of my crew,” Jared said flatly. “She’s an expert in antiquities, and will be examining the scroll you owe .”
“Ah, yes. I assure you I haven’t forgotten,” Aeris drawled, still holding my gaze. “I find it interesting a female would be interested in the... intellectual pursuits of n.”
My teeth were on edge as I willed myself to calm the fuck down and not say anything to this toad of a man, not yet.
“Well,” Aeris said with a clap of his hands. “Co with .” He turned on his heel and walked towards the gate, leaving his injured warriors behind.
I glanced between Archer, Brandt, and Jared, silently urging them to explain what the hell just happened. Jared gave a quick shake of his head, giving a little push so I was walking beside him instead of behind him.
We walked through the run-down village and into the city. The difference between Aeris’s territory on either side of the wall was striking. The village was the definition of poverty, nothing but shacks and stalls and people dressed in tarnished hospun rags as they carried baskets of coal and produce. But inside the wall?
“Welco to Suncrest,” Aeris said proudly, his hands outstretched.
We passed white buildings lined with shop fronts as we snaked through the city toward the castle. People stopped to bow to their Alpha, surprised by the group of bandits who trailed them. All eyes were on , it seed. Several people glared and whispered as I passed. I couldn’t help but stiffen as we continued on our trek.
Jared was obviously on edge, and Brandt and Archer were keeping in step, walking closely on either side of .
“Sorry about the warriors,” Aeris said casually as we approached a massive gate leading into what looked like a garden, the castle rising beyond it. “I didn’t want to waste the opportunity for them to train with the lost prince.”
Lost prince? I glanced at Jared but he was expressionless, his eyes as cold as ice. The gate swung open and we were ushered inside.
It closed behind us with a clang that sent a chill up my spine as the warriors guarding the gate locked it in place.
“My servants will show you to your rooms,” Aeris said brightly, his orange eyes creasing with excitent. “Make yourself at ho. Jared, be sure to show your friends around, you know the place well.”
***
My room was directly across the hallway from Jared’s, with Brandt and Archer housed on either side. It was in an inconspicuous and quiet wing of the castle, and seed relatively empty save for the rapid footsteps of maids scurrying along outside my bedroom door.
My room was furnished tastefully, with plush rugs covering the marble floor and breezy lace curtains covering several ceiling-height windows overlooking the city below. I’d gazed longingly at the massive bed for so ti before going into the adjoining bathroom and sinking into the hottest bath I could handle, washing the journey away.
Maids had co into the room while I bathed, leaving behind a tray of cookies and tea and several dresses. I had nothing else to wear but the soiled clothing we’d worn into the city, which was covered in dirt from being pressed to the ground when I was rudely assaulted by Aeris’s warriors.
I held up one of the dresses, which was a pale cream color and sported short, fluffy sleeves and a modest neckline, but would drape around my ankles. Again, I felt as though I’d gone back in ti as I dressed and slid my feet into a pair of satin slippers.
I hadn’t seen any other won other than Aeris’s maids, but based on the quality of the dress, I assud everyone here was dripping in wealth and would likely be showing it. I gathered my hair into a bun, tying it with a ribbon, then left the room in search of my friends.
Jared didn’t answer when I knocked on his bedroom door, so I moved on to Brandt’s room, finding the door unlocked. Brandt was curled up in bed, still in his traveling clothes, his open mouth slightly ajar as he peacefully snored.
I smiled to myself as I gently closed the door and moved to Archer’s room–also unlocked–and blushed furiously as I tore my gaze from him and exited the room. He’d also been asleep, but was sprawled out on his belly like a starfish, his bare ass on full display and his snores sending a thundering echo through the hallway as I closed his door.
“Hmm...” I sighed, looking up and down the hallway.
I knew should be sleeping too, but I was still thrumming with adrenaline from our run-in with the warriors outside the city walls. Why not do a little exploring?
I walked down the hallway for a bit, rounding a curve. I noticed an archway along one side of the hallway and walked inside, finding myself in a cozy sitting room full of natural light. Bookshelves lined the wall but were mostly bare. Two couches faced each other near the hearth, and in the center of the room...
A piano.
I arched my brows as I walked forward, plucking one of the keys... perfectly tuned.
I sat down on the piano bench, scooting myself in and flexing my fingers before settling them on the keys. I took a deep breath, then smiled. It’d been so long since I’d played.
I started to play, letting the music fill the room. I’d chosen a song I’d composed myself as a child and perfected over the years when I’d trudge through the snow to the castle in Winter Forest, the ho of my great aunt and uncle, Rosalie and Ethan. Uncle Ethan would sit in an armchair nearby while I filled his ho with music. I’d taught myself how to play and found it was the easiest, and sotis only way to untangle the thoughts and sches constantly running through my mind.
I felt instantly more at ease as my fingers moved across the keys in a practiced, dramatic fashion. The music carried through the room, light and sweet. I lost myself and closed my eyes as the song crested into the crescendo.
“Where did you learn that song?”
I spun around, my heart leaping into my chest as Jared leaned against the archway to the sitting room, a book tucked under his arm.
“You’re incredibly light on your feet,” I panted, trying to still my thundering heart rate. “You scared to death, again.”
He shrugged, eyeing intensely. A heated blush prickled over my cheeks as I broke from his gaze and turned back to the piano.
“I made it up,” I said, answering his question.
“No, you didn’t–”
I glared at him over my shoulder. “I did. Why?”
“Because I’ve heard it before,” his face softened a bit, and he looked almost a little hesitant to continue. “I an, I think I have, a long ti ago. Play it again.” His last words were a sharp, almost desperate command. The air in the room shifted as I broke from his gaze and turned back to the piano.
I chewed my lower lip, finding it damn near impossible to convince myself to play anything else in his presence. “How long have you been standing there listening to ?” I asked softly, my breath catching in my throat.
“I saw you walking down that hallway and wanted to make sure you weren’t getting into trouble.”
“So the whole ti?” My cheeks burned as I rested my hands on the keys.
“You’re really good,” he replied, and I turned to face him just in ti to see the final hint of a smile touch his lips. But there was sothing in his eyes that gave pause, a distant, contemplative look that made my heart squeeze in my chest.
“Thank you,” I said softly, trying to smile, but I found myself locked on his eyes as heat flashed behind them. I thought of the study, of his fingers trailing little circles on my inner thighs. For a mont, I was sure he was thinking the sa.
“Aeris is expecting us in a few hours. You should get so rest. We’re leaving directly after dinner,” he said as if he was holding himself back.
The room seed to be full of electricity, like if I reached out and touched him I’d shock myself just like when our fingers had grazed in the study. That felt like ages ago.
“Alright,” I said, a little breathless. I rose from the piano bench, my eyes downcast on my slippers.
Sothing was happening to the air in the room. I found it hard to breathe for a mont as I looked back up at him.
“Eliza,” he said, sounding just as breathless as I felt.
“Yes?”
He opened his mouth but hesitated, his free hand curling into a fist at his side. “You look... beautiful.”
“Oh,” I whispered. “Thank you.”
He nodded, and turned on his heel, walking away with the grace of a big cat stalking silently through the woods. I placed a shaking hand over my heart. I couldn’t swallow. My whole body was revolting against him walking away.
“What’s wrong with ?” I whispered.
***
The dining hall in Aeris’s castle seed to be made entirely of gold. We were seated at the head of a long table filled with platters of food and wine, with Aeris presiding over the feast with a wide grin on his face. His court was there as well, dressed in riches that seed unbelievable after the poverty I’d witnessed the past few weeks. Archer sat across from , the two of us on either side of Aeris, who was sitting at the head of the table, the two of them bent in conversation. Archer and Brandt were wholly focused on the food.
I was more interested in watching the people of his inner court, those high-ranking mbers of his pack who ran in his circle. I wondered who was his Beta, and who was his Luna, if he had one.
But the won seated at the table were mousy and poised, none of the speaking unless spoken to.
“No, Aeris,” Jared said in a clipped tone that made imdiately turn to witness their conversation.
Aeris gave him a look and poured a substantial amount of wine into his glass.
“The scroll is not going anywhere, my friend. Your companions could use a few days rest after such an arduous journey.”
“We’re not staying–”
“Jared,” Aeris coaxed, a flash of annoyance creasing his eyes. “I think you’d find spending a few days in my court would be in your favor.”
I could tell Jared was seething but was maintaining his composure. His shoulders were rigid, and I imagined his hands clenched into fists under the table. I slid my ankle against his. He didn’t break Aeris’s gaze, but his shoulders relaxed for a mont.
“Just until Friday,” Aeris continued, and it was obvious he wasn’t taking no for an answer.
To my surprise, Aeris turned his gaze on , giving a smile. But his eyes were alight with so sche I couldn’t decipher, I just knew it. “I need so ti to get to know your new... companion. What did you say your na was, darling?”
“Eliza,” I said firmly. “And I’m not your darling.”
Jared gave a swift kick in the shin beneath the table but I held firm, my eyes locked on Aeris, who seed amused more than offended.
“Marvelous,” he said, leaning back in his chair.
Reviews
All reviews (0)