Page 42 of Her Royal Blood

Lex

We left Polonius’ sail barges to drift at sea. It would have been advantageous for us to have those boats, but we didn’t want more of Polonius’ warriors sent to Navarrah City to fight to retrieve them. We weren’t ready for that. If we let his barges drift unmanned, he wouldn’t find out for a while they were missing, and when he did, he might not know why they were adrift. And who’s to say he’d find them ever. Perhaps if he used an airship to locate them, but he wasn’t sending airships to the island. Barges carried messages, and we made sure we intercepted all of them. Outside of the boats coming to and from the Island, Polonius had no contact with Vitoria or its prisoners.

When we pulled into the harbor it felt good to have accomplished our mission after three days at sea. We had killed the Crypt Claw warriors and brought a handful of prisoners back to kill or recruit to our side depending on their loyalties. As soon as I entered my father’s stronghold I saw Aria with Amadeus, both were in the main hall waiting for my arrival. I walked at a fast clip to scoop Aria into my arms in a sweet reunion.

“You got him,” I said into her ear as I smiled at Amadeus.

“I did,” she returned with pride. “And he’s doing okay.” She looked over at Amadeus. “But I wouldn’t recommend his driving skills.”

I gave Aria an odd look. “Driving?”

“It is a harrowing story,” Amadeus said, extending his hand for me to take. “Good to see you returned safely,” he added.

“Oh, you are okay.” I took his hand and shook it.

“Do you have your memories back, Amadeus?” I asked, letting go of his hand and taking a seat at the table where a pot of tea and cups had been set out.

After such a long and grueling night of battle I was grateful for the tea and black bread with butter that was being offered. My stomach rumbled with hunger and upset.

“My magic is still unpredictable and uncooperative, but my memories are returning. I’m afraid my healing is a little slow-going.” He looked frustrated, disappointed, and much older than his years.

He’d been through quite a painful and intense ordeal under Polonius’ power.

“But at least we have you back.” I offered Amadeus a genuine smile as I was truly grateful to see him recovering, as I thought for a very long time, there’d be no chance of it.

I looked around the room which was a cavernous space several floors above street level. My father’s stronghold had been built into the back of an apartment building that hid the entire structure. The king’s safehouse had several floors with living quarters, a main room for meetings and gatherings, a kitchen, and break out spaces for strategic gunfire when under attack, or for meetings with my father’s advisors.

Today the main room was empty apart from Amadeus, Aria, Derringer and one of the soldiers who went on the mission with us.

“As soon as Aria is able to get to Onyx Rah and free Halo we’ll get her and the Goldlace mages to help you restore your magic. You will be healed, Amadeus, we owe you that much and more.” I looked at him and how withered he become all because he was trying to help Aria and I escape.

When Polonius first took Aria, Amadeus had rescued her from Brahman’s Peak, but had drained his magic to the point where he’d fallen out of the sky and Polonius intercepted him. From that point forward he used Amadeus as a weapon against us.

“I’m sorry for all that has transpired,” Amadeus bowed his head low and Aria stroked his arm. “I hate that I was forced to work against the two of you.” Amadeus, in his fatigue and recovery, choked back tears.

I wondered if in my absence Aria was able to reconcile with Amadeus and face the sadness she suffered when he had to ignore his paternity and deny her a family. While his actions were justified, because he broke the law in loving her mother and conceiving their child, it still didn't erase the fact that she had been desperate for a family who was always right beside her.

“It wasn’t your fault. Polonius is our enemy and he has wronged us all, grievously, but he will be punished. His day of retribution is coming.” Amadeus gave me a piteous look, perhaps not believing that defeating Polonius was possible.

I understood Amadeus's skepticism, but I couldn't allow doubts to cloud my resolve and derail our momentum. I did see signs of fatigue and defeat in Amadeus, he’d been worn down. I hoped that rest would further restore him. As I’d spent the entire night battling Crypt Claw warriors and journeying to and fromVitoria island, I was beyond exhausted and by the look on Aria's face she was too.

“I think we should get rest while we gather our troops and resources,” Derringer interrupted our conversation. “I have men working with our soldiers and I know that Hawk and Cheyenne are doing their best to bring in new recruits, but we won’t be of any use to anyone if we wear ourselves thin. I’ll check in with Jarvis and tell the King our mission is accomplished, but I suggest you three get some rest and we’ll,” he nodded to the guard by his side, “do the same.”

“You’re right, we’re all exhausted,” I sighed and Aria rested her head on my shoulder.

“At least we all made it here,” she said almost reverently.

I touched her hand. I never wanted to leave her again. I knew that I would have to because we still hadn’t won the war, but when we did, I couldn’t imagine being separated from her, which brought me to the thought of being her king. Cheynne was growing into a competent heir and with him my father could find his successor, but for me, I realized, my place was with Aria. I wanted to support her as the Queen of Onyx Rah’s husband. If I were to ever be a king let me be the compliment to her kingdom, and the right hand to her rule.

“Let’s adjourn to our accommodations and meet back in two days time to discuss our next steps. This way we can rest and strategize,” I suggested.

This was my father’s stronghold and we were in my kingdom so it was my duty as the prince to set our strategy in motion, however, my goal was to get to Onyx Rah and support Aria’s kingdom so that we could return home as wherever she was, I would be.

“Okay,” Derringer stood as did the rest of us. “I’ll go and meet with Jarvis and the king now and give my report of our mission.Lex, Aria and Amadeus look beyond exhausted, I trust you’ll get them both settled.”

“Of course,” I gave Derringer a nod and we left for our separate quarters.

“We have a room on the next floor for you,” I said to Amadeus and Aria and I escorted him there.

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