Page 148 of The Oracle of Dusk

“And glory to the star of Aureum,” he added.

Theron nodded.

“What news?”

“We are ready to depart to Aureum on your command, Your Majesty.”

Aurora would need at least the rest of the day to recover from everything. And now that his people were here, he would have the funds on hand to outfit her as his queen. It was a shame that he would need to do business with the grasping merchants of Boreas, but some things couldn’t be avoided.

“Then we leave tomorrow morning. And have someone acquire the appropriate trousseau for a queen of Aureum, or at least as close to one as can be had in this cursed queendom. The gown she wore today is in the bathroom. Use it to get her measurements.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ve also brought correspondence from home.” Nireus presented him with several scrolls, as well as blank parchment, ink and sealing wax. “Is there anything I can do for you, Your Majesty?”

“Guard the temple. Ensure none of Flora’s minions enter. And bring food and drink to the room. Return an hour after that for the letters being sent home.”

“It will be done. Triad preserve the sun and star of Aureum.”

As he read through the letters, all more of the same, pleading for his swift return, his mind wandered. His Aunt had counselled him to reveal himself to Aurora. Was it really wise to let Aurora know him fully? To see all his flaws? Wouldn’t that just make her regret her choice? He was already playing with fire, given the existence of Batea’s serpents. As far as Aurora knew, he’d never seen her Drakon or it’s like. If she found out he’d kept them from her, she would be angry. Perhaps even angry enough not to forgive him.

A sense of disquiet settled on him. He knew it had taken the person she loved most from her. Had devastated her homeland. Had driven her to chase it across the world, no matter the danger. What chance did their nascent relationship have against the weight of her past? He didn’t like his odds.

Maybe in this case, a small lie would save her from the greater hurt. Theron dipped the quill in the ink and scratched off the most important letter of the day. One to Batea, ordering her to slay her serpents. None of them were even close in size to the beast from Aurora’s memory, or could fly, or even had the awesome destructive capabilities of the one that had nearly killed her. But it was better to be safe than sorry. He wanted to risk their relationship as much as he wanted to risk her life. If he presented their heads to Aurora when they returned to Altanus, she might be upset for a time, but by then the beasts would have been destroyed for good, and they could get on with their lives as king and queen. If he were exceptionally lucky, she might buy that he’d ordered their death the moment he’d seen Drakon through her eyes. She never needed to know how close he and his cousin had gotten to creating a beast just like it.

As for Drakon itself, he would question Batea in private about it. If it had escaped her kennels to cause trouble abroad, he needed to know how best to neutralize it, and putting that request to paper was simply too dangerous. The temples could accuse both he and Batea of being agents of chaos, and Aurora would truly never forgive him if they’d made Drakon in truth.

When the commander returned with food, drink, and another dress, this one in red and gold, as well as a sleeping gown made of silk, Theron nodded in pleasure. As Nireus retrieved the letters Theron wanted sent and saw himself out, Aurora roused.

“What time is it?” she asked, her words slurred by sleep.

“Late afternoon.”

She groaned, pulling the covers over her head. Theron pulled them back.

“Here, have something to eat, refresh yourself and then rest.”

She probably hadn’t eaten much at all, and the day had already been long and strenuous.

“Mmm,” Aurora replied, groggily sitting up.

He fed her bite-sized pieces of delicacies as she leaned on his chest, his arm around her. Skin to skin, he once again revelled in the softness of her. This felt warm, sweet, almost domestic. Was it safe to allow himself to sink into this? He’d never allowed such coziness with his past lovers. Suddenly, he was glad that this was something he and Aurora alone shared. Maybe the path towards love need not be fraught. Maybe it was filled with more tenderness than risk. As he was trying to decide if he should allow himself to like it or not, her eyes began to droop.

“Go wash up,” he urged her.

“Tyrant,” she grouched.

“But you love my tyranny.”

She growled, leaving the comfort of the bed to waddle over to the bathroom, closing the door behind her. When she came out some time later, she leaned against the doorframe. Exhaustion had left her pale. She’d been through an ordeal today, and that was before he’d bedded her senseless. It was a wonder she could stand at all. She looked down at herself, blinking owlishly.

“Where did my clothes go?”

Theron held back a snort, getting her sleeping gown and helping her into it. Dressed in gold, she looked right. His.

“Oh, there they are,” she said, plucking at the shimmery material. Aurora looked from him to the bed, to her shaking legs. “The bed is really far.”

“Then I suppose it can’t be helped,” he said, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

He picked her up in his arms. She snuggled into him.

---