Page 64 of Rising Out of the Darkness
“Try and get a good night’s rest tonight and make sure to eat a big breakfast tomorrow. You’ll need it. We’ll start training with your dynamis first thing in the morning.”
She dipped her head, and I began to make my way back to the door. Full of adrenaline, I knew that sleep would not come swiftly tonight. My night was about to consist of a few glasses of whiskey and averycold shower.
“Declan?” Her sweet voice flooded my senses, pulling me to turn around once more. “You…um…you don’t suppose there’s someone still awake who could bring me some of those chocolate desserts from dinner, do you?” A sheepish grin tickled her lips.
“Of course.”
I bid her good night, then alerted the guard at the end of the hall to send up some desserts for her. As I walked back towards my bedroom, the grin that tugged at my cheeks was so large it hurt. I’d kept my heart guarded for so long that the swell of happiness that was crashing within me felt foreign.
Clara might have been right. Maybe Elena truly would be a part of the cure for the darkness that lurked inside of me.
Chapter 24
Elena
The morning came entirely too fast for my liking. I groaned as I heard tapping against my door. There was only a flicker of light in the sky; it had to be barely dawn. I forced myself out of the bed and wrapped my robe around me as I scurried over to the door.
Somehow, in one short evening I’d managed to offend two cruel and powerful men, not once, but twice. A hysterical laugh fled my lips. I placed my head into my hands.Who is this woman I’m becoming?
That wasn’t the only eventful activity of last evening, however. A shiver ran down my body as the memory of Declan’s palm brushing across my skin invaded my mind. All at once, heat rushed back to my cheeks.
When I’d walked into the dining hall earlier, I could instantly feel the fire of his gaze upon me. Declan’s emerald eyes had roamed over my entire body. I could have sworn a shimmer of desire flashed across his face as he tried his best to distract himself by filling my plate with food. When he grabbed my thigh under the table, I almost lost myself completely.
Somehow, I managed to hold it together until after dinner when the events of the night came flooding in, leaving mehanging over the toilet. I cringed at the memory of the prince seeing me in such an embarrassing state. This man had already seen me at my worst more times than I could count, and yet he had taken care of me in each moment.
I recalled the intensity of his stare as he kneeled before me. His gaze had sent my body aflame, and I had melted under his touch when he gripped my chin. The attraction that was building between was something that neither of us had expected. However, that was where it must end. There was no point in starting something that was doomed from the start.
There were more important things to focus on, like getting through this training to ensure my own survival and protect my town. My father was waiting for me at home, and if I had to pretend to believe in the king’s ideals for a month to help the people of my town, that was a burden I was willing to carry.
It was time to stop pretending to be something I was not. Declan Stallard was a prince, the next in line to be king. Elena Morrigan was aninsignificant Elysian, from an insignificant townoutside of these walls. Our story must end here. Time to face reality and leave the fantasy to my books.
Another tap at the door shook me away from my thoughts. I opened it. Grinning, Eloise stepped through the door, holding a tray of food.
“Sorry, Eloise, I guess I was exhausted after last night’s dinner. I hope you weren’t out here waiting for too long.” I gave her an apologetic look as she strolled into the room and placed the tray down on the wooden side table near the navy armchair.
An assortment of breakfast items were piled high on top, and suddenly I felt like I had died and met all five gods. The heavenly smell of fresh bread and salty bacon wafted through my senses. My mouth watered as my gaze roamed over the fluffy eggs and pastries as well as the pot I hoped would be filled with steaminghot coffee. On cue, my stomach grumbled as I shut the door behind her.
“Oh, hush! I wouldn’t have bothered you until much later in the morning, but the prince insisted that you begin your training bright and early this morning. Gods only know why it had to bethisearly.” She herded me towards the small table near the fireplace. “Now, sit and eat a big breakfast and enjoy a cup or two of coffee. I’ll lay out your training leathers, gambeson and boots on the bed. Would you like me to braid your hair, my lady?”
“Remember, it’s Elena.” I smiled before I shoved a piece of bacon in my mouth. “I can manage that myself, but thank you for asking, Eloise. Thank you for the amazing breakfast as well.”
“You’re welcome, Elena.” She passed by the wooden desk and noticed the letters I’d scrawled out to my father last night. The king might have ordered me to not send them, but nothing could stop me from writing them. “Would you like me to mail these?”
“Normally I would say yes, but I was forbidden to leave the castle or to communicate with anyone outside of these walls.”
Eloise’s lips pursed, her fist clenched. “That’s just ridiculous. Let me work on that. You just keep writing them.”
The act was so simple but meant everything. I didn’t have many friends, much less those who would risk something like this for me. Eloise barely knew me, yet she was willing to figure out a way for me to send letters to my father.
“The prince left instructions to join him by the cliffs behind the castle when you’re done.” She turned once more to leave.
“Thank you again, Eloise.”
Once she left, I continued to work my way through the tray of food. The prince had told me to make sure to eat a lot this morning, so that was exactly what I intended to do.
Chapter 25
Elena
