Page 13 of Vathia
A knock sounds at the door before Roz pops his head in, his eyes lighting up when they land on Ember. It’s great to have everyone back together again, even if it’s only been a few days. When I saw them all in my dream field it didn’t seem real. It was a shock that they actually kept their word and followed me. They could have stayed at Phixmery without any problems. But there they were, Roz and Ember upon his newly bonded dragon—Thornwing. Melissandre was on her tawny gryphon named Skylark and Lennox on his deep gray gryphon that he said was named Zephyr. I’m just so incredibly glad that they made it through The Choosing alive. We didn’t get to talk much about what happened, not wanting the males of Wing One and Aemon to overhear us.
“Come on in and take a seat,” Mel says, gesturing around.
Roz barrels in, taking a seat next to Ember who rolls her eyes but doesn’t move, while Lennox sits on the edge of the bed.
“So what did we miss during female talk?” Lennox teases. “Or is it strictly between females?”
They glance towards me and I get them up to date but leave the tattoo out. It feels too personal for some reason—precious almost. I don’t know how to explain it, but another male knowing about it, no matter how good of a friend they are, seems wrong. It’s weird. I’m marking it down to a lack of proper sleep.
Ember pins me down with a stare. “You were about to say something?”
My palms begin to sweat and I force down the emotions that are lodged in my throat. What if they treat me differently after this or don’t want anything to do with me? Old insecurities begin to take over and I struggle to shove them away. No. They accepted me when I told them of my magick. Learning of my heritage won’t be any different.
I glance up and notice them all watching me with varying expressions of concern but I don’t let it stop me. “You all know how I’m a Gallalaus fae?”
They nod, their looks going from concern to worry.
I swallow again before taking a deep breath. “I’m the late Queen’s daughter—Princess Maeven Pendroko.”
Melissandre squeals before tackling me with a hug. “You’re a princess! Oh my fates, I just jumped you! Am I allowed to do that? Do you want us to call you Maeven? Oh my fates, where have you been all this time?”
Thankfully Ember sees the shocked panic on my face and hauls her back, covering her mouth to stop the barrage of questions.
A laugh tears from my chest.
“What,” Roz starts. “So you’re real royalty. Like…” He uses his hands to mimic a crown on top of his head with raised brows.
I nod. “Yeah. You guys understand why I didn’t tell you, right? I wasn’t even supposed to be at Phixmery, but Commander Ashbluff showed up at my village while I was injured and couldn’t hide from conscription.”
Lennox leans forward. “We completely understand why you didn’t tell us. We are glad you feel safe enough to tell us now, though.” He smiles, elbowing his twin sister who was about to ask a million more questions but Ember beat her to it.
“Injured? What the fuck happened before you got to Phixmery?” Her brows bunch together.
My hands find the scars along my wrists and I freeze, looking away from my friends.
Someone’s hand gently touches my arm and I look up to see Mel smiling softly at me. “You can tell us when you’re ready. I’m just excited that I’m best friends with a badass future Queen.”
I roll my eyes. “I don’t think I even want to be Queen. It sounds like a lot of work and I’m sure there’s others more suited to serving the people than myself.”
They all exchange glances but it’s Ember who speaks. “We would love you even if you were nothing but a servant Ravina, but I think you would make an honourable Queen.”
Her words touch something in my chest and words don’t come to me, so all I can do is nod.
Lennox clears his throat. “While I agree with everything they said, what’s the plan now? Aemon said something about dinner with his mother?” he asks seriously. “It’s obvious that something isn’t right about this war with Vathia… I mean, all the Lords’ sons seem to be friends.”
I shrug. “I guess we will find out. I think we should get cleaned up for dinner, though, and maybe try to come up with a plan to get some information if we don’t get anything tonight.”
“Also,” Ember adds, “we should continue training in the mornings. I know we aren’t at Phixmery anymore, but we shouldn’t let our skills get rusty.”
Rozen groans, throwing his head back. “Come on, not even a day off?”
Ember glares at him. “If you want to be skewered on the end of a blade, be my guest. But I want to live to see my best friend ascend the throne and bring peace back to our realm.”
My blood freezes in my veins at her determination. “No. Nope. No, I don’t want to think about a throne. Peace, yes.” I getup, accidentally jostling Nero who has been oddly quiet during the conversation. “I’m going to go get ready. See you in a bit.”
There’s no way I’ll be ready to take the throne. Being royalty isn’t even a thought in my mind. I don’t even want it. That life was over for me a long time ago. I don’t even know how to manage my own life let alone thousands of others. I’m all for putting an end to this war and avenging my parents, but I’m sure we can find someone much better suited for the throne—someone not nearly as damaged.
CHAPTER EIGHT
