Page 83 of The Princess of Nothing
One of the guards turned on his heel to face us. His bright-green eyes matched his short green hair. “The king has requested you have guards stationed outside at all times. Tomorrow, we will accompany you to the villages where your people will be staying.”
“Villages?” My eyebrow arched. “They won’t be staying here?”
His nose wrinkled. “Our orders are to have them stay in the log cabins in the surrounding villages.”
I looked at Cedric, who shrugged. “Okay, well, thank you.”
When I squeaked open the blue-painted front door, my jaw dropped. On the side table, a bouquet of freshly picked white lilies musked the air. There was no note, but I already knew who’d sent them. Starry paintings lined the narrow passage that led to a large living area with a lit fire. The three of us rushed to the fireplace and dropped to our knees on the red rug. I rubbed my hands together. The crackling and hissing of the fire was music to my ears. “I’m freezing.”
Morgana stood. “I’m going to find a place to set up my altar. I also would like to do a reading before bed.” She heaved her bag over her shoulder. “I will see you tonight. We can discuss more plans for tomorrow. Word has been sent to those I trust back home. We should be hearing back from some of them by morning.”
My stomach cartwheeled. It was beginning. It was real. “Thank you. I’ll come find you later.”
Once alone, I rested my head on Cedric’s lap. He stretched his legs out and sighed. “I love fires.”
I watched the flames dance, rejoicing in the warmth on my face. “I still can’t believe it’s finally happening. I’m going to be queen.” I stretched out my arms. “I never thought I’d need an army to make it happen.”
“Life is full of unexpected surprises. Speaking of, there are so many lilies here. So weird.” His forehead wrinkled.
I looked up and saw another bunch on a corner table. “They’re my favorite flower,” I admitted.
He exhaled deeply. “Explains it then. Blaise sent them.”
“Don’t be jealous. He’s only trying to be friends. He told me he was happy for us to both be here.”
He scoffed. “He would say that.”
I sat upright, leaning on my hand to look at him. “You’re not usually like this.”
His frown softened. “It’s you. I don’t want to lose you.”
He wore his worry so openly. I could always read every emotion on his face, unlike Blaise.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I said to assure him. “Promise.”
“I hope not.” He leaned forward and kissed my cheek softly. “You know I would do anything for you, right?” He lowered his kiss to the nape of my neck, sending shivers down my spine. The hairs on my arms stood erect. “Anything,” he said again, his voice tickling my skin.
“Kiss me again,” I whispered. “Make me forget everything. The crown. Politics. Berovia.”Blaise, I said in my head. “Make me forget.” I pulled him to my lips.
He ran his hand up my thigh, laying me down against the rug. Pressing his body on top of mine, he deepened our kiss.
It was midnight when I awoke, lying under our fur jackets. The fire had sizzled down to embers and ash. Carefully, I moved Cedric’s arms. We’d kissed, then talked, laughed, and kissed some more. He made me feel so free. My cheeks bunched up as I watched him sleep. Light snores escaped his lips. His gold strands curled around his pointed ears.
Hurrying out of the room, my bare feet cold against the ground, I climbed the stairs. Morgana was kneeling by her bed, cards in hand.
I sighed relief. “You’re still awake.”
“Twilight is the best time to access the spirit realm.”
“Naturally.”
“Why are you still awake, Winter?”
“Nerves, maybe. I’m not sure.”
She put her cards down. “We have a journey ahead of us. I’ve been given warnings. The rats card.” She turned it over. Gold glistened against the black. “Meaning there are liars in our ranks. Or will be. It’s set in the future position. We must be cautious.”
“I expected spies,” I admitted in earnest. “Edgar lived here for many years. Blaise said he was bound to have made allies but he did stick to his own, other lunas who switched to elemental magic mostly, so I doubt there will be many of them.”
