Page 16 of Heir Of Sun And Moon
“Gods, don’tdothat Alexi!” I smack him on the arm as he laughs his way back to his chair. Bella lets out a huff and lays back down, as if this whole interaction is nothing but an interruption to her nap. “You’re such a jerk,” I croak out. I finish the game of cards with another win under my belt, and Alexi slides the bag of treats over to me. Slowly, I open it, anticipation killing me. Alexi is right that I love all things sweet. The scent of cocoa is rich enough to make my mouth water as I look in and see a delicious assortment of chocolates. “Did Emelia make these?”
“No. They are from a confectionary in the capital,” he says while cleaning up our cards. I pull out a creamy milk chocolate ball with a delicate white chocolate rose on top. I almost feel bad eating something so beautiful. Taking a bite, I let the candy melt in my mouth, the flavors smoothing over my tongue and making me shut my eyes in delight. It is rich and decadent, with a fruity note bursting through. Alexi laughs at my enjoyment, choosing a chocolate of his own when I extend the bag out to him.
“You know, you’re lucky I love you because, as you sograciouslypointed out, I take my treats very seriously and don’t normally share.”
His chuckle dances between us, the sound settling some of the sadness I feel about the night soon coming to an end.
“Alanna and I used to visit this confectionary shop on our way home from work every evening. She always gravitated to the more unique flavors of the chocolates. Always willing to try something new,” he says quietly.
“What flavors didyouusually get?” I ask, pouting when I reach into the bag and feel only three more chocolates left.
“Always the same one—chocolate cream.”
“I am not surprised by that,” I deadpan. Even Bella twitches in agreement. Or she could be asleep, I realize, and having little fox dreams. I lean over and look at her. Yes, definitely having little fox dreams.
When I’ve popped the last chocolate in my mouth, my heart and belly now content, I walk with Alexi to the door. He opens it and listens carefully to make sure no one else is in the tower. When he is satisfied that the space is empty, he steps onto the platform, turning back to face me. A small torch bathes this part of the tower in a subtle buttery glow, lighting just enough of Alexi’s features to show his soft smile.
“The next supply drop-off is in three days. I better not push our luck and try to visit before then.”
Nodding, I lean against the doorframe, arms folded in front of me. “I’ll be ok. I can handle another three days. Although it would be more entertaining if Bella,” I look over my shoulder and yell, “would learn that little jig I’ve been trying to teach her!” The only sign I get that she’s heard me is a tiny wiggle of her ear.
Alexi laughs, the smile widening on his face as he places a hand on my shoulder. “You can handle anything, Little One. You are the strongest person I have ever known.” He gives my shoulder a little squeeze before dropping his hand to his side. My eyes glance away from his for a moment as I blink back tears that threaten to spill.
“Aww, thanks, dad,” I say, attempting to lighten the mood. “Hopefully, I shall continue to honor you by teaching the fox beast to dance and beating you in card games.”
“Such a brat,” he answers with a roll of his eyes. He backs up and goes to take a step, but pauses again, almost looking unsure of himself.
“What is it?” I ask, glancing around the platform and at the stairs that lead down the tower. Alexi clears his throat, resting one hand on the hilt of the sword at his belt. I always forget he is armed, as his guard uniform now just feels like an extension of him after nearly thirteen years. His other hand scratches at his jaw.
“The gold bracelet I gave you,” he falters, looking at me as I nod. “It was Alanna’s.”
My head jerks a little at the admission, eyes going wide. “Why would you give that to me? Don’t you want it to remember her?” The words come out choked, my emotions overwhelmed by this knowledge. I’m surprised, but honored. So, so honored by his gesture.
“I got it for her as a gift right after we married. It then sat on my dresser in the years after her death—a constant reminder of what I had lost. I couldn’t bear to look at it any longer, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to part with it either.”
Straightening up from the doorframe, my arms uncross, and I reach a hand out for him. He places his in mine, his fingers squeezing around mine lightly.
“The bracelet was important to her, like a physical symbol of our love. I knew that there was only one other person that I could possibly imagine giving this to. Only one person who needed to have something physical to remind them that they were cared for. That they were loved.” He looks to the side, taking a deep breath, and then turns his gaze back to me. “I have loved to watch you grow up into an amazing young woman despite your circumstances. To see you have such compassion and kindness when you are shown so little by others.” He shakes his head, but he must not realize that anything decent about me is a direct result of him and our one hour visits. He gestures around at the tower. “This place, thisprison,is not where your journey is to end, Little One.”
It takes me far too long to speak, my words jumbled and caught so thickly in my throat that it takes several swallows to clear them. “I know,” I whisper as I hold his gaze, silver lining both of our eyes.
With a warm and affectionate smile in place, Alexi squeezes my hand and then lets go. He throws a final wink Bella’s way before turning and heading down the stairs. I shut the door and beckon Bella upstairs for bed, stopping in the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. When I’ve done both, I crawl under the covers, laying on my side to gaze out at the stars through the window.
Alexi’s words repeat in my head over and over again. I know a life outside these walls is better than the one I’m currently living, and as I close my eyes, my body drifting into sleep, I have hope that maybe I was meant to do more than rot in a tower.
But hope is a dangerous thing.
Chapter Nine: Rhea
Standingonthebalcony,the wind rustles through my hair as I close my eyes and lean farther into it. It’s a perfect spring day in the Mortal Kingdom, the chill of the morning chased away by the pleasant warmth of the early afternoon sun. Bella lays next to me, basking in it with utter contentment. I open my eyes to take in the view before me.
The dark blue water of the lake in front of my gray tower extends far beyond where my eye can see, sparkling in the sunlight. Only a few boats, distinguishable by their white sails, float in the distance. I take in the various green meadows and rolling hills that are to the left side of the lake, leading up to a thickly wooded forest. Wildflowers bloom in large patches throughout, a kaleidoscope of colors breaking up the sea of verdant land. This is all part of the royal family’s estate, with the exception of the lake where it appears anyone is allowed to fish or enjoy the water. Even though I’ve seen maps of the other kingdoms and where they are in respect to Vitour, I have no idea what that distance realistically looks like.
Is the Mage Kingdom truly just beyond the forest that edges the rolling hills? Could I see the shifter isle from the Mortal Kingdom beaches? How far to the east would I have to travel before I see the rising mountains of the Fae Kingdom? Are they snow-capped all year long or only in the winter months? I think about the beings that neighbor us as well. How powerful are the mages? Many of the books I’ve read call their magic “raw,” but the descriptions never fully explain what that means. Though King Dolian says mages killed my parents, it just doesn’t fit with everything I’ve read about the people as a whole. But can one ever truly know an entire people? Could historians really categorize a whole kingdom as peaceful, when each being in it is so multifaceted themselves? And what about the fae? They have the ability to bond with dragons, does that mean they are as unpredictable and dangerous as those beautiful beasts are rumored to be? I had always loved reading about dragons and often wished I had that particular magic for myself. Could the shifters change into dragons? Or was their fantastical capability to transform limited to less intimidating animals? What of the sirens? What else can they do besides use their song to lure men to procreate with? How did the mechanics of sex underwaterwork?
Though unfamiliar with the physical act myself, all the information I know about it has come from books. Ihaveexplored myself, taken the time to adequately see how I like to be touched by my own hand. Yet it’s hard to imagine what involving another person would be like. What ifI eventually leave this tower, meet someone, and they expect me to already know what to do? How to touch them? Gods, how embarrassing is it going to be to explain to someone that, despite being an adult, I’ve never touched—or been touched by—another person that way? Feeling a blush bloom across my cheeks at the thought, I shake my head and look back out over the water.
At the very least, all the romance books I’ve read start with the couple kissing, which is something that should be more manageable. I suppose, even if I start off terrible at it, the right person will show me how they like it and I can learn. These thoughts are insignificant, though, because the first thing I’d need to do for any of it to happen is leave this tower. So, for now, I focus back on the wind on my skin and the view from the balcony over the mortal lands.
