Queen of Ash

The Bellum

Quick Updates: After a shipping delay with the manufacture I will be able to send out giveaway prizes on Saturday. Sorry for the delay, but things will be sent your way so look out for a DM from me. 

Also we are on the last leg of this book. Besides this chapter there are four more to go. I will say the last chapter is a tear jerker so get ready for that one. I am so excited and thankful for all of you who have read this book since the beginning. I am hoping to post a chapter on Thursday, Saturday, Monday, and the final one next Tuesday. Hopefully along with the final chapter on Tuesday I will be giving you a sneak peak of book 2...... Read to the end of this chapter to see the Title. I will also be posting acknowledgments and a quick Q&A from questions I get DM'ed. If you would like to ask a question just leave a comment on this chapter and I will respond to it next week! Thank you all and I hope you like this chapter. 

Emerson

The sunlight started to filter in through the windows, but I had been up for hours. A nervous energy settled over me last night and I hadn't been able to sleep at all. I rolled over in the bed exhaustion pulling at my eyelids, but I refused to go to sleep. Rye's arm was draped over my waist and his black hair fell in a lock over his eyes. I watched his chest rise and fall. I sat there for a moment, content with life, and in that moment my heart hurt from how much I loved him. Even in his sleep he was breathtakingly beautiful. I reached up and brushed the lock of hair from his eyes and he slowly stirred awake.

"Good morning beautiful," He pulled me into his warm chest and kissed me on the forehead. "Did you sleep at all?" I shook my head into his chest and he laughed, I could feel the rumble in his chest, I smiled. We just stayed like that for a few moments, both of us knowing the moment we got up, the chaos of the day would start. So, I just laid there, feeling his chest rise and fall. After I few moments, he broke the moment I knew would have to come to and end eventually. "Jase will have our heads if we are late." I let out a hug groan and rolled away from his him. The cold air prickling my arms. Even though spring was on the horizon the air was still unforgiving in the morning.

I walked over to the bathroom and tried not to flinch from the sight of my hair. All of the rolling and turning in the middle of the night did nothing to help my thick head of hair. Rye came up behind me and smoothed it down. "I hate my hair, I'm thinking of cutting it." I hadn't cut it in months. It had slowly grown out to the middle of chest. It was starting to get unruly. In the upcoming summer months it would be miserable.

"I think short hair would suit you." He kissed the back of my hair. "I think you would still look beautiful bald." I swatted him away and he laughed. "All right," he gasped between laughs, "Maybe not bald. I'll leave you to get ready. Isabella should be coming in any minute now to help you." He exited the bathroom, probably going to get ready for the day ahead.

The first thing we had to do was the opening ceremony. Every couple from each region was presented to the Capital in grand stupor. We were paraded around on a stage and introduced as royalty. My stomach churned thinking of how much it all cost, the dresses, the jewels, all of it. I just had to think how by the end of the night I would be High Goddess and then I could truly help the people. I just had to win these fights, no pressure there. I tried not to think about the threat against Rye and the threat against me. That made my stomach twist into knots that made me want to vomit.

I was splashing cold water on my face when I heard a soft knock on the bathroom door. "Come in," I yelled. Isabella walked in holding garmet bags. Two other attendants I hadn't seen before were holding black cases of what I could only assume was makeup.