From The Ashes

Chapter Seventeen

I took a deep breath and squeezed Aunt Maddie's small hand in mine.

We were currently waiting in front of the council room I had been in yesterday. Today, though, we'd only be speaking with the royal family.

 
Everything she had confessed to me last night was still reeling in my head and I wasn't sure how much more I could take. Judging by Aunt Maddie's silence this morning at breakfast, she had a lot more to tell. I glanced over at her and saw that her eyes were already on me. She bore a worried look on her face.

 
"Indigo, please try to understand the things I tell you in there. They won't all be easy to hear, and it will be a lot to take in. I want to apologize to you now for not telling you sooner. You've been ready a long time, it was me who was scared."

She grasped my hand tighter as Aislinn appeared to open the door for us. She gave us an apprehensive look before opening the door wide enough for us both to slip through.

The atmosphere of the room was much more relaxed than yesterday; as the large platform had been pushed back against the wall and in its place were two large sofas with a dark, wooden coffee table between them. On the table sat two cups of steaming tea. 

King Ruben was seated in the middle of the larger sofa, with Queen Stella by his side. Von was on the edge of his seat, and Valen was behind them pacing back and forth. Aunt Maddie and I sat ourselves across from them and King Ruben gave us a friendly smile. 

"Good morning, you two. I hope your talk last evening was enlightening."

"It was, thank you your majesty," I replied to him. He gestured to the cups on the table. 

"We had the kitchen brew these up for you two. They help to ease a troubled heart."

I picked up the cup in front of me and inhaled it's strong scent. It was spicy, but also fruity at the same time. Nothing like any other tea I had ever smelled before. I took a tentative sip. To my surprise, it was delicious. Aunt Maddie was more cautious than I. She raised an eyebrow. 

"What's in it?" 

I was shocked at her brash question. I gave her a wide-eyed warning stare, but King Ruben just chuckled. Something in the tone of his voice, made me feel a little off and warning bells chimed in my head.

"You're more perceptive than I gave you credit for, Maddie," he told her.

"You're right. It's a special blend, created here in DarkBlood and only used in special occasions. Like today, for instance."

My heart began to race and my head began to feel cloudy. My body was hot as the blood rushed through my system. I clutched at my head in discomfort. 

"I apologize for the unpleasant effects the tea can have on one's body," he continued while looking at me.

"It's a worthy side-effect though, to guarantee we know the truth."

My eyes met his in horror. He'd drugged me? No wonder there were only cups for the two of us. Aunt Maddie let out a breathy growl. 

"I told you I'd tell you what you wanted to know, there was no need for truth serum. Indigo certainly didn't need it. This'll be the first time she's hearing of this as well."

She pressed her lips into a hard scowl. King Ruben narrowed his eyes at her. 

"Regardless, I'm not taking my chances. Drink," he commanded while gesturing toward her cup again.

She raised her lip at him and I was worried for a moment that he would retaliate, but she slowly brought the cup to her lips and took a small sip. She grimaced as the effects hit her as well.