From The Ashes

Chapter Twenty-Two

The next morning I awoke to find myself alone in the bedroom. A folded sheet of paper rested on Valen's pillow. I plucked it up and examined it. 

I thought I'd let you sleep in today. There's some clothes in the bathroom for you. Meet us in the sitting room when you're ready. 

Valen

I smiled at his consideration and stretched as I rose from the bed. I wasn't sure what time it was because there were no windows in the room and I couldn't look outside to make an approximation. I breezed into the bathroom and saw the pile of clothes Valen had mentioned laying neatly on the counter.

Suddenly, pain squeezed my heart as memories of Aunt Maddie's eyes flashed across my brain. I gasped for air and clung to the wall for support. I had almost let myself forget about the horrors of yesterday. 

Almost. 

I let a few tears slip down my face before wiping them away and walking over to the sink. I splashed my face with cool water and gazed at my reflection. 

The girl staring back at me looked wounded and tired. Her skin was pale, and her hair limp. I hadn't realized grief could manifest on my outward appearance so quickly.

I averted my eyes as I began to brush my teeth. Once I was done, I threw on the outfit. It was a simple black sweater and jeans, with grey sneakers. I was just glad it matched my somber mood.

I slipped my hair into a short ponytail and began to meander my way to the sitting room. 

When I entered, the room fell into a hushed silence as all pairs of eyes landed on me. My face turned red and I looked down.

It was obvious that they had just been speaking about me. I walked over to one of the sofas and sat next to Valen, who planted a quick kiss to my temple.

Electricity shot straight through my body and I unconsciously leaned into him more. Sitting across from me were King Ruben and Queen Stella. Aislinn was seated a little further away in one of the chairs.

"Indigo, good morning," Queen Stella greeted me. 

"Good morning, your majesty." 

"Did you sleep well last night?" 

"As well as I could, given everything that's happened." Her gaze traveled down to her hands then back up to me. 

"I'm sorry, that was an insensitive question." The sincerity in her emerald irises made a lump form in my throat. 

"It's okay, I know you meant no harm." She gave me a small smile in return. 

"We're just waiting on Von and Artemis now," King Ruben interjected after a small period of silence.

"Is she awake?"

My mood lifted a little bit. 

"She is, she woke up late last night. She may still be in a lot of pain today, so we'll probably just do a lot of talking, planning, and preparing."

I nodded my head as the couple appeared from the hallway. I turned to look at them and gasped. 

There, on Artemis's neck one the skin just above her collar bone, were two puncture wounds that had already healed and turned silvery in color.

In between the two marks, there was an almost transparent crescent moon. She smiled widely at me, and moved her hair over her shoulder to show it off. 

"Like what you see?" I laughed. 

"You get slashed by a silver dagger and still have the stamina to complete the mating ritual? Dang girl, you're not wasting time!"