A crown of flames

Chapter 11

Lysander and Jadiel take Milo out to clean him up.

The prince stays and comforts his lover,who was now looking like she was about to throw up her self.

Victoria and Luke are ecstatic.

"did you SEE Lysander's face"

"No , no , no Jadiel's outburst was the highlight for me"

I laugh.

"You guys are welcome" i say , it seemed that that Alexios and his court were more unpopular than i thought.

We continue eating our food together , I find out Victoria is the daughter of a wealthy merchant who works as a business advisor for the King's court and Luke was the stepson of a great Lord.

Victoria has her own quarters in the palace and Luke lives nearby but spends most days at Yorthendon with his stepfather in court.

I tell them about the competition i'd won to get here and how i'll be spending the upcoming months , i also explained my interactions with the prince's court.

"I thought i'd hated them before , but what they did to you Elide" Victoria shuddered "That's a whole other level of cruel"

"Yeah" Luke agreed "But i didn't see Judith with them and i heard rumours that the prince sent her home this afternoon"

"Why would he do that?"I asked

"Maybe his rotten cold heart thawed a little bit and he had the sense to kick that crazy bitch out for what she did to you"

I laughed "Or maybe he sent her home because she decided pushing people into lakes was such fun and decided to try it with the prince"

"Or maybe he doesn't like his subjects acting on his behalf without consulting him"

Oh man.

I feel his presence behind.A minute too late.

Luke and Victoria fall silent.

I could sense his amusement at my horror.

I don't turn around and face him so he bends down and moves my hair behind my ears as he brings his lips down.

I repress a shudder as his lips lightly graze my ear.

"I sent Judith home because she didn't consult with me before pushing you into the lake" he whispers not so quietly. "And only i Elide,can decide what to do with you"He adds.

My heart thumps so violently that i'm afraid he'll will hear it.

"I spared her the humiliation of a public removal like the one i do with most courtiers, but you will find that my kindness only extends so far , I don't tolerate foolish behaviour"He pauses "but i'm sure you will find that out soon enough".

And with that he gets up and starts to walk away , but i call out.

"This court is wide enough you know"

He stops and then turns around,his hands in his pockets "What do you mean?"

"This court , palace , whatever , it's wide enough for both of us"

Maybe i can stop this before things go too far , i wanted to focus after all , nothing should get in the way of this.

"No" he said after a few moments as he met my gaze "It's not"

I give him a long look.

The i turn back to my food.