Warrior's Mind (Book 2 of The Warrior Chronicles)

Chapter 55

Raphael didn't say a word on their way back inside the keep and once they reached the Dome, he went straight into a meeting with the ministers. Since Michael was also inside, Leyla was left to her own devices. 

She told herself she had no business getting annoyed for being left out. After all, she was the one who didn't want to be a part of the Kingdom. She was the one who wanted to leave - wasn't she?

Alec's words rung in her ears as she walked aimlessly through the gardens of the inner keep. I will never love anyone else. Leyla knelt down, touching the fragile petals of a beautiful yellow flower as she tried to understand her heart. Seeing Alec again made her sad and there was still an attraction between them, but there was something else as well...a strange sense of disappointment.

She stood, brushed at her dress, then tipped her head back to feel the breeze across her skin. The sound of birds chirping as they dipped into the inner keeps flowing waters filled her ears. No one was being attacked. No one was in pain. This was the sound of peace. 

Peace was so precious, how could Alec have suggested risking war? 

That was it. That was the source of her disappointment. She had seen a selfish side to Alec she hadn't noticed before. He said he wanted to be with her and to get what he wanted, he was happy to let her be a mistress and willing to drag hundreds into battle. Why?

Leyla took a deep breath and picked up a twig, wishing to Tevvuk that it was a sword.  She should have realised the night Alec told her to be his mistress, that he wasn't the man she had believed him to be. At the time, she had been insulted and hurt by his suggestion, but she had ultimately blamed Mira, her father, even the cruel writer of fate for what had come to pass. But now Leyla realised that it had not even occurred to Alec that they could have run away.  

If they left the Warrior Kingdom together, he would not have been forced into marriage and her life would not be threatened. He could have led them out of the keep easily, they could have made a life in No Lander territories, like Tia's parents had. But that idea was never an option in Alec's mind, because he had never considered leaving his position and rank behind. 

And now here he was again, secure in his position as King, willing to risk the lives of people he was supposed to protect and all because he wanted her by his side.

Raphael would never have done that; he put his Kingdom, his people first, always.

"Bloody Diya." She didn't want to think anymore. 

"La-La!" Michael appeared at the entrance of the Dome, his ever present smile giving her a sense of calm.    

"The meetings are done already?" She smiled, remembering how worried he was when they last met and wanting to put him at ease. 

"Nope. The scientists are still explaining their progress on speeding up seed germination for low harvest seasons, but Raphael let me leave. Which is just as well..." Michael grinned, then grabbing her hand he began pulling her across the garden. 

"What are you up to?" She asked, but Michael just gave her a cheeky grin and kept pulling until they crossed a small bridge to a piece of land she thought of as 'gazebo island'.  Only big enough to house one intricately carved hexagonal pagoda, the island lay between the minister of defence's garden and the crystal dome. 

When they reached the pagoda, Leyla saw that a low table with cushions around it had been filled with plates of food and drink. "What is all this?" She asked, confused.

"Oh, you've arrived!" Delphine's voice came from behind them. The girl rushed forward, smiling at Leyla before shooing Michael forward. "Consort, please take a seat."