Crown of Starlight

Chapter 19

I headed back to my room in the palace dismissing a reluctant Ivan and Andrias along my way. I hid the books at the back of my closet. I didn't think anyone could get in here unnoticed and steal them but just to be safe I tucked them at the back and covered them with boxes. I don't know if these runes could help in any way at all but they definitely interested me enough to learn more about them. Getting the willow wyms to help me would probably be a pain in my ass. A difficult task I wasn't quite prepared to tackle today. I took a long bath, to sooth my chaotic mind and plonked myself on my bed. I stared up at the ceiling my eyes growing heavy when a sudden motion of magic to my right jolted me awake.

A note appeared. Followed by a pen. Huh? The magic in the air reeked of dark power. I picked it up and opened it.

'Hello trouble.'

That prick. I ripped the paper in two and flung it back on the bedside table. Within seconds the scattered pieces disappeared and then were replaced by a new note. I blinked at the piece of paper. I didn't even want to open it. I didn't even want to know who in the light realm he was blackmailing to get this note past our borders. I picked it up.

"That wasn't very nice."

I took the pen and wrote back.

"What do you want?" The note disappeared and returned moments later.

"Apart from you?...I want to inform you that there is a secret meeting happening in the light realm tomorrow night. Melroy will be there."

I rolled my eyes at the first part.
"Where?" I wrote back.

"Millard's inn, the realm between." He wrote back and I just stared at the note before placing it on the table. I'll decide tomorrow if I want to go. I mean, I should go and find out for myself what that Melroy pig is involved in.

The note disappeared and reappeared. I groaned. I don't have the energy to deal with Azra, not even through a note.

"If you feel like reeking a little havoc, I'll meet you at the border at sundown." It read.

The hell he will. If I go to that meeting, I'll go alone.

More words appeared. "A replacement for the old one. Consider it a thank you for saving my life." And then a box appeared on the bed next to me.

I opened it. A stardust ring, one of midnight blue that twinkled like starlight, one that matched the necklace he gifted me, the one that ultimately saved my life against Jarius. I snapped the box shut. If he thinks he can buy my forgiveness with gifts he can't-

"I don't." The words appeared on the paper as though answering my now raging thoughts. Can he read my thoughts? That made me even more angry to know he had access to my head, my feelings.

"Whatever you're doing stop it." I wrote back, my handwriting messy and all over the place.

"Im not doing anything. I can't help it if you're sending thoughts of violence down the bond" he replied. I stilled. I didn't know I could do that.

"You know, there are ways you can take your mind off it all. I could come over there and show you. Tend to that growing ache between your legs." He added and I began seething at the smirk I knew was on his stupid face.

"I'll stab you if you come here." I threatened.

"Your promise of violence turns me on" he replied.

"I hate you." I wrote back

"Most people do."

"And you're okay with that?" I replied

"If it keeps those I care most about safe? Then yes" he wrote but I could feel conflicting feelings. Was that through the bond?

"I know what I've done is unforgivable. Tell me what I can do to earn your trust again." He added.

"I will never forgive you and I will never forget what you did" the note disappeared and a wave of sorrow washed over me. Did he send that down the bond?

The note didn't appear after that.