Descendants of the Kings (Book 2)

Ch 60: Promises

Ella paced the expanse of her room, dark save for the fireplace she'd just recently lit.

Outside the sky was still in twilight. The clock in the corner marked the time as a quarter past four. Too late, or too early, depending on who asked. She should have been tired after the almost twelve hours she'd spent in the solstice ball, but her body was racked with nervous energy.

After her dance with Aedion, the remaining hours had gone by in a blur. There had been a traditional lighting ceremony and more drinks and dance, and she'd weathered it all good-naturedly until it was acceptable to leave. She'd been invited to stay a few more days, the formal week-long event, but she'd managed to extract herself from that by claiming previous commitments back at Gerrathea.

Even if she'd wanted to stay, she had a feeling that after her encounters with both Llyr sisters, that wouldn't have been a good idea. So much for making alliances. She'd have to reckon with that later, once she had the capacity to think about it.

As it was, no sooner than Ella had arrived back at the castle, she'd headed up to her room. However, rather than sleeping, she'd simply paced and ruminated. She hadn't even changed out of her dress, only making to take off her diadem and her shoes, which were beginning to hurt her toes.

She'd told Aedion they would talk after the ball, but that wasn't a very clear timeframe. Could be at any point. The day after, two days later... immediately. She found herself strangely anxious. Dreading the conversation and at once wanting to get on with it.

Would it be too forward of her to ask to speak now? They'd barely just arrived, not even half an hour ago. Perhaps he was already sleeping. It had been a long night, after all. If she knocked on his door now, then it might seem too brash. Too invasive. He might think—

Her spiralling thoughts were interrupted by two tentative knocks on the door. Her heart stuttered.

She wiped her palms—clammy—on her thighs and approached the door. She found Aedion on the other side, hands deeply tucked into his pockets. He looked up, apologetic.

"I'm sorry, were you asleep?" he asked quietly.

Ella shook her head, shifting to let him in. "No, I was awake. Come in."

He gave her one last look before brushing in, hesitant. He stood in the middle of her room, looking around.

His hair was tousled, damp. He'd changed into a plain cotton tunic and soft-looking trousers. Away from the brilliant lights and the gilded glamour of the ball, he suddenly looked deeply tired and a little lost.

"I know it's late, I'm sorry. But I couldn't sleep," he said hoarsely. "Not without talking with you."

Ella swallowed thickly and nodded. She ran a hand up her arm, goose-fleshed. "I couldn't sleep either," she admitted.

She sat in one of the armchairs, gesturing for him to take a seat. He stiffly dropped onto the sofa, elbows propped on his knees.

He rubbed a palm down his face, looking up with a tired expression.

"This past week has been a nightmare. Every time I tried speaking with you, but you were always away, busy. When I tried at night time, that damned dog was there, guarding the door. He bit me," Aedion accused. "Several times."

"I didn't order Vesper to bite you," Ella sniffed, petulantly crossing her arms. "I merely told him to not let anyone in at night. He can be a little overzealous."

"I'll fucking say. He nipped my leg the other day, and I was nowhere near your door," Aedion glowered.

He rubbed his forehead wearily. "I even wrote to Briar, because I thought that she might have an idea, but she only sent back a bouquet. Which Blaise kindly informed me—in flower language—meant you have deeply disappointed me, you coward," He shook his head, huffing. "It is the politest and most fragrant 'fuck you' I've ever gotten."