Celestia | A fantasy romance

Chapter Forty

Alessia

I woke up to the smell of sizzling food and hot milk, placed on a tray next to my bed. There was a short colourful cheery note stuck to it that read, “Wakey wakey!”

I knew who it came from before I even read the initials, - A.H

It wasn't easy to get up from my bed, not when all I wanted was to drown in the warm sheets for the rest of my life, and definitely not when my room was freezing cold.

Usually the king warmed the bed with his power before ever forcing me on it, and warmed the room before any of us had to leave it, so this was something I had yet to get used to.

It's been two days since I saw Wallov, or what was left of him, and these two days I've been working. Working with whatever drive was left in me.

Working to get me and my brother the hell out of this shithole.

I grabbed a cloak and wrapped it around myself as I left my room, not even bothering to change out of my sheer nightgown. I was halfway down the hallway when I realized I hadn't touched the food Ash sent me. And I couldn't care less about hurting his feelings or starving myself to death. But growing up in a barely holding up family…there were days we didn't get to have dinner. Days we went to sleep hungry so that we'd have something to cook for breakfast.

I cannot waste food now that I no longer ever have to go hungry.

So I went back and found myself licking each vessel clean by the time I finished eating. I hadn't realized how hungry I was.

“Did you not have dinner last night?” Ash asked, strolling into my room unannounced. “I could have sworn I sent food up here last night too though.” His brows dipped.

“You don't need to keep doing this.” I told him, realizing I had discarded my cloak somewhere and was wearing only my nightgown. A sheer gown that left very little to the imagination.

Ash’s eyes dipped down to my body and snapped back up in an instant, his face going red. And ever the gentleman, he turned around, clearing his throat.

I almost scoffed at him for that.

“I- uh.” He started, rubbing the back of his neck before sighing deeply. “I came here to ask you for a favour.”

I downed my glass of milk, and took my time to respond to his words. “What favour?”

“It's nothing big-” He fidgeted with his hands, taking his time to think about whatever he said next. “I- uh-”

“Spit it out, Ash.” I said, before kneeling to pick up my cloak from where I threw it on the floor.

Ash decided to choose that moment to turn around, his eyes spotting me knelt down and getting an eyeful of what I assume was my very much revealed cleavage.

He turned a darker shade of red.

I laughed, getting up and covering myself with the cloth, leaving him to fumble for his words as I left my room. I knew he was right behind me though as I walked through hallways and hallways and found myself in the library. It wasn't where I had originally planned to go but with the little pup at my tail, I couldn't reveal anything of what I planned to do.

“What do you want, Aelsher?” I finally asked, whipping my head towards him.

He shifted on his feet, hesitating again. “I can't tell you here.” He whispered.

“Why not?” I asked nonchalantly, not showing him how my interest had piqued at those words.

His hand went up and I knew the energy bubble that shot up was a sound bubble, to keep us safe from prying ears. “Fine, you want to do this here? I don't mind.”