Crowns And Shadows (MXM) (Book 1)

XXXVII: The Calm Before a Storm

Garrick

The afternoon sun spilled into the room, casting white light across the sheets. I stirred awake, a sense of peace wrapping around me like a warm blanket. After a little morning meal, we had fallen asleep once more. Beside me, Rowan lay peacefully, his hair tousled and his face relaxed in sleep. A smile tugged at my lips as I recalled the night we had just shared. It had been everything I didn't know I needed, a brief reprieve from the storm that always loomed over my life. A storm that seemed to fade but grow again when I remembered all the secrets I held.

But as the warmth of the moment settled, guilt washed over me. I was yet to rectify my mistakes. I had to leave.

I hated the thought of waking him, but I knew I had to. He would hate to wake up and once again finde gone.

"Rowan," I said gently, feeling a pang in my chest as I watched his eyes flutter open.

"Good morning," he murmured, his voice still thick with sleep. The way he looked at me made my heart ache with something deeper than desire.

"It's actually afternoon," I replied, forcing a smile despite the heaviness in my heart. "I need to talk to you."

His expression shifted from sleepy contentment to concern. "What is it?"

"I have to leave," I said, my tone soft but resolute. "There are some things I need to take care of. Important things."

"Where do you always disappear to?" he pressed, confusion and worry flickering in his eyes. "You've been to my room so many times, but I've never really seen your home. Why do you keep it a secret? Let me get dressed and go with you."

I hesitated, searching for the right words. I didn't want to burden him with my truths. "You can't. It's complicated."

"Everything's always complicated with you."

"Just... don't worry about it, okay? I'll be back as soon as possible. I hope."

Before he could respond, I left the bed and headed towards the window. I felt the familiar shift within me, the magic surging with a slight pain as I transformed into a raven. My heart ached as I took to the sky, leaving him behind. I soared higher, the wind ruffling my feathers, but I could feel the weight of my decisions pressing down on me. Was it too late to make things right?

---

As I landed in front of my home, I noticed something wedged beneath the door. I approached it, my heart racing as I recognized the royal seal on the envelope. I tore it open, my hands trembling slightly, and scanned the contents with growing dread.

The king wanted to see me at the castle. My stomach dropped at the realization of what this meant. I took a deep breath and headed toward the castle, knowing I was about to embark on something much too difficult to control.

Upon arriving, I was led into the king's study. The air was thick with tension, and I felt a sense of foreboding wash over me. The king looked up from his desk, his expression grave.

"Garrick," he said, his voice low and steady. "I suppose you understand why you're here?"

"Yes sir!" I replied

"Very well. But before we continue, did you carry out your part of the bargain?"

My mind flashed back to a fortnight when I had poisoned the waters of the army group stationed at the borders, ensuring they would fall into a deep slumber after 15 days. It was a slow poison which made it all less suspicious when they would all inevitably fail to wake. So I nodded, forcing confidence into my voice. "Yes, I've already carried out everything. In a week's time, crossing the border with your army will be no hassle."

The king's gaze hardened, satisfaction flickering in his eyes. "Then we shall attack Xerovia at dawn." The king then brought out a small case and slid it across table towards me. And when I opened it, it was the crystal. "We did have a deal," he said, "and I always keep my word."

But I couldn't even be happy about finally having my hands on the prize I had always wanted. Panic gripped me, the weight of his words crashing down like a tidal wave. "What do you mean you attack at dawn?" I stammered, my mind racing. "We can't-"

The king cut me off, his tone unyielding. "Our resources are already prepared. The sooner the better. We strike at dawn."

My heart raced in my chest. Rowan's kingdom. The implications of this were catastrophic. "You can't do this," I pleaded, desperation almost creeping into my voice. "Isn't it a bit too soon. The soldiers will be out for days."

The king's gaze hardened, impatience flashing in his eyes. "I know that but after three days they'll already have noticed and replaced them. That is why we must strike as soon as possible while their defenses are still low."

I stood frozen, the weight of my guilt colliding violently within me. How could I let this happen? How could I protect Rowan when the very fabric of my existence seemed to unravel around us? I had to find a way to stop this, to save Rowan and his kingdom from the impending doom that loomed on the horizon.

There was only one way. I had to warm him. I had not anticipated that I would have to tell him the truth so soon. Especially not after how intimate we had just been the night before. Would he even trust me? He would despise me more than ever before. All we had built, would it come crumbling down? We were about to fall into a not so enjoyable chaos.