A Court of Rising Starlight

Chapter XX

I tense as I hear the voice that was always haunting me somehow. "My, my. You're just stunning, today, aren't you? Truly. You almost look like a High Lady. You know why I say almost?" He doesn't wait for my response. "Because I still see emotion in your eyes. You can't put on a mask no matter how hard you try because you were raised to be a perfect little angel. A kind ruler. It's a shame my men weren't able to catch you too. If only you had stayed with your sister. Young minds are so much easier to manipulate. They don't hold that fire that-"

"Kier," Az growls, pulling me behind him.

"It hasn't been too hard to keep her out of the training ring," he pushes on. "See, the more skills you lack, the easier you are to control. I'm not keeping her too bored. She and my son are such a lovely pair." He smirks. "Tell me, princess. How do you feel about your sweet twin now? Now that you know she's on the side of your enemy. Now that you know she doesn't even put up the slightest struggle or attempt to stop me from sending out every one of my men I've sent to kill you. How much do you love your precious Lilian now that you know exactly what position she holds on my team?"

"You're a sick bastard," I say, trying to step away from Az. He held me too tightly for escape.

"Indeed. But when my end comes, when I fall, they will take my place. They will be the ones who finish rebuilding Prythian. They will rule it all."
-----

"Why did you let her go back there?" I demand when we return to the Court of Dreams. "Why?"

"She made it seem like she wasn't completely miserable there, Acacia. Calm yourself. If you don't relax, you will destroy this house," Az says as the others rush in.

"Completely?" I scream, tears already running down my face. "Completely miserable is the phrase you use after what he just told us."

I feel arms come around me from behind, trying to calm my hysterics. "Acacia, stop." I try to break out of my mate's hold. "Stop," he says again, more force in his voice now. When I lift my head again I find Az gone. "Acacia."

I turn, pressing my face to his chest. "They haven't even let her train," I choke out. "I just want my sister home. After all this time, thinking she was dead..."

He kisses my forehead. "I know. We'll get her back. I promise. Please relax. He wasn't trying to say anything bad." He wipes my tears away. "I hate seeing you so upset. Seeing you cry so often these past days has been killing me." He presses my face to his neck. "Go upstairs and get some rest. I know all of this would give me a headache. I'll come get you later for dinner."

He walks up with me, stripping the comforter as I change out of the dress I still wore. "You don't always need to baby me," I say, rolling my eyes as he pulls the blanket over me.

He smiles, tracing the tattoo that now covered my arm. "Yes I do. You might hate it, but it's my job to take care of you. You're everything to me, Acacia. Is it wrong for me to want to take care of my mate, an amazing, strong, and brave girl who I will love for the rest of my life and longer?"

I give him a small smile. "I'm sure you'll be sick of me long before then."

He shakes his head, kissing the back of my hand. "Never. Like I said, Acacia, you're my world. I love you."

"I love you too."