The Death of a Dream [hiatus]

Chapter 20

Draconic Sands

Another day had passed in Aellecion after Lady Deimos' unannounced arrival. I'd never seen such obvious animosity towards a noble before. When the gates had closed after their departure, the servants and guards alike cheered.

Innes had locked himself inside his room and refused to eat, causing his aunts to vent their frustrations to me. Much as I wanted to talk to him, I knew I couldn't. He and Lady Deimos had a past together. It must've hurt him to refuse her.

"Chin up," Jhilza chuckled as she walked by the dining table, where I'd been sitting since breakfast. "You're quite the woman if the dear captain chose you over House Deimos."

"A marriage proposal," I mumbled to myself as I stared at a plate of food that had been sitting untouched in front of me for hours. "I heard her voice. She said she needed Innes to save her."

Jhilza took the seat across me and threw her braid over her shoulder. "By Caledonian nobility rules, only men are allowed to preside over the military clans due to the mandatory service. House Deimos is the strongest of the three clans. If Unikila didn't marry, she would have to fork over control of her House and its servants to the second strongest."

I looked up at her. "What are the other two houses in the faction?"

Jhilza grinned as she leaned back against her chair. "House Absolin and House Solterica."

I followed her response with absolute silence. There was a pit in my stomach as I realized what fate Innes and I had relegated to Lady Deimos. She came to Aellecion, seeking Innes' help in saving her from a loveless marriage with General Bacchus.

I could feel my stomach begin to turn. I couldn't imagine being forced to marry that man. He couldn't love any the way he loved and craved power.

"While the two of you were moping yesterday, I decided to ask the winds for their help in gathering some information." The assassin reached for the empty glass in front of me and poured herself some water. She reached into the small leather pack that rested at her hip and tossed a wrapped parcel on the table.

"What information?" I asked.

I pushed my cold plate to the side to inspect the package. When I untied the ribbon and paper wrapping, I picked up a piece of fabric and dangled it over the floor. It was a black and blue hooded veil that was adorned with golden embellishments similar to lace.

"Your mother's location," she replied.

"What? You've found her?" I almost jumped out of my seat.

Jhilza downed the contents of her glass and slammed it on the table. "She's in Sharsir. And not far from here."

I frowned. Sharsir was a large place full of nothing but sand. And if I'd learned anything from Jhilza's constant grumbling during our travel to Aellecion, the heat would kill me before I'd get the chance to even cry. Maybe that's why Jhilza had bought me a thin travel cape.