Hidden Stones

CHAPTER 5 | Onyx Ring

LUKA

I woke up the next morning to the sound of metal pots banging against each other. Each clank clank clank reverberated in my head making it very hard to ignore. Damn Zest. I didn't even request for a waking call. And whenever I did, which was not at this damn hour, it was when I was awake all day till early morning of the following day with only a hint of an hour of sleep.

I tried covering my ears with the pillows but with the heightened hearing, it barely helped at all.

Fuck this. I untangled my arm from the blanket and swiped my hand on the pots. The loud clattering of the metals gave me satisfaction as they didn't made a sound afterwards. Just as I was about to duck my head under the covers, the banging of pots resumed. 

I seethed under the sheets and took a deep breath.

The faint smell of lavender and rain went through once again and I instantly calmed. They should really use this scent all around my room. Maybe spray a few in my office and the meeting room downstairs. I could even politely shake Wane's hand even if he tried pissing me off if a whole bottle of this were to be showered throughout the training grounds. They could even hang the sheets around.

Hell, I'm so out of it. Calming sheets? Am I an old granny?

The clank clank clank of the metals continued but somehow they lost their way of making me mad. I sat up from the bed and searched the room, looking for a blonde headed moron. There he is. He was scanning through the set of books that were stacked near the burned out fireplace. 

"What's with you and my books? You keep messing them up." I growled.

He stopped flipping his fingers through the pages and gave off a grin.

"Good morning, Your Grace. I believe you'll want to be informed that Her Grace has decided to come back from her trip. Genevieve has given me a message just a few minutes ago. She'll be back before night." I inhaled a sharp breath. Back? I instantly felt my mood lighten. 

"Good. Prepare arrangements for her return. Tell me if Genevieve sends more messages." Genevieve is another witch from the north. She was appointed as the queen's protector. She follows wherever my mate goes. She has the ability to relay messages by using her affinity with birds. Genevieve sends parchments of paper to Zest by wrapping it by the bird's talons and urge them towards this direction. I couldn't help the smile tugging at my lips, I stretched my arms and legs and went to fix myself for the day. After a few minutes I was done.

"What, no fists to greet me back for the pots? That's new." Zest followed as I went out from my room after a quick shower and with crisp clothes on.

"My mate would be back in a few hours. Nothing would dampen my mood. Even if the pots were gigantic." 

"Oh really?" He grinned stupidly. Obviously thinking of something that would madden me. I narrowed my eyes.

"Don't spoil my day. Don't you have work to do? Are the new comers comfortable with their settlements?"

Zest chuckled. "You always think about work. We haven't even gotten breakfast yet." And as duties were being discussed, he turned serious. "I'll ask the handlers about their status after breakfast. You know how grumpy they are to deal with when they just woken up." I nodded in agreement. Remembering when we were kids and Zest happen to break the mail post of one handler lady when we were playing chase. I could still hear the ringing in my ears as the lady went banshee on us.

"And another thing, the East requests for safe passage and for a moment of your presence."

I frowned at the mention of the East. What do they want now? "Did they mention their reasons?"