Empire of Kingdoms Awakening

Chapter 24

"Come on." Celeste muttered to herself in irritation. Working to cast the fire spell for hours, her mind turned unfocused. All it could do was think of Charles.

Seeing him made all the memories suppressed resurfaced. Sweat dripped from her skin as she tried to push them down farther. The heat caused it worse.

The snapping of twigs caught Celestes attention. Ryella offered her a friendly smile, but Celeste frowned at the sight. Face reddening, she sighed.

"The king requests you." Ryella hesitated. Celeste's shoulders tensed as she glanced elsewhere. There was nothing she wanted less. "He would appreciate a reunion." Celeste's mind pondered why Ryella came for her.

Ryella understood Celeste had no reason to entrust the king. He planned her downfall. The question of why Ryella didn't notify the king immediately baffled Celeste. Charles would have sent for her instantly.

There was no guarantee of Celestes safety if they traveled back to the Blood Islands together. "Charles needs you by his side. You keep him sane." Celeste knew Ryella had a way with words. Many referred to her as a master of deception.

Celeste would not risk placing herself in harm's way. "I'm staying with the Guardian." She was safe there. No one in Caster was stronger. If the king wished her back, he should have retrieved her himself.

Frustration plagued Ryellas face. "Pay attention to what is happening." Ryella knew she could not come back empty-handed to Charles. Her only chance of making Celeste understand its importance was for her to see what the king had been doing.

When the king ordered her to retrieve Celeste to deal with other matters, it left behind a pit in her stomach. The king sent her so she would be out of his way. Ryella had no intention of joining his list.

"You saw us. That's the only reason Charles knows you're back. I gave you the chance of freedom. This is the consequence of your action." Celeste felt criticized. If she had thought through what she was doing, she would have known the risks. By the time she realized, it was too late.

Celeste stayed silent, unable to conjure a reply. "We learned of you practicing with the Guardian again." Ryella searched the area, believing that the Guardian wouldn't be far.

Celeste followed her gaze, finding a tree's roots that rose from the soil.

Ryella became annoyed at Celeste's lack of care. "How do you not realize they still use you as a pawn in a much larger game?" Celestes bottom lip quivered. Ryella blatantly admitted that Charles took advantage of her for something bigger.

Celeste did her best to stand her ground. She did not like appearing weak. "You know nothing about what I've gone through."

A snicker echoed in the grove. "You haven't spoken to the former rulers about what you are doing. Word is spreading. How do you assume they will react?" Ryella questioned.

Celeste knew Ryella was right, but wouldn't give her the satisfaction. She rolled her eyes and would not look at her.

"Every time someone goes to you, you are not there. We try all hours and still nothing. Before the sun rises, when at its peak, when it disappears into the night..."

Celeste raised her eyebrows. The doorman had mentioned no one coming for her when she returned home. He knew better than to bother her while resting, but he greets her whenever she comes back and when she leaves.

Perhaps the guardian was only using her. Perhaps he was the one who brought her home to Caster and created her a new castle. The servants there worked for him. As of late, everybody seemed to have a hidden agenda for her.