His Forsaken Luna-Chapter 77: Aftermath (2)

Like an addict needing my next fix, my wrist is raised to my nose, inhaling her scent on the black ribbon I stole.

Raspberries and wildflowers kissed by sunlight grip my senses.

Cohnal clears his throat, and my eyes open. Subtly, the sleeve of my jacket conceals it again.

⋆⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺⋆

My gasp is loud as it shatters the silence of the quiet morning. The sunlight pierces my sight, and I squirm against invisible chains weighing heavily on my chest, trying to keep me from waking.

That light is wretched, though, and whatever phantom tried to keep me from rousing vanished as the blinding light caused me to see the blood vessels and light orange-red behind my eyes. I roll over, hiding my head beneath the sheets and curl into the warmth and smell of sea salt. Theo.

My body tenses for a minuscule moment before I relax with a long sigh, remembering the sweeter events of last night and how sleeping beside him actually aided my sleep.

"Are you awake?" Theo whispers softly.

I nod and peer up at him. Theo brushes aside strands of my hair. "Did you sleep okay?"

"I..." Don’t remember. After the nightmares, I remembered a serene forest and a soft, soothing caress on my stomach. "Think I did."

Strange, it was most likely my mind piecing together Theo’s soft touches, wiping away my nightmares. "Did you?" I must have tossed and turned a lot. There were dark circles under his eyes.

"I worried about you," he says and kisses my hand.

I flinch a little at the contact, something Theo catches onto immediately. "I’m sorry," guilt thickens my voice. "I stand by what happened last night... Kharis’ words..." This wasn’t important right now, not with the attack at the forefront of my mind. But I had to tell Theo again.

Theo’s expression grew stormy, and I had to brace myself for whatever he might say. We were always brutally honest with each other, but after getting intimate, I felt like some lines had been crossed, and it was all a little messy now.

"We can’t... I didn’t even mean to wake up in bed like this. I’m sorry if this is confusing for you." It’s confusing for me, but I didn’t say that. "With what happened last night, I most certainly cannot be caught in bed-"

"I understand," Theo says sharply, sitting up in bed and looking away. "You said so last night."

Guilt weighs heavily on me still. Theo’s gaze lands on me again, and his angry expression softens, his hand cupping my face. "I understand," he says again, this time so gently it clutched at my heart. "I will not be your burden, Ida. I took you to bed to comfort you and hope that you would sleep. I am your slave and yours to command. Use me however you wish, and if I must wait or if you don’t want to get intimate, that is fine too."

I gape up at him and slowly sit up, the covers lowering from my shoulders. "You are too good for me." I clutch at his hand, cupping my cheek.

Theo winks. "As long as you know that. Now, let’s bathe and dress you. I can already feel the restless energy surrounding you."

He was right; I had to have this talk with him, but my mind was elsewhere, to my people, to those who had fallen and those who were severely injured. I wanted to see the damage to the palace, check in on Faidon and see Beta Hanok’s plans until Alaric returns. My brother definitely knows about this attack and must be returning to the palace, from where I do not know.

𓆩:*¨༺✧ ♛ ✧༻¨*:𓆪

Bathing seemed like such a waste of time, but washing away my and Theo’s scent and the smoke lingering in my hair made me feel more put together. Within the hour, I was bathed, dressed in a gown, hair swiftly braided and left over my shoulder, and sipping on some khave with Kharis whose eyes were red-rimmed yet no less alert.

"To think you would take such a liking to our drink," Kharis mused as he sipped the last from his cup beside the study window behind me.

"It certainly rouses my senses," I say, lowering my cup and pushing away from the desk. "If you are able to, I want to see the damage from last night."

Kharis nodded once, then proceeded to lead me through the snowy courtyards. The gaping hole was already being built back together with multiple guards standing watch. Any scorch marks, ash, and bodies were gone as new snow blanketed the area. If not for the black soot along the buildings and the large holes in the walls, nobody would tell there was an attack the night before.

The area was bustling with nobles gossiping in hushed whispers, eyes wide, and the warriors trying to clean up and rebuild the walls and buildings. I should check the other side of the wall at a later time. Beta Hanok has this under control.

"I want to see Faidon," I murmur to Kharis, turning away from the sight.

"That’s not a good idea right now," Kharis says with a grimace.

I look back at him, my eyes narrowing. "Why?" I draw out the word, suspicion creeping into my features. "Is this an order from Eryx?"

"Well..." He sounded hesitant, those dark eyes flicking aside.

"I don’t take his orders," I snap, feeling irritated at having to explain myself again. He might be blackmailing me, but I won’t allow him to cross lines. I am still a Princess of this kingdom.

"Oh, he knows," Kharis snickers, eyes alight as he glances at me.

"Then?" I step closer.

Kharis parted his lips to reply, but my name was called from behind me. We look at my brother’s Beta approaching. "Your Highness, His Majesty has called for you in the throne room."

The throne room? I do not question any further as we are led away from the area by Beta Hanok, who frowns at me and who keeps me company. My answering glare makes him look forward.

I’m not three steps into the hall before my brother’s wrath and the nobles’ gazes land on me.

"Were you with Eryx last night?"