Chapter 32

I closed my eyes, kissing him back, letting my hands circle up his body, one to the back of his neck and one settling into his hair.

His own hands clasped my waist tighter, pulling me closer, until there was scarcely space between our bodies.

He tasted sweet, and equal, and gentle and yet strong. His eyelashes grazed mine and his nose rubbed against my own, but I didn't pay any attention.

We kissed until I was gasping for breath, and we broke away at the same time, my eyes fluttering open.

He gave me a crooked smile. "How was that?"

I responded by pulling him closer and kissing him again, harder.

When we pulled apart again, he was grinning even wider. I could see the real Aiden behind the disguise, his eyes sparkling.

"This is all new to me," I admitted, brushing a strand of his hair away from his forehead.

"Me too," Aiden said, shrugging, "But I liked it."

"I did too," I said, looking down.

"Good to know." Aiden chuckled, and I joined in.

It was all so strange — but it felt right. We felt right.

"Oh, Nalvia," I said, looking away.

"What?" Aiden asked, tilting my head up to meet his eyes.

"We're doing this before the attack — it's just odd," I said.

"Well, if this is the last thing I do, it'll be worth it," he said, squeezing my waist.

"It won't be the last thing you do. You're going to live, Aiden. I swear it on Nalvia."

"Bold words, Princess," he said, smiling.

I grinned back — then I felt it. The presence humming around us, in the ground, in my bones. Nalvia.

I stumbled back, my vision spotting with black.

"What's wrong?" Aiden asked. His voice was soft, as though he was speaking from far away.

"Nalvia."

I managed that one word before my vision turned completely black.

"Ivy." Rowan groaned. "Why are you doing this?"

He was lying on the ground...in the meadow where the seven Princesses had been later murdered. He looked bruised and battered, and blood was seeping out of his many wounds.

Ivy swept into my vision, hovering in the dim corner. A light shone in her eyes, seeing her husband vulnerable on the ground in front of her. I recognized that light.

Madness.

"Why, King Rowan? Why? You have the nerve to ask me this?"

Rowan shook his head, about to say something, but Ivy stepped into the light. I could see bruises on her too now, probably because of their recent fight. I was guessing my father hadn't gone down without a fight, even if it was with his wife.

"You gave me those eight daughters, Rowan! It was you! And you ask me why I'm doing this?"

Rowan's eyes squinted with confusion. "F-Forreston. Our son —"

Ivy cut him off, letting out an un-queenly snort. "He is not our son! He is mine! Mine and Branch's!"

Rowan's eyes shot wide open in shock. He jerked back, like she had hit him. "What are you saying?" He croaked.

Ivy glared at him. "What do you think? You gave me seven daughters, that was your fault! I had a son with Branch, and then? Another daughter with you!"

"Ivy, please —" Rowan croaked.

Ivy was too far gone. She raised her hands, and I looked away.

There was an awful, primal scream.

I looked back, revulsion coiling in my stomach, to see Ivy standing over the corpse of her dead husband. There was no light in his eyes.

The King was gone.

My eyes flew open.

"What's wrong?" Aiden asked, his eyes worried.

I blinked rapidly, looking around. He'd lowered me to the carpet. I was lying down fully on the floor.

"I — I had a vision," I said, stammering. Everything I'd seen ran through my mind again, gruesome and terrifying.

"What was it?" Aiden asked, squeezing my shoulders.

"Ivy. She — she killed my father," I said.

Aiden's lips pursed, and he slid an arm under my back, helping me up. I stared at the ground in front of me, dimly aware of his hand rubbing my back firmly.

"It was awful." I choked out. "She had no remorse."

"But why would she do that?" Aiden murmured.

"She blamed my father for giving her seven daughters," I said, tears burning at the back of my eyes.

Aiden's silence spoke as loud as words — I could practically hear what he was thinking. That there had to be more to the story, some real reason why she'd killed her family.

"She didn't want us," I breathed, and his eyes snapped back to me.

His arms encircle me, pulling me into his warmth. "She made a mistake. Who wouldn't want you?" He murmured into my hair.

I let a tear slip free, into his shirt, but he didn't seem to mind.

"We'll kill her. I promise, Elvina," he whispered.

I let my sobs shake my body, because I knew that in this room, I'd be safe. With Aiden, I was safe.

I'd finally found someone who'd never leave me.

***

"The soldiers are here," Sakura murmured, her eyes sparkling.

I turned and watched as Adair, Arden and Aiden walked straight to us — accompanied by Pecan, or, rather, Raven Caraway. He'd become a part of the group, too.

"Poppy darling," Adair greeted, taking his usual place beside Poppy.

I gave Aiden a small smile as he sat opposite me. His eyes were deep with our secret. I could see him thinking about last night.

"May I sit here?" Pecan asked Daisy. She scooted to the side, blushing. I grinned at his self-satisfied smile. He only gave me a small shrug in return.

I looked at Maple, but she wasn't even looking at him. Just straight at Arden.

Oh, Nalvia.

"Did you know, Sparrow," Sakura said, looking at Aiden, "Calla here sings very well."

I shot her an incredulous look, but she only smiled mischievously.

"Does she?" Aiden asked, raising an eyebrow at me.

I blushed. "Not that well."

"Oh, that's not true," Poppy said, her expression matching Sakura's, "You should have heard her last night."

"Yes, maybe you should sing for him someday," Sakura said, her eyes twinkling.

"Sakura!" I cried, swatting her arm.

"No, but I'd like that," Aiden said, his eyes dark, staring straight at me.

I looked down, hiding my blush. "Maybe someday."

Later, when the soldiers left, I looked at Sakura. "Why'd you say all that?"

She chuckled. "He's sweet on you, Calla, can't you see?"

I buried my head into my hands. "And how would you know that?" My words came out muffled.

"I can see it in his eyes. And you're sweet on him, too."

The girls laughed, and I blushed harder.

"Sakura has experience with these things, you see," Poppy said.

I looked up at Sakura. "Do you?"

Now it was her turn to blush. "I have someone waiting for me at home."

"Not just someone — someone she's promised her hand in marriage to," Poppy said, nodding solemnly.

"Sakura!" Maple gasped, her mouth hanging open. "What're you doing here, then?"

Sakura pulled out something from her dress — a thread, hung around her neck, a simple, silver ring dangling from its end.

"I want to make sure my siblings are well cared for before we marry."

"Even though her man is rich," Poppy said, "Too wealthy for his own good. I'm sure he'd love spending some of that money on your family."

Sakura twisted her lips. "I want to support them on my own, not just let them be his burden."

Poppy sighed, raising her eyebrows. "Just mind you get back to him soon. Boys like that should be held on to."

"Like Adair?" Daisy asked teasingly.

"Like Adair." Poppy nodded firmly.

"Are you going to marry him, then?" Maple asked.

"If he asks, I will," Poppy said, shrugging, with a small smile.

"Well, I wish you all the best," I said.

Poppy squeezed my hand over the table. "Thank you."

"Now let's get back to work. Several more lords are dining with the Queen today," Sakura said, shaking her head.

"Wonderful." Maple groaned, rubbing her head.

"Come on," Lotus said, standing up. Vanilla was right next to her.

I exchanged a look with Maple, and we stood up as well. Breakfast had been wonderful, but now it was time for work.

"Kitchen, here we come," I murmured, praying that the cooks wouldn't be too harsh on us today.

Short chapter, cute scene. But it's all coming to an end now! Don't forget to:

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