Flames of Green and Gold: Book I in The Final Prophecy Series, page 8
I roll my eyes, finish securing my hair, and thank her for starting my bath. I most definitely need one after last night, although a part of me feels like I would be washing away a memory I never want to forget.
I wait for Hila to leave my room, and then I go to the bathroom to undress and check to see if Lars left any marks behind. He was gentle enough last night, but I bruise extremely easily, and I want to make sure I can hide any suspicious marks. I slide the tunic off and toss it on the floor. My hand glides over my brand as I turn to look at it in the mirror.
“Shit,” I breathe out a curse. The journal! I totally forgot about the journal.
I glance over to the bath, debating on whether I have time for this little luxury before I start my day.
I face the mirror again to look at myself. I shrug my shoulders and smile at my reflection. “Fuck it. Journals don’t just walk away.”
As I simmer in the bath, I take a look at the tonic bottle Hila left behind. Turmeric, Cinnamon, and Ginger are written in bold letters on the label, and in smaller print underneath, it says anti-inflammatory. I set the bottle back down on the stool next to the bath, reveling in the warmth. I sink further and further into the heated water until my chin is just below the surface.
The moment I close my eyes, I hear a loud thud on the wall to my right.
“Silia.”
My eyes open at the recognition of that voice. Lars’s bathroom shares a wall with my own. His voice is so loud, it sounds like he is speaking directly into my head.
“Fuck, Silia.”
I sink further into the bath at the realization of what Lars could be doing. The thought of him touching himself has my body aching, and I ponder the consequences of sneaking back into his room.
Concluding I may start something I don’t know if I can finish if I go over there, I let myself relax once again in the warm water. I smile to myself as I close my eyes and continue my bath. Maybe that’s why he’d kicked me out of his room.
I creak open the door to the library, hoping Vex is still here to answer my questions. I look over to the front desk and notice it’s unoccupied. I sigh in frustration as I enter the room and quietly close the door behind me.
I stride to the back corner of the library where Lars and I had been last night and pull off the pillow I left the book under. To my surprise, it’s not there. Before I panic, I rip off the rest of the pillows in hopes it had gotten misplaced. Still, I come up empty-handed.
I continue tearing apart the couch, throwing all the cushions behind me, until it’s left bare and without any hiding spots left. Anxiety settles rock-hard in my gut.
The journal is gone.
Oh, Gods, did Vex take it back? Did I lose it?
I draw in a few deep breaths as I try to center my mind. If I were a mysterious journal that looks a thousand years old and is banned from the library, where would I be?
An image of Lars’s bed pops into my mind.
“Ugh, really? Focus!” I scold my brain for going directly back to the events of this morning. My subconscious isn’t even trying to keep itself hidden anymore.
“Here.” A ghostly voice enters my mind, and the hairs on the back of my neck stick straight up.
“Silia?”
I open my eyes to find Lars standing just a few feet in front of me.
I bring a hand to my chest as my heart rate doubles its speed. “Gods, Lars. Don’t you know not to sneak up on someone when they’re deep in thought?”
He shrugs his shoulders as he awkwardly averts my gaze. “Sorry, I was just making sure you were ready for breakfast.” His eyes pan down to the mess of cushions and pillows on the floor, and he raises his eyebrows. “Redecorating?”
“Did you see a journal here last night?” I ignore his sarcastic question and scan his face for any hint of recognition.
“A journal? I don’t believe I did. I was a little…preoccupied.” His eyes glide up my body and meet my gaze again.
I clear my throat and scratch the back of my neck. “Right, of course. Well, if you see one, let me know.”
Lars takes a step closer to me, and my palms begin to sweat. “Is there a title to this journal?”
“No.”
Another step towards me. “What does it look like?”
Everything in my body is yelling at me not to trust him with this information.
“I—I don’t remember.”
Step.
“How can I help you if you don’t let me?” His face is mere inches from mine, and I get an overwhelming feeling to run.
“Hello?” A voice sounds from the entrance of the library, and my shoulders sag in relief at the interruption.
“Over here!” I shout back, and I take three long strides away from Lars. His eyes soften in what looks to be like hurt, but he quickly masks it with indifference.
Rein comes sauntering over from behind the maze of bookshelves. “There you are— Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.” His expression dims a shade as his eyes land on Lars.
“Not at all. I was just making sure Silia was ready for training today.” Lars looks my way for a split second, then to the ground as he speeds for the library exit.
Rein keeps his eyes on Lars until he is out of sight, then walks over to me.
“Do I even want to know?” Rein grimaces, throwing a cushion back on the couch so he can sit.
I roll my eyes and pick up a pillow, raising my arm to throw it directly at his face. Rein ducks just before it connects, holding his hands up in surrender.
“Okay, I won’t ask!”
We laugh as he gets up off the couch and holds his arm out for me. “Breakfast? I believe you owe me a new apple.”
He sends me a smirk, and I lightly smack his arm. I wish I didn’t feel too embarrassed to tell Rein what happened last night. We tell each other almost everything, but admitting this to him feels like a line I don’t want to cross just yet.
Despite my feelings, I link my arm with Rein’s and smile up to him. “Lead the way, captain!”
As we weave in and out of the bookshelves, a sudden feeling of anger overtakes me, and I feel ten degrees hotter. Luckily, Rein doesn’t notice my change in demeanor or body temperature, so I try and busy my mind until the feeling passes. Why do I feel like chucking Rein across the library all of a sudden?
As we approach the exit door, I spot Lars leaning against the frame, arms crossed and staring daggers at where Rein and I’s arms are touching. I swear I see flames dance in his eyes, and my skin starts to feel scorching hot. I quickly pull away from Rein and rub the sore spot in the crook of my arm. What the Hel was that?
Lars moves his gaze to Rein and then quickly to me as a small smirk appears on his face. Rein opens his mouth to say something, but as soon as he does, Lars pushes off the door frame and exits the library, letting the large door swing shut with an echoing bang.
Rein and I exchange quizzical glances as we re-connect arms and trail after Lars.
As I exit the library, I swear I can smell burning flesh.
8
SILIA
We enter the dining room, Lars leading the group, and my father is already seated at the head of the table. As soon as Rein notices the king, he drops my arm and stands at attention, then elbows Lars to bow. Begrudgingly, Lars does, and I follow suit with a curtsey.
“Your Majesty, good morning!” It’s clear Rein wasn’t expecting to see the king this early, and I can feel how flustered he is.
Father knows that Rein and I have become remarkably close over the years, and it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary to see us linking arms and joking with one another. But Rein puts professionalism above all else.
As a captain should, I remind myself.
“At ease, Captain Survale. Let me have my coffee before we start with all the bowing.” Father waves his hand in the air, dismissing us, then continues with his breakfast.
I giggle to myself and walk towards my seat, shouldering Rein as I pass by. Rein sees the king as just as much of a father figure as I do, and I know my father feels the same about him, like a son he never had. It’s funny to see their dynamic play out—Father teases and pretends to be annoyed by his presence, but deep down, he would sacrifice anything for Rein.
I can feel the boys’ eyes on me as I give Father a kiss on the cheek and take the seat to his left. Rein sits diagonally from me, leaving the seat to the right of my father empty. I give him a look to question why he’s being so weird, and I nod to the empty seat next to him. He sends a pleading look back, asking me not to press it.
I shift my gaze to Lars as he rounds the table, walking behind Rein and passing Father before sitting directly next to me. I can feel his stare searing the side of my face as I avoid eye contact with him. A hand falls on my left thigh as Lars fiddles with the seam of my dress, rubbing the fabric between his fingers.
I clear my throat and sit up straighter, shifting my focus to Father instead of the burning desire that’s now engulfing me at Lars’s touch. “I’m sorry to interrupt your breakfast. I didn’t expect you to start your day so early!”
Father moves his gaze to Rein, then the empty seat next to him. “Captain, I do not carry a disease. No need to quarantine yourself from me.”
Rein immediately stands and shifts his seat to the king’s right. A right-hand seat for his right-hand man. It’s an unspoken rule that the king sits at the head of the table, the queen to his left, and the captain of the guard to his right. I know that Rein feels weird taking this seat, since it was supposed to be mine as captain, but we all know how that had turned out.
Father turns to me and sets his silverware down. “Not a bother, Silia. I actually meant to speak with you all.”
Lars’s grip tightens on my dress in anticipation.
“I’m requesting you three go to Daqet to check on Diana in one week.” My palms begin to sweat, and uneasiness clouds my thoughts.
“Should I write to their captain to inform them we’re making the journey? We could continue training there, if you intend for us to stay for more than a few days,” Rein chimes in.
“That will not be necessary. No one outside of this room will know where you are going. This needs to happen silently.” Father’s tone shifts to a low whisper, and I have to lean in to hear his next words.
“Diana has not responded to the letter I have sent her, and I’m worried that Erebus’s plots are moving quicker than originally planned.”
Lars completely releases my dress, and I have to fight myself not to look at him. A sudden cold replaces the warmth previously there with his touch, and I feel like an empty husk.
“Plotting? What do you mean? I thought we established that Uncle Erebus would not harm Diana.” I try to settle my rising panic before it can be seen on my face.
“Breathe. She is safe.”
A voice whispers in my mind, and the gold cloud circles my thoughts, just as it had when I’d woken up this morning. Warmth runs through my veins once again as recognition smacks me in the face. That voice is unmistakable. I can’t believe I’d never realized who has been intruding on my thoughts until now. I would know that silky tone even if my memory had been completely erased.
I ball my fists and show no signs of hearing any voice in my mind as Father turns to Rein and begins laying out the plan.
“For the next week, I need you to focus intently on Silia’s training. Do not tell anyone of your planned trip. I will make an excuse for your absence with the Guard.”
He then looks at all three of us and continues, “I want you all to sneak into Daqet and spy on Erebus. Lars, if you feel confident enough to make yourself known to the kingdom, you may do so. Learn as much as you can about these plans, whatever they may be. Make sure my Diana is safe, and do not under any circumstances involve yourself in whatever is unfolding over there. Get in, find Diana, and get out.”
“Why do you ignore me, Little Flame?”
I try to shove the golden cloud from my mind as hard as I can. The black, ghostly hand of my subconscious tears its sharp nails into it, causing the cloud to evaporate, leaving me cold and without prying eyes in my mind. I hear Lars clear his throat and feel him shift beside me.
“It should be no problem, Your Majesty. I can tell Daqet that I have been asked to hand-deliver letters to Diana, as they seem to have been getting lost on the journey to her,” Lars agrees with the king and nudges me under the table with his finger again.
I discreetly reach over my lap and give him a hard pinch with my nails. My brand tingles at the connection of our hands, and a feeling of lust passes through me. I am not in the slightest bit aroused, but I feel this urge just as strongly as I would my own. I decide to sneak a glance to my left and find Lars not paying me any attention, but instead intently focusing on the king.
“How long will we be gone?” Rein asks, not seeming to notice the silent battle Lars and I are having.
“Two weeks at least. I do not want to raise suspicion by sending you all out again, so try to find Diana as quickly as you can.” Father leans back in his seat and pushes his plate away from him, signifying he’s done with his meal and perhaps this conversation.
“Don’t you have spies in Daqet? Can’t they search more easily than we can?” I rush the questions out before he gets up to leave the table.
Lars’s hand returns to my lap and slowly begins to pull my dress up my thigh. I clear my throat and adjust myself in my seat, kicking Lars in the shin. His hand releases my dress, but still lingers over the fabric.
“I have not received word from them this week like I should have. I am worried they have been compromised.” Father pushes up from his chair and walks behind Rein, clapping a hand down on his shoulder.
“Meet me in the map room. I have more plans to discuss with you.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Rein’s eyes follow the king as he makes his exit.
As soon as the door shuts, Rein turns his gaze to us.
“Well, shit,” Rein breathes out, running a hand through his hair.
Shit, indeed.
After breakfast, I decide to head back up to my room and change out of my dress into my training clothes. Lars’s scent has somehow clung to the silky fabric of my dress, and I want nothing more than to toss it into my fireplace. Lars tries to follow me up the stairs and come into my room to talk to me, but I'm not ready to face the reality of what I’d learned at the dining table. I slam the door in his face without saying a word.
Now that we’ve been tasked to go to Daqet, my main priority is becoming more comfortable with my gift and making sure Diana is okay. The journal will have to take second priority for now.
It’s only been one day, but it feels like an eternity since I found out she was gone. So much has happened in twenty-four hours that I can barely process it all. I need her. I need Diana back.
I finish changing into my training gear and braid my hair, then head to Diana’s room.
I miss her eyes. I miss her talking about her farm animal friends. I miss her laugh, and most of all, I miss the way she was the light that evened out my darkness. People in the kingdom gossip that my gift is a curse that tried to destroy the palace by burning it to the ground. Diana never believed these rumors, and she’d comforted me on days I felt like giving up, when life felt like too much. I feel guilty that she was the one coming to my rescue time and time again. I am her older sister. I am meant to protect her, not the other way around.
It doesn’t matter now, I suppose. I wasn’t there to protect her from Erebus. I had failed.
Wetness stings my eyes as I swing Diana’s door open and run for her bed. I am unable to stop the flow of tears as I collapse on top of her mattress and bury my face into the comforter. I can’t catch a breath in between sobs as my hands fist the sheets, digging my nails into the red and gold fabric. I take a few deep breaths and push myself up to rest on my hands, staring at the wet spot I’ve created on her once-pristine bedspread.
“I am so sorry, Diana. I’ve failed you,” I whisper to no one.
I let out another sob as I fall back onto the bed and gaze at the ceiling. My vision is past the point of blurriness, and I can no longer make out any details of the rest of the room as I cry. I bring one of the pillows to my face and take a deep breath, hoping her scent still lingers. Hints of rose and soil tingle my nose, and I let out a laugh of relief.
She’s not completely gone.
I toss the pillow away and sit up again. I must look like a madwoman. Another laugh bubbles up, and before I know it, I am full-on cackling, tears still streaming down my face.
Isn’t it so funny? I have been blessed with a gift from the Gods, and I cannot even control it. My room was only one away from my sister's, and I couldn’t even tell that she had left. I try to live up to my father’s expectations and do the one job he’s asked me to do, and I have to hand it off to my best friend because I can’t be trusted not to set the entire Guard on fire.
I ask the Gods why they took my mother, and they do not answer.
I feel another sob coming on when someone bursts through the door.
“Silia?” I recognize Lars’s voice before I can even register his face.
“Get. Out,” I seethe at him. The last thing on this entire planet I want to do is talk to him.
“Are you all right? Are you hurt?” My vision is still distorted from the tears, so all I see is a giant shadow darting towards me and grabbing my hands. I feel his thumbs graze my knuckles as he gives my hands a little squeeze.
I pull away instantly. “I don’t want to talk to you. Leave now.”
I am not in the right mind to have a calm and civilized conversation with him and ask the questions I want to. All I feel now is rage and the urge to claw his eyes out.
“No, Silia. I will not leave until you tell me what happened.” He takes my face in his hands, and it burns like he’d just roasted himself in a fire and then slapped me across the face.
I rip away from his grip once again and shove off the bed faster than I’ve ever moved before.
