15 You Are What You Are (2/2)

She blushed in return. What did you have to take care of, she asked hoping that a more neutral subject would make him more comfortable.

”You eat while I explain,” he said.

Ilun popped up, his massive form surrounding her, sniffing at her plate as soon as she uncovered it revealing hard boiled eggs, sausage, and preserved fruits over toasted bread. ”No!” she said pushing at his large head. His tongue snaked out, reaching for the egg. She sighed and tossed it to the creature who, happy with his treat, settled back onto the floor thumping three heavy tails.

She smiled nervously at Arren who stared at them with heavy frown. ”Here,” he said placing his own egg on her plate, ”Next time I'll be sure to have enough brought up for your pet as well.”

She motioned that she was ready to listen and began to eat, starting with her egg before Ilun tried to steal it.

”There are 12 kingdoms in the Dark Realm. The years of war have cost us many resources. The kingdoms pay for that and they tax their people heavily. As a result the population across the lands is poor and in some cases starving. With the war effort ending, the Crown can allot those resources back to the Kingdoms. But they've gone so long without, they need more help now.”

”For the last few weeks I've been sorting through their requests and our resources to see what we can and can't do as well as writing the orders for them to be taken care of. And then, of course, taking that to the council for them to decide on.”

You must be very tired, she wrote as he picked up a piece of toast.

”Yes,” he answered simply.

I'm sorry I'm adding more trouble, she wrote, guilty.

He reached across the table and touched her face, his finger tips warm against her cheek. The eyes that stared back at her were as warm as his touch. ”You are no trouble to me,” he said slowly.

She nodded as a knock sounded from the door.

Arren dropped his hand from his face and she touched her cheek. ”Enter!” he shouted, his voice almost a growl. Ilun moved, wrapping his body around her seat and she touched his head.

The boy with shaggy brown hair entered, ”My lord I am sorry to disturb your breakfast but the King has called court. Immediately.”

Arren's brows creased and he stood, ”Isilla, wait here. You may read whatever you like. Do not leave these rooms.”

The boy bowed again, without looking up he said, ”I'm sorry, but the king has requested that your lady wife be in attendance as well.”

Arren turned to her, his eyes dark, ”That's fine. It's time that my father met my wife. Tell them that we will be along shortly.”

The boy took his leave, slipping out of the door and shutting it behind himself.

Arren watched and then turned suddenly. He crossed the space between them, pulling her out of chair, wrapping her in his arms.

”Listen to me,” his voice low and urgent in her ear, ”You do whatever the king says unless I tell you otherwise. Keep your eyes down, show no fear, and do not react to anything. They will see it as weakness and use it to break you. Tell your pet to stay.”

The sudden movement, his closeness, shook her. His shadows, almost nonexistent a moment before swirled around the room, spilling over the floor. She held out her hand and one reached for her, wrapping itself around her fingers. He watched the small movement but his eyes betrayed none of his thoughts. She nodded, her eyebrows creased with worry.

He kissed her bruised cheek, ”No one will harm you. You are under my protection. You will be safe.”

She nodded and he released her. She walked over to Ilun and petted his head. ”Stay,” she said. He looked at her with his head tilted but then laid on the floor. The animal rolled onto his side pushing out four mismatched legs, clearly planning to take a nap. She crossed back to the table and reached for her book.

”Leave that,” Arren said. She raised her eyebrows and he shook his head. ”No one will care to know what you have to say. In fact, your silence, here, is better.”

She frowned, unsettled. Her feelings clear on her face, Arren touched her arm, reassuring her. ”It's alright, my little bird. It will be over quickly,” he said holding out his hand to her.

She took it without hesitation. He called me his little bird but his voice was the same as when he called me love in his dream, she thought, how does he really feel about all of this?

”Close your eyes,” he whispered pulling her back into his arms.

She complied. There was a rushing of air and the world spun, briefly. He rubbed her back, ”It's alright to open them, now. Welcome to the Court of my Father, King Ero of the Illustrious Darkness.”