22 Trus (2/2)
She stopped, turning to look back at him.
”I would have called for you later in the day but you're here so we will discuss this now.”
She folded her hands over the book, waiting.
”I found this ring in my sheets this morning when I woke,” he said pulling the small, plain band from the dresser.
It happened again, she thought, staring at the unassuming piece of jewelry in awe.
”It was very strange because I thought it was my mother's but I have never seen her wear such a thing.”
She looked up from the ring and at Arren, her insides feeling as if they were tumbling against each other.
”You asked me who wrote your letters before you gave this to me, I think, the details are hazy. It was a dream, after all, except for this ring,” he said.
She nodded, guilty.
”You were attempting to get out of our agreement. I told you not to wander about in the dreams of others here. I told you it was dangerous,” he said slowly. ”I have been too kind with you. If I find that you have done this again, if you come into my dreams again, you will be punished. I cannot trust you.”
His last words were a growl.
She wanted to tell him that he was wrong, that she was only trying make sense of things and that was a piece of the puzzle she needed to understand, for herself but instead she wrote, I'm sorry for disobeying you. Thank you for granting my request.
The damage had already been done.
”Tomorrow you will come with me to the city for our meeting with the Council. I expect a quiet, presentable wife who is eager to help us win her country's favor as per our agreement.”
She nodded.
”Now leave my room so I can finish dressing,” he said.
She bowed slightly and turned away from him, walking out the door.
”Come on Ilun,” she said her voice shaky.
Julen looked at her sheepishly over the couch and she smiled weakly back, waving before facing forward. As she walked to the door, she slid off the necklace and dropped it to the floor.
Ilun whined at her side as she forced herself to focus on her own rooms. The castle led them back without issue. The maids met her in the first hall, nervous.
He agreed to let her stay, she wrote and the three women smiled, happily speaking to one another.
”Thank you,” Greta said and Isilla nodded.
I'm going to my room, she wrote.
”Breakfast is waiting for you. We'll come by with lunch,” Greta said, what they needed from her given the three paid her no more attention.
It's fine, she thought, it was the right thing to do.
Alone with Ilun she walked to her room, closing the door.
She placed Ilun's plate, full of eggs, on the floor for him and then climbed onto her bed. Hugging her knees she pressed her face into her arms, tears falling from her eyes. He was so cold to me, she thought confused. I thought I understood him enough but he really is as cruel as they say. Why was he so nice to me yesterday if this was how he really is?
It was, she realized, as if there were two Arrens. The one who had kissed her last night and the Lord of All Shadows who stood in the bedroom with her this morning. Regardless of which one was real, the Lord who stood before her was the one he showed more often.
Ilun, pressed his face against her, easing it into her her lap, he licked at her wet face, catching her tears, a low whine in his throat before snorting he pushed closer.
She ran her hand over his fur, thankful to have at least have one companion.
”It's just you and me, I guess,” she said to the animal.
The press of Arren's darkness had felt almost like the ceremony the shade had shown her, but in reverse, as if his power were looking for something in her. She touched her chest. I will never do what that shade wants, I can never be like that with him, she thought.
”No more tears,” she said, sliding from the bed. ”I've cried enough already.