Chapter 110
TESSA POV
Unfortunately, pure panic was not enough to make a hangover vanish. The memory of Allette’s intentions did cause me to groan, roll out of bed, and fing my sony ass into the shower, though.
The hot water didn’t help, but it got rid of the bitter taste of strawberries.
“You’re meant to be a Warden, get a fucking grip.” fighting with th
the layers of my gray and white gown. My hair scraped it into a messy tangle of a bun
Maxim might believe I glow. Right now, I’d prefer to crawl under a rock.
The bells are ringing for the start of first–year skills tests.
Shit. I wonder how everyone else is feeling. My first steps outside the grounds confirm my suspicions. Usually people are pacey, anticipating the day ahead with brisk steps across the gravel. Not today. I counted four first years asleep against the packhouse walls.
I head down to the blades practice area. Still set up from yesterday with bleachers and flags flying proudly. In the same place she claimed glory yesterday, stood a lonesome Allette.
Holding five curved blades in her hands I quietly observed her. Banging in one blade after another. Faultlessly on target. Her gray eyes showed no emotion. She just retrieved and repeated.
“Not now Tess,” she snaps before I even have chance to open my mouth. “How is the head?”
“Awful. Really, truly awful,” I answer, taking a seat on a long, empty bench. Closing my eyes I wish the breeze would keep the fuck off my pounding face for a second.
Only to hear Allette chuckle. Her black hair is braided, clipped back with her ornate, steel and copper claw from Irene. It’s beautiful yet stings my heart at the same time. “Well, I’m fresh as a daisy.”
“Oh, I wonder why,” I groan. “Can we talk about last night?”
“Not now,” pointing behind me.
A clutch of sorry–looking men of all shapes and sizes approached us. Led by a Warden with a hefty dose of stubble, they get set up quietly and quickly
“Five throws, no gaps. Then right leg only. Left leg only. Then sat cross–legged. Repeat until I say!”
“Yes sir!” the group chant back. Allette’s victory doesn’t change her need to finish top of the rankings.
It was fascinating to watch, especially the larger men. Holding their frames as steady as ballerinas whilst flinging razor–sharp knives was impressive.
Of course Allette was superior. Only her face seemed tighter, taking no pleasure. Her hand frequently strays to her stomach. Especially when walking back with her retrieved blades. Perhaps she has sickness, or the start of her bump appearing?
She catches me staring, her hand flinching back down to her side like she’d caught fire.
I decided on a change of tactic. I’m going to see Hazel. I know Allette is watching me as I get up from the stands and walk trapped in the skills test until the bells sound again.
away, but she’s
irst year,
The packhouse dining hall is chaotic. A lost property pile in the foyer is a pile of pants, shirts of every colour and boots. I think about how I decided nightwear was not required with Maxim and blush, grateful that urge did not arise during the party.
I wish I could remember exactly what I did with my blindfolded mate though. Striding around the perimeter of the packhouse not a single moment of caressing his naked body, teasing him with my lips, kisses and touches springs to mind.
1420
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Chapter 110
Goddess just what did I do? The less I can remember, the more it feels like a wasted opportunity.
The new guards at the foot of the royal tower parted for me, opening the door. Now I am a Warden, sneaking around is no longer required. Apparently | just have to stride forward and wait for others to move now.
Fighting off the memory of finding the dead bodies of Malva and two Betas the last time I came to this doorway, I knock on Princess Hazel’s door
“Hello? Allette?”
“No, it’s Tess,” I answer softly.
There is a pause. Silence aches either side of the door. We have so much to talk about, but I doubt either of us want to reminisce about Briggs and his suicidal lunacy down in the tunnels. Or the way she wanted to try me as her drug guinea pig.
Finally the door unlocks. Before me stands a changed woman. Her hair has started to grow back, giving her a golden set of very short, close curls across her scalp. Her blue eyes are even brighter, illuminated by her high cheekbones and natural beauty.
Finally, she is dressed. No ruined nightgown or miserable old robe anymore. A pristine white, almost seamless gown clings to her body.
There is no smile waiting for me. Not like last night, when her public face beamed.
“What exactly do we need to talk about?”
Her straightforward tone allows me to be just as direct back. “Allette. Your bodyguard for this adventure you’re planning?”
Hazel thins her lips. “Is there anything wrong with my plan?”
“No, of course not.”
“Have you told Maxim, Remy?”
“No. I wanted to speak to Allette but she is busy…”
“So you thought you would meddle from this end instead,” Hazel snaps. Her chin tilts, giving her a similar look to her father. A flinty selfishness, exposed by the past few months‘ treatment.
“I’m not meddling. Allette is my friend-”
“I have never travelled outside of Ravenbow. Ever. Not one night over the border. I hear about farming, industry, mining. The way elves and humans do things differently, but I’ve never seen it.”
“I understand that-”
“No I don’t think you do. I almost died. By my own fathers hand. Then by Briggs. My life flashed before my eyes and I was filled with nothing but regrets. So I’m changing that.”
My words failed me. Now I feel foolish for even coming up here. Allette’s pregnancy is not my secret to tell, but Hazel feels dangerously prickly. She rolls her eyes at my quiet stance.
“You’ve got Maxim now, a mate.. So why don’t you just….fuck off? Go have babies. Go and be loved and adored. Just keep out of my sight.”
For a second, I am overwhelmed by her venom. Except, what she said about regrets is true. And Goddess, I have always wanted to say su I unleash my own unwanted opinions.
nings to her.
“I’m here because I don’t want Allette to be stuck with a spoiled, self–absorbed princess. One who will no doubt ignore her bodyguard’s advice at every turn. I lost one best friend already. One you promised to help, by the way!” taking a twisted pleasure in the way Hazel’s face coloured.
“I tried –”
Chapter 110
“Just the once. Did you do anything else after? See if any other women Maxim would cheer you up!”
I’m not blushing or feeling ashamed of myself in front of this woman.
were trapped like Irene? No, you gave up after one gol Moped and wailed, hoped
Hazel’s chin tilts upwards. “How dare you. HOW DARE YOU! When Maxim hears-”
“So you fucked Maxim once upon a time. IT DOESN’T MATTER! Do you realise I was jealous of you for probably ten minutes of my life? That’s it? Because he loves me. He will always choose me and I’ll always choose him. If I asked him to never speak to you again he’d do it. Instantly. You’d lose someone spectacular from your life. I’m doing you a kindness by not asking that of him. Yet you still look down on me!”
Hazel steps forward, her hand open. I think she’s weighing up slapping me but I cannot stop the flow of words now. They’re not loud or shouty. My presence is not enough to dominate a room or make people stop in their tracks. But it’s enough to make this blonde idiot take a step back.
“You are speaking to a princess! Your superior!”
“I’m not. I’m speaking to a bitter, lonely woman. Go on your adventure. Find something to make you happy, fill your head with memories. But mistreat Allette in any way-”
“I know she’s pregnant, okay! I’m not going to do anything to put her in danger,” Hazel scowls. “Malva couldn’t wait to tell me. She wanted me to send her outside the pack, to the family villages, before the blade competition.”
“To help her boyfriend win the competition?”
“I assume so. I said no. If that means anything to you,” the princesses voice reduced to a spitting hiss.
“If I truly hated you, I would have left you with Briggs to die. Gone running for help instead of going into the tunnel alone,” I answer tautly. “But we worked together that day. We do not have to be enemies forever.”
“No. But I think we will be for a while longer.” Hazel answers, her chin finally dropping lower, her blue eyes shimmering with the threat of tears.
“Why?”
“Because when I see you, or anyone really, smiling, being embraced and loved, it stabs at me. I see Maxim gazing at you. And I don’t want him by the way. But I want to find my mate. As soon as possible. I want love. I am a spare part in a pack with nothing to do but wait for the right man to walk in.”
“Is that what this tour is? Mate–hunting? I thought it was about discovery.”
“It is!” she huffs. “But swaying Fate’s hand a little won’t hurt either.”
There is nothing more I can say. The Princess knows about Allette’s pregnancy and is determined to have her anyway. The pair of them are strong- minded. Perhaps together they will collide and improve each other. Or fall apart completely.
I stand up and bow. “I apologise for speaking so frankly. Take care,” before turning around and leaving.
Right now I have no duties. All I can do is sit and wistfully watch the archers complete their morning tests. Taking a seat just tucked to the side of the grassy knoll, two familiar voices catch my ear.
“I didn’t say anything in the end.”
“Wimp,” reasoned an amused Silas. I turn, hidden just enough by the low seating for them not to notice bottles.
as they stroll by, carrying armf
empty wine
“It was like she knew what I was going to say and just turned into a friendly chat. Shot down without a word,” Kai explains, his voice catching a little with
hesitation.
“Shit. I’m sorry.”
Kai snaps back. “Just let me die of shame quietly. No more healer girls for me.”
14.25 Mon, 23 Jun
Chapter 110
“Plenty more fish in the sea?” Silas chuckle’s only to get a groan in return.
“Just sharks and piranhas out there. Fucking man eaters the lot of them,” Kai jokes wryly. “Where the hell did Maxim go?”
“Out with Remy. That’s all we’re allowed to know.”
Silas struggles with his bottles and mutters.“Something dodgy then. Thought he was meant to be done with all that now?”
“He’s still in black for a reason. Remy needs someone for the dirty work.”
Expecting to hear nasty sniping my heart surged to hear Silas say, “He just needs a break now. Remy needs to just let the fucking guy be happy. He’s not indestructible.”
“Agreed, we just need to find our mates now,” Kai grunts before their voices fade out of hearing.
I watch the rest of the archery with one eye fixed on the horizon, praying for Maxim’s quick return.
AD
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