Many of the guards had witnessed the words exchanged and the bloodshed between king and prince, and they followed his orders willingly.
Ayla could not bear to speak up for her father, nor could she bear to watch, so she turned her gaze upon the ruined floor and her ruined slippers and her ruined life.
“Let go of me, you useless, traitorous scum! I am your prince! Take your hands off of me!” Claudian fought and struggled, spat curses at the guards and the Goddesses, but he was dragged away nonetheless.
When the room was quiet and still, Seren spoke. “Did we do the right thing by interfering?”
Harkin paused for a moment before responding. “I know that nothing went according to plan, but Claudian has been apprehended. Ayla is safe.Youare safe. The royal bloodline continues, ready to rule, but this time stronger and more just. Acsilla will be better for what has happened here today.”
“Did you know who I was?”
“No. I didn’t, but we will figure out the path forward together.”
“Alright,” she whispered.
Ayla had heard enough, had suffered enough. She decided not to force herself to confront her new reality that night. She turned away from Safiya, from Seren and Harkin, and the bloodstained ballroom. She did not look back as she left it all behind. The ballroom door shut behind her with a heavy sound, as final as her departure. As weighted as her sinking heart.
Chapter forty-one
Harkin
The room was opulent, brocade curtains glimmering in the soft candlelight of crystal chandeliers. Plush, velvety carpet in vibrant greens and golds softened my footsteps and cradled ornately carved wood furniture. I ran my fingers over the bedpost appraisingly.
The bathing chamber attached to my room was Goddess sent, and I took full advantage, washing away the grime and blood which stained my skin. The water was hot and the foaming soap was a stinging, soothing balm to my ailments.
Fresh clothing lay folded atop a bureau, and I donned them gratefully.
I ran a finger over my blades, gleaming with fresh oil under the soft light. They had been cleaned and shined to perfection, not a trace of the battle to be found. The dagger was heavy in my hand. The engraved initials across the hilt dug into my flesh and imprintedLAinto the skin, reminding me always of my father—Lenox Aranti.
“Will you be proud of me, Father? When this is over?” I sucked in a heavy breath, fought against the tension in my throat. “Have I… Have I…”
I couldn’t even finish the thought. I hadn’t done enough to make up for the pain I had dealt, not yet. Mom and Adina were safe, but only just–only after I had risked them, yet again.
The bed called to me, warm and inviting with thick duvets and a half dozen pillows. A curtain hung around the four poster in a midnight blue so like the night sky. I settled myself between cool sheets and slid my blade beneath one of the many pillows, just in reach.
I tossed and turned, falling into an uneasy sleep that was all too brief. My mind came back, time and again, to Seren, just across the hall. I worried for her, though she had told me not to. Her arms had been severely burned, and she had been otherwise injured. We had learned the truth of her parentage—she was Tarquin’s true heir.
I wanted to accompany her to the royal healer, but she waved me away. I wanted to hold her and help her understand that she was still the same person as she had been before. Her last name did not have to determine her path.
When I could no longer bear it, I hauled myself from the bed and fastened my boots. The sun was still hours from rising, but sleep eluded me. I eased the heavy door open and padded across the hall. I settled myself against Seren’s door, stretching my legs out in front of me as I made myself as comfortable as I was able on the polished floor. If I could not rest, I would at least ensure that she could.
The ground was cold and hard, but I must have fallen asleep regardless, for I woke as I fell—tumbling backwards into the opening doorway. My hands splayed, catching the edges of the door frame before my head could crack on the floor, a noise of surprise escaping my parted lips.
“Harkin?” Seren blinked down at me, questioningly.
“Good morning.” I righted myself and pushed up to my feet then grimaced as my body made its complaints. My limbs were sore and stiff. I stretched, groaning as my bones popped and my muscles unwound. I rubbed the feeling back into my legs.
Seren shot me a peculiar smile. “Were you sleeping in front of my door?”
“It appears that I was.” I ran a hand through my tousled waves.
“Did you not have a perfectly comfortable room, just there?” Seren asked, gesturing toward my chambers.
I nodded, eyes downcast. “I did, but I couldn’t sleep knowing you were unguarded in a palace full of enemies.”
Her gaze softened, and she took a half step toward me. “I was perfectly safe, but thank you.” She caught my jaw in her palm, tilted my head up so I looked into her eyes. She said the words again, “Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome. How are you feeling?” I noted the bandages across her forearms, and was grateful to see the cuts and bruises on her face were already gone.
