Page 57 of The Final Battle

“Cassarah, everything about this is a huge risk and your men might be willing to bend to your requests, but just know I’m not going to be so easily swayed,“ May challenged. “You and those babies you’re carrying are my responsibility and I will do what is needed to protect you all.“

“I would expect nothing less, May, but all I ask is that if you have a problem with my choice you speak to me directly about it,“ I countered. “There will be no questioning my authority in front of the enemy, it can wait until we’ve removed ourselves from the situation.“

May gave a sharp nod. “That I can abide by, unless it will put you in immediate danger.“

“Fair enough,“ I said, offering my hand to her.

Grinning at me, she shook my hand before pulling me in for a hug. “Ah we made a mercenary out of you, despite your noble upbringing. Never give into the first offer, always negotiate for better terms, but never forget to shake on it or the deal is null and void. You make me proud to be part of your family Cassarah.“

I laughed, hugging her back. It wasn’t often she allowed such obvious affection and I wasn’t going to waste the moment. With a slap on the back, she let me go still grinning, and headed towards the castle expecting us to follow.

“What in the world was that?“ Dayson asked, his expression shocked. “That woman never says anything nice, let alone hugs.“

“Guess you just need to be special,“ I teased, grabbing his arm, tugging him to follow after her. “May is unlike anyone you’ll meet, and to be considered her family is one of the biggest compliments I think I’ve ever received.“

“Oh, I wouldn’t be too sure about that,“ Day muttered. “Once you’re family, she no longer feels the need to protect your self-esteem.“

“I love that she speaks her mind, it lets me know exactly where I stand with her and that is something you don’t get often in this world,“ I stated as we walked up the steps to the castle.

“We’ll just see about that a few years down the road,“ Day warned.

The interior of the castle was far more relaxed to that of the one we just left. It felt more like a home oddly enough, a space to be lived in, not just presented as a show of status. There were hundreds of windows letting in the afternoon light, making the space warm and inviting.

“Your Majesty,“ an older woman said as she bowed before me. “I am Lady Blanch and I run this estate for their majesties when they are not here. If you should need anything while you are staying with us, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ve been informed of your situation personally and physically so that I might be able to assist where I can. There is a wing of the castle I’ve set up that will be for just you, your consorts, and ladies while you sequester here for your pregnancy.“

My hands immediately went to my stomach as she spoke, feeling the need to shield them from her judgment. I wasn’t sure if it was the fact that I had more than one partner or if she just was this blunt with everyone she interacted with.

“The queen has retired for the afternoon to rest, carriage travel has always been hard on her,” Lady Blanch informed me as she clapped her hands together.

A young woman scurried from somewhere to appear at Lady Blanch’s side. “Yes, my lady?”

“Would you escort Queen Cassarah and her companions to the room in the west wing we prepared?” Lady Blanch requested even though we all knew she wasn’t asking.

The woman bobbed into a curtsy and set off, assuming we would follow. The rooms were on the second floor and we passed many sitting rooms, game rooms, and I believe what I might guess to be a library. We were moved along so quickly I couldn’t be certain. This castle was fully functional and could be used full time if they ever wished to. It didn’t make sense to have more than one, but I was fine with the simple life.

We were led to a massive set of double doors which the girl struggled to push open, revealing a long hall with various doors on either side. The hall ended in floor to ceiling windows, facing out onto the countryside.

“This whole wing is yours, all the rooms have been prepared so feel free to choose where you’d like to stay. There is a dining room, two sitting rooms, bathing chamber, and a veranda that leads down into the gardens.” The woman informed us before she bobbed another curtsy and went on her way.

The guys ventured down the hall, opening all the doors and checking the rooms as I waited with May and Becka. I promised that I would let them do this, since especially in this place, we didn’t know who to trust. Feeling uneasy, I looked back at the doors, noticing that they could be locked from the outside and the inside didn’t have a way to open it again.

“May, why do I feel like they put us in this wing for more reasons than to give us space?” I asked quietly, knowing that in old castles, the walls had ears.

She looked around calmly as if she was just taking in the space, stepping over to a wall hanging that portrayed a group of hunters out chasing a buck. Pulling back the corner of it revealed a door but there was no way to open it from this side, it could only be pushed open.

“Seems they are fine with things entering this wing… just not leaving again. This is not going to be a space where we will be able to relax, I’m sorry to say. I think it would be best if we keep this to ourselves and not mention it to the queen. She will only stir up more trouble with her good intentions,“ May shared as she came to stand next to me once more. “That sword better be your new and fervent companion.“

I nodded, understanding what she was alluding to. While I was armed with my Birthright at all times, this would help others to understand that I was not to be messed with. The feeling that crawled along my skin making my hair stand on end told me this was the Lost King’s home, he ruled here, whether he was present or not.

“All clear!“ Zan called from the end of the hall. “The rooms remind me of our home, much less about show and more about comfort.“ He shared as he walked up to us, Ezzu flying around him chattering her excitement.

I smiled and took the hand he offered, seeing how excited he was to show me through the space. The first room was one of the sitting rooms and across the way was the dining room. Both were simple yet welcoming, not at all austere in their decoration. Then started the bedrooms, clearly there were more than we needed but it was nice to know it would just be us. The bathing chamber was like home, more of a community space for us all to use instead of individual ones.

“There is only one room that would work for you,“ Zan commented as we approached the last door. “It has the biggest bed and sitting area for us to hang out in.“

Clearly, everyone else agreed since they were all there relaxing and chatting, pouring drinks from the pitchers of wine and snacking off the food filled trays. One might think at first glance that we were totally unaware of what was going on around us, but I knew them well enough to see the watchful glances. They might have looked relaxed and enjoying themselves, but they were incredibly aware we were in enemy territory.

Gavin walked up with a goblet and handed it to me. “It’s not wine, since I wasn’t sure your stomach would like that right now, so instead I poured sweet fruit juice. The fruit can only be found here in Creisal, it’s a bit tart but incredibly refreshing.“