Thorns and Promises

Deals

{Adriel's POV}

“What exactly do you want in return?” He asked her, arching an eyebrow at her.

She shook her head, a smile forming across her full, pouty lips. “I only want my father gone, as long as that is your plan, our interests are aligned.”

“Is he the one that did that?” My brother asked, we all watched Lilliana expectantly, instead she stood from her place knelt beside my brother, and walked back to the window.

“I don’t want to talk about it, and if anything that you’ve said is true, then don’t make me talk about it.” She said, keeping her voice low and calm.

“Alright..” Aelarian replied, his voice gruff and steady. “Fair enough, we won’t discuss it.” He agreed. “We’ll have meetings, have maps drawn up, and figure out the best way to infiltrate your father’s castle. Making sure that your people are spared any fighting or hardship.”

I stepped forward. “But brother.. look at her, surely you..” I began, but he shot me a look, and I stopped, nodding, processing, and understanding. We’ll figure out what happened to her in time.. we don’t have to force it out of her now and destroy this bit of faith she’s decided to put in us.

“Okay, but I have a condition too!” My sister quickly added. “You come stay at the palace! Not as our prisoner but as a guest. I’ll teach you about our culture, allow you to meet our people, and you’ll be given some much needed free rein, as long as you stay within the city limits.”

This was good, smart even, even if it was an idea from my sister. Keeping Lilliana close enough to watch her, but also letting her have a bit of freedom. “I..” Lilliana began, anxiety slipping across her expression, before a sudden calm washed over her. “Fine.. I can agree to these terms.” She said.

My brother stood, holding the bit of fabric she’d torn from her own clothes to his bleeding head. He held out his hand to her, she took it, shaking it softly. “You’ll move into the palace immediately, you’ll be in our wing, you’ll have access to everywhere except the East Annex, that part of the palace is restricted.”

She nodded, looking him in the eyes once again, catching all of us off guard. “Understood.” She replied, her voice empty, but steady, as though this were an act she’d performed a hundred times over. A calm exterior.. perhaps this was something she’d rehearsed, a part she’d played.

She gathered up her things and tossed them into a bag, some gowns that we’d given Hettie for her. She turned back to face us, all three of us stood watching her. “I need to change if we’re going back to the palace, and I’d prefer not to have an audience, if you don’t mind.” She motioned for the door.

I saw a blush spread across my brother’s face, along with my sisters, before even feeling my own cheeks flush. “Sorry, my apologies, we’ll be downstairs when you’re ready.” I quickly replied, rushing my siblings and I out the door before closing it behind us. I took off down the stairs, and made it back to the den before my siblings.

“Alright, so step one is to keep her close, and to keep a close eye on her. We’ll get her used to us, to our way of life. Step two is to gain as much information as possible and step three is to take down King Aegall Nymanthis once and for all.” My sister said, as she smiled up at us. “This is totally gonna work!”

“Do you think we should tell her about the engagement ball her father is throwing her?” I asked, looking between the two of them.

“Maybe let her get settled in at the palace first before we implode her life.” My brother sighed, pinching the bride of his nose.

We heard her door open, and soon she came down the stairs holding a bag. When I looked over her, I could see something I hadn’t noticed before, bruised fingerprints on her arms, probably from when she was assaulted. My blood ran cold, the memory flooding back. I was there to kidnap her, but finding her like that.. I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. Men like him.. they should be punished properly.. and he would be if I had anything to say about it.

She wore a white gown, the fabric nearly see through, I gulped looking down at her. This little human was trouble, though I don’t think she knows that. Her hair was pulled up into its normal bun, and her face free of makeup. She looked radiant, ethereal even. I shook the thoughts from my head, before turning towards the door. “Hettie left to go get your room ready in the palace. We’ll escort you there now, allow you to put away your things, then we’ll have dinner.” My brother said, his voice deep, and booming.

She nodded, her eyes falling to the floor once again, that moment of fire she had before dashed away. “Of course, thank you your highness.” She replied calmly, giving a soft bow. Elegant, poised, perfect.. I couldn’t help the bitter curiosity that rose within me, wondering if these were traits she’d also had carved into her pale, perfect skin.

“I’ll meet you all there, I’m going to go see to it that Sir Roderick prepares the exercises for the guards. Always need to keep them on their toes, make sure they expect the unexpected.” I sighed, “I’ll join you all shortly. I bowed slightly, turning and rushing back to the courtyard, and practically pacing across the training grounds. I made it into my office and signed, walking over to the desk.

I pulled out a sheet of paper, and my quill and began writing down instructions and details. I wanted Ryland Rosewood brought here to me.. I wanted to make sure that he suffered for what he did, and I wanted to be the one to ensure it.