Page 21 of A Royal’s Soul (Soul Match #3)

Selene Borealis

“You look terrible,” Adamantia greeted me when she entered the office I had chosen as my point of operation.

The space was sparse, containing only a desk and old chair. I would make the space my own. The main feature which attracted me to the previously disused room was the window nook overlooking the east lawns and apple orchard. I could envision the space filled with summer light, the nook reupholstered with comfortable cushions, bookcases and potted flowers dotted around the room.

Percy would fit wonderfully within the space, there to provide distraction and beauty from the tedious work of Ardens when necessary.

“Thank you,” I replied and lifted my gaze from Ardens’ financial reports. I had not slept. Even when Percy had managed to initially succumb to slumber, she tossed so often that I could not relax enough to join her, and then she awoke, full of sorrow for a coven—or perhaps a life—she was denied.

“While I do not require much sleep, I have been lacking,” I told my aunt.

Adamantia hummed. “Your pet keeping you awake all night?” she asked teasingly.

“Something like that,” I answered.

“Oh, relationship trouble, even after our talk?” she asked. There was something off with her countenance. Subtle, but off.

“No,” I responded, hoping that I did not reveal how defensive I abruptly felt. I was confident that once everything had settled, my pet and I would find a balance that suited both our natures and needs. She was a good girl, simply head strong, slightly rebellious, and a touch naive.

“Truly, Selene, there is no shame in such difficulties. I know you value the girl greatly, yet sometimes a source can be more trouble than they are worth,” she said casually as she leaned against my desk.

I leaned back in my chair and looked my aunt over carefully.

“Your opinion of my pet has changed since we last spoke?” I asked.

It was only a couple of days previous that she was providing relationship advice for the success of a long-term coupling, and now she approached me as if Percy was nothing more than a source, like one of her blood whores.

“My opinion of the girl has not changed. I find her adorable. Sasha is taken with her,” Adamantia replied.

“Then why speak of her like a common whore?” I asked as her scent took a rancid undertone.

Anxiety among other pureblood vampires was always such a displeasing scent to me.

“You’re anxious,” I stated, curious as to whether she would reveal the reason for her change in regards to Percy.

“Perhaps I have reason to be concerned. The north has been upheaved, you arrive without warning having dismissed yourself and both your Houses from Sanguis Academy, for what reason you have yet to discuss, and you are obsessed with a half-witch nobody. So much chaos for a mere girl. Is she worth it?”

“Do not play games with me, Adamantia,” I warned.

She pushed herself from the desk, turned from me and straightened her shoulders.

“I received word that Lydia and Elliot are to arrive,” she said, changing the subject.

I was surprised. Lydia was a cousin of my mother and Adamantia. She had married a low-level noble of House Vouna and had expressed her desire for her herself and husband to be made some sort of wardens of what was Vouna. She was most displeased to remain nothing more than a lady in title with only a small land holding.

“When?” I asked. She turned to me.

“Today. They will arrive any moment,” Adamantia replied. This news explained her odd demeanour. Adamantia was known to lash out when upset.

“When did you learn of their planned arrival?” I questioned, wary if she had held this information from me.

“Today. The little wasp called,” she answered. “She had already been on the road for two days.”

“Did she use a secure line?” I asked.

I had been communicating primarily through letters, enchanted to be opened only by the intended recipient and hand-delivered by messengers to avoid the rebels from intercepting communications. While phone or electronic messaging systems were more convenient, neither were completely secure. Not the way magic was.

“No,” Adamantia growled.

I was silent. It was a foolish mistake on Lydia’s part. She was announcing her location to any who may be listening. That was unless she was actively working with the Vouna rebel group, which I highly suspected, given how raged her most recent letters had been.

“Do you have nothing to comment?” Adamantia asked.

“No. Have her sent to me, when she arrives. Split the two apart. Distract Elliot—you know how he fancies himself—while I speak with Lydia alone,” I replied.

“I will do no such thing. He makes my skin crawl,” she shivered dramatically and made a disgusted face. I smiled.

“Why do you look so amused?” she asked, perturbed.

“Your complete disgust with the male species is what amuses me, aunt,” I told her.

“Yes, well. I don’t see the appeal. Most are mindless, good for little more than cannon fodder,” she said.

“That may be. But I would appreciate if you could keep one mindless man under your watch for a short time, while I uncover Lydia’s purpose for her visit.”

“It is of course to try and squeeze a higher position for the two. They believe that with all the upheaval of the northern Houses, that there are titles and lands up for the grab,” Adamantia said, as she moved towards the door. “Such a shame that you took it all for yourself,” she laughed as she exited.

I frowned with a stirring of disquiet at Adamantia’s parting words.

Everything felt wrong this morning. Perhaps it was simply down to an accumulation of stress and worry for Percy’s sake since the Academy. It was only a matter of time before news of her novel ability spread throughout the kingdom. It may be a whisper now, but soon it would be a roar.