Page 10 of The Call of Crimson (The Crimson & Shadows #2)

CHAPTER FIVE

AURELIUS

S ipping on warm tea, I stare out the castle window.

I suppress a yawn, forcing another drink of the spiced liquid down.

Today was not the day I could afford to be tired or inattentive; it was the first council meeting since Queen Genevieve’s death.

The lack of sleep was catching up with me, though.

Last night had been a breaking point for me.

“Aurelius, why are you pounding on my door in the middle of the night?” Ayden asked through a yawn.

“Do you not hear her screams?” I asked, running a hand through my shoulder-length black locks.

“Of course, I hear them. The whole castle hears them, brother.”

“You can stop them. Why don’t you?” My tone bordered on pleading, and I hated that I had to ask this male for anything, especially when it came to her.

“Don’t you think I would if I were able?” He glared at me, folding his arms across his chest. “My gift requires touch, and if you hadn’t noticed, I can’t get in her room.” He waved his hands at the shadows forming a barrier around the door.

“You can’t get through?”

He rolled his eyes, walking to her door and demonstrating how his hands hit a barrier anytime he reached for the handle.

“They must be reacting to whatever’s in her dreams,” I mused. “I wonder…” My voice trailed off.

Reaching for the door, I’m surprised to find my hand passes straight through.

“Interesting,” Ayden said, his face hardening. “It would appear that her subconscious still trusts you, despite her conscious self wanting nothing to do with you.”

“She may be in denial about what she wants for now, but I assure you that’s only temporary,” I grit out, jaw clenching.

“For all our sakes, I hope you’re wrong.”

I twisted the handle and pushed open her door, letting us both into her room.

Pale moonlight highlighted Breyla’s tear-streaked face as she thrashed in bed. Even in pain, she was beautiful. Sitting on the edge of her bed, I placed a gentle hand on her cheek. Though her whimpers continued, her body immediately stilled at my touch.

“Come on, prick. Work your magic,” I said reluctantly.

If you would just let me stay with you, I could chase away those nightmares, little demon. I think to myself.

Ayden knelt next to the bed, placing a hand on the top of her head, gently stroking her hair. A soft amber glow trickled from his fingers to her temples, and she finally ceased crying, her breathing returning to normal.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but thank you.” I continued stroking her cheek. She shifted slightly closer to me in her sleep, and I mourned the lack of her regular presence next to me in bed.

“I’ve told her this, but you never have to thank me for this. Whether you believe it or not, I am not your enemy, Aurelius.”

“Your actions make that hard to believe.”

He nodded in understanding. “I get that, but someday you will believe me.”

I shake myself out of the memory, trying to force down more of the now tepid tea.

“I’m not sure even a whole pot of tea would help overcome three days of not sleeping, brother,” Ayden says, taking a seat next to me at the table.

I grunt in agreement before snapping, “Stop calling me that.”

“Testy this morning, are we?”

“We may share blood, but my brother is dead. You have not earned the title, and you only use it to elicit reactions out of Breyla and me.”

“Well, I can see it’s certainly working,” he says with a smirk as he sips on a fresh cup of tea.

“I’m not dignifying that with a response,” I mutter.

“You just did.”

“I can see you’re taking your role as annoying little brother seriously,” Breyla comments, taking a seat on the other side of Ayden.

I scowl at her choice of seating, but bite my tongue.

“You mean younger brother. I assure you, there is nothing little about me.”

My eyes roll at his attempt to banter with her. We are evenly matched in nearly every aspect, but he has a solid twenty pounds of muscle on me. It wasn’t much, but we had proven nearly identical in strength in our last brawl on the library floor.

“Perhaps you and Breyla should compare notes on how to best be the annoying younger sibling,” I say sarcastically.

Ayden raises a dark brow. “But Breyla is an only child.”

“Yes, but she’s always perfectly embodied the traits of a youngest child. Not sure where she learned it from, but she excels at it.”

“Most would call that being a brat,” Ayden says.

“For two males who would like to be on my good side, you sure are doing a terrible job of acting it,” Breyla says, then throws a biscuit at Ayden’s head. It hits him square in the jaw, but doesn’t faze him.

I see the food coming at my head and catch it before it makes impact.

Taking a bite, I say, “I see we’ve moved from throwing knives to breakfast pastries.

And why would I lie when that was what got me in trouble in the first place?

I thought you wanted the truth; the truth is, you are a brat. Always have been.”

She glares at me before spitting, “If I’m such a brat, then why did you pursue me so ruthlessly?”

I resist the urge to tell her she hasn’t seen ruthless yet and settle on, “I never said I didn’t like you being a brat.”

Red creeps across her cheeks, and she turns back to her breakfast. Ayden sighs and returns to his own food before muttering, “Today should be entertaining.”

“Someone pour me a drink,” Ayden mumbles, rubbing his temples. Turning to me, he asks, “Are they always like this?”

Breyla had spent the last twenty minutes arguing with most of the members of her council.

The only two that seemed exempt were Elijah and Ophelia, who had taken her late father’s place on the council.

“Breyla threw a dagger at Lord Seamus in the last council meeting, so yes. At least, if she’s involved. Subtle isn’t her style.”

“All I’m asking,” Lady Daphne starts, “is how you plan to take the throne here in Rimor, maintain your position as General, and marry Prince Ayden. You are talented, but last I knew you couldn’t occupy three places at once, Your Majesty.”

“And there is the line of succession to consider,” Lord Rion unhelpfully adds. “This kingdom is in a precarious situation, and whether you like it or not, it is vital to establish an heir as soon as possible.”

Breyla’s jaw ticks as she shoves to her feet.

I watch carefully as her shadows swirl and begin to form in her palm.

Realizing the mistake she’s about to make, I swiftly stand behind her to quietly whisper, “I would advise you to put that shadow blade away.” Gently, I caress her wrist, urging her to recall the shadows.

After a moment, she acquiesces, shrugging off my touch.

“Fuck your line of succession,” she snarls at Lord Rion.

Elijah stands, placing a placating hand over Breyla’s. “We’re talking in circles. B, take a deep breath.”

And because it’s Elijah, she complies immediately.

Her willing obedience to him was something that once bothered me, even driving me to the point of jealousy.

And while I was still envious of how well he knew her, perhaps even better than she knew herself, I was no longer envious of his position in her life.

He held a place that was meant solely for him, and it was undeniably different than mine or anyone else’s.

Ayden studies them, his gaze sharp and contemplative. “He has impressive sway over her.”

“It’s as infuriating as it is impressive,” I grumble.

Ayden stands, leaning against the table. “At the risk of starting another fight, perhaps I can put this matter to bed. Breyla will not be coronated as the Queen of Rimor, nor will she be acting as General.”

“Excuse me?” she asks in disbelief.

Ignoring her outburst, Ayden continues, “Per the marriage contract, you will be accompanying me back to Prudia, where you will be crowned queen once we are wed. When it comes to heirs, our firstborn will inherit the kingdom of Prudia, and any others will be in line for Rimor. So, I suggest you shift your focus to choosing a suitable regent to lead in your absence.”

I expect chaos to erupt, but am instead met with stunned silence.

Breyla shakes herself out of her surprise and narrows her eyes at Ayden. “Absolutely not. There’s no way I’m agreeing to that.”

“I’m sorry, darling, but it was already agreed to. You can check the contract, as it’s all clearly spelled out there. Aurelius was there for the drafting of it, so I’m sure he can confirm what I’m telling you.”

Breyla’s angry eyes turn in my direction. I utter the words that will damn me further, “He speaks the truth, Princess.”

Her shoulders momentarily sag in defeat, but not before determination lights her emerald eyes.

“I should like to read the contract. Since I am apparently the only one affected by this agreement who has not yet seen it.” Bitterness fills her tone, but it’s overshadowed by the authority in her demand.

“Very well,” Ayden agrees. “We’ll be leaving in two days. Oh, and Prince Aurelius will be joining us.”

Breyla’s startled eyes find mine, then shoot to Ayden. “Wait, what? Why?”

I try not to cringe at the tone of her voice.

“Well, firstly, he is being recognized as a Prince of Prudia, much to my mother’s dismay. But secondly, we both know if I tried to leave him here, he would just find a way to follow. I’m just saving us all the trouble.”

Breyla sighs, resigned to her fate for now. “Commander Jade will replace me as General of the Rimorian army.”

“As you wish, Your Majesty,” Jade says, bowing her head. “I’m honored.”

Breyla turns regretful eyes to Elijah and Ophelia. “I wish?—”

“I know you would if you could, Breyla.” Elijah cuts her off, knowing what she’s trying to say before she says it.

“Lord Elijah and Lady Ophelia will rule in my stead.”

Ophelia’s eyes widen at the unexpected appointment.

Lady Daphne chokes on her drink and sputters, “You’re putting the traitor’s daughter in charge of the kingdom?”

Breyla’s shadows lash out, wrapping around Lady Daphne’s throat. “Do not forget your place, Lady Daphne. Ophelia was the one responsible for uncovering the damming evidence against Seamus, as well as ending his pathetic life before he could claim more innocents.”

Lady Daphne swallows hard and nods. “My sincerest apologies. I won’t make the mistake again.”

Breyla releases the shadows’ hold, recalling them into her. “We are done here. You are dismissed.”

The council room empties, leaving me alone with Breyla.

“Is there something I can help you with, Prince Aurelius?” She spits out my title, like it tastes vile on her tongue.

“Let me explain.”

“Explain what, Aurelius?” Breyla rubs at her temples. “I do not care, nor do I want to hear more excuses for why you lied to me. Repeatedly.”

“Regardless, I wish to tell you the full story.”

She bristles, eyes full of distrust. “Well, it is unfortunate then that I do not wish to hear it. The simple fact of the matter is, I do not trust what you have to say. You had numerous opportunities to inform me of any number of things, yet you didn’t.

You were so busy fucking me, you apparently forgot how words work. ”

“So, we’re back to this, then?”

“Back to what?”

“The hot and cold act—where you pretend you aren’t a hypocrite for refusing to hear my truth, while simultaneously punishing me for not telling you everything.

I may be a selfish bastard for wanting to keep you to myself, but at least I’m willing to face the truth.

Fuck you, Breyla. At least I can own my feelings. ”

A pained look crosses her face but disappears in an instant, replaced by fury burning in her emerald eyes as her fist clenches at her side.

Had I gone too far? Perhaps. But the fact that she hadn’t punched me was confirmation that my words were accurate, even if they were harsh.

This was not how I saw this conversation playing out, but I no longer care. I storm out of the council room, needing to distance myself from the female who infuriates me beyond belief.