Page 60 of The Call of Crimson (The Crimson & Shadows #2)

CHAPTER THIRTY

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“ I f you continue that pacing, you might actually wear a hole in my library floor, sweetheart.” Ayden’s voice startles me out of my thoughts.

I’ve been in the royal library all afternoon, looking for answers. I need to understand what is happening between Aurelius and me, but I need to understand why my kingdom is under attack more.

The answer is at my fingertips, but it continues evading me. It’s driving me to madness.

I roll my eyes at him and continue my pacing as I read through a scroll I’ve read a dozen times already.

“My kingdom is under attack, Ayden. What do you expect me to do, needlepoint?” I ask sarcastically. His mother’s attempts to mold me into the perfect docile wife for him would continue to fail. Over my dead body would I allow her to dress me in gowns and sit idly by.

Ayden chuckles and steps into my path, plucking the scroll from my hands. Without looking, he tosses it on the nearest desk and threads his fingers through mine. “Come on, we’re going somewhere.”

I raise a skeptical brow. Ayden’s proclivity for mischief makes me weary by default. “Where?” I ask cautiously.

“To take your mind off the things you can’t control,” he answers, tugging me forward. “I can see them eating at you, and it’s not healthy.”

I dig my heels in, refusing to take another step. “Where, Ayden?” I demand.

“It’s the Winter Solstice festival!” Rowina squeals, coming from around the corner.

Had I really been so consumed, I didn’t even realize solstice was upon us?

No, that wasn’t right. “Solstice isn’t for two days.”

“Technically, you’re correct,” Rowina says. “But here, we celebrate it for three days. Tonight is the festival we throw to let loose before the longest night of the year.”

“Exactly,” Ayden says with a grin. “We’re going into the city to celebrate.”

“It’s tradition,” Rowina sings.

“It’s freezing,” I scoff and gesture to my clothing.

I had lost the battle of clothing today and ended up in a heavy gown.

At least it was black. Winter and I were not friends.

Not only was it hard to navigate on the battlefield, but it was also just generally miserable.

I long for the warmth and sunlight. The winter was dark, cold, and lonely. I hate it.

“That’s what these are for.” Rowina brandishes a pair of fur-lined leggings like they’re sacred treasure. “Put them on under your dress. All the females do.”

I sigh in relief at the sight of comfortable clothing. Grabbing them from her, I say, “I’m not giving these back. I’ll hide them under my mattress if I must, but your mother can pry them out of my cold, dead hands.”

Rowina leans in close and whispers, “I’d expect nothing less.”

I throw my arms around her. “My savior!” I say exaggeratedly and kiss her cheek.

“My lips are over here, Breyla.” She laughs and throws me a wink as my cheeks heat.

“And I’m still into males,” I mumble, not adding specifically which male I’m into. I pull the leggings on under my skirt and relish the feeling of the soft fur hugging my legs.

“Are you sure about that?” she teases. “I never see you blush like that for either of my brothers.”

“Alright, you two. That’s enough of that. Let’s go.” Ayden holds out his arms. Rowina and I loop our arms through his, letting him lead us out of the library.

As we make our way through the castle to the gates, I work up the nerve to ask, “Is Aurelius joining us?” I try to keep my voice even and not betray the hope I feel fluttering in my chest at seeing him.

“He’s meeting us there,” Ayden says in an equally unreadable tone to my own. He’s no fool. He must know my heart still beats for his brother, but does he know what happens in the dark when no one is looking?

I could easily spend all day worrying over the state of my kingdom and the starving citizens, my impending wedding to Ayden, or the way my heart refused to beat for anyone other than the one person it couldn’t have.

But it would do no good. So instead, I shove them all to a dark corner of my mind, slam the door closed, and lock it tight.

Those problems would all be there later.

Right now, I’m choosing to remain in this moment.

When we reach the castle doors, a shiver runs down my back as a cool blast of air hits my skin. “You better be right about these leggings,” I grumble and pull on the cloak Ayden hands me.

“I’m right about most things,” Rowina says with a grin.

As we make our way into town, Ayden leans over and whispers, “You know, you could have access to all the pants you could ever want. All you have to do is accurately guess all the illusions I cast around you. Or, I’d settle for you just taking your clothing off for me.”

I laugh so hard I snort. “I’ll figure it out soon.

We both know you couldn’t handle me, Prince, so I’ll keep my clothing on.

” I’m sure it’s not the answer he was expecting, but I would never admit that I’ve secretly grown to enjoy the games we play.

I lean in to whisper, “Though, if I did take my clothes off for you, I’m sure the scene Aurelius would cause would be well worth the price of admission. ”

“Ewww. I can hear you,” Rowina groans. “Can you not talk about both of my brothers like that when I’m standing right here?” Rowina complains, faking a disgusted shudder. Damn, Fae hearing.

I arch a brow. “Does it bother you more that it’s your brothers I’m talking about or that they’re males?”

“Yes,” she confirms.

Snow crunches under our boots, and new flakes cling to my eyelashes. It being the shortest day of the year means that it’s already dark, and the moonlight glints off the snow, casting the world in a soft silver hue. My breath clouds in the air in front of me as I take it all in.

The village reminds me of the capital in Rimor in size and layout, but there’s a different energy here. It’s lively, but peaceful. The homes are well-kept, and there’s no harsh dividing line between the wealthy and poor. Faerie lights line the street in gleaming rows, welcoming and warm.

A cold wind hits, and I shiver, my teeth chattering. My legs may be warm, but the rest of me is freezing.

Ayden pulls a silver flask from his cloak and twists off the lid before throwing back a shot of whatever is inside.

“Here, this will help warm you up,” he says and hands it to me. Without thinking twice, I take a long pull and let the liquor run down my throat.

It’s spicy and harsh, but it does warm me. I cough, my eyes watering as I hand it back to him and ask, “What the hell is that?”

“Prudian spiced whisky. It’s made with cinnamon and clove for this time of year, but it’s my personal favorite to drink year-round.”

“It’s disgusting,” I say, shaking my head vigorously.

“It is not!” A look of offense plasters his face, and I try not to laugh.

From his other side, I hear his sister agree, “It is pretty disgusting, brother.”

“More for me then, since that’s the primary drink served at the festival.”

“The cinnamon is just so strong…” my voice trails off as I realize why it’s familiar to me.

Cinnamon.

Elijah smells like cinnamon and chocolate. While the drink may be horrid, the scent reminds me of Elijah and how much I miss him. I long for my best friend’s presence almost as much as I long to have my mother alive again. Nothing feels right without him and Ophelia here.

Sensing my shift in mood, Rowina pulls out her own flask and hands it to me. “Don’t worry, I brought my own, and it’s much better than that rubbish.”

I smile half-heartedly as I take a pull from her flask and relish the burn of her chosen libation. This one is much smoother and sweeter. It tastes of crisp apples and subtle spices.

“This is much better.” I lick my lips. “Your sister has far superior taste, Ayden. I think perhaps I’ll choose her if I am forced to marry into the House of Mordet.”

“Very funny, love,” Ayden says, smirking. “But the marriage contract was with me, not the House of Mordet. You’re still my fiancée, unfortunately,” he jests back.

I’m not sure how we reached this tentative peace, but I enjoy how easily I can be around him. Though my heart belongs to Aurelius, a sort of kinship has grown between Ayden and me.

The music becomes noticeable as we approach the festivities, and I bask in the feeling of pure joy I receive as the notes wash over me.

Several fiddles and drums play upbeat tunes meant for dancing.

The people of Prudia fill the streets as they dance, drink, and laugh like nothing weighs them down.

Bright lights are strung around the square, evergreen trees frosted in snow have been placed around the edges, and vendors and merchants fill the spaces in between.

In the center of it all sits a makeshift dance floor, several bodies already filling the space.

“Excuse me, Princess,” a small voice says behind me.

I look down to find a girl around the age of ten smiling at me and holding a crown made of evergreen sprigs and red berries.

“Thank you, sweetheart,” Ayden says, taking the winter crown from her.

She giggles and skips off.

Turning to me, he lifts the crown and places it on my head.

“Well? How does it look?”

“Perfect,” he purrs.

I shake my head, ignoring his flirtations. More bodies have gathered on the dance floor, and I stare on curiously as musicians begin playing.

“The next dance is a group dance.” He offers me his arm. “Shall we?”

I take it, and he leads me into formation. Two lines form, and we stand facing each other. Before it begins, he leans over and explains the dance.

“This dance is called Maya’s Wedding. We’re at the end of the line, so you’ll have several rounds to watch the pattern and steps.

At the end of our turn, we break off and return to the end of the line.

It’s pretty simple. I’m sure you’ll catch on quickly.

” He gives me a wink before falling back in line.