Page 77 of The Call of Crimson (The Crimson & Shadows #2)

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

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I t takes another week for me to voluntarily leave Ayden’s chambers, but I no longer shut out Ophelia. We sit together every day, telling stories and reminiscing over the ones we’ve lost. There are tears. There is laughter. There is grief. And finally, there’s a small semblance of peace.

When I finally venture out, I find myself drawn to the library. Something about the smell of parchment, the feel of the leather tomes, and the soft crackle of logs in the fireplace calms me. I curl my feet under me, settling into the chair closest to the fire.

Elythia’s journal lies sprawled across my lap, but before I can lose myself in her story, I sense Ayden approaching from the left.

“It’s good to see you out of the bedroom,” he says, surprise coloring his tone. “You’re even wearing real clothing.”

I resist the urge to make a crude gesture or curse him because I deserve that. I’ve been a shell of myself, incapable of even the most basic self-care, for almost two months.

“I figured if I want to train with you, I should probably be dressed appropriately.”

One dark brow arches. “You want to train?”

“I need to do something.”

“What’s changed?”

“Darian said I had given up on living, that I was simply existing. I haven’t been able to get those words out of my head,” I explain.

Pity flashes across his face, softening his expression. “Darian was?—”

“Right,” I interrupt before he can justify my behavior. “His words wouldn’t have hurt so much if they weren’t true.”

He nods, choosing not to argue.

“So… training? I thought maybe we could work on my projections,” I suggest.

“As much as I love that you are feeling more yourself,” he says, “I don’t have any time today. There’s a council meeting in ten minutes.”

“What are you discussing?”

“Primarily, the murders still plaguing the kingdom.”

“I’ll join you.”

“Are you certain?” he asks cautiously, as if a council meeting might break me. Bore me to death, perhaps, but it wouldn’t break me.

“I’m sure.”

That earns me a small smile. “Then, I’ll see you there.”

Eight minutes later, I find myself outside the council chamber, inhaling a deep, steadying breath.

“Breyla?” a familiar voice asks, thick with disbelief.

Aurelius.

My eyes meet his as he halts a step away from me.

It’s too much space.

I practically throw myself into his arms, wrapping tightly around his torso and burying my face against his chest. His scent floods my senses, calming the rapid beat of my heart and releasing every taut muscle in my body.

His arms lock around me instantly, one at my back, the other threading gently through my hair. I feel the sigh ripple through him as he melts into me, matching the release in my own chest.

In my numb, grief-consumed state, I hadn’t realized how much I had missed him. I needed Aurelius, and I had kept him away for months, torturing us both.

“We should go in,” I whisper, but I don’t make any effort to move.

He breathes in deep, his chest shuddering against mine. “Let me steal just one more minute.”

We stay like that longer than propriety allows, but all it feels is right .

“I’m sorry I shut you out,” I breathe.

“Don’t be.” His hand strokes up and down my back. “I’m just relieved to see you.”

“We should probably go in.”

“I’ll find you later, and we can talk,” he says, stepping back.

My lips curl in a tentative half-smile. “I’ll hold you to it.”

Inside the chamber, I’m surprised to find every seat is filled. The one I sat in last time is occupied by Queen Josephina, who is currently casting her critical gaze on Aurelius.

Leaning into Ayden, I ask, “Where would you like me?”

He turns his head, speaking low enough for only me to hear, “On my lap would work just fine.”

Gods help me, some things never change. Despite my entire world being turned upside down, he’s still the flirtatious, arrogant male who strolled through Rimor’s gates like he owned them.

I give him my best unamused look, making him chuckle.

He pushes back from the table, leaving the chair empty and gesturing for me to take it.

The look on my face must portray how confused I feel.

“Take it,” he says. “I will never allow my queen to stand while I sit.”

The violent switch back to the compassionate and respectable male gives me whiplash. I never quite know what to expect of him, and I fully believe that’s intentional.

Darian’s assessing gaze lingers on me as I take the seat. “Finally decided to leave your rooms, General?” Even though he says my title with his normal disdain, his question's tone doesn’t match.

His words from our last conversation ring in my ears: “ Until now, you were simply existing. It’s up to you to decide what you do from here.”

“I decided to start living again, General,” I reply.

The look on his face can’t exactly be described as happy, but I see the slightest bit of respect cross his features as he nods to me in understanding.

“Now that everyone is present,” Ayden says, voice steady. “Let’s begin.”

Fifteen minutes in, and my head is already pounding.

The amount that I had missed during my mourning is overwhelming.

The total death count was five. No more bodies had appeared since Ayden had been called away in the middle of the night a week ago.

But people are scared, and fear is never rational. That’s what worries me most.

“I’m only familiar with one of the victims.” I glance toward Darian. “Can someone please give me a brief accounting of the others?”

Darian rattles off the details of each victim, noting their age, gender, name, profession, and whether the victims were married.

“They were all found within the city walls?” I ask.

“They were,” Ayden confirms.

I consider all the information for a moment, recalling what I had learned about Holt from his widow and children. “Aside from Holt, did any of you actually know the victims?”

“Most certainly not,” Queen Josephina answers tersely, speaking for the first time this meeting.

Lady Seris shifts, folding her hands in front of her before clearing her throat. “I knew of one of the victims, or rather, how he was known.”

“How was he known?” I ask.

“Not favorably,” she replies. “He was fond of the drink and a brute. A few of the taverns refused to serve him because of the fighting and his treatment of female patrons. A year ago, a serving girl died tragically. It was suspected he was to blame, as she had turned down his advances quite publicly earlier that evening, but there was no proof.”

Disgust churns my gut, my upper lip curling. “It sounds like someone did the kingdom a service with that one.”

The queen gasps, her eyes flaring wide. “Pardon me?”

I drag my gaze to her, quirking a brow. “What part of my statement was unclear?”

“The future queen of this kingdom cannot be found condoning the cold-blooded murder of one of its citizens.”

I laugh, the sound completely humorless. “I’m not condoning murder, Your

Majesty. I simply do not tolerate the mistreatment of females or threats against those under my protection. Make no mistake, had I caught him in the act, I would have taken care of the bastard myself.”

“Your hands are stained red with the blood of your actions,” the queen accuses.

“I never pretended otherwise.” I shrug. “I’m not the delusional one at this table trying to make me something I’m not.”

The queen seethes in silence, her rage simmering beneath her polished exterior.

And then, shockingly, Darian speaks. “Her hands are no more blood-stained than my own.”

Darian does not defend me , of all people. My mouth actually drops open, unsure what to say.

“Breyla and I may not agree on much,” he says, voice even. “But had I been there when Piper was attacked, it would be his body we burned. Not hers. And I wouldn’t have lost a single night of sleep over it.”

His calm delivery only underscores the conviction in his words. There’s a fierce loyalty in him, one I hadn’t truly recognized before.

“We’re getting off-topic,” Ayden steps in, trying to diffuse the situation.

“I digress,” I say. “This feels like vigilante justice at best, and hired mercenary attacks at worst.”

“What brings you to that conclusion?” Lord Oren asks.

“I think we can agree that the victims were all killed by the same person. The pattern suggests either they were being watched, or someone knew them and sent someone else to do the work.”

Darian rubs at his jaw, his sapphire eyes cold and calculating. “You’re assuming all the victims were similar in their nature.”

“I am,” I agree, “but I would wager it’s a correct assumption.”

Ayden leans forward slightly, resting his hands on the table. “How do you propose we find the killer?”

“We start by figuring out if these murders are isolated to Elentia or if the problem is wider spread,” I say confidently. “Have any of you spoken to the ruling lords in any of the other cities?”

Darian rubs the back of his neck, offering me a regretful expression. “Admittedly, I have not had the time. There have been no messages received from them, but that does not mean they aren’t happening.”

“Then that’s where we begin,” I conclude.

Darian eyes me. “Should I expect you to accompany me for that?”

“I think that’s an excellent idea,” Ayden cuts in before I can respond otherwise. I hadn’t been planning on it, but apparently, I am now.

“What do you plan on doing with them once you find the one responsible?” Aurelius asks.

I glance over my shoulder to Ayden, knowing that’s not my decision to make.

“I think…” he pauses, trying to determine what feels right. “That depends entirely on what we find when we do.”

There are a few murmurs from the council members, but no one has anything to say against the proposed plan.

“Have there been any further attacks along our borders?” Lord Talon asks.

“No,” Darian answers tightly.

“That’s good news,” Charlotte offers.

“Maybe,” he mutters. “But…”

“The sudden silence makes you nervous,” Aurelius concludes.

Darian nods. “It’s like we’re waiting for something worse to hit.”

“When was the last attack?” I ask.