Scars and Burns (No Light Without the Dark #1)

39. Dinalia

39

Dinalia

I stayed in the training hall a few moments longer. Not wanting to join Saphrina for breakfast if Aeron is also going to be there.

I’m sitting on the viewing bench, sharpening my blade for probably the third time now.

“Shouldn’t you be getting ready?” Christopher asks me.

Sighing, “Ready for what?”

“I don’t know. Some special royal engagement celebration.”

I laugh, he isn’t exactly wrong. “I’m not really sure what all I am meant to attend. Seeing as I am not actually a royal.” Still focusing on my blade.

“True, but you did attend the ball last night. And King Elio seems to finally be embracing you as his ward and using the title he bestowed upon you.”

Again, he isn’t exactly wrong. But I can’t shake the feeling that King Elio has something else up his sleeve. He’s being far too welcoming and considerate to me. His demeanor towards me has completely changed. There is something else amiss here. I just haven’t figured it out yet.

Sheathing my blade. I stand and return them to their usual spot on my back in their sling. “I think Saphrina is still expecting us to go to the modiste. I don’t have enough formal gowns for all the events coming up and King Elio has graciously offered to pay for them.”

He purses his lips, nodding his head slowly, “That is very gracious and generous of him.”

“Yep” I say, popping the ‘P’ at the end. I head towards the door. Waving a hand behind me.

“Have a good time” He says after me. I can hear the smirk on his face. Knowing I’ve never been gown shopping, nor have I ever shown an interest in embracing that girly feminine side of myself. Preferring my slacks and leathers.

I’m almost to the wing that holds my chambers. Mine are at the end of the hall. Meaning I have to pass all of the other chambers that now house the Shadowlings. I’m climbing the final staircase when I run into him.

“Dinalia, how lovely to see you.”

Lovely to see me?

Since when?

Nodding, I say, “And you, King Elio.”

We both stop at the top of the stairwell, facing one another.

He glances down at me, “Shouldn’t you be at breakfast with Saphrina and the other guests?”

Shouldn’t he?

“I was in the training hall with Christopher and didn’t realize how late the hour was getting this morning. I was heading to my chambers to change before making an appearance this morning.”

His eyes scan my body, pursing his lips slightly and shifting his mouth to the side. “Nonsense, you look fine. Besides, this is not a formal gathering.”

My brows furrow, coming together slightly. This doesn’t make any sense. There have been times when I was not allowed to attend a dinner because I was not formal enough. “Are you sure, Your Grace? I am in my everyday leathers.”

“Yes, of course.” He hums, “May I escort you?” He asks, waiving a hand, gesturing down the staircase.

I look down towards his hand. Slowly moving my eyes back up to his. This is not normal. But with everything going on right now I can’t afford to object. Smiling, my best smile, “ How could I refuse?” I say shrugging my shoulders slightly.

We walk side by side. Shoulders almost grazing one another. One step to either side and we’d be knocking into one each other. I’ve never been this close to him.

Well, I shouldn’t say never. I was this close to him the night my Mother died. The night I aimed my blades at his throat and threatened to kill him.

* * *

Entering the dining hall was not what I was expecting. There are no nobles. Only royals and myself. The head seat of the table is empty. Presumably left open for King Elio. While Saphrina and Prince Proteus sit to the left and King Charon and Queen Ayla to the right. Prince Aeron is there as well, sitting next to Queen Ayla. I suppose, I am meant to sit across from him.

“Sorry for the delay.” King Elio says, taking our seats.

Prince Aeron’s eyes were on me from the moment I walked into the room. I could feel them in an instant. Refusing to look in his direction. Not wanting to expose a desire in myself I have yet to even confront.

There is utter silence in the room except for the sound of silverware hitting glass, until King Charon asks, “So, what is on the agenda for today?”

I look up and to my right. Waiting for someone else to inform me of what I am expected of today.

Saphrina clears her throat. Swallowing down her last bit of food. “Dinalia and I were going to go to the modiste. She does not have enough formal attire for all the celebration activities. And my Father has graciously offered to pay for the expense.” she says, placing a hand on King Elio’s forearm that rests on the table.

We smile at each other through Prince Proteus that sits between us. “Though she will have to change out of her leathers. The modiste is still a high class establishment.” Saphrina continues.

“Too tired to change after our sparring match?”

I whip my head towards Aeron. The arrogance in his comment is baffling.

“You sparred with Prince Aeron this morning?” King Elio asks.

“Yes, I was already in the training hall with Christopher when he and Saphrina arrived.”

“And what were you, Saphrina, doing with Prince Aeron?” King Elio’s tone is calm but stern.

Everyone else looks at Saphrina but me. I look at King Elio. I don’t trust him. I never have and I never will. He uses people like pawns on a chess board. If Saphrina is stepping out of line and risking the alliance, who knows what he will do to her. And I will not make the same mistake as I did with my Mother. I will be there to protect her at all costs from anyone, regardless of title.

Saphrina is silent for a moment. Unsure of how to proceed. I see her glance between her Father, Prince Aeron, and Prince Proteus. “He was in Mother’s garden this morning. I found him there instead of Dinalia. He offered to escort me to breakfast. So we went in search of Dinalia and that is when we found her in the training hall. ”

My eyes shoot straight to Aeron. What was he doing in my Mother’s garden? How would he even know about it? Granted, it is all dead now except for my small patch of flowers I’ve been able to grow. But no one ever goes there. No one except Saphrina or myself. It’s not much but it’s one of the few places that I hold dear and if he has disturbed it in any way I will make him suffer.

He’s leaning on his elbow. Slumped off to the side in his chair. Hand resting just below his perfectly formed lips. His deep sapphire eyes are still drawing me in. The same way they always have.

I clench my jaw. Trying to control myself and whatever it is about him that draws me in. I swallow. Watching his eyes trail from mine down my face following the movement until they stop on my chest. It can’t be my breasts he’s admiring because I have next to nothing.

But he knows.

He knows I have a complete Goddess mark.

I don’t know how he knows where my Goddess mark is but he exposed it in the forest the day after my Mother died. I can still feel his hands on me. His finger caressing my skin. The most gentle touch. A softness and tenderness that does not suit his demeanor. Trailing his hands down my neck. Dipping his finger in between the crossover of my tunic. Drawing it down to expose my mark. My mark that is on my sternum, halfway in between the valley of my breasts and on to my chest. I had never been so exposed to another man in my life.

That’s not the case anymore.

But what would I give to be exposed to him again? To have his eyes on me, his hands. To feel his warmth spread across my skin. Enveloping the cold cavern that my soul resides in.

“Well, Dinalia, it’s nice that you were able to spar with someone other than Christopher. I know he has not been much of a challenge for you in these last years. You being so… dedicated… to your fighting abilities.” King Elio says, pulling me from my thoughts .

I turn my head towards him, smiling, “Mmmm, yes it was nice to have another worthy opponent.”

“Who won?”

I’m almost in shock to hear his voice. Prince Proteus is a quiet young man. More observant than interactive from what I’ve seen.

Aeron clears his throat. Readjusting himself in his seat. “Well -”

“I did.” I say curtly. Cutting him off. Staring directly into his eyes. A look that says ‘try to deny it’.

The whole room freezes. I can’t tell if everyone is surprised that I won or if they are too afraid of him to acknowledge that he lost.

“You should have been there. They were both incredible but Dinalia literally slid right out from under him.” Saphrina says, breaking the silence.

Her wording intrigues me. True, I did slide between his legs but when she said that my thoughts go to being underneath him. Under his strong firm body. Feeling the weight of him on top of me. Taking control in a way I have no doubt he is capable of. A way no other ever has.

“That’s wonderful, Dinalia.”Queen Freya says, smiling at me. I nod at her in thanks.

“Yes, it’s a rare thing to beat Prince Aeron. I’ve heard no one has come close in years. Sparring or otherwise.” King Charon adds.

Aeron hasn’t taken his eyes off of me. It should be unsettling but it’s not. I feel a sort of comfort in them. Knowing he is there. Feeling him here with me.

“You should be very proud, King Elio. No one has gotten the upper hand on me in years, not even my Father. She moves and fights like no one I have ever seen before. A rare talent.”

Our eyes are locked on one another. His are endearing. As if he actually means the words he just said. Mine soften a bit. Relaxing my face and my shoulders. Releasing the tension I didn’t even realize I was holding there. We share an unspoken conversation. Admitting to one another that we were each worthy opponents in the other’s eyes. Equally matched. Body and mind in harmony with each other.

“Yes, I am very proud. She has always been a quick study. Putting everything she has into the lessons I have provided her with.” King Elio says.

Aeron and I have been looking at each other for far too long. I pull my eyes away. Returning my attention to King Elio. “Yes, I am very grateful. I would not be where I am today without King Elio’s generosity. Providing me with my fighting master, Christopher.” We are in the company of others. I must boost his ego as much as he does.

“And Princess Saphrina, do you have the same fighting master?” King Charon asks.

A hesitant laugh escapes her lips, “I do but I’ve never been very good. Christopher has tried but it’s just not a talent I possess.”

“And magic?” Queen Ayla chimes in.

“Dinalia is actually my magic master.”

“Oh?” Queen Ayla’s voice must have gone up a complete octave in shock.

My magic is a well kept secret. King Elio never supplied me one as he did Saphrina. I have only ever trained with my Mother and then after she passed I guided myself the best I could.

“I was not aware you had magic Dinalia.” Queen Ayla continues, “When did it first appear?”

I glance around the table. All eyes on me. I’ve never spoken so openly about my magic. Certainly not with this magnitude of an audience. “Shortly after we arrived here in the Middle Kingdom.”

“And your Mother taught you?” King Charon asks.

“Yes, she helped me develop it over the years.”

“And after she died did your magic stall?”

Shaking my head, I answer, “No, I further developed my magic the best I could on my own. While assisting Saphrina to the best of my abilities.”

“That’s enough talk of magic.” King Elio cuts in. His voice booming and harsh. Clearly wanting to end the conversation before exposing the truth of Saphrina’s magic. “Saphrina, shouldn’t you and Dinalia be getting to the modiste. I’m sure it will take time to discuss and fashion all the gowns Dinalia will need for your upcoming wedding celebrations.”

“Uh, yes of course. Excuse us.” Saphrina says.

We both stand. Bowing our heads to the group and exiting the dining hall. Heading for my chambers so I can change into something more suitable.