Chapter 77: Omens
AYLA
When I woke up the next morning, Cassian was gone but he left a note on my bedside table.
It was an apology for the way he had behaved and a plea to forget everything he had said.
But how could I?
I did not know what to do with the version of Ares that Cassian had painted to me and the mention of the woman that had caused the rift between them.
My door burst open before I could even finish the thought, sending me bolting upright.
"Get your ass up, girl."
My mother stood in the doorway with her hands on her hips. She was dressed in a deep emerald gown whose neckline plunged down to the middle of her breasts leaving nothing to the imagination.
"Mother?" I blinked at her. "What are you doing here?"
"It is nearly midday, Ayla." She strode into the room, her eyes sweeping over me with disdain. "I have been up since dawn making arrangements, and you are lying here like a lazy cat. Up. Now."
"Arrangements for what?"
"The banquet." She snapped at me. "A three-day banquet. Alpha Kieran announced it this morning, and the whole pack will be there. Every noble house and every lord with a title."
I could imagine that meant she would have ample time to seduce a lord or two before the banquet was over.
"I intend to make sure the people know exactly who the hell the mate of the princes is."
I groaned and fell back onto my pillow.
"Mother, I do not have the energy for this."
She crossed the room and grabbed my arm, hauling me upright. "We are going to the dressmaker. You are going to look your best, and I, as your mother, am going to look even more spectacular."
"Of course you are." I muttered.
A knock sounded at the door
"Enter." My mother called out without waiting for me.
Astrid stepped inside, and my heart stopped.
She was spotting a bruise on her cheek and her lip was split at the corner.
"Astrid!" I was off the bed in an instant, crossing the room and taking her face in my hands, tilting it toward the light. "What happened to you?"
Astrid’s eyes darted to my mother, then back to me. "I fell."
"Fell?" I stared at her. "Astrid, you cannot fall and get this. Look at your face. These are not fall marks. These are ..." My fingers hovered over the bruise. "Someone hit you."
Astrid shook her head, too fast. "No, not at all. I fell."
"Tell me the truth. Was it Willow? Did she do this?"
"If the girl says she fell, then she fell. It is not surprising. I mean take a look at her. She looks very clumsy and probably tripped over her own feet."
"Mom, that is not..."
"Enough." My mother waved a dismissive hand. "You, girl. Prepare Ayla’s bath. We have a long day ahead of us, and I will not have us be late to the dressmaker."
Astrid bowed. "Yes, my lady."
She turned and disappeared into the bathing chamber. I watched her go, my hands curling into fists at my sides. I knew a lie when I heard one. I had told enough of them myself. That was Willow’s work and I would bet my life on it.
The moment the door clicked shut behind Astrid, I turned on my mother.
"We did not finish our conversation from the other day.You know the one about the traders that I..."
My mother’s eyes darted toward the bathing chamber door. "Lower your voice." She hissed.
"But..."
"Lower. Your. Voice." She grabbed my arm and pulled me close, her mouth at my ear. "You said there was a light that burst from your body. Is that right?"
I nodded.
"Has it happened again since that day?"
"Once."
"And after that?"
I shook my head.
My mother let out a breath. "Then there is no need to speak of it. We are in a good place now, Ayla. A very good place. I will not have whatever weird thing is happening to you ruin it. Do you understand me?"
"Mother, I do not even know what it is. What if it happens again? What if I hurt someone? Don’t we need to figure out what is happening with me?"
"No, we don’t." My mother said. "If we do not then it will eventually fade away."
"I don’t think it..."
"Also stay away from Alistair." she cut me off. "I do not want you associated with him until I figure out what to do with him."
"But ..."
"But nothing, Ayla." She stepped back, smoothing down her dress. "You have one job. Seduce the princes or at least one of them. Although, judging by the prince I saw sneaking out of your room this morning, I do not think I need to speak much on that regard."
Heat crept into my cheeks.
"That wasn’t..."
"I do not need the details, girl." She winked. "I have an eye for these things, and I know a satisfied man when I see one. Now, I am going to leave you to prepare. I will be back in an hour, and I expect you to be dressed and ready."
She swept out of the room, the door clicking shut behind her.
I sank onto the edge of my bed.
I wish my mother was right and the light thing was behind me but I knew it wasn’t.
I had had another dream and this time instead of being seated on the throne, I was standing in the same great hall.
I was waiting for something. I did not know what, but my heart was pounding, my palms slick, every nerve in my body drawn tight like a bowstring.
Then the crowd parted and a man stepped forward.
My mate.
I knew it then because I could feel the bond pulse between us.
But when his face finally became visible to me, I gasped.
Because standing right there in front of me was Alistair.