11

Captain Garren had watched King Rhys walk down the stairs. Anger as plain as day on his face. 'Something must have happened between them,' was his only thought before making his way to him. He knew better than to ask but placed a hand on his King's shoulder nonetheless.

"Your majesty. Remember who surrounds us now. Her father's men are with us and we wouldn't want them reporting any more things back to King Cyrus," he stated simply.

Rhys knew that much but he couldn't help but feel angry. He is a king and yet he had submitted to a princess of another kingdom. Even if she was to be his wife soon. It didn't sit well with him in the slightest. Taking a deep breath in then exhaled. Releasing some of his anger.

"Take me to the man who the wolf captured. I want to hear why he and the other guard planned to assassinate Princess Amaris of the Timpeall Kingdom."

Captain Garren bowed his head and led the way. They made their way to the town's cells. As they got closer to the cell of the prisoner. The more Rhys smiled cruelly. Standing in front of the cell. The prisoner coward towards the furthest wall from the cell door.

"Well hello, there little bird. We are going to play a game. Hopefully, you can give me some answers to the questions wondering my mind. Doesn't that sound fun?" Rhys's voice sounded sickening sweet. Emotionless. Captain Garren opened the cell door and placed tools for Rhys to use.

Once Rhys was inside, he stood guard at the door as the other guards left. They knew what was coming and didn't want to witness the bloodbath that was about to go down.

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Rhys began to clean the blood off of his hands and smiled over to his Captain. "Now that was fun." That was all he said but Garren knew better than to say anything while he was in this state.

"I want whatever information you can dig up on this mystery woman by the name of Katherine and why she wanted Princess Amaris dead. Is that understood?"

"Understood, your majesty." Garren bowed his head before leaving Rhys behind in the cell. He saw guards waiting outside, patient but knowing. He gave them the sign to clean up and they hurried inside.

'This was a complete mess. I have to inform the king's mother.'

He made his way over to where he knew she was staying. He stood outside her doors. The queen's guard's baring him from entering.

"Captain Garren, it's always a pleasure seeing you but what business do you have with Lady Layla?"

Spoke Elysia.

"It's about her son. The king." As soon as those words left his mouth. Eris went inside the room. Checking if Lady Layla was able to accept visitors. She came back quickly and let him in. He gave them a curt nod before entering.

"I hear you have something to tell me about my son. What has happened now?"

"The prisoner told us what he knew with your son's... persuasion. He said a woman named Katherine paid him and the other knight a great sum of money to kill Princess Amaris before she reached the capital." He paused. The realization dawned on Lady Layla.

"And the only person we know who would benefit from her death is Countess Cora."

"Thank you for telling me this Captain Garren. This stays between us. Give me some time to think about this matter. We shall speak again."

And with that, Garren bowed and kissed Lady Layla's hand before straightening up and leaving her. If only he knew how much this information had disturbed her.

"She's becoming bolder, mother. Even for a mistress." Audrey had said as she walked from her hiding place.

"I know. I'll find a way to deal with her. Don't I always?"

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Everyone could feel the tension between King Rhys and Princess Amaris. No one had known what went on between them but one thing. There was evidence on Princess Amaris's face that King Rhys had hit her. This is shocking considering that King Rhys wasn't known for harming women.

Lady Layla was severely disappointed in her son. She had raised him better than that and so had his father. God rest his soul.

No matter how many times Lady Layla had tried to speak to Princess Amaris on the matter. She simply pushed it aside and changed the topic. At that point, she knew to leave it alone at that point.

"Are you ready to continue your journey?" Lady Layla had asked Princess Amaris. She gave a small smile.

"It would be nice to see snow for the first time. To see what I haven't seen before."

Nothing further was said between them. They had watched everything gets packed up and loaded. Amaris had found herself once more sitting in the carriage with Luan. Closing the curtains from the outside world. Take a deep breath. Her body relaxed ever so slightly.

"Amaris, what's wrong?" Luan whispered to her. He didn't want the coach driver to hear him. That's when he realized she was in some sort of dazed state. Kneeling before her. Holding her hands within his is when she snapped out of it.

"Huh? Did you say something?" She looked down at him. Confused as to how Luan ended up where he was.

"What's wrong? Something has been bugging you since we left town."

She scoffed and looked at him. "What's wrong is that I don't know how threatening King Rhys is going to bode well for me. I know it cost me something in the future but what? What did it cost me?"

Luan could tell that wasn't the only thing bugging her. He sat next to her and held her within his arms. "He wouldn't dare do anything to you. If he did, it would mean war and I think he's trying to avoid war with the Timpeall kingdom."

She gave a hum in response.  "I know that's not the only thing that's on your mind. Talk to me," he begged softly. Looking down at her.

"I was almost killed. I would have been killed if you weren't there. I was harmed by the man who is supposed to be my husband soon. I never asked to be the queen of anything. I didn't ask for any of this," her voice cracked near the end. He held her even closer. Providing what little comfort he could. Staying like this as long as they possibly could.

"Princess Amaris, are you awake?" Came a voice just outside the carriage. Before Amaris had time to compose herself. Luan had already transformed back into a wolf much to her disappointment. With a sigh, she pulled open the curtains to see the guard riding alongside her carriage.

"The journey from here will be tougher than when we left your kingdom. We are just about to cross the border and be in the Speirs Kingdom. Just thought that you would like to know," he said gently. She smiled at his consideration.

"Thank you for letting me know. I appreciate that." she showed off an even brighter smile. The guard blushed and gave a quick nod before riding a little ways ahead of her carriage.

Amaris once again closed the curtains to find Luan sitting across from her in his human form. "I think he just fell in love with you," he joked.

"I seriously doubt that," she said in a serious tone as she rolled her eyes.

"Why do you say that? Anyone would fall in love with you. You are breathtaking." The sincerity in his voice made her look away from him.

"You're just saying that to be nice."

"No. Where I'm from, you'd be considered a goddess." He admitted. The truth of his words rang a little too close to home. He reached out his hand and cupped her chin. Gently moving her face to look at him. He began to lean his face towards her and she slowly did the same. Lips touching in the briefest of kisses.

"Don't ever look down on yourself. Okay?"

"Okay," she whispered against his lips. Kissing him a little more.

"Amaris?" Rhys voice invaded the perfect moment that was happening. Luan growled in annoyance but was once more in wolf form.

Opening the curtains once more, looking out towards King Rhys. "Your majesty?" Confused about why he was even here.

Rhys had instantly noticed that Amaris face was red, almost feverish. "Are you unwell, Princess Amaris? You look feverish," he had said.

"I'm fine. The weather is just getting to me. That's all," the words trembled out of her mouth with ease. A lie but an easy one.

"I came to check on you. Make sure that your health hasn't taken a turn for the worse," Rhys admitted. Taking her for her word. The heat had been beating down on him. The air feeling stuffy.

"Truly your majesty. I am fine. There's no need to worry over me." Closing the curtains as soon as she finished speaking.

Rhys finding her new behavior puzzling.

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The weeks that followed were the same. Changes here and there. They were a couple of days away from the castle. Rhys was no longer with them for they went on ahead to the castle now. Ready to resume his role as King once more. Half the guards riding along with him. Lady Layla and Princess Audrey stayed behind with Princess Amaris keeping her company. "How have you liked the land of Speirs so far?" Layla had asked.

Scratching behind Luan's ear, as she thought of a response. Giving careful consideration. " I thought I would see snow, "she joked.

All three had chuckled at her words." We planned travel around this time for it is the only time in which it does not snow. The weather lasts like this for a month. No longer than that." Layla had admitted. 'Now that had made perfect sense,' thought Princess Amaris.