14

Amaris found herself back in her chambers but with no clue on how she got back. Last night's events felt like some type of dream but she knew them not to be such a thing. She felt something hard but cool around her wrist. Sitting up and looking down she could see a few of Asher's scales upon a bracelet. Smiling to herself. She got out of bed and prepared for her day.

"Princess Amaris, please follow me," a guard at her door had announced as soon as she exited her room. She was led to where everyone else was at and her stomach instantly dropped. Rhys was sitting near 'Cora.' There was silence at the table.

Princess Audrey got up and motioned towards the seat between herself and Keith.  Amaris couldn't help but give a grateful smile. She instantly went over to them and took a seat much to Rhys's displeasure. Layla rolled her eyes before ordering the servants to bring food to the table. the servants to for some time before Audrey spoke in hushed whispers to Keith and Amaris.

"Is it just me or is Rhys staring us down like a hawk?"

"Probably because Amaris is sitting near me. If only he knew that my interest lay with men," Keith said with a goofy grin.

This caused Amaris to giggle. But as quickly as that giggle had escaped- her hand went to cover her mouth. A 'tsk' sound could be heard from where Rhys sat causing the three of them to laugh in a loud manner.

Cora had tried to calm down Rhys but she couldn't. She didn't know why Amaris got under his skin so easily. It only infuriated her beyond belief. Rhys had slammed his hands against the table causing the room to go silent once more.

"What seems to be so funny?" he demanded to know.

None of them responded. Not understanding why Rhys was so upset. Layla decided to intervene before something bad happened much to their relief.

"That's enough Rhys. They are just talking amongst themselves while you've been busy with Cora. Now let's get back to our food before it gets cold." Ending any discussion from happening on his end. Begrudgingly, he sat back down and tried to ignore them to the best of his ability.

Small talk was made from thereon. Amaris had teased Keith once in a while. Pointing out the guards much to Keith's embarrassment. "At least tell me it's not Mr. Dark and brooding," Amaris had said.

Audrey laughed at that statement. "I don't know Amaris. You have to admit he's kinda cute."

Keith began to eat faster before excusing himself from the table. "This isn't over," he said before leaving.

"That wasn't nice," Layla scolded them but she couldn't hide the small smile that lit her face.

"Sorry," they both mumbled before going back to eating their meal.

"Amaris, you shall be with me today. You'll be learning what it takes to be queen before your marriage to my son." Layla said. Cora began to protest but was silenced almost immediately by Layla.

"You will not be queen, ever. You'll always be just the mistress."

This threw Cora into a rage. She stormed out of the dining hall and Rhys followed right behind her but not before giving his mother a disapproving look.

"Now where were we-"

_________________•••________________

Amaris dragged herself back to her own chambers. Exhausted from Layla's many lessons. 'That woman sure knows how to tire someone out with words,' she thought to herself. Once inside her own chambers, she saw Luan napping in the center of her bed.

"Must be nice," she muttered. Slightly envious of him and the comfort he had in her bed. Looking about her chambers is when she noticed a large oak tub with steaming water inside of it. She quickly stripped out of her clothing and entered the tub. Sighing with pure euphoria as her body began to relax.

'Thought you might need a little comfort so I summoned it up. Hope you don't mind,' Luan had said to her through mind speech.

"Thank you," she whispered as she sunk deeper into the tub. Letting the water soothe her.

She must have lost track of time because she felt her body being lifted from the water and wrapped in a soft, fluffy, towel. Tucked under covers and kissed upon the forehead. Fading words whispered to her. "Sleep, little one. The weeks to come will be even more tiring than this one."