Chapter 15

Their bodies were intertwined in between the sheets of the messy bed. The King was peacefully sleeping while he hugged the Heir of Depths, who was slowly trying to conceal her dream.

Despite her tiredness and happiness of being with who she loved, whispers invaded her mind in an unintelligible language, without knowing if it was Pelagius or the Queen of Blood trying to threaten her.

Arline tried moving her body away from his, but Merrick didn’t appreciate the gesture and pulled her back and began caressing her naked back. Without complaints, she wrapped her arms around his naked torso, pressing her skin with his. His touch calmed the voices in her head and made her dive into a deep sleep with no appearances of the demons that tried to take away her tranquility.

When she opened her eyes, she was still in his bed, with the King right by her side, softly touching her skin. “Good morning,” she whispered.

“Good morning my love,” he said back instantly, his eyes still closed. “How did you sleep?”

“Better with your help,” Arline answered laying on his chest, looking at him with still sleepy eyes. “I heard whispers last night,” she mumbled under her breath.

“What did it say?” Merrick’s voice changed in an instant. He went from his love filled tone to his voice lowering an octave, matched with the dark gaze in his eyes, that reminded her of how dangerous he could be.

“It sounded ancient,” she explained drawing nonsense on his chest without meeting his eyes.

“It’s Pelagius,” he confirmed for her. “Deities speak anciently when they weaken, which means you are getting stronger.”

“I have to kill him.” Arline was loudly expressing her thoughts.

“I know.” Merrick said. “With my help.”

At that, Arline stepped away from him, wrapping her frame in a blanket and stepped in front of the window. “I don’t want you involved in this,” she said to him.

As he approached her, Merrick hugged her from behind and whispered for her. “That decision is not up to you, Arline.”

“It is not your fight,” she fought back. “

” The Heir thought for herself.

“You fought a war that wasn’t yours for me,” Merrick reminded her. “and I almost lost you, don’t think for a second I will let you fight him alone because I will not risk living in a world without you, Arline.”

Arline understood he was too powerful, and too stubborn to give in to the idea to let her fight Pelagius on her own. Still, the recurring image of the Deity of Waters even scratching an inch of his skin scared Arline to her core.

“I need to go,” she spoke in a whisper, coming out of her trance, and turned around and hugged his neck.

“Why?” He asked like a spoiled child.

“We both have duties,” Arline reminded her with a funny tone.“I need to train and Aidan will kill me if you stay with me any longer.”

Instinctively, Merrick pulled her closer to him, almost protecting her from danger. “How do I have to tell you I want you with me?” He asked her while she began changing into herpair of boots, and he began putting on his uniform.

“I know you do,” Arline said while sitting next to him and grabbed his hand. “But you can’t have me all the time.”

“Yet,” he said to her, too confidently.

“Goodbye,” Arline smiled for him after she kissed him.

Merrick stood by the door while she was getting through one of the passages that headed to the kitchens. “You can leave through the front door,” he said with a smirk on his face, finding it entertaining how she tried to keep the appearances of their relationship.

“After spending an entire day with you and circulating rumors of our relationship?” She said to him and he only shrugged.

Arline didn’t listen to the King and continued through the dark passage, went through the kitchens and stepped outside, ready to begin her day.

When Arline arrived to the armory to pick up her weapons, Lara surprised her with an accomplice smirk on her face. “How are you feeling?” The tone on her voice was unusual.

“Better,” Arline responded, but even her skin gave away how relaxed and happy she was.

Lara only rolled her eyes at her polite discretion and laughed. “He said you were coughing blood.”

“That is the best excuse he could come up with?” Arline looked at Lara with a little blush on her cheeks.

“I believed him for the first few hours, until Aidan told me he didn’t attend the Council meetings that day,” Lara confessed to her flustered friend. “At least tell me it was worth the lie.”

The Heir nodded and smirked but rapidly changed her character, the blush abandoned her cheeks and her determination took over her posture. “I need your help Lara… I have to kill Pelagius,” Arline exposed her goal to the Head of the Huntresses. “I need you to train me.”

“I thought you wanted to avoid him.”

“I used to,” Arline agreed. “But he’s been too violent and active lately, I have a bad feeling about it.”

Lara nodded and looked down, her head started to think quickly on what to do. “We will continue with the usual training and you will need to have your powers in their best conditions.”

“That means-”

“Late night sessions by the lake, with as much help as you can get.” Lara said and Arline nodded, trying to think of a way to convince Merrick to help her.

The Dark Prince entered his council meeting with a cheeky grin printed on his face and quick steps lead his way to his seat, he greeted everyone in a gentle tone. Aidan couldn’t help but look down with a smile on his face at the image of a happy Merrick Dortamus, something not seen very often.

His father noticed the change in his demeanor and didn’t waste a second to begin the meeting, indicating everything to be taken care of for the months to come. They spent all morning with Merrick having his undivided attention on his Council, until the Elders left the room.

Cadel’s inquisitive eyes were scanning his elder son, searching for clues to his sudden change of character. “What happened to you?” The former king finally asked him.

“Why?” Merrick asked with a smile on his face, showing his white teeth to his father.

“For once since you have been crowned, I have you entirely focused.”

“Nothing else requires my attention, father.”

“Is that so?” Aidan intervened with a mocking tone and a smile on his face. “How is Arline?”

“Perfect,” He instantly replied.

“Your expression of happiness gives you away, my friend,” Aidan laughed.

Cadel was absolutely confused as to why Arline’s name was being brought up in the conversation, considering Merrick was angry at her, the last time he checked.

“What am I missing?” Cadel asked but as soon as he crossed gazes with Merrick he recognized a shine in his son’s eyes that he had never seen before. The Dark Prince was in love. And because he was his father, Cadel knew the kind of love he felt. Merrick and Arline’s love didn’t require effort for it to blossom, it was as easy as breathing.

“Father-” The King began saying, trying to explain but was cut off by his father.

“She will make a beautiful queen.” Cadel eased his mind. He had always liked and admired Arline since he had first met her, and trusted her enough to carry the weight of the crown to join his son on the long journey of monarchy.

Merrick felt a weight coming off his shoulders and before he could say anything, a completely white eagle adorned with a crystal beaded anklet landed on the balcony of the Council room.

“Aureole,” The name escaped from Merrick’s lips. He didn’t sound scared, more so confused as he looked at his Frontlord.

“She wasn’t supposed to come yet,” Aidan clarified. Aureole was easy enough to identify, all because of the anklet beaded with crystals from Zizbaidiry, straight from the iced caves.

As soon as the bird let out a slight calling, a knock on the door was heard. When the guards opened it, Pauline’s figure made an entrance. “High Princess Valerya Leonidova is on the Throne Room, your Majesty,” she simply announced with a slight excited tone on her voice.

They began their way down rather quickly, except for Cadel who took his time and carried the majestic Aureole, who gave into his touch very easily.

“Princess Valerya,” Merrick said and kissed her hand. With a smirk she made a reverence to the King of Reiska, and only when the guards left them alone she dared to speak.

“Is the protocol so necessary, Merrick?” She complained, loosening her posture and pushing his friend’s hand away.

“You are part of a royal house, of course it is,” Merrick responded with a smile. “What do we own the pleasure of your early visit?”

“Where is Arline Cole?” Valerya’s tone became more sweet all of a sudden. “All of us need to talk privately and she needs to be here.” There was urgency on her voice, as if she needed to tell a secret.

“Why?”

“It involves the High Council,” Valerya and Merrick looked at each other with cold eyes and his entire posture changed, as well as the lighting in the room.

“Bring her,” Merrick’s tone commanded order, and that was what he gave out to his guards.

The rest went back to the Council Room, and as they were climbing up the stairs, Aureole went straight onto its master’s shoulder. They waited in silence and within a few, very long, minutes, Arline’s recognizable figure was allowed inside the room.

Even though Arline knew she held a position of power within any court, she could never forget who she was addressing. She instantly bowed her head for Valerya once in front of her.

“I wasn’t aware the Heir of Depths had to bow,” Valerya spoke to her.

“I wouldn’t disrespect a princess, your Highness,” Arline answered with her usual diplomacy and Valerya’s grey eyes shone.

“Take your eyes off her, Valerya,” Merrick warned her as he moved a chair for Arline to seat in, next to him. “I wouldn’t mind dueling you.” Arline seemed confused at Merrick’s threat.

“I find myself more inclined to women, Arline,” Valerya explained with a smirk. “And you are a delight only a few will be able to have… but I can tell from miles away who you prefer.”

“I’m flattered,” Arline blushed a little and the Ice Princess side smiled.

“You said the news involve the Council,” Aidan cut off the entertainment, quite impatiently.

“Start guarding the borders, Merrick, it seems both of you,” She signaled the King and the Heir “have a new enemy.”

“Who?” Arline asked furrowing her brows.

“He calls himself the Prince of Blue Waters, quite pathetic if you ask me. But pathetic or not, he managed to convince the Holy Messenger to allow attacks on you.”

“I have not a clue of who-” Merrick was trying to picture who could be such an idiot when Aidan stopped him.

“Please, do not say is Alaric Basset,” When Valerya nodded, Aidan could only close his eyes in exasperation. “That bastard.”

Alaric Basset , self-named the Prince of Blue Waters, was indeed a bastard but the only person in the line of succession for the throne of his kingdom, as he made sure everyone before him was dead. Not to mention he was granted the water gift, but was weak and lazy, still holding a lot of power even for an average guardian like him.

“That little scumbag shaped like a human being wants to fight Pelagius, doesn’t he?” Aidan asked and Valerya nodded again, silently.

“Him fighting the Deity of Waters is the last of your worries. You should worry about how convincing he sounded to Ruang Sak and how he granted him the blessing to come and attack Reiska as he pleased.” The Ice Princess was not at ease at all and pointed at Arline as she said. “They want her dead.”

The alliance was way too obvious for everyone in the room. Ruang Sak allowed Alaric to attack Reiska, in hopes of killing Arline. And then gaining the Throne of Depths for him, guaranteeing a treaty between the Council and the Sea. They wanted to remove very important pieces from the game.

“How do you know about this?” Aidan asked her, standing in front of her.

“I was there,” Valerya answered back, rising from her seat and looking down at him as she was taller than the Frontlord.

“Why risk your privileged position with the Council?” Aidan was playing with fire by asking this question and Valerya instantly snapped.

“You two are my friends. I stood by you when Larsin tried to take your birthright and even signed that damned letter to keep you protected when you were voyaging around Pelagius’ cave.” The Princess listed her reasons with an angry tone on her voice and standing ready to fight Aidan if he kept questioning her loyalty. “I am your ally and I want that Council burned to the ground.” She had her reasons to wish upon the destruction of the Council, just like everyone inside that room.

Apparently, the prophecy was closer to reality than Arline would’ve wished.

“Aidan,” Merrick stepped in and pulled his best friend back “Valerya would not lie about this, not after what we’ve been through.”

“Just because I hurt your ego when we were children, it doesn’t mean I will betray you.” At that statement, Aidan rolled his eyes and laughed as he threw his head back. “I will stay until the execution and help Reiska with provisions for the winter, just as every other year.”

Merrick nodded in silence and then sent everyone out of the room to be alone with Arline. Leaving his Frontlord and Pursuer to fix the casualties of nature.

“I need your help,” Arline spoke after a bit of silence as she stood in front of him. “I need your lessons again.”

“I have nothing else to teach you,” he confessed looking into her eyes with a serious expression, no shining through the dark brown of his eyes. Merrick was worried for her safety.

“I will fight him, Merrick. I have to be prepared,” she said and the Dark Prince got up from his seat and headed to the balcony.

Arline followed him and hugged his waist from behind. The Heir of Depths was trying to soften him enough to give into the idea of helping her. “I love when you try to persuade me,” Merrick purred for her, turning around.

“Did it work?” She asked with some hope in her eyes. The truth was Arline just had to smile at Merrick and he would give her anything she wanted.

“What do you want to learn?” He gave in to her.

“Teach me to be like you,” Arline’s request took him by surprise.

“Cursed?”

“I already am cursed,” She said. “teach me to handle the curse and turn it into power.”

She was looking overly beautiful that evening. Some thin strands of hair were on her face as the wind push them, and he took the time to tuck them behind her ear before he said. “You talk like a queen,” his thumb caressed her cheek so softly it gave her goosebumps. “By the cave, same time as always.”

“Why there?”

“The lake will be too easy for you.”