I pushed off the dresser, resisting the delicious scent of her arousal, and plopped down on her bed with my hands behind my head. She glared before turning back to the dresser to pull out more clothes.
“Pack some for me, will you?” I said, closing my eyes, and she scoffed. “Unless you’d prefer me unclothed. If that’s the case though, all you’d have to do is ask. I will happily oblige.” I chuckled, peeking one eye open at her.
She was furiously shoving whatever clothes the dresser gave her into the bag and I stifled a laugh. An actual laugh. For at least the third time today. I couldn’t remember the last time I had something, someone, to laugh with. I took a deep breath against the rising warmth in my chest and started to doze off.
“I’m going to see Thana,” she declared from the edge of the bed, pulling me from sleep.
Every part of me wanted to tell her no. To order her to stay away from that treacherous, lying attempted assassin. She shouldn’t be trusted.
“Alright, I’ll be here,” was all I said, throwing my arm back over my eyes to cover the worried crease between my eyebrows.
“Alright? You’re not going to fight me?”
“Do you want a fight, Ara?”
“No, I just—” She paused. “Never mind. I’ll be back later.”
The door clicked shut and I stared after her as worry bit at me—for more than just her visit to Thana.
* * *
As I walked through the castle the next morning, it was bustling with soldiers preparing to leave for their respective villages. I could hear Doran barking orders in the bailey from the entryway, but I hadn’t seen Ara or Delphia this morning. By the time I had awoken, Ara was already gone along with the bag.
I was searching for her when Delphia found me in the library. She grabbed my arm and pulled me to a secluded corner.
I gaped at her when she threw her blind over us.
“I need to talk to you,” she said in a low voice.
“I gathered that. What is it?”
“What I tell you, you cannot tell Doran.”
“Delphia, I don’t—”
“Just until we’re gone. Then you can tell him if you wish, but not until we’re already gone.”
“We? Gone where?”
“Thana and I are going to rescue her family. It’s the only way to protect them and everyone here by freeing her from his grasp.”
“Delph—”
“I can help her. No one else’s power is more suited to a rescue mission than mine. It’s been almost five years since she’s seen her family and Goddess knows how long it will be before he releases them, if ever. No one can help her more than me, Rogue. We have to go.”
I dropped my gaze to the floor, rubbing a hand on the back of my neck, considering. She was right, of course. She was the only one who could sneak them in and out completely unseen, but Doran…
“Doran will be furious at both of us.” I eyed her cautiously.
“I know, but we can’t just leave her family there to rot.”
I nodded. Even if they weren’t Thana’s family, they were Fae.
“I know,” I muttered. “If there are other Fae there and you can get them outsafely,bring them as well. Bring them all home.”
“Yes, my King.” She smirked, dipping into a faint curtsy.
“And be careful,” I ordered, my voice low. Serious.