Chapter 15 - Late Night Conversations

“Both. Gale had hoped to take the throne from my mother because of her frail health, and Monsoon wanted to live in luxury without dealing with responsibilities. The investigation took time, but after enough evidence was found to convince my mother that her sisters could… do such a thing… They were executed.” Syra took a sip of her cold tea ignoring the shaking of her hand.

“How could they do that?! That was their mother!” Lia jumped up in anger and Syra’s eyes followed her as Lia paced the room. Lia’s steps were loud as she crossed back and forth.

“Many people are willing to do a lot for power, Lia.” Sorel put down her teacup without looking up at her sister.

“Do you understand why I am hesitant to share my vision?” Syra looked over and saw their unusually serious faces both look to her.

“Yes. We also know that a vision, especially a powerful one, has the ability to change everything. We should have known better than to ask.” Sorel hung her head low and Lia paused before turning her back and looking out the window.

“I understand why you asked. You wanted to help. You were not trying to use my vision for power or any other political scheme.” Syra comforted both of her nieces, “I am quite tired and I would like to rest though.” She sighed as she took the last cold sip of tea from her cup.

“Oh! We should have been more considerate. We will let you rest. Good night Syra!” Lia crossed the room quickly and bent down to hug Syra.

“We will visit tomorrow.” Sorel copied her sister.

“Good night, your Highness.” Hestia gathered the teacups and left the room.

The silence was loud in Syra’s ears. She hated it. Syra rose and shoved her blankets over before laying on the bed. She tried to get comfortable. As she tossed and turned, she could only focus on the chill she felt. The cold that from her future grief made her shiver.

I can’t sleep like this. I should have let them stay until I fell asleep. Or had them grab me a book from the royal library. I shouldn’t do this.

She sighed and then opened the drawer next to her bed. As she held Icar’s card, she wasn’t sure if it was a good idea or a bad idea, but it was an idea. Syra walked over to her large window, each step still ached. She opened the window and took in a breath of the salty air and held out the card. 

It might be nice to talk to someone who has no involvement. I don’t want to have to think about political intrigue or worry about repercussions tonight. I just don’t want to be alone.

She struck a match and held the card over its tiny flame. She blew out the match and watched the sky for what seemed like an eternity. She saw a silhouette with wings flying quickly towards her and she felt her heart race.

“Did you miss me, Syra?” Icar climbed into the window, tucking their white wings in close.

Syra felt tears begin dripping from her eyes and watched Icar’s face drop their smirk. She ran forward and hugged them. She felt them wrap her in their arms as she sobbed into their shoulder. 

Their warmth began to seep into her. When she had run out of tears, she lifted her head and saw she was completely surrounded by feathers. She gazed at them in amazement as she felt safe and warm within Icar’s embrace.

She looked up at Icar and saw the worry in their orange eyes. She stood up on her toes and kissed their lips. They stiffened slightly in surprise and then relaxed into the kiss. Syra felt Icar move their hands so one was tangled in her hair while the other pressed into her lower back to move her closer. She felt Icar move forward and stepped back slightly and bumped into a chair. They untangled their hand from her hair to caress her face and pulled back from the kiss.

***

Syra shifted in bed and as she began waking up, she remembered the events with Icar. She opened her eyes expecting to see them, but found herself alone. She sat up with a start and looked around and noticed the open window as she heard a knock. She was startled and dove under her blankets before calling out.

“Come in.” Her voice was slightly hoarse as she called out.

“Good morning, your Highness.” Hestia bowed as she entered, “Your breakfast will be here shortly.”

Hestia paused as she saw the open window. Syra was panicking and then noticed a feather on her bed. She quickly picked it up and shoved her fist under her blanket as Hestia turned.

“Your Highness, did you sleep with the window open all night? That is incredibly dangerous! Anyone could have come in here!” Hestia closed the window and Syra noticed movement on the floor as a couple more feathers fluttered in the breeze.

“Of course! How foolish of me!” Syra jumped out of bed and hurried behind Hestia to try to block her view of the feathers.

“You must be careful, your Highness!” Hestia turned and jumped to see someone standing behind her, “Oh, Oceania!” Hestia exclaimed as she clutched her chest in surprise.

“Oh, Sorry, Hestia. I wasn’t trying to scare you, I was just… eager for my bath!” Syra realized as she said that, that she did feel a bath was necessary. She felt sticky and blushed slightly as she recalled the previous night.

“Of course. I shall prepare one immediately.” Hestia bowed as she turned to the bathroom.

Syra wasted no time and grabbed the two feathers off the floor and then looked around desperately for a place to stash the three feathers in her fist. She noticed a vase on top of her bookshelf and quickly dropped them inside just as Hestia returned.

“Do you know what you would like to wear for today’s tea party, your Highness?” 

“What tea party?” Syra spun around.

“Her Majesty rescheduled the tea party on your behalf. The one with Prince Aurelian.” Hestia’s face betrayed her dislike of the Prince.

“Am I allowed to leave my bedroom?” Syra looked skeptically at her handmaiden.

“Only for the tea party, your Highness. Guards will be escorting you there and back.” Hestia sighed.

“Thank you for informing me, Hestia.” Syra sighed herself as she walked into the bathroom, resigned to her fate as Hestia followed.

Syra sat in the warm salt water silently as Hesita washed her. She did not notice the blush that crept across Hestia’s face. She was deep in thought before turning to Hesita, who had regained her normal composure.

“Hestia, I would like you to prepare a purple gown for me today. I would also like to wear green or purple accessories, whichever you think suits the gown best.” Hestia rose and left the room without a word, leaving Syra alone to her thoughts.

Syra looked down and saw the bruise on her chest and blushed deeply. She wondered if Hestia saw it and hid her face in her hands.

Where did Icar go? Why didn’t they wake me before they left? Why did I do that with them? I didn’t want to think last night, but now it’s the next day. 

Syra’s blush deepened as she sank beneath the water. She tried to let the warm salt water calm herself so she could face the tea party was now dreading. 

As Hestia finished dressing her into the purple gown, Syra grabbed some stationary and ink. She sat at her dressing table and began to write two letters as Hestia brushed through her long purple hair.  

Syra folded the letters and wrote a name on the back of each ‘Duchess Ophelia’ and ‘Duchess Sorel’. She looked up and saw her hair was still down, but she had green earrings and a matching necklace on. She did not voice her confusion as she turned towards her handmaid.

“Hestia, please deliver these for me. Please let them both know where the tea party will be and when as well.” Hestia’s gaze went from the floor to the letters.

“Yes, your Highness.” Hestia seemed to rush out of the room.

Syra looked back in the mirror and looked to see if her lover’s mark was covered and noticed her dress had a higher collar than she would normally wear. She blushed lightly as she realized Hestia’s reason for choosing this gown. 

She began to turn, but something caught her attention. She noticed as she moved similar marks on her neck. She blushed deeply as she pushed her hair back and saw them. She quickly finger brushed her hair back into place to cover the marks. 

I hope no one notices. Did they have to leave noticeable marks? We are going to have a long talk about this.