Chapter 19

My lungs are straining as I haul my bag up another flight of steps, and I moan.

I remind myself as I look up at the granite tile peak, only a few more. With each slow breath, I curse Kohl, and when at last I reach the top, it takes everything I have not to fall into the wall. His new room, which is situated just beneath the spiral staircase that leads to his room in the spire, was what he had ordered for me. I had disagreed with him about this, partly because I hadn't wanted to leave Macy behind and partly because moving seemed like a drag after settling in. But there was no disputing with the prince. I had thus made both of us feel better by handing Macy a copy of my key, which Kohl had created at my request, following an incredibly emotional farewell with her. After telling her that she was welcome to stop by at any time, I put my whole wardrobe into a suitcase and left.

But I'm not concerned about Macy. Following the event, she had been fired by Gertrude and was now working in the kitchen. Hearing that was a huge relief, particularly since it sounded like a nightmare to leave Gertrude in Macy's hands as a one-man operation.

I had been secretly hoping that Gertrude would lose the competition, but that was a wishful thinking. Ten of the twenty contenders have already lost in the tournament's first official round, which took place yesterday. Although I was unable to witness the event, I had heard tidbits of how Gertrude mistreated her opponent and how Althea triumphed despite suffering a broken leg. There was a dark side of me that secretly hoped my older sister wouldn't be competing. It appeared that Jade had emerged largely unharmed. That's how she had looked that evening at supper, however.

I take a ten-second break, pick up my suitcase, and tiptoe out of the room. It appears that this is the castle's west wing, but I still don't know enough about it to be able to piece everything together. All I'm aware of is that my new room is 7A, and my sole real friend here resides two storeys below, at the other end of the castle.

As I walk past the doors, my eyes dart across them. My hopes rise when I see that there are fewer rooms here than in the maid's quarters. It would be lovely to live in a huge room again, but I don't want to be picky; if living near Macy is still an option, I would much prefer be rooming with her.

Before me, on the dark wood door, are the golden letters that indicate room 7A. I look at it for a few minutes. That concludes it. Kohl chose this room for me, so it has to be at least passable.

I breathe out and put my palm against the knob. I then turn and open myself up within.

My expectations are completely exceeded by the room, to the point where I nearly let out a gasp. I had assumed that my new place would be minimal when Kohl had told me about it. Nothing quite so exquisite.

I can feel my feet sink into the luxurious black carpet; it's so smooth I could swear it's silk. The medium-gray wallpaper has a pattern of light purple diamonds encasing black roses. The wall immediately across from me has a wide window that lets in plenty of light that reflects off the silver posts of the four-poster bed on the far wall. Matching lilac gossamer curtains that shimmer like translucent purple waterfalls drop from the rods. These curtains are the same tone as the linens. On either side of the bed are polished black wood nightstands that are filled with unlit candles. A doorway that opens into a dimly lit walk-in wardrobe is located on the wall next to the bed, and a white door that, I assume, connects to an ensuite is located on the wall across from the bed on the right.

I practically go into a trance as I drop my belongings and move to the center of the room. This is so much better than my chamber back at the Agnarys estate, I doubt it.

I quickly unpack my clothes from the walk-in wardrobe and hang them up. Then, driven by intense curiosity, I go across the room and open the ensuite. I was surprised to see that the entire room is tiled in white, and there is a glass bathtub and porcelain toilet in the corner. Opening the medical cabinet above the mirror, I walk up to it and, to my amazement, discover a little basket filled with moonstone splinters.

I scowl. Was that what Kohl asked for? Shutting the door, I attempt to dispel the odd, warm sensation that has taken up residence in my chest.

A knock at the front door interrupts my plans to test out the bed. I turn to scowl. Has Macy arrived yet? When I approach and open it, then Alex stands behind it and I feel like I'm losing air in my lungs.

"Naomi," he smiles and says. He whistles and peers over my shoulder. "Damn, nice place you got here."

"Alex! What are you doing here?"

Alex's lips curl into a tiny smile, as if he knows a joke that I don't. I put my arms down.

"No way you actually forgot. Naomi, I'm supposed to be training you today, remember?"

I blinked and lowered my arms gradually. Next, I place my hand to my forehead. "God, I'm such an idiot! How did I forget?"

I'm left feeling incredibly embarrassed as Alex bursts into giggles. It's embarrassing that, despite my enthusiastic claims of wanting to train, I actually forgot that today was our first day.

Alex snickers once again. "Sorry, I guess I was so caught up in the process of moving that I forgot." His eyes flicker as he says, "Don't worry about it, honestly."

Unhurried once-over of my body, and his heated gaze burns into my cheeks. I swear there's something more between them, but by the time we meet eye contact, amusement is the only thing shining through. "You might want to get changed. Those aren't really clothes you really want to shred."

I push the odd heat away and glance at my attire. I have on a white pleated skirt and a pink blouse. "You're right. One second."

Before I close the door in his face, Alex offers me another one of those seductive winks, and damn him, something sparks deep inside of me. I put my cool palms to my warm face. Right now, I really could need a cold shower.

I select a black pair of shorts and a white shirt from the wardrobe that seem the least expensive before making my way back to the entrance. I open it, walk outside with Alex, and we start our tour of the palace together.

We move down a few corridors and stairwells, and I try to ignore his lingering gazes while I make small talk. At last, we arrive at the north side of the palace and enter a lobby that is unfamiliar to me. It has a hanging black glass chandelier similar to the one at the entrance, but instead of going to the dining room, it has two double iron doors on the far wall that are flung open to let in light from the outside world.

"We're at the rear end of the palace. Out there," he indicates past the doors to the exterior scenery, "are the training grounds, and the forest. We'll just train at the edge." Alex must notice the expressionless look on my face. 

I nod and go outside with Alex by my side without giving it further consideration. The sunlight embraces my skin warmly and the soft green blades of grass immediately tickle the soles of my feet. I can feel the cool air slip down my neck and hear distant metal striking against metal as multiple groups of men practice swordplay. I look to Alex as we make our way across the grounds, not missing the soldiers around the perimeters.

I'm not sure whether "aren't you meant to be on... uh... cycle?" is the right phrase to use.

He smiles. "You mean Rotations? Well, I am, but our lovely highness excused me from my duties today."

The slight emphasis he gives to "lovely" is something I don't miss. He takes me to the edge of the forest, and even so, I decide to ignore it. It seems to go on for miles, just like the woods back at the Agnarys estate, and I can't help but feel a little excited. Like I did with the forest back home, I would love to commit this one to memory.

House. I feel a twinge of grief, but I suppress it. I can't help but wonder what my brothers and parents might be up to while I'm away. With a trace of resentment, I believe nothing has changed. I'm positive my absence has no impact on them.

"Okay, we'll do the basics today. I'm sure you know how to Shift," Alex says, pausing at a location close to the edge and turning to face me. It seems like he's satisfied with our distance from the other werewolves.

"Yes," I reply.

I shift when Alex waves a hand at me. I remain motionless, channeling that rarely used energy in my core, and watch as my tendons separate and reattach and my bones shift and move. Soon, I find myself on all fours, my senses sharpening as my skin turns to pale fur and my canines grow out from my gums.