Chapter 17 After unsealing

Chapter 17 After unsealing
SILVER'S POV

I woke to sunlight streaming through unfamiliar windows and a splitting headache. For a moment, I didn't know where I was. Everything felt strange until my vision cleared.

I groaned, pressing my palms against my closed eyes. The headache pulsed behind them like a living thing.

The unsealing had left my whole body aching like I'd run a marathon uphill. And the magic itself—I could feel it coiled inside me, waiting.

I forced myself to sit up slowly, testing my limits.

My eyes landed on the Book of Awakening sitting on the desk where I'd left it last night.

Still blank, probably.

Little Silver had said it was destined for the Saintess and useless to someone like me.

But she'd also said there was no harm in trying.

I dragged myself out of bed on shaky legs and crossed to the desk, my bare feet cold against the floor.

I picked up the book carefully. "Okay," I muttered, settling into the desk chair. "Little Silver said no harm in trying. So let's try."

I opened the book.

Blank pages stared back at me. Just like before.

But this time, I had magic. I pressed my palm flat against one of the blank pages, concentrating. Reached for that warm coil of power in my chest.

Nothing happened.

"Come on," I whispered. "Show me something. Anything."

The book remained silent.

I closed it with more force than necessary and shoved the book into my travel bag anyway. Maybe it was useless now, but I wasn't giving up on it. Not yet. The Author had taunted me about it for a reason. There had to be something I was missing.

I just had to figure out what.

~ ~ ~

I found my way downstairs eventually, following the smell of tea and fresh bread through corridors that felt familiar from Silver's memories but still slightly foreign.

The dining room was smaller than the palace's grand halls, but somehow warmer.  A table set for two. And my mother was sitting elegantly with her morning tea, looking like she'd been waiting.

"Good morning, Silver." Her eyes assessed me carefully, taking in my rumpled appearance and probably the exhaustion written all over my face. "You look beautiful, darling."

She lied. Probably her way of telling me how stressed I looked.

"The ritual took more out of me than I expected." I sank into the chair across from her, grateful when a servant immediately poured tea without being asked. The hot cup warmed my hands. "How long did I sleep?"

"Nearly twelve hours." Mother sipped her tea, watching me over the rim with those sharp green eyes. "You were dead to the world. I checked on you twice, you didn't even stir."

Twelve hours. Maybe Arthur had gone back to the capital.

I didn't ask.

A small, traitorous part of me felt... what? Disappointment? Relief? I couldn't tell anymore.

"Speaking of," Mother said, as if reading my thoughts. She gestured to a letter sitting beside my plate, sealed with the royal crest. "Your husband left at dawn. He said to treat this as urgent."

My hand hesitated over the letter. Part of me didn't want to know what it said.

But I picked it up anyway, breaking the wax seal.

The handwriting was neat. So very Arthur.

~ ~

Silver,

I apologize for leaving without speaking to you directly. Matters at the capital require my immediate attention.

The diplomatic summit is the day after tomorrow. I would appreciate it if we could attend together, as husband and wife. It would be beneficial for both our houses if we presented a united front.

I'll send a carriage for you tomorrow evening.

—Arthur

~ ~

No "sincerely." No "yours truly." No "with affection." Just his name, like signing a political document.

Which, I supposed, was exactly what this was.

A political arrangement disguised as a marriage. Nothing more.

"Well?" Mother asked. "What does he say?"

"He wants me to attend the diplomatic summit with him. Day after tomorrow." I set the letter down, reaching for my tea. "Presenting a 'united front.'"

"That's great"

I looked up, meeting her eyes. "This is political theater, Mum, and you know it."

Mother's lips curved slightly. "I know, but things have gotten better between you two."

Better. I wondered how she'd ever married the Duke with instincts like these.

"Though perhaps," Mother continued, her voice gentling slightly, "you could try going easier on Arthur in the future. Just a bit."

"I raised an eyebrow. "He sent spies to follow me

"Because he wants to protect you, there is no other reason why he was here."

I said nothing, staring into my tea.

The old Silver would have been thrilled that Arthur came after her. Would have seen it as proof he cared.

But I wasn't her. And I knew better.

"I'm not saying forgive him," Mother said, reading something in my silence. But perhaps consider that he's trying, in his own fumbling, arrogant, princely way, to understand you. Give him time to adjust."

I wanted to argue. To say Arthur deserved every bit of cold treatment I'd given him and more.

But maybe Mother had a point.

Maybe.

"When is the Duke coming back?" I asked, changing the subject before she could push further.

Mother's expression shuttered slightly, a shadow passing over her features. "I don't know. He said it was important business at the capital, but..." She trailed off, something flickering in her eyes. Worry? Suspicion? "He's been gone more than usual lately. Secretive about his meetings."

"Secretive how?"

"A lot is happening in the kingdom lately, and well your father has always been political, Silver."

A chill ran down my spine. "I understand mum."

"I need to leave today," I said, the words coming out before I'd fully decided. "I should get back to the capital, prepare for the summit."

"So soon?" Mother looked surprised. "I thought you'd stay another day at least. Rest."

"I'll rest at the palace." I stood, my legs steadier now after tea and sitting. "Besides, I need to... I should see someone before I go."

Mother's eyebrow arched knowingly. "The vampire?"

"Raven." I didn't deny it. "Have you seen him this morning?"

"Yes."

"Where?"

"Behind you."

I turned immediately, my heart jumping slightly.

Raven stood in the doorway as he'd materialized from the shadows themselves. He probably had, knowing him. He looked composed, calm, dressed in dark traveling clothes. But I'd learned to read the subtle tension in his shoulders. The way his red eyes were slightly darker than usual, more focused.

He was preparing for something dangerous.

"Good morning, Lady Noir," he said, bowing slightly to my mother with perfect courtesy.

"Good morning, Raven." Mother smiled, gesturing to the table laden with pastries and cakes. "Care for some breakfast? You look like you haven't eaten in days."

Vampires didn't need to eat, but Raven took a small cake anyway, probably for politeness. He ate it in three efficient bites, then his red eyes found mine.

"You look better," he said. "More rested than last night."

"Twelve hours will do that." I stood, brushing crumbs from my dress. "Can we talk? Outside?"

"Of course, my lady."

Mother watched us go with knowing eyes but said nothing, just sipped her tea and pretended to be very interested in the correspondence beside her plate.