Chapter 424: The Breaking of the Storm

Chapter 423: The Breaking of the Storm

Lyria’s POV

I made my way through the palace upon descending from the carriage, following the same path by which I had come. The servants’ passage yet reeked of horse dung, and I kept my sleeve pressed to my nose until I emerged into the cleaner air of the proper corridors.

I did not speak.

Not when I perceived the two figures who had followed me before, falling once more into step behind me. Not when they kept their distance, as though they understood I had greater need of silence than of their company.

I walked without pause until I reached my chamber doors. Phineas opened the door at once, without a word, and I entered. He closed it immediately, and I rested my forehead against the wood.

Zephyr approached me directly, meowing softly as he wove between my ankles. I gathered him into my arms without a word and buried my face in his fur. He did not protest, but settled against me, purring quietly, as though offering what comfort he could.

I knew not how long I remained thus, crouched upon the floor. I knew not how much time had passed. I did not even mark that the chamber was emptier than it ought to have been, that the one who had lain asleep upon my bed was there no longer.

Then came a knock.

"Your Highness," Phineas called through the door. "You have a visitor."

I lifted my head.

"W-who is it?" I asked, my voice hoarse.

"Curious wolf, admit me," came the reply from beyond the door.

I rose at once, setting Zephyr upon the floor.

"O-open it," I said.

Phineas obeyed.

Duke Valenridge entered, and the door closed behind him.

He crossed the small distance between us with ease, and without seeking leave, without the least formality. He simply took me into his arms and held me, as though he knew precisely what I required.

And perhaps it was his warmth. Perhaps it was merely the fact of being held. Whatever the cause, I broke.

The first tear slipped down my cheek before I might arrest it. Then another. Then another still. Soon they came freely, and I could not have halted them had I tried.

"It i-is my o-own fault," I said against his chest. "They w-ere treated so, upon my account. Because I s-poke when I ought not to have. Because I d-did not think. Because I—"

"This i-is why I wish to b-become stronger," I continued, my voice breaking upon the words. "That n-no soul should suffer again for my f-foolishness. That I m-might protect them. That I n-never again stand idle and w-watch while—"

My voice failed me, but he held me through it.

He did not speak. He offered no empty assurances. He merely held me, one hand resting at the back of my head, the other steady against my back, as he had done once before.

When at last my sobs subsided, he loosened his hold enough to look upon my face, and raised his hand to wipe the tears from my cheeks with his thumb.

"I shall help you," he said softly. "I told you before that I would. I have not forgotten our compact. I shall help you grow stronger, curious wolf, and this shall be the last occasion upon which you feel weak in such a manner."

Fresh tears came at that, despite my every effort to restrain them.

He did not shrink from them.

"I swear it upon all I hold dear," he said. "This shall be the last time you shed tears for weakness. For you are not weak, curious wolf."

I shook my head.

He caught my chin gently in his hand and compelled me to look upon him.

"Listen to me," he said. "I may be a great many things, curious wolf, but a liar is not among them. And I am entirely certain of what I say, when I tell you that you are not weak."

I sought to look away, but he would not permit it.

"I told you before that strength assumes a great many forms. I meant it. I shall lend you my own, in whatever manner or measure you require. Whatsoever you need of me, I shall give it, for are we not partners in this?"

His thumb brushed another tear from my cheek.

"You are not to blame for what occurred. You made an error — yes, and of that we have already spoken. But this particular matter is not your fault. You must cease reproaching yourself for it."

I opened my mouth to protest, but he continued before I could speak.

"No one is above error, curious wolf. Strength does not consist in the absence of mistakes. It consists in how one uses them, that one might grow the stronger for it. And I know full well you shall grow stronger from this. You need not continue to chastise yourself for a matter that was never within your power to prevent."

I sniffled, then nodded, and drew a steadying breath.

"T-thank you," I said.

"You need not thank me. I have only stated a fact."

I gave him a soft smile.

"Still," I said, "it h-has helped."

For indeed it had. Rather than continuing to weep, I found I might move forward, and yes I should learn from this. I had already some idea of what must be done, though I could not entirely help the low estimation I had held of myself, however unwarranted it now proved.

Duke Valenridge regarded me a moment. Then, apparently satisfied that I was composed enough to proceed, he released me.

"I m-must ask, Your Grace d-do tell, where h-have you been?"

His cheeks reddened a sight I had not before witnessed upon him. He scratched at his cheek before he spoke.

"I was as troubled as your maids, and so... I joined Brayden and Bridget in following after you."

My eyes widened in astonishment.

"You f-followed me t-too?"

"Indeed I did."

I had not marked it in the least. I had known of Brayden and Bridget, but...Just then a knock sounded at the door.

"Your maids have arrived," Duke Valenridge said.

I nodded, then raised my voice.

"J-just in time. L-let everyone come in."

My maids entered, and I spoke again.

"Brayden a-and Phineas, t-too."

They entered and closed the door behind them.

I looked about at them all, standing before me, awaiting my word.

"I h-hate to say it," I said, "but I d-doubt any among us shall be s-sleeping this night."

None among them raised objection.

I turned to Duke Valenridge.

"I am s-sorry," I said, "but I shall have n-need of you also."

He gave a shrug.

"I sleep but poorly at night, save upon rare occasion. I am entirely at your disposal."

I nodded.

Then he asked, "What do you have planned, Your Highness?"

I drew a breath.

"First," I said, "I s-shall require the help and r-reach of four m-more persons."