Chapter 172
RYKER’S POV
I had never felt as panicked as I did in that moment. For a split second, I had deluded myself into thinking that everything was going to be fine, that it would pass over us and be like a fever dream that was long forgotten. I wasn’t sure how the letter came to be but I was da mned well going to find out. The guard looked terrified, like he was a second away from pissing his pants. The pungent scent of fear floated through the halls, wrapping around us and choking the goodness out of the world. His eyes were wide with panic as his mouth opened and closed a few times to no avail.
“I asked you a f ucking question,” I growled and he made a sound that was a cross between a squeak and a so b.
“I don’t know,” he managed out. “All the letters are brought by the mail man. I don’t know where they came from. I swear I don’t even know what that is. I just brought it the way it was handed to me. Please, don’t kill me.”
He squeezed his eyes shut and it hit me just how unreasonable I was being. The poor boy was terrified, he didn’t know what was happening. It was my anger and my paranoia that was making me see things where there weren’t any and making it hard for me to completely reason what was going on. I released the guard and took a step back and within a second, he had sprinted down the hall for dear life. I ran my hands through my hair in frustration before letting out a harsh curse and slamming my fist into the wall.
I unfurled the letter that I had scrunched up in my rage induced haze and read the words over again wondering if they were going to change and disappear but it was the same as the last time. It said: I have only one demand. Bring me Camilla and all of this will end easily. Refuse and watch me ruin everything you hold dear and take her anyway.
That was a clear and concise threat. There was no bullshi tting or joking around, whoever wrote this knew what they wanted and they were not straying from it. I knew refusing would have disastrous results but I didn’t care, I was not giving up my mate to some deranged witch. I turned over the envelope in my hand to stare at the seal that was used on it. I had never seen it before but I figured it was a good start into finding out who was behind this.
If they put the seal then it was clearly because they wanted us to know- but why? If I were in a better state of mind, I would have thought about that. I would have thought about why they were not operating in secret anymore but I was much too worried about Camilla. I made my way back to my office before mind linking Kevin. He was very efficient, he arrived at my office within ten minutes.
“You sent for me, your majesty,” if he was curious, there was no trace of it on his face. He was the epitome of professionalism and according to what I learned from Leanor before she died, he was in charge of protecting Camilla and she trusted him with her life which meant I could trust him too.
“I need you to do something but I expect it to be treated with the topmost concern,” I saw a brief emotion flash across his face. He understood exactly what I was saying and that brought some concern to his eyes but he nodded slowly. “You are not to leave Camilla’s side for any reason. Keep a distance from her so that she does not know but I need you and a pair of trusted men to have eyes on her at all times. You will report to me hourly, is that clear?”
He nodded but I could still see the worry in his eyes. “Is she in danger? Is that why you want us to be discreet about it?”
“The reasons behind my requests do not matter. All I need is to ensure that she is safe and protected at all times. Can you do that?”
He straightened and nodded. “Of course your majesty, as you wish. I could begin today.”
“Good, you may leave.”
He bowed and walked away. I watched him leave and once he was gone, I let out an exasperated breath. I knew Camilla would be nothing short of pissed if she found out that I did this behind her back but I was past caring. The only thing that mattered was her safety and well being. I could take her anger, I couldn’t take her getting any more hurt than she already was.
The door to my office gently creaked open making my head snap up and I looked up to see Camilla. “I just saw Kevin leaving, is everything okay?”
I nodded and when she glanced over her shoulder, I discreetly pulled the letter into my drawer so that she wouldn’t notice it. When she turned back to me, she had a small smile on her face. She crossed the length of the room and came to sit on the table in front of me. She seemed more at ease than she did this morning but I could still see the emptiness behind her eyes. It was small, something you wouldn’t have noticed unless you were actively searching for it.
It was clear that she was missing something- some form of joy maybe. I couldn’t stop the feeling of guilt that tugged at my heart. She was oblivious to it however because her eyes were on the stack of papers in front of me. She was combing through them and I couldn’t help but feel relieved that I had taken the letter away while I still could.
“I went to see Riley,” she said finally and I hummed. “She was upset with you to say the least. Is there a reason for that?”
“She will come around, don’t worry?” I barely looked away from her as I spoke, my eyes analyzing her every move.
She sighed after a second and met my eyes. “You don’t have to look at me like I am going to break, Ryker. I feel fine.”
She knew I didn’t believe her because she didn’t bother trying to convince me anymore. She just turned away from me and wiped her hands on her thighs. The letter was at the back of my mind. and a part of me urged me to tell her, to be truthful with her. I had promised her no lies a long time ago and that was exactly what I was doing to her, however each time I tried to convince myself to speak, I couldn’t form the words.
“Why did you come here, Camilla?” I asked finally and she stilled.
“Couldn’t I have just come to see you?”
“You could, but you didn’t?” she knew I was right because she exhaled deeply but she still didn’t turn. I wasn’t sure if it was fear that was keeping her from looking at me or worry. “What is wrong?”
“Don’t you consider it weird that nothing has happened yet?” she asked but I stayed silent. “First it was the crops, then the two men and then Riley. I would expect that she would do something even more drastic. She has been quiet for a few days now, I’m worried that she is planning something.”
“I can’t say I haven’t thought about it. It is unusual.”
“Did she perhaps do something and you didn’t tell me?” her voice was soft almost as if she were trying to sound unassuming but we both knew better. The knowledge of the letter burned in my mind but I refused to think about it. “If you did, I don’t blame you for it, I probably would have done the same but I think I should know so I won’t be too surprised later.”
“She hasn’t done anything,” I lied. The words tasted like ash on my tongue and the feeling of guilt got worse when she let out a sigh of relief. She trusted me so blindly and yet I had lied to her face. I tried to convince myself that I did it for a good cause but even that wasn’t enough to assuage my guilt.
“That’s a relief,” she laughed almost awkwardly. “I probably should be running off, you look like you have a sh it ton of work.” She stood to her feet and kissed my cheek softly. “We will be waiting for you at dinner.”
She walked away and I sat there staring at the door for what felt like hours after she had gone. Once I managed to gather my bearings, I took the envelope that contained the letter and walked out of the office with it. The first person I went to find was Caius, he was deep in conversation with the other elders and they looked to be playing some kind of game but I didn’t care. He immediately followed me and I led him towards Lyla’s room.
She opened the door with furrowed brows. “Is something wrong, your majesty?”
She wasn’t so eager to let me into her room after our last conversation but I didn’t care. I brushed past her and walked into the room with Caius in tow. I waited until she had shut the door behind her before I spoke.
“I got a letter today and it came with a seal. You,” I began pointing at Caius, “are one of the oldest people I know, and you, Lyla, are a witch. I need one of you to identify the seal.”
“I don’t know much about coven seals but I can try my best,” Lyla began anxiously.
I pulled the envelope out of my pocket and showed it to them. “Does either of you recognize it?” Their brows furrowed in deep concentration but they ended up shaking their heads. “Well then, find out where it is from.”
“Why?” Caius asked making me turn to him. “Is there a problem?”
“No, just find it or we are all dead.”
