Chapter 6

Silver

I woke up smiling without even realizing I was smiling. It was the first thing I felt before my eyes even opened and when I did open them Caspian was already there leaning over me like he does sometimes when he thinks I am still asleep.

His face was soft in a way I don’t see often and before I could even say good morning he kissed me quickly like he was stealing it then straightened up like nothing happened.

“Bastian had some things to handle,” he said casually like my heart did not just flip at the sound of his name. “He left early.”

“Oh” I said nodding even though something inside me felt a little tight. “Okay.”

Bastian has been acting a little weird two days ago and I don’t want to think something bad is going to happen. I have always been an optimist but I want to keep that part of me away from this life as much as I can.

He didn’t say anything else. He just smiled at me once more then turned his chair and wheeled himself toward the door telling me he would see me at breakfast. I watched him leave, still lying in bed, smiling amd still feeling warm all over.

Since Bastian came back we had been sleeping in my room, all of us. The room is large, larger than anything I have ever lived in and sometimes I still wake up confused wondering how I ended up here, how a slave girl from Star Snow is now waking up between kings.

It was too good to be true but I’m allowing myself to wallow inside of it anyway. I deserve this.

I rang for my maid and Sarah came in almost immediately with her head bowed low like she always does. I have told her so many times that she does not need to bow to me, that I don’t like it, that it makes me uncomfortable but she never listens. She still treats me like I am something fragile and holy and dangerous at the same time.

“Good morning, my lady” she said softly.

“Sarah please” I sighed. “You can just call me Silver.”

She smiled but still did not lift her head fully. She helped me bathe, careful and gentle like she was afraid I would break if she pressed too hard. Afterwards she sat behind me and started combing my hair slowly. I watched our reflections in the mirror.

My face looks different now. I look fuller and much more healthier. My eyes are brighter. And my hhair is changing. At the roots it is no longer dark. Silver strands are slowly taking over and every day there is more of it.

I cannot wait for it to fully turn. It feels like I am finally becoming myself.

Sarah kept glancing at my face through the mirror and smiling whenever our eyes met.

“What?” I asked laughing softly. “Why are you smiling like that?”

She hesitated then smiled wider. “You will need a physician soon, my lady.”

“Why?” I frowned.

“Because you might be expecting.” She tilted her head.

“That is impossible. It is too early.” I laughed immediately loud and surprised and so unexpected.

“Everyone knows you have been having a blast with the alpha kings.” She shrugged like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

I covered my mouth trying to hide my laugh but it slipped out anyway. I haven’t laughed while I was in Star Snow but that is all I seem to be doing here.

“Sarah” I whispered more embarrassed.

“You are glowing. You eat well. You sleep well. You smile all the time. That is not normal for someone who is not happy or not…full.” She laughed too finally relaxing.

Her words stayed with me even after she finished dressing me. I looked at myself again in the mirror and for the first time in my life I did not hate what I saw. Maybe she is right and my body is finally catching up to happiness.

Maybe I am finally loved by the right people. And if that is true then it really is Ivo’s loss. I am glad he rejected me. I am glad everything happened the way it did because if it didn’t I would never have ended up here.

I went to the dining room and Caspian was already there. We ate together quietly, comfortable silence, the kind that does not make you feel awkward. He asked me if I slept well and I nodded.

I asked him about some papers beside his plate and he explained patiently even though I barely understood. I just liked listening to him talk. Then the door opened.

I looked up expecting a servant or a guard. Bastian walked in but he was not alone.

A woman walked beside him. Blonde tall and beautiful in a way that feels sharp and intentional. She wore a soft smile like she belonged here like the castle was built for her. My chest tightened and I did not know why. She looked straight at Caspian like I wasn’t even there.

“Caspian,l” she said warmly like she had said his name a thousand times before.

Everything happened too fast.

Caspian’s hands gripped the armrests of his chair and before my brain could even process what I was seeing he pushed himself up.

He stood on both legs!!!

I froze. My fork slipped from my fingers and clattered on the plate but I did not hear it. I only saw him standing and walking on his feet. He took steps toward her like it was the most natural thing in the world.

But I could not breathe.

“Yes,” she laughed softly rushing forward. “You are standing. I knew it worked.”

Caspian smiled at her. A real smile that was wide and free that made him look younger. He wrapped his arms around her and for a moment the entire room felt like it was spinning.

Bastian stood there watching amd I stood there shaking. My heart was pounding so hard I thought everyone could hear it.

Caspian turned slightly like he just remembered I existed.

“Silver, this is Viola.”

The name hit me like a slap because I have heard of it around the Castle. Viola is his mate and the one who rejected him but the one he still loved.

I swallowed hard and forced my lips into a smile even though my chest hurt.

“Hello” I said softly.

She looked at me properly then. Her eyes scanned me from head to toe, slow and calculating then she smiled again.

“You must be the wife. You’re pretty.” She said in a way.

I nodded. “Thank you.”

Silence fell heavy. I looked at Caspian’s legs again. At the way he stood without shaking amd the way he did not even look back at the wheelchair.

“When?” I whispered without meaning to.

He looked at me. “This morning. I wanted to tell you but…”

“But what?” I asked quietly.

He did not answer. Bastian cleared his throat from the other end.

“We need to talk,” he said.

And something in his voice told me that my happy bubble was about to burst.