Queen of Blood
Chapter 23

Every dignitary had left the kingdom behind to return to their lands. Leaving Merrick with no excuse to keep Arline within the castle walls any longer. She returned to the House of the Order to be under the watch of Lara and train alongside the hoard.

Her chores for the week were taking care of the weapons belonging to the Huntresses. And she also offered to fulfill what Lila’s chores should have been and those included helping the kids from the school with whatever they needed.

Arline was heading to the building when she saw a group of young children sneaking through the front door on their tippy toes. Arline cleared her throat and folded her arms in front of her and the kids stood still, frozen in fear. “Where do you think you are going, kids?” She asked with a funny tone and tender eyes.

The kids were trying to come up with an excuse for the Huntress. “Um…” A young boy tried to waste some time, but Arline relaxed her posture and pulled her cloak down.

“What’s your name?” She asked all of them.

“Tobias,” he said with his head down. “He is Callahan and she is Lillian,” Tobias introduced his friends.

“Sneaking out of class?” Arline smirked and they nodded shamefully. “Any reason?”

“It’s hard,” Lillian said to her.

“Well, everything seems hard at first,” Arline sat on the ground with them. “Sometimes you just need to practice until it’s easy… and I can help you with that.”

Their heads shut straight up in surprise. “You? Arline Cole?”

“Yes, that’s my name,” Arline said with a smile. “Of course I can help you if you want me to,” and the kids instantly nodded their heads at her proposition. “All right, but first go to class and I will meet you in the library by the end of the week.”

“Bye, Mrs. Cole,” they all waved good bye to the Huntress and she waved back with a smile.

Right after that little encounter, she went to train. Allowing herself to release energy and anger every time any weapon hit a target. And by the end of the session that day, she was worn out but sat her body on a stool and began polishing and cleaning the weapons of the Order.

She was finishing up a pack of hunting knives when a subtle whisper called for her attention, substituting the wind that passed through the trees. When Arline lifted her head, she saw Larsin laying against a tree staring at her and smiling.

One shake of her head and the image of the dead prince disappeared. She quickened her hands and finished polishing and cleaning the weapons in a matter of minutes, putting them away in the armory with growing fear building up on her.

In the House, she was absent minded. Arline only laughed when she had to and talked when they asked her anything. But her eyes travelled to a corner of the room every now and then, and every time she looked disturbed at the presence of Larsin, staring at her.

It didn’t go unnoticed for Michaela during dinner. So she asked for her help with the dishes. And in silence, Arline continued to do the same. Cringing at herself. After a few times, Michaela put a plate away on the sink and quickly turned her head to meet an empty wall.

“What is it?” Her best friend asked her.

“What is what?” Arline asked continuing to focus on her side of the sink, rinsing the remaining food.

But when Michaela was about to drop the subject, Arline’s skin got goosebumps and she saw how her lip slightly quivered. “Arline,” she made her pay attention to her. “What is it?” Michaela insisted again.

“It’s him… Larsin,” Arline whispered his name with her head low. “Before I killed him he told me he was always going to stay with me.”

“What a fucking utter idiot,” Michaela said after sighing in disbelief, hoping the dead prince could hear her. “Wait here,”she ordered her, and Arline continued with the dishes.

She left the kitchens and Arline alone for a few seconds and came back with Lara on her side. “Tell her.”

Michaela knew that this time, her closest friends needed to know. She wasn’t going to let history repeat itself. So Lara heard Arline as she talked. And chose to give her a sleeping draught to help her conceal her dreams, considering she hadn’t been resting much these days.

The tea made her lids to weight down and Arline easily gave in to the tiredness. Her mind was shut down until whispers on her mind began tingling her brain. With accelerated breathings she sat on her bed and held her head.

It was still dark outside. The Heir tried going back to sleep but it became a challenge that she lost epically. “This has to be a fucking joke,” she thought for herself, feeling how her skin touched the blankets and duvets of her bed.

Easily and in silence, she dressed and put on a modest cloak over her head, alongside leather boots and a heavy coat for the winter waiting outside for her.

She began walking the city lightened by candlelight. Laughs, music and talking came out from the taverns and shops that kept the night busy. Arline kept walking without a destination until she found herself on top on Mount Suvlic.

The sight of the crimson red soil wasn’t bone chilling anymore. Or she was just too tired to care about the blood that tinted the earth. Either way, she sat on a rock that looked at the sea.

Her tranquility was disrupted by the stare of somebody. Larsin Dortamus had his green eyes on her when she turned around and met his gaze. “Can you please leave me alone for one hour?” She asked to the emptiness of the woods.

“I thought you might want company,” he asked approaching her with his hands on his pockets and with his usual smug adorning his face. “What did I do wrong?”

“Poison me, for starters. Then sending Alastair to murder me,” Arline said with a boring tone on her voice and he squatted in front of her to take a closer look at her beautiful features. “Am I hallucinating or is it really your soul tormenting me?”

“It is me, my darling,” he tried reaching for her chin but she stepped back, fearful of his touch. “That look… You never gave Merrick that look.”

“Merrick never dared to touch me if I didn’t want to or do half of the things you intended to do to me.”

A little spark of realization shone on the eyes of the ghost. “I never knew he taught you to read minds.”

“He taught me a lot, Larsin,” pain invaded her voice. Arline was drained of playing this game of power. She turned around and sobbed in her arms.

And Larsin had the audacity to look at her with greed. Enjoying the sight of her in despair. He caressed her hair with the mist of his soul, making her shiver.

“Arline?” Calix’s voice called for her. “Arline what the hell are you doing here?” His figure approached her side and Larsin’s spirit faded into the world of the dead. Calix took off his cape and put it over her shoulders, rubbing her arms to warm her up.

She didn’t answer and just wrapped her arms around him, quietly sobbing on his shoulder. Slightly hesitant, he hugged her and rubbed her back to calm her down. “What’s wrong, Arline?” Calix asked worried but she didn’t answer.

The sun was unveiling in the horizon and the air around them grew colder. Calix still hugged her in silence, until she asked in a murmur. “Calix, where-where will Merrick be today?”

“The War Room I believe,” he instantly said. “What happened?” A serious temple grew on his face. Calix was still her protector and if someone had scratched a mere inch of her skin, he was going to kill whoever was responsible. But Arline only looked at him and told him.

Despite being her protector, Calix was one of her best friends in the kingdom. “I will take you to him, don’t worry,” Calix said after she finished her story.

They slowly headed down Mount Suvlic and headed to the War Room. Passing by and trying to avoid people that were going back to their homes after a night out.

They were the first to step on the training grounds and when they stood in front of the doors of the War Room, the guards allowed them in. Lifting their spears without a second of hesitation on their actions.

It was empty and dark. It was too early even for Merrick to be there. But he stayed by her side until the General arrived. And Arline lightened the candles carefully to kill the time.

Only a few minutes had passed and the doors opened. Merrick had entered the room and was walking down the hall when he stopped and looked around. The candles were flamed and saw her laying on the edge of his desk.

“What happened, my love?” The King said with worry on his voice as he approached her. And then he saw Calix. And if Calix was there it couldn’t signify that she was entirely alright. “What happened?” Merrick’s tone hardened at the sight of him.

He held stares with Calix who didn’t flinch. Calix Lohs was a warrior and a threatening tone from Merrick wasn’t going to make him take a step back. Considering he had gone against worse people than him.

“Merrick,” Arline approached the King and intertwined her fingers with his. “I asked him to bring me here.”

He quickly scanned her. “You look drained,” he said caressing her cheek. “What is wrong, my love?”

Her friend didn’t mind the gesture. Calix knew how Merrick felt towards Arline, and how he was when he had privacy with her. They both sat and Arline told him everything. And as he heard the only thought that popped in his brain was “Son of a bitch.”

“Let me talk to Pauline about it,” he said holding her hand for her to stay by his side and she nodded. “Thank you Calix, you can leave,” Merrick dismissed him and he obeyed. “Stay with me and eat something. You are starving yourself and at this point, I don’t know if it’s on purpose or because of everything that has been happening.”

“Why do you care about that? I just told you Larsin is tormenting my every living minute and you care if I eat or not.”

“Of course I care. You are alive. He is dead. And now that I know he will be careful when to approach because I can torment him, even in death.”

As they finished their little quarrel, a pair of maids entered the room carrying breakfast for both of them. And Arline ate slowly what was placed in front of her. “I stopped doing it on purpose months ago,” she said after swallowing a piece of toast smeared with marmalade. “This isn’t intentional. My stomach just closes and I can’t take a bite,” Arline confessed.

“Why doing it before?” The King asked.

“I hate the way I look, Merrick. But food gives me energy and I need a lot of it if I want to get better.”

He stayed silent as she finished her plate of oatmeal and berries and her cup of tea. The King stared up and down at her body. When he met her brown eyes he said. “I think I will have to do a better job while I admire you on the bedroom.”

She let out a light chuckle. It was a sincere laugh that hadn’t been heard coming from her lips in a while. And at the sight of her happy, he wanted to devour her in the spot.

“It is too early for what you are thinking of doing,” Arline warned him with a smirk after reading the shine of his dark eyes.

“I didn’t know sex had a timetable.”

“I didn’t know you liked it so much,” Arline said back.

The King turned her chair for her to face him and gently began stroking her thighs. His touch was going dangerously up her legs and she quickly pressed her thighs together. “You know very well that you are not turning on a candle, you are incinerating an entire forest. Now quit the soft touch before I throw myself on your lap.”

Merrick laughed and a half smile drew on his face. He removed his hands from her thighs and searched for her cheeks, cupping them for her eyes to meet his. He gently kissed her and a wave of calmness invaded her mind and made her eyelids heavy.

“If you want peace and quiet to rest, go to the room of ink,” he put a strand of her hair behind her ear. And then signaled to the door of the room of ink.

The door revealed a pitch black room, with a thick rug displayed with a warm comforter and loads of pillows for one to throw themselves and sleep for an eternity. It smelled like vanilla bean, soothing her thoughts. Arline sat down on the rug and with dragging limbs she took off her boots, covered herself with the blanket and fell asleep as soon as her face touched a pillow.

She slept through the entire morning and half of the afternoon, while Merrick attended his duties in the War Room. Before tea, Lara came inside the room with a quick pace and bowed for him. “Please tell me Arline is with you.”

“She is there, resting,” he motioned his hand to the door.

“Good gods,” she blessed after letting out a sigh of relief. “How is she?”

Merrick stayed silent. Arline was the one that had to answer that question, because to Merrick she wasn’t fine. “Honestly…I don’t know. She is exhausted and still trains as the worst scum on the army. Why the hell does she feel the need to be perfect?”

“After Lila…Arline doesn’t want to allow that to happen again,” Lara mentioned for him.

The door creaked open and Arline appeared, approaching his desk while she rubbed her eyes and yawned.

“How are you?” Merrick asked her, putting his entire attention on her, allowing Arline to sit on his lap. Her face found his neck and she snuggled on it.

“I-” Arline yawned and she covered her mouth, with watery eyes. “Better now. It was the best sleep I’ve had in years,” she answered. “I didn’t want to wake you, Lara,” she said to the Head of the Huntresses with sleepy eyes.

“You should wake me up if things like this happen,” Lara said, gently untangling her hair and giving Arline shivers. “Stay in the castle, Arline. Let Merrick protect you.”

“What?” That proposal made Arline to wake up and raised from his lap. “Lara. No, I don’t need protection anymore, the execution has passed, this is just an inconvenience. I swear I will-”

“Arline,” Lara cut her off with a gently voice. “You are still a Huntress. That won’t change depending on where you sleep. And I am not just talking about physical protection. Merrick is the only one that can keep your mind at peace.”

She was out of words and decided to continue to insist. “You will continue to train with us. Michaela will make sure of that,” Lara said to her with a smile and cupped one of her cheeks. “Your soulmate will bring you the peace you need and deserve, Arline,” She said and kissed her forehead.

“I- thank you,” Arline was going to try to fight back but realized soon enough how worthless it would be. “For caring about me,” she hugged Lara tightly and Lara hugged her back.

“You know where to replace me if you need me,” the Head of the Order said and she headed out of the room.

Arline was brought closer to him and she sat on his lap again, in silence. The sudden opening of the door made Arline’s back to straighten and she was about to move when he held her down by the hips.

Aidan and Cadel were approaching and Arline looked at him confused. “Are you serious?”

“I do not need to hide our relationship from them,” he said without an ounce of care about both men standing in front of her.

The Heir got comfortable on his thighs and Merrick greeted his Frontlord and Purser. “Arline stays,” the King announced.

“You will bore her but if you prefer her here, whatever you please,” Cadel said and gently smiled at Arline, who smiled back. Still Arline couldn’t comprehend how naturally they accepted her in the meeting and how they didn’t even try to lecture Merrick about how irresponsible it was to be in that position with her.

They began talking and debating about the kingdom. What it produced, who produced such things, what it was sold, who they sold it to, and so and so. Merrick listened attentively while he brushed his knuckles on Arline’s ribs. And Arline heard everything, making mind notes to later share with Merrick.

Aidan took her by surprise by asking her something regarding the growing number of plantations and breeders placed on the outside edges of the kingdom.

“Well,” Arline began and straightened her posture. “Both the fields and breeders signify the main source of income in the kingdom. Make it easy for them to trade within the city and sell outside of it. Ask for a reasonable commission for lending the docks, boats and horses for transportation or-” Arline cut herself off when she noticed the stare of the three men. “What?” She asked them softly.

“Since when do you know so much about this?” Aidan asked her with a proud look.

“Part of my family used to work the fields. I know enough because I listened enough,” she responded.

Aidan and Cadel took notes from her advice and Arline continued to listen carefully. She didn’t know why since she had always hated anything related to politics or economy.

Before they left, Merrick stopped Cadel who was heading to the door. “Father, tell the maids to put one more place on the table from now on. Arline will stay in the castle.”

With soft eyes and a calm smile, Cadel nodded his head in agreement and understanding. With that last command, his Council left them alone again. And Arline quickly got up from his lap before Merrick continued signing papers.

“Never let me seat on your lap for an entire meeting again,” Arline said. “I could feel you the entire time,” she slapped his shoulder and whispered.

“I might be a god, but my reactions to you are as mundane as this body,” Merrick said with a funny tone. “It is not my fault you are articulated in every subject Aidan asks you about.”

“You got aroused by me…talking about trading and selling?” She asked confused and Merrick pulled her closer by the wrist.

The King shook his head. “I get aroused by your intelligence. And with such beauty that matches it, it makes it hard to resist you,” Merrick corrected her.

“How romantic,” Arline said with and angelic voice and he sat her back down on his thighs. “Thank you for appreciating my intelligence,” she said with a perceptible good mood and he pecked her smiley lips. “Will I be staying on your old bedroom or mine?” She asked him.

“Seriously?” He looked at her with lustful, sinful eyes. “Unless you want to be alone, you are staying with me.”

“The Elders-”

“Arline,” he purred her name with a smile and her stomach dropped. “What part of you believes that I care for what the Elders say? The only reason I hold them in my Council is because of protocol.”

“What if the High Council knows?” Arline expressed that unsettling thought to him.

“They are loyal to me, trust me,” Merrick eased her thoughts and she nodded.

Relaxation invaded her eyes. “How do you do it?” Merrick slightly angled his head at her question. “Every time I am with you, my guard just drops and I feel…peaceful.”

Merrick only shrugged. “You don’t feel the need to have your guard up with me. You know you don’t need to,” he said and she began ghost touching the angles of his face while he finished signing or reading papers related to the Army and the Fleet. One hand on the golden feather quill and the other surrounding her waist, traveling up and down.

They left the War Room with a group of six armed guards. Merrick in front and Arline significantly behind him. He wanted to have her by his side, hold her hand. The King wanted everybody to know Arline was his equal. But for that to happen, Arline needed a ring and a crown.

And until then, Merrick would have to endure those painful walks. Having to sneak a few glances over his shoulder to look at the beautiful Heir of Depths, his Goddess of Tides.