Lienna.
After Hermes fell asleep, I gently rose from his side, ensuring he was comfortable. I pulled the covers over him, watching as he settled into slumber.. His chest rose and fell with steady breaths, and I smiled softly, relieved.
Before returning to my seat, I tidied up the room, erasing any evidence of our intimate moment before going to sit down. My initial urges sated, sleep began to claim me. I had begun to doze off when a knock at the door jolted me awake.
I opened my bleary eyes to see Caspian walking in, his presence commanding attention. I swiftly stood, rubbing the remnants of sleep from my eyes. “Your majesty…” I called out, executing a small bow.
Caspian acknowledged my greeting with a nod, his gaze fixed on Hermes who was still fast asleep. I glanced at Caspian, noting the sunken skin underneath his eyes. Though it was hard to see, there were lines of tiredness etched on his face. Managing the realm alone must have taken a toll on him. He looked like he had just stepped out of court.
“How is he?” Caspian asked, his voice low, his eyes locked onto Hermes. I cleared my throat, glancing at Hermes. “He’s getting better. He woke a while ago.” I answered and he raised a brow.
“Really?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
He glanced back at Hermes. “Well, that’s good news.” He said and I quietly conceeded. Caspian’s gaze shifted to me, his eyes searching.
“And you? How are you faring?” he asked. I managed a smile.
“I’m fine, thank you for asking.”
Caspian seemed confused at my answer. “You used the moon goddess powers, did you not?” He asked, his tone suggestive and a fiery blush grew on my lips.
“I-i already had that settled when king Hermes woke up. So I’m fine now.” I said and he nodded, not saying anything. My blush deepened and I lowered my gaze to the ground. An uncomfortable silence fell between us and I found myself looking at everywhere but him.
“I want to say something but I have to wait till Hermes wakes up, at least.” He muttered seemingly to himself. “You should get some rest though, you have done enough today.” He said, glancing at me.
“Yes, your majesty.” I muttered, giving a small bow. I walked towards the door and just as I was about to reach for the doorknob, turned around to look at him. “Have a goodnight as well, your majesty.”
He glanced at me, and I gave him a small smile before walking out of King Hermes’ bedroom and eventually his chambers. Closing the door to my room, I leaned against it for a while, letting out a sigh as I sagged against it, my eyelids drooping in exhaustion and sleep denial. Caspian was right, I was extremely tired.
I trudged to my bed, and the second I laid my head on it, I was out like a light. I woke up rather late the next day. When I went to ask about Hermes, I was told he hadn’t yet woke up.
I went to do my duties and did some solo training for some time, practicing my swordsmanship skills and doing some breathing exercises to help amplify my moon goddess powers. I was cleaning up when a soldier came up to me.
“You have been summoned by the shifter kings.” He announced, his voice gruff.
“Oh… Okay.” I hurriedly answered, finishing with my ablutions and following the soldier who came with me. He led me to Hermes’ chambers, and there I found Caspian seating, reading through a scroll.
Hermes was already awake and he seemed to have taken some medication. His eyes lit up the moment I walked in and my cheeks flared. I immensely avertey gaze, trying to hide the blush that had stained my cheeks.
“Your majesties..” I greeted, lowering my head. “You summoned me.” Caspian looked up from the scroll, his eyes locking onto mine. Hermes’ gaze remained fixed on me, his expression mischievous as always.
Caspian set down his scroll, his expression serious as he turned to me. Dismissing everyone else, he waited till it was just the three of us in the room before he began to speak.
“We have found the location and size of Oberon’s army,” Caspian announced, his expression grim. “Spoiler alert, it’s huge.” He paused, studying me briefly before continuing. “And that’s not the only thing. Veronica is part of his team, which spells more bad than good for us.”
Hermes shifted beside him, his eyes narrowing. I felt a shiver run down my spine at the mention of Veronica’s name.
Caspian jumped straight to the point, his words urgent. “This time around, we need to carry a huge amount of soldiers with us to assist Adonis and be on par with Oberon.” My mind racing, I anticipated his next words.
But I wasn’t prepared for the bombshell. “And you’ll also be coming with us.” I stiffened, stunned by the revelation.
Though a logical part of me knew why I was going with them, the words still managed to slip past my throat.
“Why?” I found myself foolishly asking. Thankfully, Caspian was kind enough to provide an answer.
“We may need the moon goddess powers,” he explained, his eyes locked onto mine. “Just like we needed it yesterday with Hermes. Veronica’s powers aren’t always easy to defeat. She uses shadow magic, and that’s particularly lethal to shifters.”
Hermes’ expression darkened, his jaw clenched. Caspian took a deep breath before continuing. “We’ll keep training on the way. I’ll teach you some breathing techniques that should help amplify the speed in which you use the moon goddess powers.”
His gaze intensified. “Anything else, you’ll learn on the job.” The weight of his words settled upon me and I shuddered, swallowing tightly. “Are we clear?” Caspian asked, his tone firm but gentle.
“Yes, your majesty.” I muttered, my voice barely audible, as I struggled to process the weight of their words.
Hermes took off where Caspian left off, his tone serious. “You need to be vigilant, Lienna. Like it or not, you’re the most important person in all of this right now.” I swallowed hard, my throat dry.
“I’m aware,” I said, attempting to sound brave, but my voice wobbled at the end, betraying my nerves. Caspian’s gaze softened, a corner of his lip quirking up, almost forming a smile.
“We’ll keep you safe,” he reassured me. “Just stick close to us. We wouldn’t let any harm come to you.” His words wrapped around me like a warm blanket, soothing my frayed edges.
“Thank you…” I said, my voice filled with gratitude. “I also will do my best and try not to be a burden.” The words tumbled out, and I was relieved to hear a hint of confidence in my tone.
Caspian’s expression turned approving. “Then, that’s good enough for us.” Hermes nodded in agreement, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
“You’re dismissed,” Caspian said. I bowed my head, turning to leave. As I walked out of the chambers, the heavy wooden door closed behind me, enveloping me in the cool silence of the hallway.
I stopped walking, my mind replaying the conversation. My heart racing, my body slightly trembling. This is it. All I’ve been training for. It was finally happening.
A nagging question still lingered at the back of my mind. Was I ready for this? Doubt crept in, but I pushed it aside. I took a deep breath, steeling myself.
There was only one way to find out.