Chapter 28
~ NYSSA
She unveiled the platters to reveal mountains of food that we both would never be able to finish.
“Are you always this wasteful with food in the palace?” I asked thinking back to the first time I had dinner with her and all the food that was on the large dining table.
She didn’t seem offended with my question. “The rest of the food gets sent to the lower districts of the palace. Servants get to take home leftovers p>
“Don’t you think it’s unfair that they’re eating your leftovers? Why not just make enough p>
She thought about it for a moment before shrugging. “I guess it’s just how things are done. You will learn soon enough, Nyssa, that not all battles are meant to be fought. Pick them wisely p>
“Wasting food isn’t a battle p>
“No, but going against centuries of tradition is.” She popped a grape into her mouth. “Have you gotten the chance to see the towns yet?” I shook my head and she smiled. “We’ll go tomorrow p>
She clapped her hands in glee, telling me about all the places she’d take me to see.
With each word she spoke, I grew more excited, but a part of me was left confused. She gave me emotional whiplash with each new conversation because one second she was warning me away and the next she was offering to take me around the pack.
“Why are you doing this?” I asked, cutting her off. “What is your end goal here p>
“I don’t have any.” I narrowed my eyes, not believing a word she said which earned a laugh from her. “Believe me, I have no personal stake in this. I think you’re screwed either way. The least I can do is make sure you have a good time unless of course you’d rather sit indoors for the next two weeks then be my guest p>
My pride wanted to refuse her offer.
I didn’t trust her as far as I could throw her, but she was the only one here who was giving me any sort of attention. My own mate couldn’t be assed unless it was to argue with me, and the longer I spent in this palace, the more I felt like I was losing my mind.
“Fine,” I mumbled. “When do we leave p>
She grinned like a Cheshire cat as she rose to her feet. “At eight. Don’t be late p>
She walked away, leaving me to eat the rest of my dinner alone and to be honest, I was grateful for it.
For all her cunningness, Aria seemed very straight forward. She’d achieved the purpose of the dinner and didn’t bother pretending like she wanted to spend time with me.
I finished up my meal, staring out at the beautiful night sky in front of me.
I lingered there long after I was done eating, enjoying the feel of the breeze against my cheek. It was only when I could barely keep my eyes open that I returned to my room.
I woke up early the next morning and quickly got dressed into something presentable after the doctor took a look at my back.
I was healing well for the most part and could take off the bandages.
I still hadn’t gotten my wolf back, but I knew it was only a matter of time. The silver had gone deep into my system and it’d take a while for it to get out and for my wolf to regain full strength.
As I stepped out of the room, I nearly tripped over something. A loud curse flew from my lips as I grabbed onto the doorway to keep steady.
I glanced down, my brows knitting in confusion when I saw something neatly rolled up like a scroll.
I looked around, wondering who left it there, but there was no one in the hallway as far as I could see. I leaned forward, picking it up gingerly and unfolded it.
I scoffed once I realized what it was, an annoyed but touched emotion swirling up inside of me.
It was a map of the palace.
From the looks of things it was very old but there was a new addition go it; a small circle indicating where my room was and a few X marks over some places—presumably the places where I wasn’t supposed to wander.
I wasn’t sure whether to feel impressed that he’d actually sent me the map or annoyed, especially when I noticed something scribbled at the bottom.
Now you know where you can’t go.
You can’t make excuses anymore.
I resisted the urge to rumple up the map and shove it down the bastard’s throat.
Teasing or not… I needed the map. I couldn’t get around either way.
I glanced down at my watch, cursing when I realized it was almost eight. Aria had told me not to be late, and I wouldn’t put it past her to actually leave me.
I ran through the halls, glancing at the map every few minutes to make sure I was going the right way.
By the time I made it to the front doors, Aria was standing by a car, her hands crossed over her chest as she tapped her feet impatiently.
“You’re late,” she drawled as soon as she noticed me.
“In case you forgot, your palace is fucking massive p>
She stared at me blankly, as if trying to say that the excuse wasn’t sufficient. “I presume you didn’t have breakfast p>
“No, I p>
“Is that a map?” she cut me off, eyes zeroing in on the paper in my hands. “Where the hell did you get one p>
“Your brother.” I rolled it up and shoved it into my pockets. “By the way, tell him that if he doesn’t want people to touch his girlfriend’s stuff, he should move them where we can’t see them. I’m not going to avoid entire wings of the castle because he’s sensitive p>
Her brows rose in amusement. “Girlfriend p>
“Don’t worry, I already know about her, and I don’t give a fuck what he does with his life. This is a business arrangement, nothing more p>
I wasn’t sure if I was trying to convince her or myself, but the ugly feeling that swirled up in my chest as I spoke did not feel like indifference.
“Can we go?” I asked, quickly changing the subject before she could say anything. “You promised me a tour p>