Tempest (The Chronicles of Winterset #2) - K.G. Reuss Page 0,2

out, Ana. Let it all out,” Kellin whispered into my hair as he held onto me tightly. The muscles in his arms hardened as he maintained his hold.

I cried and screamed until I no longer had a voice or energy. Then I lay limp in his arms, the storm finally dying down, and the shaking in the room ending.

He held onto me wordlessly, his arms cradling me like I was a broken child. In many ways, I was.

“This isn’t the end, Ana,” he murmured. “It may feel like you’ve died a thousand deaths, but trust me, you’ve only just started to live. You’ll see.”

He laid me gently back onto my bed and stared down at me, his sapphire eyes shining brightly, a blanket of grief shadowing them.

“You need rest. Real rest,” he whispered as he leaned down and pressed his warm lips to my forehead tenderly. He lifted his hand and placed it on my head. I didn’t fight him as he stared down at me.

“I wish I could take the pain away, Ana, but I cannot. I can only be here for you throughout the storm. I’m so sorry,” his voice wavered. “Now sleep, Princess. Tomorrow is a new day, and with it comes a new hope, a new life.”

Warmth swept through me at his touch. Kellin dropped his hand from my forehead. I struggled to stay awake, to keep my focus on the one familiar thing I had left, but he slipped away as my consciousness faded out, leaving me to a peaceful slumber, his calming voice echoing in my ears.

Chapter 3

I slept peacefully without a single dream plaguing my mind. When I awoke, the sunlight streamed in through the large windows in my bedroom. The room had been completely cleaned from my outburst the previous night.

I sat up, cleared my throat, and looked around. Now that it was daylight, I could see the room was spacious with ornate furniture strategically placed. The seats were covered in soft velvets of varying shades of red and purple. There were large floor-to-ceiling windows, and a massive stone balcony adorned with flowers and hanging green moss. It was the exact same room from the visions I’d had when I’d been back home.

Home.

It was just as gone as Calix was. I choked down the tears threatening to erupt at the thought of him.

“Milady,” a timid voice cut through my thoughts, and I turned my head to see a small, beautifully dressed female with her light brown hair done up in a tight bun. She stood awkwardly in my doorway for a moment, and I figured she was roughly the same age as me. “I’m Brena, your handmaiden. I’m here to make sure you’re well enough to bathe and meet with the king and queen this morning.”

“Where’s Kellin?” I asked, my heart beating nervously in my chest.

“Milady, I’m sorry. I don’t know of a Kellin,” she apologized, stepping into my room and going to the large wardrobe in the corner and pulling out an exquisite, long emerald green gown with ornate gold stitching.

I watched as she moved garments aside. Her ears came to a slight point, and on instinct, I reached out to touch mine. They too had changed to feel as if they had a slight point to them. As if I didn’t already have enough to concern myself with.

She came to my bedside and held her hand out to me. I placed mine gingerly in hers as she pulled me to my feet. I collapsed back onto the bed, my muscles too weak to maintain my balance.

“I’m sorry,” I winced, a fat tear leaking from my eye.

“Milady, you don’t need to apologize to me,” Brena sympathized. “You’ve been sleeping for many days. Your muscles aren’t working as they should. Gregor says that once you’re up and about, you may call on him, and he’ll come heal you the best he can. He tried before but was unable.”

“Who’s Gregor?” I asked softly, eyeing the pretty dress Brena laid on the bed.

“Gregor is the castle healer. He’s quite good,” she replied with a smile. It was apparent she favored him for whatever reason. But I supposed I’d probably favor someone who could heal me too in a world where electricity was unheard of.

I remained silent as she helped steady me and led me to a large bathroom through a doorway in my room. I stared in wonder at it. Besides being enormous, it was situated with a large walkout stone balcony. White gossamer