Chapter 24. Nightfall

AURELIA

The cold winds had begun to dissipate, paving the way for warmer temperatures in recent times. Even yesterday, we witnessed our first ray of sunshine after so many months. Winter was over, and summer was drawing ever nigh.

I smiled as a warm ray of light kissed my face just before the sun disappeared into the clouds again. Carrying a silver tray, I took a mental note to watch my steps since the ground had become somewhat slippery.

I strode forward, heading to Xerxes’ tent. He had developed a fondness for me ever since that incident with Vesta. And I was not very comfortable with it. Every day, he requested my services, specifically from the kitchen.

Immediately I reached the entrance of his red tent, I halted, taking a deep breath to calm my nerves while my mood drastically changed to an unexcited, relatively unhappy, and bland one.

Xerxes was seething with rage when I walked in, his usual grape juice medicine suddenly becoming heavier on the tr