I've been having some problems with this so decided to post the parts of chapter 21 separately.
Asryn walked slowly through one of the dark corridors that led to Aisha's room. She would take her time. She had no idea whatsoever on what had occurred with Aubrey and she would not be in the middle of a tempestuous storm that did not involve her. Instead, Asryn rested her head against the cool wall and faced the large corridor window as she gazed out into the ever shining moon. Ardid was a beautifully cursed place that had held her in its captivating charm for many years. No. It was a lie to say that she was charmed by Ardid. To her, Ardid had been a curse during the first years. Aisha had never seen the darkness that Ardid held; always lavished by Sahaid, never suffering the pain that Ardid brought down upon others. Any captive would know the pain. She had known it fully well. If she had been given the choice to stay then...she would have left. But that choice never came soon for her. Meanwhile she lived in a hell despite the protection of Aisha. It was not until she was given her freedom that it all stopped. It was not a crime to the laws the damage a servant but a crime to damage someone who was not. By then, her full loyalty had been given to Aisha and she would not leave her to be destroyed by the evil around her.
"Thinking?" Asper's voice startled her from her thoughts and she gasped in the sudden fright. She shook her head and laughed after she realized that there was no danger. A small smile crept across her lips as she greeted him with the slight formal nod that was given to the royal family.
Asper chuckled. "There's no need for formalities..." his hand took hers and pulled her gently towards him. Asryn looked around assuring herself that there was no one around and then she let herself be taken into his comforting arms.
She sighed softly to herself as she rested her head on his shoulder. How long until Aisha realized that she was being played the fool? Everything had begun to unravel after many years of being kept a secret. Asryn was in no position to speak of what she knew and despite the fact that she had come to trust and care for Asper, even that would not allow her to speak against his brother. For a moment, she tried to forget the thoughts that ran through her head and enjoyed the feel of his touch and the caress of his thumb tracing over her back.
"Have you missed me?" He whispered against her neck and she only laughed at the tickling feeling that he gave her with his moving lips.
"I see you everywhere!" she laughed but her smile and laughter was cut short. Footsteps could be heard coming closer through the corridor and quickly she pulled away from him and lowered her head as if to bow. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see that it was only Munia.
"Asryn...Sahaid wants to see you. A new one has arrived" There was no sign from Munia indicating suspicion of anything happening. Asryn took a few tentative steps and then left the corridor not once looking at Asper.
Asryn shook her head as she walked down the corridor. A new one has arrived. What more could it be but another helpless girl thrown into the world of demons. Yet, Munia did not appear too happy with the arrival and it could only be suspected that this new stranger was not well liked already. One could only wonder why. Could it be that Aisha would be replaced as was the last queen before her? Asryn laughed it off. She knew more than Aisha had ever known about Ardid's past. She knew about the previous queen and how her reign came abruptly to an end by the arrival of a stranger. Would this new stranger be the destruction of Aisha as Aisha had been Namtala's destruction?