Primous Rising [Book 1 of The Unravelling series]

16. Celestiana

The marble flooring reflected the glinting chandeliers' gleam. The setting sun's vibrant orange light flooded in from the ceiling to floor windows. On either side of the gigantic staircase stood a guard clad in black, gaze fixed on the entrance door. Their blank red eyes were unsettling as Celest surveyed the almost empty hall. The only object adorning one wall was a portrait of the royal family -excluding Prince Alastar. Veins of gold twirled and twisted on the walls in mesmerising patterns.

Celest and Nikolus' footfalls echoed as they strode past the stairs and passed two doors before slowing down near a double door with four guards positioned in front of it. The vampires bowed their heads but did not dare to glance in their direction.

She inhaled sharply. The only sound was the drumming of her heart. Her palms sweated as trepidation drew its icy nails down her spine.

With a single nod from Nikolus, the doors swung open. It revealed a windowless room mainly used for lower-ranked lords to gather and discuss important matters before issuing it to a higher stationed lord.

The merlot coloured walls like dulled flames engulfed Celest as she entered alongside Nikolus. Dim lighting illuminated the place; a long table stood in the corner with Queen Merisandeh sitting on the chair at the far end. Princess Oriel rested her elbow on one of the many chairs surrounding it.

Celest stopped a few paces away from the entrance, struggling to keep her posture indifferent under the scrutiny of four sets of eyes.

Across from them, in the middle of the room, the King sat on an armchair, his legs crossed, gaze burning holes into her while Lyonaurd leaned against the wall. A small smile curved his mouth as he scanned Celest from top to toe, as his hands pushed into his pockets.

The doors slammed shut, jolting Celest awake.

Returning a royal's stare was a great offence. She did not intend to push her limits farther and bowed her head. When she straightened, the Queen was standing before her, a warm smile spread on her heart-shaped face. Her brown eyes offered nothing but kindness. The pearls and diamonds threaded through her wavy chestnut hair glimmered under the light. Her Aegean dress hugged her form perfectly, complimenting her porcelain skin tone. A ruby pendant laid on her chest, marking her as a royal. Princess Oriel was not much behind either.

Queen Merisandeh wrapped her arms around Celest's slender figure in a tight embrace, and with hesitation, Celest returned the hug. After parting, Merisandeh let her palms rest on her shoulder. "We were so worried for you. Thank heavens you're alright," she spoke softly, her voice like a soothing melody.

Princess Oriel came between her mother and Celest, her indigo blue dress swept on the floor as she moved and hugged her. She grasped Celest's hands in her warm ones, her green eyes scanned her, the golden dots in them glowed.

A grin broke across her face. "You surprised us, no one thought you'd run away." She paused and winked. "You had our Prince worried sick. He couldn't even sleep!" she exclaimed, then faked a gasp. "Oh my bad, vampires can't get sick... and they don't need to sleep," shaking her head she took a step back, her tone still friendly as she finished, "but trust me, he was worried."