Sharp Flowers

Part 5

I wake up with a gasp. Out of breath, like someone who's been running, yet I've been asleep. I snap upright and jump to my feet for the window. The sun has hardly risen—just a warm haze casting its soft light on the castle. I reach out for the window. I'm here. I really am here at the court. I gaze out at the yard, across to another wing of the castle. I take in the tiny, boxy quarters in the morning light. The small closet-space bedroom was just enough to pass out for the night, though it lacks a special touch. I miss my home's fresh flowers, paintings hung with care, and my desk. However, it's better than not having one. Other bedrooms line the hall, connected by a long and very narrow corridor. I wonder about down the aisle, still dressed in a night robe from home. My feet glide across the smooth, polished-glossy wood floor. The rest of the castle is extravagantly decorated. I shouldn't be as surprised as I am. I mean, shouldn't I have expected anything less than extravagant, beautiful, and pristine. Not to mention the art displayed around the house.

"Oh," I murmur to myself. I come upon an old study room smelling of dust and old paper. Curiosity draws me in. Sitting upon the desk on a stand sits this sword. Tied to the solid black sheath is a royal blue ribbon. Surprisingly, the blade is relatively light, yet it feels substantial. Could this be Sebastian's sword?

"Excuse me?" someone calls, and I yelp. I fumble to put the sword down. "Oh, you're the new girl," she realizes.

"Yes, I'm Raven," I blurt out. Goodness, I shouldn't have been wandering around.

"Kisomen has a beautiful study. It's hard not to take notice," she begins, "But be careful with that sword. It's not easy for most to handle," the girl warns me. I nod, still frantic at being caught roaming the castle. "My name is Elfie," she adds, tucking her short boyishly cropped brown hair behind her ear. She's this relatively thin, frail girl.

"Come on, I'll get you a new set of clothes and show you to the kitchens," Elfie decides with a small smile. Goodness, I'm more than ready for clean clothes and food. Elfie shows me around the kitchen before leading me toward the back to a little sitting area. Others are already there. Among them look like castle guards and housemaids—my mouth waters for food. I've never been so excited for breakfast.

"So, you're the new one, Raven did I hear?" one of the other girls at the table notices, "Felicity Heybert," she introduces herself, but I already know who she is. She's from the noble Haybert family, a rank below the Wrenwood family. Thank goodness we'd never formally met. But if she's here, what of the other noble families? Without the last name tied to me, no one here should know me. Sitting across the table sits one of the guards, I assume. He's taller than us three, with a lot more muscle. His wavy dark brown hair has been neatly styled into a mohawk. "That's Volker. He's one of the front shields of the guard," Felicity introduces him, though he doesn't look our way. He maintains the same cold stare out the window while munching on a mash of stringy beans.

"If I remember right, the Heybert family are well-known artisans?" I inquire sly.

"Yes, our reputation still stands," she confirms. "I still play the cello. Kisomen absolutely loves my strings," she tells me. Figures another member of the representing family would be here. She's been in the political ring for years now. I was wondering if she could be his courtesan. "You should hear me play sometime. I'm sure you would love the arts if you had the chance to hear it," Felicity chimes, tossing her curly blond hair back. My eyebrow twitched in irritation. Like I don't know art.

"I'd love that, sometime!" I chime, clapping my hands together with this bright smile across my face. All heads start to turn, their attention caught by Henry.

"Henry!" Felicity calls out to him, waving him over. Several guards flinch. Well, except for Volker.

"Sir Wilkson, what can we do?" Elfie wonders. The analyst takes a seat across from Volker, and finally, he looks up.