The God & The Shadow

Chapter 27

VERONICA

"This is delicious!" Olivia says out loud as she takes another bite of the pancakes.

Gideon knocked on my door earlier to invite me to breakfast, per request of the prince and his husband.

Now here we all were in the great dining hall of the palace. Wilton and Cassian sat next to each other at the head of the table, two servants flanking them with pitchers of water and trays at hand.

Taylor reached over to my plate and ate the last piece of bread I had no plans on eating. I trusted the fae royals enough now that I stilled the adamant act and finally ate their food instead of the snacks I had packed in our excursion.

Florens drank the red wine she had brought to the table minutes ago. She told everyone that a good glass of alcohol holds no limits, even to the incredible power that is time.

The whole table bustled. Gideon and Olivia were engaged in a conversation with Wilton, while Matt, Warren, and Nixon were debating with Cassian about which legendary fae warrior was the best.

The king and the queen, as well as Lore and Hermes, were not present to indulge themselves with the food, the latter I was utterly grateful for their absence. I don't know how I could look at Lore after last night, let alone be around him.

"No, my mother taught me to use two cups of water." Olivia said out loud to Wilton. "No wonder why your potions turn out horrid! Heavens below, how could anyone think five cups would work?" She exclaimed.

Wilton sighed, "The book strictly says to put five cups. I'm just following what it says."

"You can't let some paper and ink tell you how to make your own potion! Of course you'd have to add your own adjustments; it's yours after all." Olivia chastised the prince.

Wilton cringed and Gideon laughed. "She's right, prince. Perhaps you need the little witch to join you in your alchemy experimentations?"

Wilton's eyes widened and he quickly turned to Olivia. "Could you?"

"Yes!" Olivia said immediately without a thought. She stood from her chair and hugged Wilton, causing Cassian to dart his eyes on her and his husband.

The doors opened and sunlight streamed in, causing some of my companions to flinch. I followed their line of sight towards the young man running to us. He stopped at the end of the table, panting and bringing his hands to his knees.

"Andrew. What's wrong, squire?" Wilton asked, his tone shifting from warmth to firmness.

The squire straightened and willed himself to take deep breaths. "The village in between kingdoms," He panted, then continued. "It was attacked last night. Burnt to the ground, left a message in foreign tongue, your majesties."

He walked to Wilton's side to the left and handed him a paper that looked similar to that of papyrus. He unfolded it and a look of confusion dawned over him as he showed it to his husband.

They both look puzzled before they passed it to Nixon, who was seated beside Cassian.

The angel's face remained still as he read the letter, then he looked at me. "They know we're here."