The In-Between

Chapter 6 - Planning

Calden had shimmered us directly into his estate. Growing up, Cal spent very little time in Iotia. He was always in Windguard with Ollie or on some occasions visiting me in Rivendall. As a result, I had never been to his estate in his court. During the early years of the war, I had visited the statehouse to negotiate, but never his personal residence.

The scent hit me before we'd even fully materialized. It was crisp, like an autumn morning after the rain and some kind of spiced fruit. It was decadent. When we had appeared fully, under my feet was a plush red carpet that ran the length of the hall we were standing in. The hallway was lit entirely by wall sconces. There were large pieces of artwork covering the spaces between the scones. They looked to be Victorian pieces from the old world. Part of me wondered why Calden had selected these paintings, he had often laughed at my fascination with the arts of the old world, but perhaps he was an admirer too.

Or someone picked them for him, a voice in my mind said. Yes, that was more likely. A decorator had selected these pieces. Certainly, Calden did not select the scenes of Victorian modern-life.

Drawing my gaze away from the walls, I noted there were only two doors in the hall. Cal gestured with his hand to a door to my left.

"This is Colin's suite." I nodded and looked to the other door. "This is ours."

My heart stopped. Ours. Gods, I had to share a suite with him. Obviously, you're supposed to marry him...sire chil- No, I would not think about that. That would not be happening. If I thought marrying another Lord was betraying Ollie...this was just-

"Here, let me show you." Calden said, opening the door to the room.

I hesitated. I did not like this plan one bit. During these meetings I would need to find out how much of this plan was Calden's idea and how much of it came from his councilors. Surely, if he wanted my help, there was a way to accomplish this without being married. I would bide my time here. Once I learned Cal's motives I could escape. I could flee to Tagendare...maybe not Tagendare, that might be the second place he looked after Rivendall.

"Will you sleep out in the hall instead?" I turned and glared at Colin who put his hands up in defense. I sighed deeply and stepped into the suite. Cal stood in the center of the sitting room with his hands in his pockets, letting me take it in.

Windows covered the entire wall across from me. You could see the entire court from here. A glass door sat in the center of the window wall, an entry to the balcony. A desk on either side of the room in front the wall of windows. Matching sets of chairs sat in front of the desks, facing the windows.  The rest of the sitting room was taken up by an arrangement of couches that sat in a semi-circle also facing the windows.

Along the sides of the room, bookshelves ran from the ceiling to the floor. There must have been thousands of books in this room alone. Nestled in the center of the bookshelves, almost as if the bookshelves were built around them, were doors on either side of the room. My recollection was that Calden did not read much, but these bookcases...they were here for someone. Owning books does not mean one has to read them.

"This leads to your bedroom." Calden said, striding to the door to my right. "Let me show you."

I had lived in castles and large manors but there was something familiar about these rooms. Almost comforting. It was like a siren call. I wanted to see more of this suite that would be a temporary home to me. Calden placed his hand on the doorknob and opened it. Before he could enter a large dark beast escaped past him.

"Boris!" I shouted, dropping to my knees.

No one could find the blasted creature this morning. I assumed he was sulking somewhere in the gardens, but it appeared he had been the victim of a dognapping.