My eyes open to purple fabric hanging above my head. All four of my limbs are spread in different directions, and still I can't find the edge of the bed. The excessive softness of the mattress reminds me of where I am, a thought that brings dread and motivation.
I swing my legs onto the floor, which is covered in thick carpet. I'm still wearing my travel clothes, dirty and sweat stained as they are. Firstly I find my travel pack, which is sitting in a chair. Underneath my bedroll and foodstuffs is my spare change of clothes, also dirty and ripped.
Even I know that I can't go wandering around a foreign palace in my disgusting travel clothes. On the other hand, I have no idea when someone will come to retrieve me, so I decide to search my room. My first target is the large wardrobe across from the bed. I pull open the doors... and find nothing but party dresses and formal gowns made of silk and satin with sickening amounts of bows. Next I move to the vanity with it's many drawers.
In the top drawers I find only perfumes and jewelry. It is not until the middle drawers until I find a pair of pants made of soft leather and a shirt of linen. The shirt is a bit small, and the pants a bit long but if I throw my cape and boots on over them it will do fine.
The large ornate doors that open into the hall are surprisingly light. Outside are several paintings, another rug running down the middle of the floor and one flustered princess.
Mirabel is already dressed in one of the insanely fluffy dresses that seem normal for the women of Skevet. The sleeves are long and slim, but the fabric of her skirt takes up nearly the entire hallway. She is arguing with poor Perdy, who looks a bit unsure about what to do. Mirabel is demanding a tour of the palace, and Perdy keeps trying to tell her that it isn't safe without some kind of escort. Mirabel's hands are waving about wildly, occasionally ruffling the large skirt.
I can't help but laugh quietly, she looks ridiculous.
"Adelina!" She spots me, "Did you catch him?"
"Of course." I say, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder, "Mirabel how long have you been here?"
Mirabel shifts out from underneath my hand, "Two days, and I've yet to meet King Alaric or Prince Garen, only a few servants who won't take me anywhere but the library!"
I have never seen Mirabel so frustrated. "What about our guards? What happened to them?" I ask.
She wrinkles her nose, "Don't you ever think of anything but your obsession with violence?"
I have no patience for her games today, "Mirabel, this is important." I make sure to keep my voice smooth as glass and twice as cutting.
She clenches her jaw, disdain seeping into her voice as she answers, "I sent those that wanted to leave back home. They will convey the news of my safe arrival to my mother."
The absolute stupidity of the statement shocks me for a moment, "That's what I am here for, to transfer news. We are outnumbered here a thousand to one, how could you send any of our allies home?" I hiss.
Mirabel shrugs, "This is my home now. I hardly think we are in any danger. I'm soon to be their princess."
My cousin's niativity is flabbergasting.
"Did any stay?" I ask with barely controlled anger.
"Yes, two. Captain Emilio and one other. The young man, with the dashing scar?" Mirabel sounds like a tittering flirt to the untrained ear, but I know she is only attempting to bait me more.
"Maso." I supply. In all likelihood she already knows that.
All of a sudden a man in a black tunic approaches us.
YOU ARE READING
Knife of Rebellion: Battles of Eyenwar, Book 1
FantasíaAdelina Mystica Bendithio has been overshadowed by her beautiful cousin Mirabel her whole life, until the month of her fifteenth birthday when she is told that she is one of the lucky few claimed by the powerful spirits of Eyenwar. To Adelina, this...
