A Slip Of Darkness

Chapter XI

No one notices us as we slip back inside the ballroom, silently weaving our way through throngs of people in extravagant clothing. The three of us part ways, Rhea going to a girl around her age, Caelinus finding his spot back on the throne, and me making my way next to Malcolm, who is standing next to the tables of food, resting his head back against the wall.

He looks up when he hears my footsteps draw near, but when he sees that it's just me, he leans back again and closes his eyes as he speaks.

"Care to tell me where you've been all this time?" he asks coolly.

"I met Prince Caelinus properly." i say. "And I helped his sister out of a situation."

Malcolm opens his eyes in mild surprise."I'm assuming that Princess Rhea was the source of that scream you were talking about?"

I nod. We pause for a moment, unspeaking. Malcolm looks at me expectantly.

"Are you going to tell me what the situation was?" Malcolm asks, an amused look on his face.

I shake my head. "Can't. Promised not to." I inform him as I grab a plate and fill it with food, suddenly famished. "All I can say is that I've gained their trust in a way I didn't expect to on the first day."

Malcolm hums approval as I pull a cube of venison off a skewer with my teeth and chew.

"What about you? Are you okay?" I ask, remembering how he had taken the madman's draught only a little while before. Although he looks considerably better now then before, purple bags still line his under-eyes.

"I'm fine, love." He says, stifling a yawn. "Just tired."

He checks his watch briefly. "Only another hour or so, and we'll be done."

I sigh in relief, already feeling exhaustion weighing down on my bones. Any other night, I would have been fine, but all the excitement from preparing to cross over really took a toll on me. The disaster with the hair dye feels like centuries ago already, a million revelational things happening in the span of only a few short hours.

I position myself next to Malcolm and mimic his posture, but instead of closing my eyes, I gaze at my surroundings as I eat. The crowds have dispersed a bit, people starting to make their way back home, but a fair share of them stay, insisting on depleting all of Xeoria's wine supply. Queen Celeste still sits regely in her throne, and for a moment, I foolishly think that she hasn't moved the entire time. But I soon realize that she probably raised a toast or gave a few words while Caelinus and I were gone.

With the prince in question lingering in my mind, I glance over at Celio. He sits on his throne as well, looking as bored as ever. He twirls his crown on one long, slender finger, his gaze passing over everyone in the room. As I look at him, our eyes lock, and he winks before turning away, just our little secret.