A Slip Of Darkness

Chapter XIV

After the little incident with Celio's paper-wrapped rectangle, the four of us made our way to the royal kitchens, where we had free reign of all the food there. On normal occasions, we would never have been allowed to be in there, much less eat anything we wanted, but being friends with Prince Caelinus had it's perks, and endless roasted quail was one of them.

After we had stuffed ourselves with as much cranberry sauce and venison as we could, we made our way to the Grand hall, which was now empty, save for the tepid puddles of rainwater on the granite floors. Everyone who had seeked refuge from the storm had either left, since the lightning and thunder had cleared before sunset, or had stuck around to catch a free meal. Either way, they were in the Dining Hall, and we had the Grand Hall all to ourselves.

Stuffed and tired, we sank into fat armchairs before the crackling fireplace, and tried our hardest not to doze off. We sat in a lulled silence, broken only by the occasional wanderer who had lost his way in the labyrinth-like halls of the palace.

Around ten o'clock at night, we were shunned from the Great Hall, an incredibly thin man with an equally thin mustache leering over us and stiltedly informing us that the Court of Shadows required the room. When Caelinus asked why they weren't using the Room of Faces or Council Room, we received a curt explanation about how some refuge-seekers had gotten into the rooms and tracked mud into them.

"The queen didn't see them fit for use at the moment." he told us, before ushering us out.

As we filed out of the room, a group of 10 council members walked in, Queen Celeste in the front, looking as regal and as stately as ever. When she spotted her son, she beckoned him over, and placing one well manicured hand on his shoulder, began peppering him with questions. I couldn't make out what she was saying, or what Celio was responding, but I could see the frustrated and increasingly angry look on his face. Starting to feel uncomfortable, as though I was spying on a private family moment, I looked away, but not before I caught him rolling his eyes and pushing his mother's hand off his shoulder.

I spotted Severina talking to a woman who looked like her exact double, the same tightly curled dark hair, arched eyebrows, freckled skin and small, upturned nose, and Triton talking with his dad, Archer. Behind them, I saw a familiar curl of coiffed brown hair. Making my way to Malcolm, he looked up from the documents he was holding, and gave a small smile when he recognized me.

"Etharen, how are you?" he said. "I haven't seen you all day. Did you get the letter?"

I nodded, trying hard not to clench my teeth. "I did."

"Have you responded yet?" Malcolm asked.

"Not yet. I haven't had the time to." I responded. "I'll do it tonight."

Malcolm looked to either side quickly, ensuring that no one was listening to us. "And the seal?"

"With me."