One Eternal Ember

Chapter 14

   A pounding jolts me out of my sleep. I sit upright in my bed, my hair flying around my shoulders. Did I hear something? Was it my imagination? I begin to lean back down, as the pounding sounds again. "Oh my gods, I'm coming." I grumble. I flip the covers off, and leave my bed. I stalk to the door and unlock the hatch, flinging it open. "What-" Delano stares at me like I've grown two heads.

He looks me up and down, and releases a cackle. I stand here almost sputtering and grab his shirt, pulling him inside my quarters, and shutting the door.

"Oh my gods, what are you DOING? You were supposed to be awake thirty minutes ago." He stops lecturing me, and releases a laugh again. "You know what, I don't even want to know. Just get changed and I'll be back up here in fifteen minutes." He waves his hand at me, as if I'm some mess that needs to be cleaned. I glare at him as he walks to the door, opens it and leaves. What an absolute asshole. I'll get ready alright.

The next ten minutes are spent bathing and using a Vanilla Pumpkin Spice bar of soap, brushing my crazy hair, and pulling it back in a low braid, brushing my teeth, then heading to the wardrobe. I chose a set of leather pants, a long sleeve leather jacket that fits my frame, my black boots that somehow got clean...? I frown as I don't remember cleaning them. I slide them on. As I'm about to turn on my heel I spot a long, beautiful, black cape. It connects to one shoulder and drops behind my back, as I slide it on. I strap my blades to my thighs, and admire my favorite dagger. A dagger of pure steel, with rubies, and one obsidian stone. I slide it into the sheath on my thigh, and head to the door. A knock sounds just as I open it, and come face to face with Delano.

Shock fills his face, as he freezes and stares at me. I give him a diamond smile, and wait for him to say something. Instead of speaking he just looks at my jacket, my leather pants, then to my clean boots. He glances over my shoulder at my black silk cape. His eyebrows kick up, and his mouth opens.

"Shall we?" I interrupt, closing the door behind me.

He shakes his head, and clenches his jaw. "Yes." He then takes off without so much as a glance to see if I'm keeping up. I keep pace behind him as we walk down the stairs, and past multiple open rooms, servants rush by, and we spot many other guards. All who salute Delano, and he nods to them. His raven black hair is more messy today, and he smells of cinnamon. I grit my teeth, and push those thoughts from my mind. We finally arrive in the throne room where the King sits. I glance to the Obsidian throne, to a Prince who is tracking me with his gaze.

"Your Majesty." Delano bows to the King, rises then looks to the Prince, electricity in his gaze. "Your highness."

"Captain." The Prince returns, looking bored. Only his eyes betray him, full of ice. You would think he hates Delano, by the way he is staring at him.

"Kingslayer. I'm glad to see you took a liking to your new wardrobe." The King glances to my black cape, and smiles. "The black capes are of the finest material, you have a fine eye Kingslayer."

"Thank you, your Majesty." I lower my head. As I lift my gaze, I notice the Prince. He too adorns a black cape. I lock gazes with him and nearly smile. His eyes seem to say what? I do my best to convey We're matching, Your Highness. He smiles, as if he knows exactly what I'm saying, which freaks me out. I look back to the King just as he begins.

"Kingslayer I brought you here because I heard of what happened with King Garou." His gaze bores into me, it's no wonder where the Prince got it from. "There is something that I need. You will travel with some very important people to the Kingdom of Moonlight, to retrieve it. You will meet these people later tonight. Your journey will not happen until after the Solstice, so until then you will help me here. In return you will live in the castle, and you will not be punished for the murder of a King."

My jaw almost hits the red carpet below my boots. Punished for the murder of a King? Even when that King was planning the destruction of the world? I nearly swallow, then remember I'm being watched. "Will I be paid?"

The King waves his hand, clearly getting bored. "Of course. You will have limits within this Castle, but any place in my Kingdom will be open to you. You will be protected, until you leave for the Kingdom of Moonlight." I nod. I don't really have much of a choice, it's either kill everyone in this room and run, or complete the King's task. How hard can it be? Surely the task will be easier than killing these three men. I look to the King once more, and bow. "I accept your task, your Majesty." If my brother could see me now, he would be disgusted. He would laugh at me bowing to this King, and would give me a beating in the ring.

I rise as the King clasps his hands, and smiles. "Excellent. I knew you were a smart woman, Kingslayer. The Founders Ball is tonight, I expect you to be there. As well as Lilith, though she has already received this news. You will be there only for the eyes of the people attending. It's a matter of....Insuraunce...Anyway, that is all." Delano bows to the King once more, and looks to me. I ignore his gaze as I look to the Prince, he looks back at me. His eyes say See you tonight, Little Rabbit. With that I turn around and follow Delano back to my quarters.