A Hymn of Snakes

SIX

      Holstein marched around the hallway, he played with his fingers as we turned together down the hall. Being a Queen's advisor was more complex than I first assumed, everyday was a new meeting or diner to attend. All to ensure we were doing what was best for the Queen. I quickly understood that Holstien was perfect for the job, his cold standoffish personality fit too well.

We entered the royal library as Alex sat in the window seal, a women hanging on him. She turned to look at me as her red eyes slimmed onto narrow lines, the form of her lips spiteful as she quickly flipped her coiling blonde hair. "Who is that?" I whispered low in my breath, now particularly caring if anyone heard me gossiping about her. It would be easier if she knew that I didn't appreciate her actions.

Holstien answered me quickly as he fixed the top button of his coat, "Crina Teodorescu. Her father is one of the Queen's Embassy, she just walks around court when her father is here." He explained to me but there had to be more, Crina leaned into Alex only a few inches away from kissing him. If set all my nerves on fire, my lip twitched in response.

"They're close." I forced myself to say between my teeth, quickly snapping my heels on the ground and darting for the farthest corner of the room. I didn't want to see Alex and this girl flirting with each other, there were much better things I could do with my time.

I knew better than to get jealous but what else was I to do. A year ago he kissed me, I've spent the last year dreaming of seeing him again, and it's like I'm nothing now.

My hands drew up to grab the books I needed, a book of names of people who were once against the Queen. Stories of the old King, in hope to all find something that I could use against Natalia. Holstien spoke in my ear. "They grew up together. The Queen wants them to marry but Alex has shown no interest." I wondered if that was supposed to make me feel better, because it didn't. If anything my shoulders slouched more and my eyes downturned to the floor.

"Arranged?" My voice little.

Holstien shook his head, "We aren't like the Keepers, we are still given freedom of choice." I looked back to the window and Crina had begun to smooth out the creases of her sundress. Yellow in color, it didn't compliment the dark colors Alex only wore. She was trying too hard, I thought. "His mother just rathers her, but really she's obnoxious." He said that last part as loud as he could and I could hear Crina disagree, her eyes turned to me. I could have sworn I saw the corner of Alex's smile turn.

I looked back to Holstien who didn't dare to hide his grin, "That's a lot coming from you."

"Then you should know I'm telling the truth." He grabbed something from a shelf and added it to the pile under my hands. "Don't worry about her." Holstien reassured me and I nodded, we both twisted in our walk as we made our way around the library.

I could feel Alex's eyes burning into my back but I didn't mind it, it brought warmth to my cold heart. "I'm not worried." I lied between my teeth, but I knew I shouldn't have. Alex could be with whom ever he wanted, he was a Prince first before he was a man. It would probably be better if he was with Crina, I could only imagine how court would feel if they found out about us. A witch and a Vampire... it might just raise a war.

Holstien dropped close to my ear, "You sigh when you lie Delia." I snickered and turned to look at him, he was enjoying this way too much.

"I should stab you." I threatened him.

The peacemaker nodded in agreement as we walked around the maze of bookshelves, the moonlight was even around the room in a mixture of the light fixtures. "I wish you would." He said as I moved the stack of books in my grip around, the corner digging into my skin hurt. "You should just talk to him, the longer you avoid it- the worse it will get." He told me and I knew, I just was never given the chance to.