Crescent (Old Version)

+ Part 50 +

Food flooded every tea table that had been set out for the occasion: A day of reprieve for the ambassadors and the day I'd take Thayer and Gabriel to the vault.

The hallways had been lit with candles, and I'd eaten breakfast quickly so that when the study doors opened and the group emerged from the study, I was ready. The castle thrummed with a life I hadn't seen since that night of dancing in the library.

Too long. It had been too long.

I'd originally hoped to visit Moira again before my own expedition to the vault, but Ceth had hardly let me leave his side since breakfast. Even now, after he'd returned to the dining hall to grab a plateful of food like everyone else, he didn't linger away from me long.
As soon as he sat down, I knew I had to corner him.

I muttered around a swallow of biscuits. "I hadn't realized my blood was tied to the items in the vault."

Ceth continued eating, the chatter of everyone around us enough that he didn't bother looking up to see if anyone had heard. He squeezed the hand he'd been holding in silent warning, and I tried not to roll my eyes as I swallowed. "Why can't you lead the tour again?" I tried to tame my thoughts about the vault that only seemed to wander back to the Wispling.

He ran a hand through the slicked-back streaks of blond hair with a hand and tried to whisper as a servant walked past. "Don't be childish, Brenna. I don't have time to show three belligerent children some petty jewels."

There he was. The Ceth I knew.

I stared at him outright, hoping that everyone's general chatter was enough to hide our conversation. "Children, huh?"

He growled behind a mug of dark liquid. It definitely didn't smell like coffee. "You practically are one."

I smiled at his annoyance and reached across to pat his cheek. "Regretting getting engaged to one already?" His dark look cleared as his gaze swept past me. I looked to find Thayer, arms respectfully folded in front of him as he bowed to both Ceth and I.

"Good morning," his eyes gleamed kindly at me, and I took the time to look him over.

He was taller than most, nearly two feet above me, and though muscular, he carried himself like he was well aware of the fact that he was built much lankier than the rest of us. Thin and bony but his tanned skin and kind eyes were bright as sunlight. It was this close that I noticed just how many piercings outlined both lobes of his ears as well as a sigil on a necklace round his neck.

I couldn't quite get close enough to see what it was without making things awkward. Ceth nodded at him, and Gabriel chose the opportune moment to appear behind the fellow envoy. He, too, bowed though his eyes held mine for far longer than they should have.

Amusement danced in them, and I hoped they were met with the steel I aimed through my own.

Whether he'd gotten me the book from the bookcase or not, I had no idea what Ceth might do if he found out about our nights in the library.

"Lord Shawcross," he greeted. Ceth stared at me, face blank, and stiffly nodded back.

"Are we ready?" I asked quickly, standing and gathering my skirts in my hands.

Ceth's eyes narrowed slightly at the two males before he acknowledged me again. "Guards are already waiting. You know what to do." There was something sharp in his eyes, and as he pressed a searing kiss to my lips, I understood what he'd meant.

The door was already unlocked.

Thayer held an arm out for me. "May I?"

Ceth was off doing whatever it was that kept him from doing this himself, and I took the dismissal in stride. Gabriel stood aside, and with Thayer's warm hold keeping me steady, I led the way.