The Inner Circle | A Midnight Quartet

Chapter 6 | Darcy Edison

Darcy feels ill. Carmen had never spoken to her like that, looked at her like that. Only to joke with her but this time, he seemed serious. Oh dear, what is he doing! He is going to ruin everything. She had been careful to only attach herself to Aspen when she arrived. That way, when she goes back to Bellamy, she won't have to worry about painful goodbyes or having one more person to lose. She thought it would be easy enough in the large castle with thousands of people, and none of them caring about a quiet ladies maid, but then Carmen had barreled into her life and messed everything up!

She walks quickly up the carpeted steps and turns the corner to the princess suite. Looking up, she catches a glimpse of Aspen's green dress swoosh around the corner to the Queen's apartments. She nearly calls to her, to get her tormented feelings out, but remembers she is with Miles and probably wants some alone time with him.

Everything is so peaceful at night. And so beautiful. As a child, Darcy was deathly afraid of the dark, but her mother would simply claim it was a gift, sent from the heavens each night to allow rest and rejuvenation from the blinding light of the day. Now, the darkness felt like a hug from her mother.

The wide hallway has massive windows on one side, looking out over the raging sea. That ocean is separating Derowen from their neighboring country, Aurelia. There has been talk of war breaking out between them, but Darcy pays the rumors no mind.

She mindlessly runs her fingers across the petals of a fresh bouquet that is resting on one of the many side tables that border the hall. Everything is so perfect here. Elegant chairs and expensive paintings line the walls. Two guards stand at every doorway.

As she walks further down the intricate hallway, a loud hoot sounds behind her and she jumps. Spinning around, she spots an owl perched on a thin branch outside. She wrinkles her nose and sticks her tongue out at it.

Stepping up to the princess's door, she rests her hand on it but pauses. She is probably sleeping by now. Darcy should really just go back downstairs. But Carmen is downstairs and she doesn't think she can face him right now. Deciding to check the bed to see if Irena is asleep, she peeks her head into the room.

All lights are off, except for a flicker to her right. The bed is empty. Darcy slips her head in further and spots Irena sitting at her vanity, where a small candle is lit.

"My lady, what are you still doing awake? It is well past midnight. Would you like me to help you change out of your clothes for the night?" Darcy makes her way to the table and pauses, the sudden urge of needing to pour her heart out to someone overcoming her.

"I hope I am not being too forward but I dearly need to talk to someone." She doesn't wait for a reply as she continues. "Do you remember that boy I was telling you about? Carmen? Well... we danced all night and it was the most perfect night in the entire world but... I messed it all up! I tried Irena, I truly tried to live tonight but I- I was too scared." She flops onto the small ottoman at the princess's right. "I think he was going to say something important to me, but I literally ran away. Oh, what a coward I am!" She pauses, considering. "Although, there may have been some sense in me leaving because if he said what I think he was going to, he would have ruined everything! I just can't get attached to a boy because- well you know why. Ugh, it is all just a big disaster. I mean if he would simply- Oh! Have you fallen asleep?"

Darcy rests a hand on the princess's shoulder.

"My dear, you are freezing! Let's get you into bed."

The princess still does not move. She sighs and turns to look at her more fully, perhaps splash some water on her face, but finds Irena's eyes are wide open. Darcy jumps. She had been so lost in her thought she hadn't noticed.