Beasts of Flames

Chapter Five

Once inside the walls, I led Morgan to my chamber, hoping to avoid anyone seeing us. Unfortunately, as soon as I opened my door, I found her aunt once again in my room. Nosey nag just can't seem to stay away from my business.

    "Andromeda, what brings you to my room this time?" I huffed at her, and she sighed at my rudeness.

    "Lyda, always so pleasant. I heard my son was in town again, so I assumed he'd end up visiting you at some point," Andromeda said, sounding very unamused. Morgan shoved past his mother and sprawled himself across the bed, looking utterly nonchalant. I moved from the door to sit across the room, as far away from the brewing conflict as possible.

    "Hello, mother. Lovely to see you, but Lyda and I have plans that do not involve your nagging," Morgan crowed, waving his hand to shoo his mother away.

    "Morgan, you should have a little more respect. I thought I raised you better than this."

    "Yes, well mother, it seems I was able to unlearn all of your nonsense manners. I am now a full-grown heathen set on running about with random women and getting as drunk as possible," Morgan replied, and Andromeda got up abruptly and moved to the door of the room, frustrated by her son's attitude.

    "There is no point in me trying to have a pleasant conversation with you it seems. I'm leaving, and I will see you both at dinner this evening." With that, Andromeda stormed out of the room. Morgan stuck his tongue out at her until she was no longer in his line of sight.

    "You should be nicer to her, even I have limits when it comes to family," I scolded him, "she is your mother after all."

    Morgan only said, "Mother or not, she can be a real bitch. I'd rather her see me as a menace not to be messed with so I can have my freedom."

    "If that's what you want to call it. Fine by me, but you better go make yourself comfortable somewhere else while I get ready for dinner."

    With that, I pushed my cousin out the door and shut it in his face before he could debate. Finally, completely alone in my room, I opened the book to find the exact passage I needed. I marked the page with a bookmark and placed the book in a satchel on the dresser. I would have to catch Maximus after dinner to show him my success.

    I pulled out my very best dress for this dinner, and even combed and braided my long hair in intricate braids and curls. As an extra measure, I applied a light line of kohl to my eyes. Something I did very rarely. Satisfied with my appearance, I snatched the satchel and made haste for the dining hall. On my way, I was stopped by my very obnoxious cousin.

    "Someone decided to dress like a lady for once," Morgan commented, poking fingers at my dress and curled hair. I swatted his hands away and smoothed my skirt before swiftly pinching him in the side.

    "At least I don't look like a stray dog off the streets."

    "Keep your hands to yourself, or you will ruin my hair. It took me forever to get it just right," Morgan said, but he took my arm and led us into the dining hall, a smile on his face.
We entered the dining hall and saw a long oak table placed in the center. A golden throne sat at either end of the table, not yet occupied by the king and queen. Across the table, Andromeda was conversing with Titus and two other lords, who had very serious looks stuck on their faces. Opposite of them stood Cordelia, face veiled by her hooded robe, praying to her goddess for something, and Danovana, who looked content with her reading. Finally, standing in the corner, was Maximus. He was dressed much more formally, wearing a tunic in purple that was trimmed with gold, which was the color of the royal family. Standing beside him, Aurelia was sipping wine, wearing another pink tulle gown to match the flush of her cheeks. Compared to her, I was a dark vine amongst her rose petal garden. I hated having to see them together all night. Fortunately, I spotted Asteria sitting in her place at the table and pulled myself towards her, dragging my cousin along with me.