Down below

Chapter 11.

   Elianah looked at the clock at the Queen's library. Loki was almost an hour late. Perhaps he instructed his servants not to wake him early after the night-out. She tried to occupy herself with going through yesterday's lesson, but she was becoming bored. The clock hit 11:00AM and she stood up to leave when Loki's personal servant entered.

'Lady Elianah, Prince Loki is asking for your presence in his private chambers, your lesson will be held there today.'

Elianah frowned.

'I don't think that's appropriate.' she told Fren. 'Tell him, that while I am honored that he is so committed to my training, we can continue our lesson tomorrow.'

Fren stepped closer, bowing deeply.

'Please, my lady. If I go back without you, he will insist on coming here. And forgive my insolence, but I don't think any of us want that.' the servant pleaded with her.

Elianah was staring at the girl. Loki must be in a state if she was this concerned.

'Please, my lady.' Fren said quietly and glanced at her.

'Very well. Lead me to him.'

   They exited the library. Fren wasn't saying much, leading her through shadowy halls and golden corridors, passing servants and folk going about their business. After what seemed like forever, they arrived at an arched door with several layers of ornate carvings with a gold knocker shaped in the form of a serpent. Fren stopped and looked at her as if she was about to say something, but then she just let out a quivering sigh and knocked. For a few seconds there was no answer and Elianah felt relief, but then the door opened. They looked, nobody was there. Loki must have used his magic. Fren stepped inside to announce her.

'Lady Elianah, Your High...'

'Thank you. You may leave us.' came Loki's voice. He didn't sound drunk.

   Fren was avoiding Elianah's eyes as she left. She stepped inside a spacious room that seemed to be a reception area. Loki was standing, leaning against the doorjamb across the hall. He obviously changed into fresh clothing. He didn't look tired, but there was something odd about him.

'Good morning.' Elianah spoke to break the silence stretching ominously between them.

'Good morning.' he said, tilting his head to the side. 'Please excuse my tardiness for making you wait.'

A pang of uneasiness started to crawl up her spine.

'I thought you wanted to practice illusion-casting that we didn't get to finish. Fren was worried that I wasn't up for the task and wanted me to cancel our lesson, but I wouldn't want to disappoint Mother...or you.' he smiled a lazy grin.

Elianah noticed a slight slur in his words here and there.

'Is everything OK?' she asked him. 'I don't mind postponing if you need more rest.'

'Nonsense. Are you doubting my capabilities, Lady Elianah?' he asked arrogantly and straightened up, a green shimmer vibrating through his frame.

'No, that's not what I meant.'

'Then what is it that you meant?' he commanded, irate.

'Loki, are you using illusion-projection right now?'

He looked at her, stunned and his image started to flicker. One corner of his mouth curled up.

'You've got me. I thought you wouldn't notice. Not bad from a....' he suddenly stopped, held his finger up and then his image froze. She heard him retching from somewhere behind his self-projection.