Writen in the Stars - Working Title

Chapter Five

What in God's earth have you gotten yourself into now Talia?" Zeke whirls at superhuman speed and starts towards me.

"Why on earth did you purchase magical goods? The King will kill you ⁰ you know it, you can't keep playing these games."

"I purchased a mirror from a hungry merchant. Nothing more, nothing less, I think you'll find".

"Oh yes, the selfless princess always looking after the less fortunate. Think of all those people you'll be of help to, six foot underground." His normal calm and collected stance abandoned, as is his ability to conceal to his emotions. The air around him actually pulses with heat in tune to the veins popping out of his head. If I didn't know him better, I may have been frightened of the way he looked right now.

"Will you calm the fuck down. He's gone, we've saved our souls, as you like to suggest, by not being the ones to kill him and we have evidence to take back to the King. Who, if you remember, thinks he's nothing more than a troublesome human. You are over reacting, and we have a ball to prepare for."

Elodie POV

A single sharp knock at the door and the two figures soon stand in my home, Talia, I was expecting, but the second figure takes me a few moments to recognise.

"Zeke!" I fling my arms around him without hesitation, and although I wasn't expecting any affection in return, God knows alone Zeke lowers his guard for no one after what happened in Akatina. But I am shocked to feel the anger radiating from him, his whole body tense and shaking slightly.

"Oh, Zeke missed you too. And isn't it so wonderful to have him back, so cheerful and happy?" He scowls in Talia's direction but puts half an arm around me.

"Unfortunately Elodie, we are here for business. The King has invited Talia and I to a ball at the palace, and we need something appropriate to wear. A task fit only for your fine talents of course." The scowl immediately replaced with his charming smile, yet there is still a flatness to his tone. I side eye Talia who rolls her own eyes and flashes me a smile, teeth bared. Typical.

"Naturally. Well take a seat, help yourself to tea and tell me about your travels. I have something for you Zeke, an outfit I stitched for the King's winter feast, which of course you missed this year what with being away."

I begin digging through fabric until I find the suit, a knee length jacket, made from the finest, darkest material I could locate. The edges of which I stitched with a thread of pure gold Talia had brought back from her travels a few years ago. I continue to dig until I find a shirt, fashioned from spider silk, and, as Zeke continues to make small talk regarding his mission, without actually revealing any details, I chuck some cufflinks and a black scarf tied in a bow to top of the pile. Shooing Talia towards the bedroom I throw the clothes next to Zeke, perched on the sofa sipping his tea.

"We'll leave you to dress and finish your tea, I'll go and prepare Talia in the other room. Won't be long."

As I usher Talia behind the curtain and into the bedroom area I hiss as quietly as possible

"Talia, what the fuck have you done now? I've never seen him so angry"

"Oh, I brought a mirror."

"And?" It was blatantly obvious I was going to have to pry this information.

"I brought a magic mirror from a merchant who disappeared into thin air. No big deal."

"Talia! The full story please." I continue my line of questioning whilst grabbing some small, sparkly beads which I begin to pin to the material wrapped round her.