Waiting For Apricity

Chapter 10

Note to humanity

Their voices dropped lower, a murmur that melted into the ambient sounds of the hall, and I found myself staring down at the meal before me, trying to steady my breathing. A wave of unease settled over me, thick and inescapable, as if Thylor's words had cast a shadow over the table itself.

Moments later, Karlaious returned, his face a carefully controlled mask, though a flicker of tension lingered in his eyes. He sat down beside me, slipping his hand under the table to grasp mine, his touch warm, grounding me amidst the cold hostility of the room.

"Everything alright?" I asked softly, searching his face for answers.

He nodded, though his gaze was distant. "Thylor's concerned, but it doesn't change anything. We need to speak with my father as soon as possible."

I squeezed his hand, a silent vow of trust, feeling the resolve between us harden like steel. "I trust you."

We ate in silence, the tension around us palpable, a weight that pressed down on my shoulders. Every glance thrown our way, every whisper from across the room, seemed charged with disdain. I felt like a fragile figure in a room full of shadows, but with Karlaious beside me, some small ember of courage held steady.

When we finished, Karlaious stood, extending his arm to me. "Let's go," he said, his voice steady, a quiet strength behind his words. "It's time to talk to my father."

With a deep breath, I placed my hand in his, and we left the hall, stepping into the twisting corridors of the palace. The grandeur and mystery of the place enveloped us, each turn a step closer to the confrontation that loomed ahead. I could feel the pulse of magic in the air, the shadows and echoes that watched our passage, whispering secrets from centuries past.

Finally, we reached the massive doors of the throne room, their intricate carvings gleaming in the soft torchlight. Two guards stood flanking the entrance, their gazes flickering to Karlaious with respect as they moved to push the heavy doors open.

Inside, the room was bathed in a warm, golden glow that illuminated the dark stone and high arches, casting long shadows that danced across the walls. At the far end, seated upon a magnificent throne carved from black stone, was King Amorphous, his presence dominating the room, radiating a palpable aura of power.

He looked up as we entered, his gaze sharp and penetrating, and I felt an almost physical force in his scrutiny. Beside me, Karlaious's grip on my arm tightened.

"Father," Karlaious began, his voice firm and clear. "We need to talk. It's about Apricity and the danger she's in."

The grand doors closed behind us with a resounding thud, reverberating through the cavernous throne room. King Amorphous regarded us with a gaze as cold as ice, his fingers drumming a slow, ominous rhythm on the armrest of his throne. His presence filled the space, pressing down like a dark, unyielding storm.

A slow, mocking smile crept across King Amorphous's face, and he leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with a twisted amusement. "Oh, Karlaious," he drawled, each word dripping with disdain. "Do you truly think I am oblivious? That I am unaware of the human girl you've brought into our midst?"

Karlaious's grip on my arm tightened, his confusion and dread plain. "Father, what are you saying?"

The king's laughter rang out, hollow and sharp, slicing through the room like a blade. "You disappoint me, boy," he sneered. "I spared Apricity not out of mercy, but so she could serve as a living reminder—a penance for the sins of her kind. Her presence here is no act of kindness. I had you watch over her to ensure she wouldn't awaken thoughts of rebellion. Humans are a blight, their blood soaked in treachery."