|[ THE FAERI'S KEEPER ]|

Chapter 15: Love and Lies

** OKAY GUYS! sorry for this being such a long chapter, but, well, hopefully you like it anyway :) thanks bros xx **

The night wore on slowly, time dragging by reluctantly. I was handed from man to man, all whom held me with the same manner as someone who had received an unwanted gift, but could not refuse. Soldin’s gaze did not leave the back of my head, no matter how I tried to hide amongst the masses dancing about me. Cedric was sitting at the edge of the room, with more than one woman casting him coy glances. I didn’t care about them – I only cared about the way Soldin was moving ever so slowly towards him. His words echoed in my head. Stain the floor with his blood… here and now… was he going to hold to that promise? I felt a flutter of fear and stepped away from the man I was dancing with. I couldn’t remember his name; didn’t care what it was either. Ignoring his cry of protest I moved away from him, slipping between bodies and skirts, until I reached the edge of the dance. Cedric saw me and rose to his feet, leaving the women to hover in the shadows in annoyance, and for Soldin to pause in his creeping. I cast him a look, meeting his eyes. They sent a shiver down my spine.

For the sake of his public he wouldn’t kill Cedric… not with me, and in front of so many. But no doubt, when the dance ended, and the shadows crept out as the lanterns dimmed… I couldn’t be sure he would stay his hand for much longer.

“What is it, Irene?” Cedric asked, noticing my concern. He followed my gaze and saw Soldin staring back.

“We should leave.” I said softly. Cedric shook his head, pulling me away and forcing me to turn in a poor attempt of a circle.

“The dance isn’t over?” Cedric pointed out, “I doubt we can just…”

“I meant Thalandor…” I hissed, “We should leave. Tonight.” I stepped away further from Soldin, pulling Cedric with me. His hands on my waist tightened.

“Irene, but…” I cut him off.

“Soldin wants you dead, Cedric.” I breathed, falling to a stop in the centre of the dance floor, “And my… good behaviour isn’t going to keep him away for much longer.” I turned to watch Soldin but found he had disappeared. A shiver crept down my spine.

He was gone.

***

Benjon paced behind us as we hurried along the halls, working our way back to my room. We parted as Cedric moved down a separate hall to his own room to gather his armour and weapons.

“Ma’am, may I ask what is going on?” Benjon asked once we were alone. I chewed my lip and didn’t answer. Though I doubted I would enjoy it much, if Benjon got in the way between me and freedom, I would kill him. We reached my room and I kicked my shoes off through the open doorway. The windows were open, curtains fluttering, but I had no time to pay them any attention. I practically tore my dress off, no longer concerned if Benjon saw anything. I dove through my wardrobe, locating my hunting gear and pulling it on. I laced up my boots, slipped my knife into one, and began wrapping my armour in the bedsheets. I wanted to sneak out, not fight my way out, and to do that I had to be stealthy. Clanking armour would not help me.

“Ma’am,” Benjon started up again as I dropped the armour pieces into a bag and tossed it over my shoulder. I instinctively moved to grab my quiver and check my arrows when I remembered I didn’t have my bow or quiver. I made a mental note to break into the armoury first and take a new set.

“Where’s the kitchen, Benjon?” I asked shortly, moving past him. He reached out suddenly and grabbed my wrist. Instinctively I twisted my arm out of his grip and drew my knife. Holding his hands up in capitulation, he took a step back.