Life After Death

Llaraine/Mikaela/Quinn: definitely getting married

{Llaraine}

Maewyn found us in Dimitri's office most likely because we were the only ones not actively avoiding her. She burst in before Dimitri could even warn me.

"Have you seen Adele?" she asked.

I shook my head, but she wasn't looking at me. Dimitri winced slightly and his eyelids fluttered for a moment before shaking his head.

"She's gone through the trouble of having several illusion selves," he said. "I can't tell which one is real until the formal. She's not running away, she just wants time to herself. What's wrong?"

"The heir to the throne has gone," Maewyn said, as if this was reason enough for her. "I can't find Blaise, or frankly anyone else on the Cabinet. I keep hearing rumors that Mikaela proposed to Quinton last night and...."

"I wouldn't worry so," Dimitri interrupted. "Mikaela is not going to give up Quinn. Juliet will make sure that Adele finds someone she can marry. Speaking of those two, I believe they can find the real Adele. Convincing Adele to return is another problem entirely; the possibilities are endless. It's worth a try if that is what is important." He raised an eyebrow. "Maewyn, I know you're a bit stressed with the Court and Adele and Mikaela, but please do not take it out on everyone."

She looked like she was about to snap at him, but decided against it.

"Can you please find Mikaela or Juliet and ask them to retrieve Adele," she requested. "I have a luncheon I am late for."

"We will," I told her.

She upturned the corners of her mouth, but it didn't seem like a smile. Maewyn left the room, Dimitri's office peaceful once again.

"They're in Blaise's office," Dimitri said. "Mikaela just found a ring for Quinn, but had to confirm that it wasn't dangerous."

"Is it?" I inquired, standing up.

Dimitri followed suit and we headed down the hall.

"Very," he replied. "But no one will get hurt, at least, not in this century. Thousands of rings in the Treasury, and the one she picks is the one that could hurt anything at all."

"This is Mikaela we discussing," I pointed out.

I was more worried about Maewyn than Mikaela, however. Our Queen looked frazzled, as if she may explode if she remained our monarch for long. I knew of her ill-timed announcement of Adele and Quinn's engagement, and we all knew that it was a matter of time before Mikaela rebelled. I didn't want the next few weeks to be hell just because we were all so determined to make it difficult for ourselves.

Mikaela and Juliet were leaving as we rounded the corner, Dimitri waved at them and Juliet stopped, touched Mikaela's shoulder and waited for us.

"So Adele has vanished," Dimitri informed them. "And Maewyn would like the two of you to bring her back."

"Quinn say Westley took her back to his estate," Juliet said. "So I'll bet they don't want to be disturbed. And I would think Maewyn would have the same opinion if she realized that Adele had found someone and was in the process of getting engaged."

"Maewyn is not going to think that," Mikaela replied, before Dimitri could say anything.

He did nod his agreement.

"These are not the best of circumstances," he admitted. "But if you could go and at least make an effort to persuade her to return, I think that will satisfy all parties. Not to mention that it will keep Mikaela out of Maewyn's line of sight for a couple more hours."