The Death of a Dream [hiatus]

Chapter 13

Of Suns and Flowers

"The last time I was here, I got lost," I chuckled. "It seems that's all I've been since arriving here. Just lost."

Innes shook his head at me as a grin peeked out from the corner of his lips. "I understand that sentiment all too well."

When we arrived at the archway before 'The Maze', as I had named it, Innes had given me a few warnings about making sure to stay right by his side and to never walk behind him. Always beside, he had said. He was never more than two steps away and if he was, he would glance over at me every few minutes.

I've had to reassure him multiple times that I was alright and that there weren't any immediate threats to my life in the vicinity since this wing of the palace always seemed abandoned with its deteriorating walls and dusty carpet. Not to mention that the cold draft that drifted through the halls was more creepy than refreshing. I couldn't imagine anyone willingly spending time here, to be quite frank.

"I apologize. The last time you disappeared from my sight, we found ourselves in a battle for our lives against a Gifted and her undead army," he chuckled.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed him rubbing the part of his arm that Jhilza has slashed. A wince flashed across his face before quickly turning into gentle smile when he noticed me staring at him.

I flicked my eyes elsewhere and cleared my throat. "Do you know your way around this place? And if I may ask one more question: why does this place even look like, erm—this?"

"I've never really been to the Observatory," he replied. "I heard its name in passing from retired officers and the such. My guess would be that since they don't let anyone near here it accounts for both the unkempt appearance and the Observatory's possible location."

I frowned at his words. The assumption I'd made during dinner was correct: Innes was just as clueless as I was. I'd noticed it before we left for Liberty Shores; the way he stood outside of the council room despite his noble blood and rank, as if he was a stranger in his own kingdom. One could even say that he had been left out on purpose.

I cleared my throat as we entered another similar looking hallway that smelled just as terrible as the last. "Innes?" I began. "I noticed that you aren't privy to many things. Political things, I mean."

He stopped moving, remaining perfectly still save for his breathing. After a few seconds, he exhaled as he rubbed the back of his neck. "It's no secret, to those who've lived in the city at least. House Solterica isn't known for being a respected family."

"What do you mean?" I asked. I couldn't quite catch it, but there was something in his voice. An emotion hidden by his stoic demeanor.

He shook his head as he continued down the hall. "One mystery at a time, milady. We have our hands full, remember?"

I nodded and followed him, his words still echoing in the back of my mind.

Remorse, I thought to myself as I lifted my chin to look at his full height. The way the shakiness and hesitation in his voice had been masked by an air of confidence reminded me of how I'd reacted during Ulri—his funeral. As if it was an attempt to look at his predicament in an easier light; an attempt at pretending that whatever happened to his family was nothing to worry about.

The Maze had taken a turn for the worse. I don't quite understand how, but the air within the halls were thick and heavy. A tinge of metal and sweat accented the air that invaded my nose. Wherever Innes was going, it was very different from where I'd found the founding king's painting.