Eternity Glass

XXV: A Marvelous Thing

Teron flashed back into Rezar's room and looked at Jeremy with a troubled expression, unsure of how to break whatever news he'd scavenged up. After their little discovery in the dungeon, the shadow prince had brought Jeremy back to the older prince's room only for him to freeze and say that he had to check something.

"Do you still have any of that transformation potion?" Teron started.

"Of course. Why, what happened?" the mortal asked, hoping he had the mind capacity to process what just happened with whatever was about to happen.

The second prince looked between him and the door multiple times. He craned his neck to listen to whatever whispered to him, as if seeking advice on how to talk to a human.

"Could you tell me today?"

Without even opening his mouth, Teron took hold of Jeremy's sleeve and transported them to a space in the castle's heart, in a corner behind the throne. When the latter moved for a better view, Teron pulled him back. "Stay," he ordered, "and use that potion."

Shoving down the irking feeling of being hushed like a dog, Jeremy did as he was told and focused his eyes on the space above the dragon's head as the potion worked its magic. In a matter of seconds, he was already a head taller than before.

"My dear, I can't even begin to describe how overjoyed I am to have you with us," echoed the hearty voice of this realm's king. A silence followed. Eyal ascended the steps of the dais and looked upon his guest with what he believed to be an enthused grin.

Jeremy watched in a stony silence as his best friend entered the throne room. She examined every detail of her surroundings, but in the way a tourist would look through the halls of Versailles instead of the literal hell they were in.

Teron remained beside him, using the shadows as a cover for the both of them.

"What happened?" Jeremy whispered.

"I don't know."

"Does Zafiro?"

He shook his head. "I don't think they've been talking a lot recently."

Jeremy rolled his eyes. How convenient. How sure was he that Zafiro hadn't been double crossing everyone the whole time? Whatever he really was, his role as Eyal's guard dog came first.

The fact that he stood closer to Fallon than Jeremy could pissed the mortal off to no end. He had his eyes locked to the ground, not wanting to look at his master or the new prisoner.

Pathetic indeed.

"What do you think of my castle?" Eyal asked. "I trust you can call it your home sooner than later."

Jeremy's eyes met Fallon's. She was almost unrecognizable from where he stood. No smile on her face, that silvery sheen in her irises that nearly glowed even from how far apart they stood.

Eyal looked in the same direction and all but rolled his eyes. "Ah, yes. Rezar, Teron, come out and greet our guest."

Jeremy must have faltered, because Teron had to push him forward with a harsh reminder of who he was pretending to be. They stationed themselves near the emperor. "Hello, asencir," Jeremy greeted with a lopsided grin.

Attaining Rezar's uppity, carefree tone was almost a challenge. The grin itself sickened him.

Fallon's jaw clenched, but other than that, she remained neutral.

That's right. She doesn't know it's me.

Zafiro met his gaze, giving him a subtle shake of the head as a warning to remain silent about his true identity.