Page 26 of The Call of Crimson (The Crimson & Shadows #2)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

OPHELIA

“ W e should start at Luella’s,” I suggest, threading my fingers with Elijah’s as we stroll out the castle gates.

Guards flank us on either side, something I’m still getting used to.

Growing up in the castle, I was accustomed to their presence, but being followed by them day and night was new—and irritating.

“I think that is an excellent idea.” Elijah squeezes my hand, leading me toward her tavern. “She always has a good gauge on the general attitudes and outlooks of the people.”

It had been a heavy burden adjusting to running a kingdom over the last several weeks.

Burnt out and exhausted, we had decided last night that a break was needed.

I had suggested a visit to the town might be a nice change from the castle walls, and Elijah had quickly agreed.

This would allow us to connect with the people and get a more accurate feel for the state of Ciyoria.

Luella’s tavern boasts its normal orderly and welcoming facade, complete with red painted shutters and the savory aroma wafting out of the open windows. We walk through the sturdy oak door of the tavern, the hinges creaking slightly as it closes.

The guards occupy a spot in the back corner, and I mumble, “How did Breyla deal with the constant companions?”

“She didn’t,” Elijah chuckles. “We were masters at evading our guards by the time we were fifteen. Once Raynor deemed us capable with a sword, Genevieve stopped fretting so much.”

“They must have trusted their people greatly to keep their heir safe.”

“I don’t think it was so much trust in their people as it was exhaustion from fighting Breyla on the matter,” Elijah explains, pulling out a stool at the bar for me. “Once she was appointed general, there was a condition that guards were required, but she was allowed to select them herself.”

“Zion and Ryder?” I guess.

“Exactly,” he says, sliding into the chair next to mine. “They trained with us, and outside of the twins, they were the only ones worth a damn. Plus, she actually liked them.”

“Makes sense.”

It’s relatively quiet considering the time. I would have expected it to be packed with lunch patrons, but there are maybe half a dozen people in the establishment.

Luella turns the corner, appearing from the backroom. “What can I do you for, Lord Elijah?” Her curly brown hair is tied up in a knot atop her head, loose tendrils framing her almond-shaped eyes.

“Two of whatever your special is for the day, please.” Elijah smiles, slinging an arm around my shoulders. “How are you Luella?”

“I wish I could say better, but we’re surviving,” Luella answers, as she slides two mugs of mead to us. “The special isn’t anything particularly interesting today, by the way.”

Elijah’s brow furrows. “What do you mean by that?”

“It’s just lamb stew, I’ve had to make a few substitutions for my normal?—”

“No, I mean the part about you ‘surviving.’ What’s going on?

“It’s been slow. I’m having trouble getting in my normal products,” she sighs, her shoulders sagging. “It comes in delayed or with significantly less than I ordered. I’m not sure what’s going on with my suppliers, but all of them seem to be having issues.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” My lips turn downward, mind racing to come up with a solution. “Is there anyone locally who can provide the same items?”

“Some of them, yes.” She disappears around the corner, coming back with two steaming bowls in hand. “But not at the quantity or price that I’m accustomed to.”

Once Elijah has begun eating, I spoon the hot broth into my mouth, only slightly flinching at the scalding liquid. I’m not sure what substitutions were made, but what I taste is delicious.

“I’m sorry, Luella,” Elijah says sincerely. “That’s a tricky situation. Please let me know if there’s anything we can do.”

“You’re sweet, kid.” She chuckles, patting his hand. “But as long as my spirits continue arriving, I’ll manage. People sure do get grumpy when you take away their liquor.”

Around a mouthful of stew, Elijah asks, “What can you tell us about the town? Anything we should know?”

Luella’s face hardens, and she leans across the bar top, keeping her voice low as she says, “There’s something strange happening.”

I glance down, seeing that I’ve already finished the dish, and fight a flush of embarrassment. Clearing my throat, I ask, “How so?”

“I’ve never seen the people so spooked. I hear whispers that the gods have abandoned Rimor, with both the king and queen dying within a year, then Breyla being whisked off to our enemy.

People are scared.” Luella’s eyes dart around the room before landing back on us.

“I’ve noticed an influx of strangers. They keep to themselves, so I’m not sure if they’re just from other towns or from somewhere further away. ”

“That is… unsettling,” Elijah finally says after a few moments of silence.

“I agree,” Luella says before clearing our empty bowls. “I’ll let you know if I notice anything else, Lord Elijah.”

Elijah stands, dropping several gold Remis on the counter. “Thank you, Luella.”

We exit into the late afternoon sun, a new sense of unease filling me.

The cobblestone path turns to dirt as we leave the city center on our way to the outer ring.

It’s silent on our journey through the streets, eyes carefully taking us in as we navigate the narrow path.

Dirt-covered children pass us, their tattered clothing barely clinging to too-thin frames.

A girl with midnight eyes approaches me, mud caked on her bare feet, dark hair knotted and stringy.

Her bones protrude in sharp angles, cheeks gaunt.

When was the last time this child ate?

“Are you the princess?” she asks.

“No, but I’m friends with her.” I bend down to her height, taking her open hand in mine. “Where are your parents?”

“Dead,” she says nonchalantly.

Perhaps I should be startled by the casual way she refers to death, but I’m not. The blunt tone that children carry was refreshing to me.

“Mine too,” I say with a shrug.

Elijah crouches down to our level and asks, “Do you not live at the orphanage?”

“I did until the orphan mother left.”

“She left?” I ask.

“Yeah, one day she was just gone. No one’s seen her in…” She begins counting on her fingers. “Two weeks.”

Elijah shoots me a worried look. “When was the last time you ate? Or any of the children from the orphanage, for that matter?”

“The pantry was bare the morning she left. Some people give us scraps, but we haven’t had a meal since we saw her.” She looks us up and down, then whispers, “Do you have any food?”

Elijah’s face falls. “Not on me, but here,” he says, pulling out his coin purse.

He drops what’s easily enough gold to feed her for weeks into her outstretched palm.

“Take this to Luella’s and tell her Lord Elijah sent you.

Take whoever needs food with you and make sure they eat too.

The castle will send someone to replace the orphan mother and make sure you’re fed. I’m sorry we didn’t know sooner.”

Dull eyes sparkle at the thought of food, and she gives us a toothy grin. “Thank you, m’lord.”

“You’re most welcome,” I say, mirroring her wide grin. “What’s your name?”

“Leah.”

“Be well, Leah.” Elijah straightens as Leah dashes away in search of food.

Once she’s out of earshot, I ask, “How is Luella going to feed them all?”

“I’ll have extra food sent to her from the castle stores. It’s just until we get someone in there to care for them.”

“How did this escape our notice?” I say, my chest falling.

“I don’t know,” Elijah sighs. “But it begs the question of what else we’re missing.”

Our return walk to the castle is a somber affair, the heaviness we had tried to escape feeling more burdensome than before.

The last of the day’s warmth beats down on me as the sun begins setting.

Golden rays dance along my skin, casting shadows behind me.

I sit on a blanket in the middle of the palace garden, admiring the beauty of the nature around me.

Inhaling deeply, I take in the floral aroma and sigh.

Peace settles over me. The irises, roses, and carnations reminding me of my mother.

“Would you like a bite, sweetheart?” Elijah asks, offering me a plate of chocolate cake.

“Is that a serious question?” I giggle, taking it from him.

Decadent, sweet, chocolate hits my taste buds, and I moan at the taste of heaven on my tongue. I try to chew slowly, to savor the delicacy, but I can’t resist the call of the divine treat and shove bite after bite in my mouth.

“So. Good,” I mumble around a mouthful of cake.

“Let me have a taste,” Elijah begs.

Begrudgingly, I hold out a forkful for him.

He swats my hand away, wrapping his hand around the back of my head and leaning in close. “Not what I meant,” he says with a devilish glint in his eyes.

Just before his lips meet mine, he shakes me instead.

“Ophelia, wake up,” Elijah urges, and my eyes snap open.

I blink rapidly, trying to take in my surroundings.

“Where are we?” I ask, my eyes adjusting to the low light of the moon.

“You sleepwalked to the kitchen.” Elijah casts a Faerie light, the soft glow illuminating the kitchen. “I thought you were awake at first and just hungry.”

“I don’t think I’m hungry,” I say, laughing softly.

Elijah’s eyes fall to my hands. “Are you sure about that?” I follow his gaze to find my hands fully covered in chocolate cake.

With a hysterical laugh, I say, “I was dreaming about eating chocolate cake.”

Elijah chuckles, reaching for one of my hands. “It was when you began eating the cake with your hands that I realized you weren’t awake.”

I pull them out of the now destroyed dessert and pray this wasn’t for something important. “We should probably clean this up.”

He raises my hand to his lips, inspecting the frosting covering every finger. “We should,” he says, a lascivious smile spreading the corners of his mouth. His wet tongue darts out, curling around my finger as he sucks the dessert off.