Page 39

Chapter

Thirty-Eight

My marriage was not the only thing decided today.

His words replayed themselves in my mind.

My marriage was not the only thing decided today.

Lil was to marry Rai, Alvar was to be king, and Dainan…

You mean absolutely nothing to him; he is trying to make a point.

This is a fucking game to him.

“Bri?”

You mean absolutely nothing to him; he is trying to make a point.

This is a fucking game to him.

“Bri?” I heard faintly.

“I’m not sure she hears you?”

I knew that voice.

My marriage was not the only thing decided today.

“Brida!” I snapped out of it as my body was jostled.

Oz and Tamra looked at me, their eyes wide and full of shock.

They’re in my room? How are they in here?

“You’re going to need a new handle,” Oz said as he determined what I was trying to figure out.

I leaned back to look around them and saw my door handle in pieces on the floor.

“You weren’t answering… We had a feeling something might be wrong,” Tamra said, pushing my hair from my face.

“What time is it?” I finally managed to ask.

“You missed breakfast, if that’s what you’re wondering,” she replied as she gestured to the plate of pastries she’d placed on my bedside table.

I noticed Oz pacing around the room, looking for something.

My marriage was not the only thing decided today.

“If you are looking for a black envelope with a red seal, you won’t find it here,” I said, his eyes shot to me.

“ Shit ,” Tamra said, “you saw it then?”

I nodded without uttering a word.

“Did you know?” Oz cocked an eyebrow at me.

“About Lil, that is,” he added.

“I didn’t, not really,” I pulled the covers from my legs and rose out of bed.

“Thank you both for coming to check on me and…” I looked back at the pieces on my floor, “breaking my handle to make sure I was okay,” I smiled at the two of them.

“I’m fine. I need to get ready now if I’m going to be on time for the House of Shadows.” I made my way to my bathing chamber.

“Do you want me to wait to go with you?” Tamra rose from the bed.

“That’s sweet of you, thank both of you, but I’m fine.” I paused to see the non-believing looks rest upon their faces, “Truly. I’m okay.”

They stood for a moment longer before they each nodded.

“If you need anything,” Oz said.

“Anything,” Tamra reiterated, “don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Thanks,” I said, closing the door to the bathing chamber behind me.

I was a mess. Despite washing my hair only yesterday, it looked as if it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks.

My eyes were puffy from crying, and my face was swollen.

A good look , I thought to myself.

I sighed, and made my way out through the broken door.

I needed to stop by Illerium’s office before making my way to the House of Shadows.

I had no idea how to get a new handle.

I knocked on Illerium’s door, “Come in,” he bellowed.

“Magister Illerium,” I stepped inside.

He wasn’t alone.

“Yes, Brida?”

“I wasn’t sure who to ask this question to…” I began to say as Marsh looked me up and down.

“Yes?” He asked.

You mean absolutely nothing to him; he is trying to make a point.

This is a fucking game to him.

“Ms. Larrow, I don’t have all day. Spit it out.”

“Sorry, Magister,” I tried to stay focused, “There’s been an issue with my door handle and it broke. I’m requiring a replacement.”

He sighed, “I’ll put in a request, is that all?”

I nodded, “Very well,” he said, brushing me off with his hand.

“Marsh, you can go too. Report back when you know more.”

I didn’t have to look behind me to know Marsh was now inches from me, I could feel his presence.

“Brida?” He closed the door behind us.

“ Hm ?” I turned to face him.

“Are you alright?” He asked, taking a step towards me.

I lifted my gaze to meet him, his brows furrowed.

I must’ve looked as terrible as I assumed.

“I’m fine,” I said, forcing a smile.

He stood in silence for a moment as he placed his hands into his pockets, “How’s Kadian?”

“The same… I need to get going Marsh.” I turned to leave.

“Brida, if you need anything, please come find me,” he took another step towards me, his arm having reached out until he thought the better of it.

“Thanks,” I smiled and left.

???

Good afternoon, Brida, the door purred.

“Good afternoon to you too, whoever you are,” I could have sworn I heard it laugh.

There was no one waiting inside when I arrived.

The walls shone, and the shadows hissed in whatever language they were using to speak to each other.

I felt a shadow begin to swirl up my leg.

It wasn’t the first time they’d tried to do this.

In the past when they had reached my knee, they stopped.

One shadow was more adventurous today as it swirled from my leg up my torso until it reached my side.

It paused there for a moment before retreating back down towards my arm.

It circled my wrist for a few moments before beginning to play with my fingers.

“Hello,” I said as I lifted my hand to my face.

I heard a slight hiss and felt a tingling sensation.

“Nice to meet you, too,” I whispered.

A moment later, it traveled back down to the floor where it sat as if waiting for me.

“Do you know where Prince Alvar is?” It began to slither across the floor towards the stairs.

I’m beginning to go insane , I thought, watching the shadows.

I gave in to that insanity and decided to follow.

The shadows proceeded up the stairs, the opposite direction of Alvar’s rooms and the library.

We hadn’t gone this way when I’d been given my tour, sticking to the main floor and the two floors below.

I knew there were countless levels in here, you’d need more than a few hours to see all of it.

As I neared the level where the shadows stopped, the heat emanating from the walls intensified.

I heard shouting. Fifteen feet ahead of me, an entryway to a partially open door caught my eye.

The shadows crawled towards the doorway and hissed, as if telling me to march that direction.

The voices grew louder, “How could you let this happen. You, of all fucking people, how the fuck could you let this happen,” the voice screamed.

“You know that I have very little say in the matter. I did what I could in the moment and will continue to look into it. In the meantime, I am sorry.”

“Sorry? You are fucking sorry. You are not the one who is going to be stuck with that. ”

I was mere feet from the door now.

I could see Alvar sitting in a chair while Dainan paced back and forth.

Running his fingers through his hair.

“You can stop this, Alvar; you can put an end to it. You have the mark.”

“The mark just appeared yesterday, and as you yourself know, it’s not complete yet. I cannot force its completion, and I don’t have the final say until that time.”

Silence lingered for a few moments.

“What am I supposed to do?” Dainan asked his brother, pleading in his voice.

“You will have to grin and bear it. Your life will not appear too different on the surface.”

I heard a scoff.

“That’s easy for you to say, you have Asana.”

So they are involved .

“You will get through this, Dainan. But as I said, until the mark is complete, my hands are tied.”

I heard Alvar rise from his chair and begin to step towards the door.

I backed away, not wanting them to know I’d been listening.

“Brida,” Alvar said in a jovial tone.

Too late . I smiled at him as he pulled the door open wider, revealing Dainan inside.

His expression was bleak, and his complexion ashen.

Before another second passed, Dainan shadow-stepped and was gone.

Alvar raised his eyebrows after looking back to where his brother had been standing before returning his gaze to me.

“How did you know I was up here?” He asked with a small smile on his lips.

“The…” I began to say, “the shadows told me.” I didn’t wish to lie to him.

Besides, it could very well be known that the shadows do in fact communicate.

“ Did they ?” He chuckled.

“Well,” he continued as he stepped out of the room, gesturing us towards the stairs.

“I’m most apologetic for my absence yesterday. A few unforeseeable events needed tending to.”

“It seems you are to gain two new family members. Congratulations.”

“ Hmm ,” was all he responded.

It was uncharacteristic for him not to offer more.

“Did you hear much or all of the conversation upstairs?” He asked as we continued to descend.

I kept walking, but I didn’t answer him for a moment, “All,” I admitted.

He laughed, “I had a feeling. Dainan can be quite boisterous when he’s upset. I’m surprised the entire House of Shadows wasn’t outside waiting to see who would come out the victor.”

“You appeared rather calm and collected.”

“Yes, well,” his tone was somber, “I deal with things in my own way.”

“In the spirit of friendship and all,” I turned to face him, “if you ever wanted to talk to someone.”

His smile returned.

“Thank you, Brida. In the meantime however, I do believe I asked you to retrieve some books for me yesterday, and it seems now that we also have some planning to do.”

“Planning?”

“Yes,” he groaned, “my father has bestowed upon me the task of organizing this ball for my brothers.”

“Why would he assign that task to you?”

“He claims a king should know what sort of preparation goes into these things. In some way, I suppose he’s right.”

“Does that mean you’re to be king then?”

He raised an eyebrow at me, “Come now, Brida. I think we both know that you already knew the answer to that question,” he smirked.

We continued down the stairs, “But yes, it seems the crown will fall to me.”

“Is this because of the mark that you were discussing with Prince Dainan?”

“ Prince Dainan, such formalities,” he laughed.

“Yes, the mark appeared yesterday, but it remains quite faint. It will darken once I am king.”

“And in order for that, your father…”

“Has to die, yes.” We reached the floor of the library when he stopped to look at me.

“I know you didn’t expect to be on a party planning committee of sorts when you accepted your placement here, Brida.” He laughed, “I myself would not have predicted this either. But, I think we can make it something rather spectacular, that is,” he offered me his hand where a faint mark now rested, “if we plan it together."

“I’ll do my best to assist you, however I can,” I offered him my hand. He clasped it and intertwined our arms.

“Excellent!” He walked us towards the library, “there is a planning room we can use to get ourselves sorted. Now, Brida,” he began as he guided us forward, “I am a strong believer that even though there is to be dancing, there should be excellent food as well. Let us begin with canapés.”

???

Following a lengthy discussion on whether shrimp or lobster vol-au-vents would be better, it was decided that both would be best.

Scattered on the table in front of us were pages of notes, ideas—mostly food, and potential guests. “All of the inductees will be allowed to attend,” he said firmly. “This begs the question as to where the ball will be held.”

“Would it not be held…in the ballroom at the center court?” I asked him while laughing.

“Yes, Brida,” he couldn’t hide his sarcasm, “it most certainly would; however, I think it’s time we spice things up a bit, don’t you?”

“Spice things up how?” I asked , readjusting myself in my chair.

“I think we should hold it here,” he said with a grin on his face.

“Here?” I asked, “In the library? I’m not sure how the books would feel about that, they are known for preferring quiet.”

“Funny,” he smirked, “there is a ballroom here. Come, I will show it to you.”

“What, now?” I asked, looking down at the mess we’d made.

“Yes, this,” he waved his hand at the papers, “can wait, it will be here when we come back.”

“Will that be before tomorrow?” I asked, trying to organize everything.

“Do you always worry this much?” he gestured to the door.

“I’ve been known to worry every so often.”

“Well, we’ll have to break you of that habit, won’t we! Come now, let’s go.”

I rose, looking back to the table once more, and left the room.

The ballroom was up on the sixth floor of the House of Shadows, and I found myself trying to memorize the way there.

“Are you always that anxious?” Alvar asked as we approached the third level.

I nodded, “A lot of the time yes. I wasn’t always, but…” I felt myself stop.

“You lost someone?” He asked.

“My mother.”

“Ah,” he said, “on that note, I can sympathize. I too have lost my mother,” he said, sadness coating his words.

“How old were you when you lost her?” I asked

“Compared to your human years I would have been quite old, but in Fae years I was still young.” He smiled. “I was sixty. It was not long after that my father married Rai’s mother.” He continued.

“So each of you has a different mother?” I asked him. “All of them coming from the Court of Shadows?”

“Yes,” he said as his eyes found mine, “a king is expected to marry within. Of course, my father was not yet a monarch when he and my mother were wed, but it is a tradition upheld by the majority of court members.”

“How old were you when your father was crowned king?” He laughed, “If you must know, I was one hundred and thirty-seven when my father came to the throne.”

I walked in silence attempting to do the mental math. “I am four hundred and seven, Brida,” his laugh deepened. “Still young, but older than most people you know,” he winked at me.

Gods . That tightening feeling began to creep back into my chest. He was older than most of the buildings in Escalia. “What happened to your mother?” He asked a moment later.

“She just…died.” I said, trying to regain a hold of myself.

“They never offered any explanation?”

I shook my head, “I went to school and kissed her goodbye. I came home, and she was gone.”

“How old were you?”

“Seven.” We stared at each other for a moment before looking once more to where we were going.

“That must have been very hard. I’m sorry.”

“It was. But as I’m sure you know, life goes on.”

He agreed.

“What about your mother?” I pressed.

“She was a casualty of one of my father’s wars.” Bitterness laced his words. “My parents,” he continued, “were not a love match. Like Rai, and Dainan.” He said as if exasperated, “it was an arranged marriage. One that neither of them wanted. Rai’s mother was then given to my father, but it was not long afterward he met Dainan’s mother.” He sighed, “arranged marriages didn’t suit my father. I’m hoping my brothers will fare better.”

“Is there much of an age gap between Rai and Dainan?” I wondered.

“They are separated by five months and two days,” he smiled. “Their mothers’ pregnancies were an awkward period here in Azmeer.”

“I can imagine,” I muttered under my breath.

“In the spirit of friendship,” I said and he laughed, “I take it that Asana is someone that you have chosen to be with.”

“You really did hear everything,” he cocked an eyebrow at me, “ Asana and I have been together for some time. I care for her deeply, and if she’ll have me, I want her by my side.”

Two black onyx doors embellished with blood rubies were what separated us from this supposed ballroom.

“This ballroom,” Alvar said, “is an exact replica of the one at the Court of Shadows.” He reached for the handle and opened the doors.

We took a few steps inside, “I can’t see anything, Alvar.” I chuckled.

“Ah, yes, of course,” he waved his hand. A wall of cascading torches welcomed us.

Unlike the other walls in the House of Shadows, these walls did not possess the veins of fire. These walls were shrouded in darkness.

“What is this place?” I said as I walked into the center of the room, unsure where to look first.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?”

The ceiling was a vast expanse of darkness, populated with shimmering constellations that mirrored those in the night sky. Each star pulsing with a luminous energy, each star offering an ethereal glow.

The circular dance floor in the center of the room was flanked by obsidian columns that reflected the flames twirling on the walls as if inviting you to dance.

“Why does no one ever use this room?” I whispered. I tilted my head back, watching a shooting star go by.

Alvar chuckled, “I know. It’s a shame. I don’t believe we’ve held more than five events here during my lifetime.”

He made his way to stand beside me. “Have you thought about which court you would like to be in, Brida?” He inclined his head towards me.

“Of course,” I began to say, “and I’m honestly not sure.” “Do you feel comfortable here ?” He asked as he followed my gaze.

“It would be difficult not to feel comfortable here, with such a wonderful host.” I inclined my head towards him and was met with a mocking stare.

“Yes,” I found myself saying, “I’m not going to lie and say that it’s what I expected. I didn’t think that I would be as comfortable here as I am, but,” I continued, “I find solace in the darkness, in the shadows.”

“It is when one learns to embrace the darkness and shadows that one is then able to see light.” He smiled, “it’s always a balance.”

We stood in silence for a few moments longer. “I think,” I began to say, “this ballroom will do quite nicely.”

“I’m glad you think so, Brida.” He smiled at me, “however, we still have quite a bit of planning to do.”

“Do you always worry this much?” I asked.

The soon to be king did not answer me as we both became lost in silence and the beauty of the stars that danced above us.