Chapter 24 #2
Casimir leaned over the table and gave Jareth a menacing smile. “The night is still young.”
“If you two are going to have it out, at least do it outside,” Quinn chided. “And Jareth…What is with this food? Do you really eat like this all the time?”
He raised a brow. “Right. I forgot you all eat like barbarians.”
Jorrar stood from his seat. “This is unproductive. We should retire to our rooms and get some rest.”
Ava stood and followed suit, bidding Jareth goodnight before they were sucked into another argument.
Ava lounged in a chair in their private garden, their companions asleep in the grass around her.
She’d changed into a comfortable ensemble made from pale lavender silk—billowing pants and a subtly cropped top with sheer long sleeves.
As much as she didn’t like the people in this kingdom, she loved the clothing.
Casimir had gone to bed, but she was too wired to sleep, assuring him she’d join soon. She needed time alone to think. Tilting her head back, she gazed at the stars, utterly breathtaking this high up, like lanterns in the sky.
And like she often did when she was struggling, she longed for her mother’s steady presence, her sound advice. She would know exactly what to do, how to go about getting Orion’s help. Ava was too hot-headed and feared she had already ruined their chances.
“Hey.” Quinn approached, wearing a similar outfit to Ava’s in a pale blue color, and sat in the chair beside her. “Why aren’t you asleep?”
Bastien woke up and approached, purring and settling beside Quinn, his midnight fur like velvet in the starlight. The most standoffish of the animals, he was the perfect fit for Quinn.
“I really don’t know how to convince Orion to help. And my brain won’t shut off. And I’m starving.”
Quinn gave her a mischievous grin. “Are you up for an adventure?”
A light breeze rustled the leaves of the trees nearby as a nocturnal bird called in the distance.
“Depends on what it is…”
Quinn stood. “Let’s get some food.”
“What? Where? It’s late. I’m sure restaurants or taverns are closed at this hour.”
Quinn grabbed Ava’s hand and yanked her out of her seat. “We’re going to break into the castle kitchens.”
“What? That’s a terrible idea.” Ava followed her through the living room and into the hallway.
“It’s the middle of the night. No one will catch us. Besides, I’m starving too, and you’re a good cook. You’ll make us something delicious.”
Ava bit her lip as they stood in the hall, but a thrill went through her at the idea. Something to take her mind off all the recent stress.
“I feel like a teenager sneaking out in the middle of the night,” she whispered.
“That will make it more fun,” said Quinn.
“Alright, lead the way. I have no idea where we are. Do you?”
“Of course. I pay attention to detail when we’re in an unknown place. Unlike you.”
Quinn led her through the silent hallways, no guards in sight. Stopping before the double doors where they’d eaten dinner, they scanned for any signs of someone coming. It was silent.
Quinn tried the handle and it opened. Ushering Ava inside, she closed the door behind them. Pointing to another door at the far end of the space, she gestured for Ava to follow. “It must be that way. That’s where they emerged when dinner was served.”
They scurried across the room, Ava’s heart in her throat. Reaching the door, she tried to open it. “It’s locked.”
“No problem,” said Quinn.
She flicked her wrist and formed a dark root in her palm, extending it to the ground. It snuck under the door and into the kitchen.
“Just…one…second,” Quinn said, closing an eye.
Footsteps echoed in the hallway.
“Hurry.”
“Don’t distract me.”
“Hello?” A voice called, the footsteps growing closer.
“Shit,” Ava whispered. “Quinn…”
Quinn scrunched her face and the door opened with a click. They rushed inside and gently pulled it shut, just as someone opened the door to the dining hall.
Ava’s heart was nearly beating out of her chest as she slumped against the wall. This was stupid. They shouldn’t have come here. They were going to get caught and who knows what Orion would do to them.
Quinn slapped a hand over Ava’s mouth as they heard the person make a lap around the room on the other side of the door.
After what felt like a lifetime, the footsteps grew softer and the guard disappeared.
Quinn removed her hand and they both let out a breath.
“That was too damned close,” Ava said.
“Well…get cooking.” Quinn gestured to the space around them.
Half an hour later, they were seated on top of the massive white stone workstation, plates and goblets of wine in front of them.
Ava had made a quick dish with potatoes, sliced red meat with gravy, and some type of local vegetables.
They had found a loaf of bread and passed it back and forth, ripping off pieces to dip in the sauce.
“So do you think they actually like what we had for dinner?” Ava asked.
“Fuck if I know,” Quinn said through a mouthful of bread.
Ava took a sip of wine. “I think Orion’s hiding something.”
“And I guarantee he’s not going to tell us what.”
Ava sighed. “You’re right. Any advice?”
Quinn thought for a moment. “You should drop the subject of his friendship with your father. He doesn’t seem to appreciate that. Focus on the war efforts. You must convince him the daemons are capable of infiltrating Caelestia. As long as he believes he’s safe in the clouds, he won’t help.”
“How do I do that?”
“I’m not sure.”
Ava speared a green bean on her fork and ate it, thinking.
“I have no doubt once Andras does whatever he’s set out to do, he’ll focus his efforts on Caelestia.
We just have to convince Orion of that…” she pondered out loud.
“Maybe we’re going about this the wrong way.
Maybe we have to convince someone else…go around him…
especially since he’s hiding something…”
Quinn gestured for her to go on.
“The queen is awfully quiet. Do you think it would be possible to speak with her alone?”
“It’s worth a shot. But even if she agrees we should help, do you really think she can convince her husband? You see how he treats her. He barely even acknowledges her existence.”
“I know. But I’ll try her first. Then…I may approach Jareth.”
Quinn snorted. “Good luck with that.”
“I think there’s more to Jareth than he lets everyone see.”
And she believed it. She’d noticed the disdain in his voice when he mentioned being the errand boy for his father.
And the way he sometimes bristled when Orion spoke.
It wasn’t something she’d seen at the ball, but she’d been so nervous it was almost impossible to pay attention to the way everyone interacted with one another.
“You’re delusional then, Ava. Should I list the horrible things he’s done over the years?
Like the time he kicked a hobgoblin in Mosshaven because he got in his way?
Or maybe the time he burned down part of one of our gardens because the children playing in it spilled something on his shoes?
How about when he cornered Fanya in the castle once? Shall I go on?”
Ava stilled. “I—is Fanya okay? Did he…”
Quinn shook her head. “I don’t think he would have gone through with it. But he was trying to intimidate her. That’s what caused the brawl last year where he and Cas destroyed half a forest. Cas caught him, dragged him outside and beat the shit out of him.”
“You’re right. But I didn’t mean I thought he was a good person. I just have a feeling he has deeper issues that might somehow work in our favor.”
“Look. If you think talking to Jareth could help, then you should. But you need to be very careful. He may attempt to manipulate you. And while yes, most of what he does is just to rile people up, he’s known to have a violent temper.
Watch yourself. And you’ll need to do it without Cas around.
Anytime the two of them are in a room together, nothing gets accomplished. ”
Ava took another sip of her drink. “Alright. I’ll try with Seraphina first. If I don’t get anywhere, then I’ll think about approaching Jareth.”
A loud knock jolted them from their conversation. “Who’s in there?” a voice called. He jiggled the handle, wrapped tightly with Quinn’s vines. “The kitchen is closed. Whoever is in there, when I find you, you’ll be thrown in the dungeons for theft.”
Ava leaped off the counter, following Quinn to a door at the other end of the kitchens, unsure where it led.
“This way,” Quinn whispered, releasing her vines from the other door and making them vanish as they ran into another hallway.
Quinn grabbed Ava’s hand and pulled her all the way back to the suite, the two of them stifling their laughter the entire way back.