Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
It took longer than I would have thought possible to reach the supper my parents wanted me to attend, and I was reminded once again of where I was, of the absolute monstrosity of the palace.
As Betsee and I glided down the halls, I thought back to the one other time I’d been inside this extravagant residence.
It’d been around six months ago, during the spring, when I’d stopped by on a whim to see my uncle.
It’d been right after I’d secured my coveted job at the prestigious Whiteolf Academic Library.
I’d been so overjoyed by the news that I’d raced to the palace, even though my aunt and uncle had told me that I should never disturb my uncle while he was at work.
It’d taken some finagling with the guards at the gates to prove who I was, but once they learned that my uncle was Timith Hollaran, the royals’ renowned inventor, they’d allowed me to enter.
Still, I hadn’t been able to go far. I’d had to wait in the main entryway as fae and wildlings hurried about, most paying me no attention. Eventually, my uncle had appeared, rushing to me from wherever his workshop was located.
When I’d told him the news, his eyes had widened, but he listened patiently as I excitedly told him every detail, and then he celebrated with me, whooping in delight while congratulating me on a job well done.
I had no idea where I was now in relation to the grand foyer I’d once stood in. Or where my uncle’s workshop was located. But it was the only memory I had of the palace even though I’d spent my youngest seasons here as the third princess.
My footsteps tapped along the wide hallways as Kole and I followed behind the lady’s attendant, and I couldn’t help but stare at the palace’s opulence.
The absolute wealth of it was everywhere.
Beautiful artwork, decadent tapestries, and gold-framed portraits lined each wall.
Decoratively placed vases of flowers and plants also adorned each table along the expansive walkways.
Perfumed air continually tickled my nose every time we drifted by the fresh floral cuttings.
I had to stop myself from touching the plants and flowers as we passed them, but I catalogued each species, my mind abuzz with the seasons of scholarly teachings I had regarding the flora and fauna of our realm.
And I wondered if I’d ever be able to return to my job.
My particular area of expertise had been in the realm’s flora.
It was my main interest and the reason I’d been hired by the library, but now, as a princess . . .
I had no idea what was expected of me.
My quiet footsteps filled the air, Kole’s heavier ones following at my back.
I’d lost track of how long we’d been walking, but when the scents of cooked food began to filter through the air, I realized I was ravenous and that I hadn’t eaten since breakfast. So much had happened since then with Verin and Timith that I’d completely forgotten about sustenance.
But despite my hunger, knowing why I’d been invited to this meal made my stomach twist and cramp.
Betsee had said it was being held so I could meet my older sisters, or rather, re-meet them. But they were sisters I couldn’t remember. Sisters I’d never known I’d had. And sisters I’d apparently once tormented.
I tried to recall what their ages were, but truth be told, I’d never paid much attention to the royal family. I knew the two princesses had been adults by the time I’d been born, but I didn’t know how much older they actually were.
Anxiety clouded around me just as two large double doors appeared ahead. Guards lined each one. Their postures stayed rigid, but their gazes flickered to me as I neared.
“This is where the royal family has meals privately.” Betsee waved ahead with three of her arms. “The king and queen are hoping that you’ll start joining them for your meals here, that is, when they’re not hosting luncheons or suppers with the ten Houses, other nobles, or neighboring kingdoms.”
“All right.” I licked my dry lips. This was all so new and foreign to me.
Now that Timith was cured, and my attention was no longer on him, it suddenly struck me that this was my new life.
I couldn’t hide anymore. That thought had my anxiety blooming to an entirely new level because I had no idea how to be a princess.
The second we reached the guards, they opened the doors seamlessly.
Betsee swept through them and instantly glided to the side, bowing deeply as she allowed me to pass. “May I present, Princess Primelle.”
I nearly stumbled at that declaration, but once I took in the scene before me, a rush of relief flowed through me. Only my parents were present.
The king and queen stood near the table, each waiting expectantly behind a chair. A fire crackled in the hearth, and the room felt warm and cozy.
Betsee hadn’t been joking when she’d said this was where the royals took their private meals. The chamber was the size of the largest room back in my aunt and uncle’s home. Not so big that I felt I was swimming in it but not so small that it felt crowded.
At the room’s center, a table that could seat eight waited.
Five place settings had been set upon it with candles lit in a ring around a beautiful floral arrangement decoratively displayed in the table’s center.
Dishes and platters of food were mixed within the settings, steam rising from them and releasing heavenly scents into the air.
And at the wall, opposite the doors, flames crackled in the fireplace.
Since winter was nearing, fires had grown more common in each household, and there was something so normal, so familiar about sitting near the fire for a meal, that my tensed shoulders loosened even more.
“We’re so pleased you could join us.” Opalin, or rather Queen Oleander, my mother, rushed forward and grasped both of my hands just as Betsee slipped from the room, and the guards closed the doors behind her. Only Kole remained. “We were just alerted to your return.”
My magic instantly recognized my mother as Aunt Opalin, and it took me a moment to realign my brain. I didn’t know how long her true appearance was going to catch me unawares, but I shook my head slightly to clear it before answering.
“Kole and I just got back.”
“And Timith?” my father asked. “How is he?”
I grinned. “Entirely cured. He’s now as he always was. The Wishing Stone saved him.”
My mother’s smile wobbled. “So the Stone is truly gone, and there won’t be another for at least a millennium.”
“We knew that was the case,” my father said gently. “We felt its magic. The entire sky flashed when Primelle made her wish.”
My parents shared a troubled look, then my father’s gaze cut to Kole’s.
“We’ve tasked you with keeping our daughter safe.
You’re to mistphase her immediately to safety should the need ever arise, and you’re to guard her always, with your life if needed, until we can figure out who’s behind everything and apprehend them. ”
My stomach tightened at that harsh command, and it suddenly struck me why my parents wanted Kole as my assigned warrior. He could mistphase. Of course. His ability to whisk me away at a moment’s notice gave me increased security.
I thought back to my earlier contemplations, in which I realized I never would have seen Kole again if he’d defied my father. Kole undoubtedly knew that as well, and if he’d been apprehended, no other Imperial Warrior would have been able to mistphase me away.
Kole bowed. “You can count on that, Your Majesty. Nobody will touch her as long as I’m near her.”
My mother opened her mouth to say something more, but the door in the corner of the room burst open, and two females appeared.
They crossed the threshold, both chatting to one another, but they drew up short the second they spotted me.
Silence descended, and all I could do was stare at the two females who were my sisters.
Both wore gowns, but they weren’t quite as decadent as the one Betsee had picked out for me, and I realized I truly was overdressed.
The taller female had the same light-colored hair as the king, the other slightly heavier one had the same dark-brown shade as the queen and me, but her hair appeared naturally curled into soft ringlets. Both, however, had my hazel eye shade.
My heart began to thrum in my chest. Given their features, it was so obvious we were related, and I’d seen them enough in royal public gatherings over the seasons to know who they were.
Princess Koraline, the crown princess, and Princess Lillith, the second daughter.
I swallowed the trepidation in my throat. I had no memories of either of them.
They both stared at me, Koraline’s gaze shrewd and cold, while fear filled Lillith’s.
A sinking feeling began in the pit of my stomach. I didn’t know what I’d expected, but it became entirely apparent neither was going to welcome me with sisterly love and open arms, and I had the feeling our parents had commanded them to be here.
“So, this is her.” Koraline’s voice was as frigid as ice and deeper than most females. She drew herself up to her full impressive height and stared down her nose at me. “We thought you died.”
Lillith nodded. She lifted a trembling hand and smoothed back her curly hair. “I suppose we should be welcoming you back.” Her voice was high and sweet-sounding, yet the aura rising from her was filled with anything but happiness.
“I . . . I don’t know what to say.” I clasped my hands in front of me.
“I can only imagine what you think of me and what I put you through when I was a child. The queen”—I cleared my throat—“I mean, our mother, informed me this morning of what I’d done to you, but of course, I was so young that I don’t remember it. ”