Chapter 47 Laurent
Chapter forty-seven
Laurent
“Three fucking days is not enough time, Esmeray,” Merrick snapped, earning a growl from the Queen facing off with him in Sparrow’s living room. With both gargoyles posturing, wings out, legs braced, snarling at each other, the already small living room felt much more cramped.
Laurent stayed quiet, presiding warily from the purple couch, making sure this fight did not get any more physical than it was already escalating towards.
“I can do this without you,” Esmeray sneered, baring her teeth at Merrick.
Sparrow stomped her foot, shouting over their raised voices. “Enough, both of you.”
She shoved herself between their wings, jabbing a finger into Merrick’s chest. Laurent liked that.
After Sparrow’s announcement that both males were welcome in her bed together, Laurent and Merrick had barely been able to look each other in the eye.
Laurent was not opposed to the idea–as long as some very clear rules were drawn.
But this was not the time or place to bring that up while Keerian’s fate hung in the balance.
Laurent spoke once the arguing died down.
“We need to get into the Opal Palace. I can build a portal past the wards that kicked Esmeray out, but I need to start now if we’re all going.
” Laurent directed the statement at Lenna–she was so fragile compared to them.
Part of him wanted to urge her to stay here, but she was so integral, needing to activate the Prism and show the Opal Palace’s court what really happened to their King and Queen.
If word got out there, it would travel fast.
Esmeray nodded grimly, shoving Merrick with a wing as she turned towards Laurent. “That works. If you can start the portal now, that would be a huge help.”
Laurent bowed his head, easing off the couch. “Consider it done. We will be ready to depart in three days, and will make it to the Opal Palace before the full moon hits its apex.”
Lenna stepped gingerly towards Esmeray from where she’d been hovering at the doorway while the fighting had gone on, biting her lip between her bottom teeth. “So, I just need to show the same memory that we saw? But without an anchor?”
“Yes.” Esmeray crossed the room, taking the spot Laurent vacated on the couch.
“If any of us anchor to you, our consciousness goes into the Prism as well, and we can’t protect you from Adara inevitably trying to attack you.
You’ll need to push the memory out of the Prism, and project it into the minds of the assembled court.
Sparrow and Laurent are going to help you learn how to do that.
” Patting the couch, Esmeray waited until Lenna sat down before she took Lenna’s hands into her own.
“I cannot thank you enough for everything you’re doing to help me.
” Gratitude flooded Esmeray’s face as she looked around at the rest of them. “All of you–thank you.”
Sparrow waved her off. “Thank us after Keerian is back here, safe and sound, and Adara is locked up tight.”
“Come on then, Lenna, Sparrow.” Laurent smoothed out the wrinkles of his lilac-colored robe. If he had to teach Lenna how to project memories and build a portal strong enough to slip past wards, he would need every second he could get.
Lenna squeezed the Queen’s hands once more before following Laurent and Sparrow into the dining room. The last words Laurent heard before closing the door were a harsh, “Don’t you dare–” from Merrick before Esmeray disappeared into a flash of golden light.