Chapter 14
Esiree
Vastion had been gone three long days, and I’d become entirely restless.
The books in the library no longer held my attention.
Morning meals were quiet and, dare I say, lonely; so lonely, that I desired even the company of my Vampyr husband over the silence.
Orin did not seem particularly interested in my company as he made his daily rounds through the castle, though I was certain there was more to be explored.
Lailanor attempted to entertain me with a card game or two in the evenings, which I graciously accepted—yet this accomplished little, and I was beginning to feel utterly alone.
I needed to send a letter to Father and Ari, but I still hadn’t figured out how to convey what I’d learned without risking being caught.
I had only lived inside the Heart for a few days, and while I may have uncovered some advantageous information, I was unsure how to secretly relay it.
Surely, the Vampyr would read my letters before dispatching them.
Even if they denied it, I wouldn’t believe them.
Should I wait to see what other secrets would unfold?
My time as queen was never intended to be a brief ruse.
It could be years before my family was ready to act.
I supposed I was delaying my correspondence hoping they’d write me first, giving me an excuse to reply.
Missing my family, friends, and home, I found myself wandering in the direction of the galleries.
As I had suspected, it offered some comfort and refuge.
I sat there for what seemed like ages, inspecting the paintings that lined the walls floor to ceiling.
Lambent torchlight rippled across the majority of the works, but those set high up were obscured by a shroud of darkness.
I’d have to remember to express my desire to view the entire gallery to Vastion, in hopes he’d have additional sconces installed.
I was almost certain if I presented it as a criticism of flawed design, he’d fix it from irritation alone.
I found myself missing our verbal sparring.
I began to take another lap around the gallery, refamiliarizing myself with the paintings I’d already studied, when I noticed a detail I’d missed before.
In one corner of the massive room were velvet drapes gathered along the wall, and peeking out behind one was the outline of a door that had been painted to blend in with the wall.
Looking around to be sure I was still alone, I quietly pushed the curtain aside.
Curiosity itched at my fingertips, and I was wholly convinced this must be an entrance to one of the Hollows; something I hadn’t explored yet for fear of not successfully finding my way back.
When I opened the door, it revealed what seemed to be a small closet, but it was too dark to make out any of the items contained within.
Stepping away to grab a small handlamp, I returned and moved inside.
Closing the door behind me, I prayed it would not somehow lock me in.
But more than being locked in a dingy closet, I feared being caught snooping by any passerby.
The room was long and narrow, and in the light of my lantern, I could see specks floating in the air, indicating it had been sealed off long enough to collect dust. I lowered the light to inspect the objects that were sitting on the ground.
There were thin pieces of white fabric draped over each item, and I slid one to the side revealing the painting concealed beneath it. It was a portrait of a beautiful woman, sitting stoically alone in a chair. Atop her head…was a crown!
My breath hitched and I almost dropped the lantern.
I tightened my now sweaty grip and focused on the image before me.
I had never seen paintings of the former queens, but I knew for certain this was not Queen Adria.
She had reigned during my lifetime, and I had heard enough accounts to know she had much darker skin than the woman pictured before me.
Crouched low, I crawled along the floor to the next covered painting.
Perhaps it was customary to remove paintings of former queens from the gallery upon the arrival of the next bride?
I tugged on the next sheet, revealing a smaller painting.
This time a familiar face stared back at me.
Vastion. He was standing behind the former queen with one hand on her shoulder while they both smiled.
The artist had captured his likeness so perfectly, it was as if he were in the room with me.
The artwork made me feel an eerie presence was watching over my shoulder.
I tilted my head, assessing the piece further.
Their happiness seemed genuine, both of their smiles radiant, eyes beaming.
There was an energy pulsing through me now, driving me to know what the next painting would reveal.
I scooted myself farther back into the narrow closet and tore away the fabric to uncover a larger family portrait.
I instantly recognized Mina to Vastion’s left, and to his right, this mystery human queen.
Even now, in this same painting, their expressions brimmed with affection for one another.
To the right was an unfamiliar male figure.
He had similar features to Vastion and Mina; I presumed this was their brother, though I’d not heard anyone speak of a brother before.
Maybe he was away handling infestations in the territories.
The remainder of my time in the closet revealed a number of other works, mostly of Vastion and the mystery woman.
The most perplexing aspect of it all was that there were no other portraits of any other queens.
If it were custom to remove them for the next arrival, then where were the others?
I was Vastion’s seventh wife. Why were there only portraits of this woman?
Intrigue and a tinge of jealousy were beginning to eat away at me.
I didn’t know how, but I knew I’d uncovered something that had more meaning than just a bunch of old paintings that no longer took up space in the gallery.
I didn’t know who to ask or when, but I would make it a point to find out.
That evening at dinner, I was minding my own business, eating my meal while the rest of the room drank their rations, when a stocky male with curly blonde hair switched seats, moving from the end of the head table to the spot Mina had just departed.
“I don’t believe we’ve been formally introduced,” he said, dipping his head slightly.
It was bewildering, since he had been the first to show any deference outside of Vastion’s presence.
For a moment, I turned to look behind me to see if the king had somehow returned without my knowledge.
To my disappointment, he had not, and this stranger kept his gaze locked on me, awaiting my reply.
In the days since Orin’s lesson, I’d been trying to present a more amenable reaction to the citizens of the Heart, so they didn’t “smell my hatred,” as I’d been warned.
“And you are?” I answered, holding out my hand as I was expected to.
The handsome male clasped his cool fingers around mine and then gently placed his lips atop my knuckles before lifting his eyes to look up at me. What sort of game was he playing at? I knew this coy behavior. I knew because I’d done it myself.
“I am Lord Tempus. Distant cousin of His Majesty.”
My skepticism set in. “If you’re his cousin, why didn’t he introduce us when we arrived?”
He had a chiseled jawline and a dapper appearance.
I felt like I would have noticed him. Surely, his spot at the head table meant he must be closely connected to the king in some way.
I just couldn’t recollect seeing him before now.
But then again, every time I was in the Great Hall with so many Vampyr, I was nervous and made every attempt to distract myself.
He could have been under my nose all this time.
“Distant cousin,” he repeated. “After so many years, it’s no surprise our royal bloodlines have faded into memory. Though I have not lost my seat at His Majesty’s table…yet.”
His casual demeanor, and something about the way he spoke to me, felt somehow inviting compared to the other Vampyr.
I had never expected to make any friends living in the Heart.
My lady’s maid was the closest thing, but she was obligated to spend time with me.
In part, at least. Mina couldn’t stand me and offered nothing but veiled threats.
Orin was all business, all the time. If I didn’t somehow make an ally or two, I might never get answers to my ever-growing list of questions.
Like what was the story of the paintings I’d found?
Why did Lailanor warn me so gravely when I had asked about Kesna?
And how would I learn to navigate the Hollows if no one taught me?
In that moment, he was my first and only prospect, so I began weaving an enticing web.
“Speaking of His Majesty’s table,” I said, waiting to gauge his interest. “How would you like a seat much closer to me? Until my husband returns, of course!”
He flashed me a fangless smile and already I could see the wheels turning in his mind. “My dear Queen, would you have me lose my head in your quest for conversation?”
“From now on, you’ll take Mina’s spot. She can sit wherever else,” I said, nonchalantly waving my hand down the direction of the long head table.
Lord Tempus let out a small laugh of disbelief. “Respectfully, My Queen. She is the princess. Her station is well above mine.”
Without a moment’s hesitation I reminded him, “And I outrank her. You will sit wherever I desire.”
My palms began to sweat because of my daring displacement of Mina—who had been conveniently absent during this development. His eyes were unreadable, and I braced for his disapproval.
Tempus leaned in, quieting his voice. “I will accept your invitation under one condition.” He paused dramatically, then continued. “My Queen, I can smell your displeasure, mingled with a bit of pity for my kind. I should like to show you the true wonders of the Heart—and the Vampyr.”
His candor was disarming and yet welcome, his tone soft and kind. He didn’t chastise me for my feelings the way Orin had. It was as if he had somehow looked into my soul and understood my situation.
“It’s a deal,” I said, extending my hand once more, this time to shake on the arrangement. “Tomorrow. Meet me in the private dining hall of the royal wing for breakfast, and then we’ll see if your wonders are as convincing as you believe.”
His eyes widened at my invitation, and it was then that he knew I would act on my authority—but first, he’d have to be brave enough to demonstrate his allegiance.