Chapter 11
Chapter
Eleven
-KADIAN-
We walked in silence from the chamber back to the House of Shadows. Tura remained stoic; her face frozen with an expression of incredulity.
The heat from Azmeer only increased as we entered the atrium, braziers lit, tripods illuminating our way to the door. The door. I lamented as we inched our way closer.
“Kadian.” Tura’s voice was exasperated, as if she had been screaming; perhaps she had been, internally chastising the disregard to protocol.
“Yes.” I straightened, attempting to match her posture. I’d never been a slouch, but something told me no matter how hard I tried, I’d never be a match for Tura.
“It was a… trying morning. First days can be trying. I advise you to take a moment to compose yourself before returning inside.” She gestured to the world that rested beyond the onyx door that was listening to every word, those spoken and the ones thought.
Does Tura know everything this door can do?
Tura took a step closer, lowering her voice to a whisper, “You may have found yourself in a court, but that does not mark you as safe. Everything within Azmeer is a game, everyone a potential foe. This world is not a kind one, it is a lesson best learned early. And after today, your ears mark you.” She placed her hand on my shoulder before giving it a light squeeze.
“Every move you make here is part of a greater dance, and you are only now learning the steps. Step wisely, Kadian. Rai’s decree will begin with the humans outside of Azmeer.
But I anticipate he will extend his reach before long. ”
The door cracked open as Tura made her way inside before the door closed once more. Running a hand over my face, my mouth was agape.
The voice slithered into my mind. Tura is a wise woman, Kadian. Best to adhere to her advice.
And what advice would you give? I scoffed, looking at the pulses that jumped in the ruby embedded in the center of the door.
The voice laughed, sultry, sweet, terrifying. Try not to die, Kadian.
Thanks. Whatever you are…
And with those words, the door swung open.
???
After spending the remainder of the day inside the House of Shadows, I needed to get out. The smoke, the darkness, the constant feeling that outside was so far away—had been getting to me. And it had only been a matter of hours.
“The majority of court members choose to eat in the House refectory, however it’s not uncommon to see the odd member venture to the dining hall.” Tura said as the tapping of my feet had become more incessant. Something I learned she loathed.
I’d packed up my bag, said my goodbyes to Tura with the promise to return the next day, despite it being a promise I wished I could break. I needed to find a way out of this mess. I needed to find my way to Brida, to Lil. And thus far, I had no leads
Oz waved me over to the table where we always sat, indicating he’d already grabbed me a plate.
A pang of guilt burst in my chest. Each of us here expressed love and care differently.
For Lil and Oz, it had been food. “Let me grab you a plate, saved you some, what do you mean you’ve never had jam?
” I rubbed at the spot that ached there as I sat down.
“Quite a first day,” Oz said as he held a letter between his fingers. “I received this when I returned to the Eternal House this afternoon.”
What now?
“And?” I questioned as I took my first bite of something I assumed to be stew. “Whose it from?”
“Tamra.” Oz tossed it across the table to me.
Putting down my fork, I reached for the envelope. Her writing was so neat, tight, exactly what I would expect from Tamra.
“You can just read it to me.” I handed it back.
“Osforth,
I know these past few days have been trying and that they were not what you hoped for. For that, I do apologize.
Our family has prided itself on our mother forging a path for herself, taking charge of her destiny. I hope you will regard me the same as you do her. Someone who knew her mind and charged after it.” Oz read, a forlorn expression on his face.
“My placement will not be here in Azmeer but in the Court of Shadows at Mount Kaiver. I leave today. And while it pains me to not say goodbye to you in person, I know that we will see each other soon.
I have faith you will do well in your new task, for the Eternal House holds memories, and those who seek will know.
With all my love,
T”
Before I could address what Tamra had said, I felt a thud on the bench next to me.
“Good evening, gentlemen.”
Is there a reason I’m being punished?
I didn’t say anything but took another bite.
Not missing a beat, Oz responded instead, “I’m not sure we’ve officially met, but I’m Oz.” He jetted his hand out towards Iona, who looked down at it almost disdainfully before placing her hand in his.
“I’m aware,” Iona said before retracting it, turning to face me. “How was your first day, Kadian? Did you learn anything fascinating?” I couldn’t tell what the expression on her face was attempting to say, but the only thing it was leading me to feel was frustration.
“Is there something you need help with, Iona?” I attempted to ease my brow, make it appear as if I wasn’t as irritated as I felt. Why does she keep pushing?
“I thought this would be a good time for us to get to know each other better, seeing as we’re now in the same court.
” She batted her eyelashes, feigning some level of innocence.
“Don’t you think it’s intriguing how Kadian ended up in the House of Shadows, Oz?
” She leaned on the table, her pose suggestive, and Oz was immediately drawn to how low cut her shirt was.
For fuck’s sake.
“I don’t know,” a smirk landed on Oz’s face, and it was solely for Iona, “Kadian can be dark and mysterious. Maybe not as mysterious and alluring as you, Iona…”
“I’m going to stop you right there,” I couldn’t help but interject, not only to spare us from any more attempts at flattery on Oz’s part but mostly because I didn’t like where the conversation was headed.
Whatever it was Iona knew, I couldn’t risk others knowing, even though I trusted Oz with my life.
“All I know is that Prince Alvar asked for me himself. It’s a nice feeling to be genuinely wanted by one of the princes.
Would you know anything about that, Iona?
” My gaze furrowed. My tone deepened, the hidden layer within my words.
For a moment, a current crackled between Iona and I. A tension, each of us waiting to see who would break first. Iona smiled, ready to meet my challenge, but was cut off by Oz yelling, “Gym!”
“Come again?” she paused, raising each of her eyebrows as we each turned to face him.
“Kadian and I go to the gym each morning. You should join us.” Oz said as he took a bite of his food, flexing his arm as he lifted his fork to his mouth.
What the fuck are you doing, Oz? Stop talking.
“Is that so? I do love a good sparring partner.” She rose from the table, smoothing her clothes under her fingers to make sure nothing appeared out of place, well, except her talking to us in the first place.
“I guess I’ll see you both in the morning then.
It was a pleasure to meet you, Oz. Kadian. ”
The sound of my groan was only covered by Oz bumping into the table as he rose, like Iona was royalty who demanded that level of respect. She nearly had been.
“Are you out of your fucking mind?” I said to Oz, who remained standing aimless at the table, watching her leave as if part of his soul had gone with her.
He said nothing until I hit my fist on the table to grab his attention, “What’s with you, man?” He sat, appearing dazed.
“Huh?” he finally responded.
“Why did you invite her?” I placed my face in my hands, attempting to rub the stress away. I’m going to end up looking like an old man by the end of this. I’ll no doubt look like Tura. Brida and Lil won’t recognize me.
“I’m friendly to everyone! Besides…” He made a face that implied he thought he stood a chance.
I laughed. I couldn’t tell if it was from the absurdity of Oz, the situation, what had become of my life in the last few weeks, days, hours. I sighed into my dinner and took a bite.
“Did Brida and her aunt go with Alvar to Mount Kaiver? I know she’s working with him. Maybe she’ll get to work with Tamra. Can you ask Bri to send me updates on her? Make sure she is settling in okay? It’s not that I don’t trust Tamra, I do…” He took a swig of his drink before wiping his mouth.
The knot in my stomach asserted itself, and it wasn’t from the meal. The guilt of Oz not remembering and not knowing quite how to tell him.
“You just want to look out for her,” I said before pausing. If people assumed Alvar was in Kaiver… where did people think Addie was? Her fellow scribes.
“I’m sure you’ll miss Brida. I’ll miss her too. Won’t have anyone to share my wolfberry jam with now. Normally, this wouldn’t bother me as it would mean more for me, but I’ve become used to Bri having some.”
I stood abruptly, half paying attention to what Oz was saying. I had an idea, and I needed to move.
“Where are you going?”
“Sorry, gotta check something for tomorrow.” I hated lying to him, but I needed to know…
Tamra’s letter, those who seek will know.
Addie had been seeking something. The letter from the wedding, how had I forgotten about the letter?
What was on the paper that was being circulated at the wedding, why was Addie even involved in any of this?
What had she known? I wasn’t sure how I was going to get my answers, but I knew the library was the first place to look.
???
“What do you mean the library is closed?” My voice cracked with a frustration that barely scratched the surface of how irritated I felt. “I’m standing right here, and the door looks open to me.”