Chapter 33. Court Jester.
The sun disappeared from the horizon, announcing our time had come. I wiped the sleep off my eyes, sitting up on the wooden floors.
Surprisingly, I felt refreshed, despite spending the whole day on the hard surface—my body full of strength, my mind full of determination.
I looked around the space, noting that Roxanne had already departed from the room—her woolen blanket splattered on the cold floor.
“How did you sleep?” Francis got to his feet beside me, offering me a hand.
“I slept well.” I took his hand as he pulled me upwards. “You?”
“I always sleep well with you in my arms.” Francis winked, passing me the cloak I’d left on the stool in the corner. “Come, we must be on our way.” His fingers interlocked with mine, walking out of the room.
The strong smell of warm human food floated in the air of the kitchenette. The open curtains revealed the growing Moon and dozens of stars. I sat on the couch, as I had last night, willing my heart to calm before our upcoming trip.
“Breakfast?” Simon asked, offering us the bottle of wine filled with blood. When Francis and I shook our heads, he merely shrugged, taking a sip for himself.
Simon and Gabriel sat at the stools adjacent to the table, a plate of freshly cooked eggs sat before Gabriel.
“Uh—” Gabriel mumbled, mouthful. “Please have some, I don’t feel like serving as a meal tonight.” He chewed on his eggs, staring at me and Francis.
My palms sweated as my throat ached at the reminder of my growing hunger. Gabriel’s presence certainly did not help.
His pulse fastened under my gaze, the smell of his flesh reaching my bothered beast. I bit the inside of my cheek in an attempt to silence it, in vain.
I glanced at Francis as panic slowly clawed at my stomach. How could we not think of my hunger beforehand?
“Don’t worry about it,” Francis whispered into my ear, squeezing my hand into his as he sat beside me. A soft smile appeared on his face as though it was the answer to all of my silent questions—
The main door to the house flew open, allowing the cold air to sweep through the space, allowing the warm smell of blood to ease.
“Did anyone—” Roxanne appeared at the threshold of the house, snowflakes covering her hair.
“Oh, good, you are awake.” She looked me and Francis up and down.
“We still need to figure out our plan before we go.” She took off her snowy shoes before stepping onto the rug.
“What is the best way to get to the forge?” She faced me.
“There is no path leading to the dungeons, we will have to walk through the other paths closest to it,” I replied; my heart beat faster.
“That is far too dangerous,” Simon noted, taking another sip of his drink.
“That is not true,” Gabriel said, sending another piece of his breakfast—or rather dinner—into his mouth.
And annoyance, at his knowledge of the palace exceeding mine, sent another dose of unsettlement into my veins.
“There is one path that leads straight to that room, it connects to the King’s rooms.”
“The King’s room doesn’t have a passage,” I stated confidently, unexplained anger blinking through my vision.
“It does not, but the corridor from the back gates is right next to it.” Gabriel shrugged, oblivious to my distress.
“That gate will be guarded,” I argued. “The gate is far too big to leave exposed.”
“That is the only way,” Gabriel insisted. “And it’s no more than half a dozen Wurdulacs—at least that was the amount of Royal guards.” He averted his gaze to Francis. “Surely you can get past them.”
Half a dozen warriors didn’t sound like a lot, given my company’s profound skills with weaponry, yet we needed to get rid of them without bringing attention to ourselves. This was a horrible plan.
“We will have to figure it out when we are there,” Francis replied to my silent question. “If that is the only way, we have no choice but to try.”
“It is better than strolling through the whole palace, hoping no one would notice.” Gabriel nodded, finishing up his meal before sending the dirty plate into the metal basket that served as a sink.
“Let’s not waste time then,” Simon corked his bottle before walking outside of the house, waiting for the rest of us to follow.
I doubleknotted the laces of my boots, walking out the door after Francis.
With each passing day, the nature warmed so slightly; the snow at the threshold of the house, that had been present last night, now turned into a puddle that wetted my boots.
“I think there is a better way,” I told Francis as we walked towards our horses. “Walking through this gate—” I scoffed. “We might as well scream our exact position to the Wurdulacs.”
“I’m sure there is, love, but we have already lost time with the foolish ball, we cannot wait another day in the hope that we will come up with something more clever,” Francis sighed.
“Everything will be well, all right?” He returned the dagger I had been forced to give up last night, putting it into the empty scabbard at my belt before helping me to mount my horse.
“All right.” I nodded, sending Annabelle towards the Royal grounds.
The trip to the palace took an additional hour from where Gabriel resided—no wonder his village was not yet bothered by the Wurdulacs' return: as their village hid in the very depths of the woods, with nothing but the forest’s spirits surrounding it.
Gabriel led our way through the woods as we all followed after: Francis by my side, Simon and Roxanne a few yards behind.
My eyes fell onto Gabriel’s throat far more often than was appropriate as the growing hunger spun my head into frenzy.
I bit my lip, forcing the air into my lungs: in, out, in—
“For you,” Francis’ voice reached my ears as he took the canteen out of his inside pocket. His hand stretched out, offering me the drink.
“I can’t,” I whispered as my heartbeat quickened.
It was foolish really: to deny the blood that was already taken and spare the possible disaster.
Yet I was determined to manage without either.
I starved for weeks before, surely I could survive a night.
Though, Gabriel’s presence complicated my wish.
“Cordelia.” Francis crooked his head, forcing my gaze to his. “Take it,” his voice sharpened.
My brows furrowed, eyeing the canteen. I shook my head, not believing Francis would offer me human blood: knowing my feelings on the matter.
“Just try it,” he pleaded, looking around at our company. “Trust me,” he added.
I filled my lungs, my hands reluctantly stretching for the canteen.
“Trust me.” A sinister smile shadowed on his lips when he nodded.
I swallowed the growing lump in my throat, bringing the drink near my lips.
The familiar aroma reached my senses as my stomach fluttered; my eyes flew to Francis, my brows furrowing in confusion. He offered me a swift nod as he winked, sending my cheeks aflame.
The first drop of Francis’ blood fell onto my tongue, soothing the growing ache in my throat. The familiar taste brought clarity to my maddened mind.
I drank his blood out of the canteen, trying not to think much of how it found its way into the metal container.
“Thank you,” I murmured, finishing the contents before passing the canteen back to him. My cheeks warmed under his gaze anew.
“Any time, love.” Francis winked, pocketing the empty canteen back into his cloak.
I offered him a soft smile before glancing back towards our pathway.
Gabriel rode a few yards away, whistling a familiar tune to the birds. His nonchalant mood felt odd within the purpose of this journey.
Though, I supposed that was his character, and the reason my strict, serious, brother valued his company.
Guilt crippled deep in my chest as the last of the fog disappeared from my mind. No longer bothered with his human presence, shame enveloped my heart whole.
I’d threatened to take his life last night, and yet he had been nothing but helpful with our mission. I’d accused him of betrayal, yet forgot everything he had done for me and my brother.
I offered Francis a glance before making Annabelle walk faster, reaching Gabriel, who rode in front.
“I’m sorry about yesterday.” I cleared my throat. “And for using you in my schemes.”
“Don’t be.” Gabriel laughed, shrugging. “I knew you never liked me. Not like that. That’s what friends are for, I suppose.” He offered me his boyish smile.
Ashamed, I looked down at my hands that grasped onto the reins for dear life. “I’m glad you are alive and well,” I added, meeting his gaze.
“You too.” He nodded. “A vampire, huh?” He looked me up and down. “I thought the rumors of a Royal Princess turned vampire were tales.”
I shook my head, sighing. “Caleb turned me for Kane and Mories.”
“Mories?” Gabriel’s brows furrowed.
“She thought I would be safer this way.” I swallowed the growing lump in my throat at the memory of her. Where was she? Was she still alive? “I suppose she was right, after what happened to the rest of my family.”
“I’m sorry about your siblings.” Gabriel nodded, his lips turning into a thin line as though unsure of what to say next.
“How have you been?” I spared him the awkwardness.
“I’ve been well.” A slow smile stretched his lips. “I help at the local school in the village during winters, and on the fields during summers.” He met my eyes before adding, “It’s been peaceful.”
“A teacher?” I laughed, not believing my own ears. “What could you possibly teach those poor children?” My laughter traveled through the night forest.
“Laugh, laugh,” Gabriel mocked. “But I am smarter than you think.” His bright voice swept through our company. “They chose me as Brain’s confidant for my mind.” He pointed at his temple.
“I thought they chose you as the prince's personal jester,” Roxanne chimed in.
“That too, of course.” Gabriel shrugged as the first battlements neared. He ordered his horse to the right, off the pathway, into the depths of the woods. “This way,” he told us. “The gate is on this side of the palace.”
I caught Francis’ worried gaze before he could hide it under a soft smile, taking a turn towards my nightmare.