Chapter 8 Mysterious Gift
Chapter eight
Mysterious Gift
Alaceandra
Fadres and Credour come crashing through the trees into the clearing. They look quite frazzled, until their eyes lock on me. Relief fills their expressions, that is until they spot Prince no-name. Credour speaks first.
“Alaceandra, are you okay?”
I go to respond but am interrupted by the prince “Of course she is,” he states in exasperation. “How could she not be? She’s with me.”
“We are unsure of your intentions, sir,” responds Fadres. “We are tasked with keeping her safe.”
“My intentions?” The prince huffs. “They are of no concern to you.”
“To the contrary, actually, they are very much a concern of ours,” Credour bites back. “Alaceandra, come here please…”
I start to walk in their direction, but the prince pulls me to a stop.
“Alaceandra, feel free to visit here whenever you wish, I look forward to speaking with you further. For now, I will finish my meditations in peace.” Releasing me, he smiles dangerously.
His eyes are still closed, and his body is still relaxed against the tree.
He crosses his arms, directing his voice towards Fadres and Credour.
“But men, if you continue destroying my gardens, I will not hesitate to let them destroy you.”
Credour scowls. “Is that a threa-”
“Our apologies,” chimes Fadres.
I chose at that moment to scurry over to them, and we began to make our way, carefully, out of the garden. Before we successfully exit, I hear the prince’s voice on a whisper of wind “I’ll be waiting...”
I cross the threshold and cringe. All I have accomplished during this meeting is angering Sorin and Sam and ensuring the prince’s interest in me is piqued. To make matters worse, I still have no insight into what is next for me.
“Sooooooo…” starts Fadres.
“You really scared us, Lace.” Credour looks frustrated but the worry in his eyes is clear.
“You do not need to worry about me, I was just exploring.” I place a gentle hand on Credour.
“With tree prince over there?”
“Well, no, not intentionally.”
“Then….” Fadres prods.
“I stumbled upon him. I wanted to leave the garden, but he had already sensed my presence. They are his gardens…” I emphasize. Credour shoots me a look of alarm and understanding before grunting.
A thought hits me. “Wait… Do you think it is possible to hear through plants?” If he could sense everything in the garden maybe he would have heard our conversation yesterday."
“It’s possible but unlikely he would have overheard our conversation yesterday,” Fadres supplies, answering my full question before I can ask it. “The shield I put up should have blocked that. He would have felt our presence in the garden though.” I guess he had the same thought.
I look at him a bit unsure “Are you sure there is no chance he knows your identities?”
Fadres pipes up again. “I wouldn’t say no chance… there is always a slim chance of anything… but it is unlikely.”
“Okay… good.” I pick at my nail.
Credour grasps the hand I am picking at and uses it to twirl me around. “Nice dress, where did this come from?” He compliments me with a smile. I giggle appreciating the subject change.
“Thank you, a sweet handmaiden gave it to me this morning.”
“Oh, so they have already assigned you with staff?”
“It seems so. I am hoping to befriend them,” I smile.
A look of worry crosses over his features for a split second, before he gives me a gentle look. “Be careful, although I am happy they are treating you appropriately, you don’t know if everyone truly means you well.”
“I know…” I shiver, thinking back to father’s letter this morning.
Fadres looks at me curiously. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. It’s just a little... chilly in here is all.” I rub my arms for added effect, glancing around. I am not sure why I do not tell Credour or Fadres about my father’s little message this morning. Although I trust them implicitly, I am paranoid about the eyes my father alluded to.
“Come, let’s go find you a cloak, we can discuss this later.” I nod.
Credour and Fadres escort me back to my room, but as they go to enter with me, I stop them.
“Wait out here, it would be odd if you followed me inside.” I smile at them, reassuringly.
Credour rolls his eyes. “Fine, fine. We will be right here, but no sneaking off.”
I nod my acceptance of these terms.
He mumbles to himself and leans against the wall. Before I can close the door Fadres stops me and gives me a quick hug. “We really were worried, please be quick.” He grins at me and casts a nervous eye towards Credour. “For everyone’s sake.” He chuckles in response to Credour’s glare.
“I will, I promise. I just need to find a cloak. That room is massive.”
He nods at me then releases my arms and leans on the other side of the door from Credour. “We will be right here.”
I give him a thumbs up and then walk into my room, closing the door behind me.
I rest my hands on my hips wondering where to start my search.
I actually have not done much exploring of this room other than, of course, the bed.
I glance over at the bed in question, exhaustion sneaking its way into my limbs. I could use a bit of a nap.
I notice something lying on my bed and I walk over to inspect the material.
There lies a cloak. One that matched the dress perfectly.
It has the same white fabric, a hood, and it is hemmed with the same flowers and vines.
Although beautiful, I was a bit disturbed by its presence.
There is no other way to take its appearance other than a sign we are being surveilled.
The only question now is, who is watching?
King Demetrius? My Father? The prince? I bite my nail.
Let us just hope this particular stalker has good intentions.
Nausea churns my stomach as another thought hits me, this gift serves as another message as well.
This room is not a safe space for me. Not only due to the almost confirmed spyware littering the ceiling disguising itself as vines, but the fact I have no idea who has access to my room.
A rustling on the other side of the door, causes me to jump.
I calm myself remembering Sorin and Sam are still awaiting me outside, quickly I throw on the cloak and rush back to the door. I need to get back.