Chapter 14 Lunch
Chapter fourteen
Lunch
Alaceandra
The afternoon comes sooner than I would like.
I wake up to the soft closing of my chambers, the handmaiden once again eluding my questions.
I am sick of being avoided. Frustrated, I continued getting ready knowing the boys will not wait too long before wanting to speak with me, seeing as I had been unavailable all morning.
I wash and dress for the evening. This time styling a pretty dark blue gown laced up the sides, cinching in my waist. Briefly I wonder how I was going to get this off later.
The intricacy of the gown, although beautiful did make for a challenge to put on.
I glance in the mirror. “It sure is pretty though” I smile at myself before going to my desk to write a couple more brief letters to Philos.
Sam and Sorin come and retrieve me from my room, and we find ourselves in the library hidden in a little nook of the castle.
After the sound barrier is in place and our conversations can be hidden away from any prying ears, I start a line of questioning before they can.
We are lying on some pillows on the floor, and it reminds me of laying out in the grassy fields of Tikilium as a child.
“So...” I start “How have you guys been faring?”
“Okay,” Sorin replies, fiddling with the hem of my skirt. “Most tend to stay away from us. It seems like servants and guards alike here are pretty much ghosts to each other and those they serve.”
“Yes,” Sam chimes in. “I wonder if there is any significance to that or if it is only a custom here.
I know in Tikilium most stayed out of sight as to not endure the king's wrath but we still all talked with each other for the most part. It is the silence among staff here that is cause for concern.”
“Hmmm...” my brows knit in concentration. “That is weird... maybe it is all the surveillance here?” I question, motioning to the general area around us. “Kind of hard to bitch about royals who can hear your every word.”
“True,” Sorin agrees. “Except it's not just a lack of conversation concerning the royal family, but a lack of conversation in general… it’s disconcerting.” He blows out his breath and then his hand brushes over mine.
He picks it up and starts massaging it between both of his absentmindedly.
“How are you doing? Has the prince made contact since the gardens?”
“Um… about that.”
Sam and Sorin tense around me and sit up to look at me. Sorin does not drop my hand but instead clutches it gently in his and tugs at me to make me sit up and look at them. “Lace?”
“He... might have talked with me briefly this morning...” I bite my bottom lip gently. Sam’s eyes drop to it before his brows knit together, eyes snapping back up to mine.
“When?” Sam picks up Sorin’s line of questioning.
“Just a couple of hours ago.”
“Really?” Sorin chimes back in. “We were awake we didn’t hear you leave... we even passed by the gardens… I thought you were just sleeping in today”
“Weird. I left you both a note. I had assumed you saw it.”
“No.” Sorin looks worried. “What did you guys talk about? Did he try to touch you again?” Sorin’s grip on my hand tightens slightly.
I look away from him. Yes, but do they really need to know that? “He has a new nickname for me.” I elect for a change in subject.
Sam snorts. “What’s that?”
“Dove.”
“Dove?”
“Yes ‘Dove’. Apparently because I am supposed to ‘bring peace to the kingdoms’ or whatever.” I put peace to the kingdom in air quotes. “It was odd. He also still refuses to let me know his name.” How am I to marry someone if I have no idea what they are even to be called?
Sam snorts. “Peace, my ass, keeping up with you is like trying to keep up with stampeding elephants, damn near impossible and frequently life threatening.”
“Hey!” I push at Sam, not expecting the outburst from him, but also slightly offended.
“What?” He says. “I love it. It makes life interesting, Lace. All I was saying was I would not really describe you as a peaceful person.”
“I can be peaceful…” I argue, although I do not know why.
“Sure, you can.” He boops my nose, then catches my hand, rubbing it in a soothing motion.
“When you are sleeping maybe.” He jokes, squeezing my hand before letting go and leaning back.
“No, but really Lace if you were all calm waters and smooth logic, you wouldn’t be you or have the spirit you do.
How boring would that be?” He glances at me, a gentle look on his face.
“That is not to say you are not wicked smart— you are. All I am saying is the passion and vigor in which you take on life has never screamed straight lines and ‘don’t rock the boat’ mentality. ”
I stick my tongue out at him. He always has the strangest compliments. “I guess.”
“Also,” Sorin chimes in. “Who else would get our boy Sam here out of his shell if not for you getting him to go on all these wild adventures.” He claps Sam on the arm earning him a glare.
“I would say he is pretty good at getting into things himself,” I laugh, “because as I remember it, I do not think I ever extend an invitation to you all to come on these adventures with me…”
“Yes but you love it.” They both say.
“Not untrue…” I smile, picking at a nail. Then I frown. “I have to tell you both something.”
They turn serious. “What is it Lace?” Sorin asks.
I recount my experience in the gardens this morning and the creepy image which popped in my head.
Sam pales and Sorin’s grip on my hand tightens again this time almost to the point of pain.
I pull my hand away gently and take a breath.
I do not mention the weird man in the hall.
Although the thought of him gives me the creeps I do not think adding another mystery to this conversation would make matters any better.
“I think I need to explore the rocks and soon. There must be a reason the image of them shot into my mind. There is something I need to find, I think.”
“Wait,” Sam cuts in. “You want to listen to what the eerie energy is telling you? I don’t think it is a good idea, Lace. It could be a trap.”
I blow my breath out in frustration. “True, but it could also just be a message... and what am I supposed to do, run from it? I do not think this will just go away.” I know it will not.
Something wants me to follow these rocks so much so that it is willing to invade my mind to convince me.
Something like that does not give up easily.
“How do you know? You haven’t even tried to ignore it.
Look, Lace, I know you love adventure and Sorin and I would follow you anywhere, but we have no idea the intentions of the people here or the power they might hold.
We should give it more time before we start traipsing about the property and winding up into trouble.
The king already warned you he would not turn a blind eye to you and being he isn’t your father we don’t know the punishments that might be in store for you if you make too much trouble. ”
“I know.” I hang my head. “But we do not have much time, at least without the watch of the entire kingdom as the prince’s wife. If I am doing this, it needs to be now.”
Sam looks to Sorin for support, but Sorin is conveniently not looking in his direction.
He grunts in frustration, but then a small smile enters his expression.
“I had to give the speech, just in case you would change your mind, but…” He looks to me once more with a hopeful look on his face.
I purse my lips together and he sighs. Shoulders slumped he continues “... when are we going?”
My mood immediately brightens, and I let out a small squeal, throwing my arms around Sam. He holds me tightly, sticking his nose into my hair as if he was trying to breathe me in. “Thank you.” I whisper.
“Don’t say thank you yet,” Sam mutters, still holding me, his chin resting on the top of my head.
“I don’t think this is a good idea, I just know if I don’t go with you, you’ll concoct a more dangerous plan to go alone, and I like that idea even less.
” He ends our embrace by tickling my sides slightly.
I giggle pushing away from him. “I would never.” I gasp out in fake outrage. Sam throws me an unbelieving look and Sorin laughs out loud, finally giving up his pretense of not being a part of the conversation.
He sobers and then steadies his eyes on me. “If we do go you have to stay with us. No running off.” I nod. “Good. It should be this week. Once the marriage arrangements start ramping up-” he rolls his eyes and huffs “-you’ll have less time alone, making this a lot more difficult.”
I nod again. “I have thought about that, and I agree, the sooner the better... maybe we can sneak off tomorrow? Would that give everyone enough time to prepare?”
“So soon?” Sam groans slightly.
“I think so.” Sorin responds. “But we will have to go near nightfall. I’ll have to grab a couple of things.”
“Sounds good. Until then I think we should just focus on getting through this lunch. Since the king will be in attendance, we have no idea what plans or challenges he or anyone else attending may put us through, or if they are testing us in any way. I hate to think this kingdom would have bad intentions, especially so early on but if father has taught me anything it is we cannot always trust those in power, especially kings.”
Sam stands and brushes off his pants before giving me a hand up.
“You are very wise, Lace. I could not have said it better myself.” He brushes his fingers over my knuckles softly, causing my arms to break out slightly in goosebumps, before dropping it.
“That being said we should go now, or else we will be late in our attendance.”
“He’s right.” Sorin pipes up lazily pushing himself from the floor.