by Vella Wolf
“I know how to have fun,” I growled.
“Enlighten me then, what do you do for fun?”
“Well, I go hunting sometimes, and I go to extra training. Sometimes I go to the library and read war strategy and things like that.”
Nyx blinked at me. Once. Twice. Then he burst out laughing. “Circae help us! You’re living like some old king. That stuff’s not fun!”
Raest heard us this time. The look he gave us was puzzled. The look Kariss gave us was downright lethal. She sat there fuming, probably extremely angry we’d interrupted her date.
“Is everything alright?” Raest asked.
Nyx started to babble before I could. “Yes, of course. Sabyr here was just desperate to share a joke with me. Seren Kel have such a great sense of humour.”
Nyx’s eyes positively glittered at me as I held back a snarl. Raest beamed, and Kariss’ leer began to sting.
“Well, I’m glad you’re getting along,” he said as he turned back to Kariss.
The two continued their meal, Kariss carrying on about who dressed the worst for the recent ball. As I was about to growl at Nyx, he suddenly stepped closer to me. Too close.
He leaned in and whispered into my ear. “I guess I’ll have to show you some real fun tonight.”
My ears and cheeks burned, and I frantically stepped away from him. “I don’t think so!” I stammered.
“But you promised to meet me tonight,” he sulked.
“Well, now I’m reconsidering it.”
Nyx threw up his hands in surrender. “Okay. I apologise. I won’t mess with you anymore. Come see me, and I’ll promise to behave.”
“Return to your post, and we’ll see.”
With that, Nyx strolled back to his post, looking ever so smug.
An hour passed, and the luncheon concluded. In his usual manner, Raest bid Kariss goodbye, she practically floated off the balcony. Raest thanked me for my time. As he and Nyx entered the hallway, Nyx turned to wink at me. Kariss gave me a questioning glance.
“Ignore him. He’s just being childish,” I said to Kariss as we began to leave for her quarters.
“I can’t see how someone like Raest ended up with such a callow servant. Especially since Raest is such an elegant and cultured man,” Kariss cooed.
“He’s not a servant Kariss, he’s a general.”
She shrugged. “Whatever! When I’m queen, he is the first to go!”
I chuckled at her comment as she gave me the evilest eye. For the rest of the five-minute walk to her room, Kariss went through every detail of her plans as the new Illyd queen.
Chapter 9
Dusk came, and against my better judgment, I made my way to The Crowing Hen. I needed to know more, and although Nyx irked me, my opinion of him had begun to soften. It was difficult to see such a jokester in a bad light. I approached the entry and pushed open the door. My senses were once again overwhelmed by the spirited tavern. Nyx stood across from me at the same table. Arriving at my seat, he pushed a mug into my hands.
“You came! You do like me!” he beamed.
“I wouldn’t go that far. I think you’re just wearing me down.”
“I’ll take that.”
We both drank deeply from our tankards. The sweet taste of honey and spice filled my mouth.
“I have to admit, this is good. Perhaps the best I’ve ever had,” I said.
“Good, because you owe me the next round.”
We began to talk, and I asked every question I could think of. Nyx told me that Naedis was divided into six provinces, one belonging to the capital and the other five belonging to a different house. No law affecting the entirety of Naedis could be passed without majority support by these rulers. When it came to a royal successor, the firstborn is always chosen. However, to continue their rule, they needed to keep favour with these houses.
Nyx informed me that three houses had always been fiercely loyal to the Nightsong family. The fourth, on the other hand, ever wavering. The fifth house was another story altogether. House Valair had been amongst the loyal until the current generation. Now their current heir, Lothane Valair, was a constant thorn in Raest’s side.
“There is something I’m curious about. Every Illyd I’ve seen so far speaks perfect Common. I haven’t heard a single word of your language yet,” I asked.
“To the dismay of our elders, Illyr is a dying language in central and southern Naedis. A lot of us can still speak it, but we don’t use it too much. Times are changing, and our ruler a few hundred years ago realised that. She began to learn Common, and everyone else followed. The far north, however, are a stubborn lot and haven’t entirely followed suit.”
“She? So you have queen rulers then?”
“Of course, plenty. Doesn’t matter what’s in your pants to us.”
A new question dawned on me, and I couldn’t help but fidget with my mug as I considered it.
“Raest’s children will be half-blooded. Is it possible that they might lose the throne because of this?”
“Unlikely, but I won’t lie to you. While my homeland is more progressive than others, there are still plenty of people who dislike mixing lines, even between Illyd races. We haven’t been immune to the magic dampening either, there are plenty of mute Illyd, and many blame mixed breeding on that. However, the Nightsong family has held the throne longer than any other, and each child has been worthy of their place. Mixed blood or not, Raest will be a good father, and his children will be worthy.”
“Was that an attempt at comfort?”
“Not at all. I’m sharing my opinion.”
I pondered his words and recalled some of our past rulers. Not many would have been deemed worthy by the Illyd.
“In recent times, we have only had one queen. Arndell used to choose a ruler, but now our high court gets the final say on the successor. They’ve always leaned towards the male children. It’s not surprising since most of that court is made up of men.”
“A shame, I bet you would have made a fantastic queen.”
“That flattery will get you nowhere!”
“I can see it now. Hero queen’s menacing scowl sends the Solair running with their tail between their legs. Everyone is saved!”
“Is it really that bad?”
“Sabyr, I’m a seventy-two-year-old Illyd general, and that look makes me want to head for the hills.”
“Seventy-two! You’re telling me I’ve been hanging out with an old man?!”
“Ouch, that hurts! I’m practically a spring chicken as far as Illyd are concerned. I’m the youngest general ever, thank you very much.”
“And how did you become general? No one else wanted the job?”
He rolled his shoulders and rubbed the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable.
“Now that is a bit of a long story and probably for another time. Your eldest brother has set up some male bonding activities for the morning. In the afternoon, we have a picnic to escort. At this rate, I’ll sleep in. Dreadfully unprofessional, and I wouldn’t want that, would I?”
I had almost forgotten about all that. It had been nice. Almost as if I were just meeting a friend for a chat. Friend. Nyx wasn’t my friend. I needed to remember that.
“There may be hope for you yet. I hadn’t realised how late it was,” I sighed.
“Time flies when you are having fun,” he beamed.
Shaking my head at him, I adjusted my cloak for warmth.
A flash of worry marred his pretty face. “Should I be worried about what your brother has prepared for me tomorrow?”
I laughed.
“Not at all, my brother is a kitten. He’s just adamant that you lot should have time to get to know each other personally, with the alliance and all. The male-only invite is rubbish though, I wish I could come. I guess he didn’t want me to sit scowling at everyone.”
Nyx smiled sweetly. “I wish you could too, scowling or not.” He hesitated before holding out a hand. “Would you care to accompany me back? Unl
ess you’d rather not be seen with me,” he asked.
I was a little surprised at his comment. “No. Not at all. Let’s go,” I said in return.
Nyx and I walked out into the cold night. Silently we walked side by side underneath the bright sea of stars until we arrived back at the castle. We bid each other goodbye, and as we parted, he spoke.
“Tomorrow?” he asked.
“Tomorrow,” I said.
Shadows danced in the hall as I made my way past the dim candlelight. All the girls were already sound asleep in their rooms, and the servants, long gone. As I turned a corner, I halted to a stop. A figure stood in my doorway, arms crossed, leaning against the entry. I edged closer to my door until I could finally see my visitor.
“Kero? What are you doing here?”
Candlelight flickered onto his face, his eyebrows creased in irritation. “I came to see you hours ago. Vilya informed me that you had snuck out into the night.”
I sighed and shook my head. “She’s being dramatic. I only went for a drink.”
Irritation flashed to anger. “You went for a drink with that Illyd. I saw you walk back with him. What in Ahmanrah are you doing?”
“I’ve just been meeting him for information. Who better to ask?”
“Meeting?! You’ve met him more than once and alone at that? He is dangerous!” Kero spat.
“And so am I! Besides, do you really think that any of them would be stupid enough to hurt any of us? In our own city, no doubt?”
Kero’s anger simmered as his sense returned. “No, I guess not,” he frowned.
“To be honest with you, I’m finding that they aren’t a bad lot. Nothing like what we’ve heard or read,” I continued.
“You’ve known them for less than a week, and you decide this?”
“I have watched them, spoken to some. The Illyd interact well with our people, and there has been no trouble. It’s getting harder to be sceptical about them.”
“Or that pretty one is just charming the pants off you,” he growled.
I almost slapped him right across the face.
“Excuse me?”
He took a step back and waved his hands for peace. “I’m sorry! That was way out of line. Look, you’re my little sister. It’s my job to protect you. I’m just as worried about you as I am with the others.”
I couldn’t keep the snarl on my face anymore. I grabbed Kero into a hug ruffling his hair.
“I’m a grown woman Kero, I’ll be just fine.”
Kero wrestled free from my grip, frantically fixing his hair. “And I’m a grown man that shouldn’t get his hair ruffled by his sister,” he teased.
I giggled and pinched his cheek. “Go to bed, Kero.”
“Okay, okay. Just promise you will be careful,” Kero sighed.
“Always,” I smiled.
Chapter 10
Emile had no idea where to set her first meeting, and we were hardly going to let her drag Raest up a tree. Following Celia’s advice, an afternoon picnic was organised by the lake behind the castle grounds. Emile was dressed in some faun, frill monstrosity that she surely hated, while Raest donned a short steel coloured robe atop ebon pants. The two sat upon a large picnic rug covered in light food. Neither had said a word yet. Emile sipped at her cup, avoiding all eye contact.
Nyx and I stood under separate trees, watching from the shade. There was an uneasiness in the air, swirling a new sickness in my gut. This worry not for my sister but for Nyx. For the first time since his arrival, Nyx bore a face that expressed nothing else but irritation. Not a single smile had brushed his lips this morning, and our greeting had been flat. What could have possibly happened at my brother’s gathering? I tried to catch Nyx’s eye, but he wouldn’t look my way. Later. I needed to deal with this later. Emile was the priority.
Emile sat picking at food and fiddling with her dress. She pulled at the neck, the waist, and hem, looking as if she was trapped in the gown. Raest began to notice.
“You’re not comfortable in those clothes, are you?” he said softly, finally breaking the silence.
Emile's face flushed. “No, I’m not. You must think I’m a dreadful princess.”
Raest shook his head, the violet in his hair more prominent in the sun.
“Not at all. Clothes don’t make a person.”
“You say that, but look at what you’re wearing! You’re flipping perfect.” As soon as the curse ran from her lips, she slapped her hand to her mouth. Raest just chuckled softly.
“No one’s perfect, and I wear this because I’m used to it. Some probably laugh at me because I look like I’m wearing a dress.”
Emile stifled a giggle.
He continued. “Ignore whatever your maids or siblings tell you. You shouldn’t have to dress to impress anyone. Be true to yourself. Wear what you like.”
I had never seen anyone speak to Emile like this. Yielding, candid, understanding. Was this politeness or truth? Every passing day I was beginning to feel more and more wrong about Raest and the others. Perhaps one of my sisters could be happy with them.
“Tell me, Emile, what is it that you love? What makes you rise in the mornings?” Raest asked her.
“Adventure, exploration! I have never been able to, only a few guided visits to the woods and outlying towns. I guess I should consider myself lucky they let me out at all. All I’ve ever wanted to do is see and learn about new things. I’d like to go west one day see the home of the Moon elves or travel east into the wilds.”
“That is a wonderful dream,” he said with admiration.
Emile’s shyness melted away as she spoke of the far off places she had read about. Raest listened intently to every word, only speaking to answer her questions. My eyes drifted to Nyx once more. His face was so sullen, and he still wouldn’t look my way. Was last night our last meeting?
The afternoon crawled by slower than usual, almost as if it wanted to extend my internal torment. Raest and Emile began to say their goodbyes, Emile promising to wear her most comfortable pants at their next event. Unable to hold myself back any longer, I walked over to Nyx and asked my burning question.
“What is the matter? Did someone steal your sweets?”
Nyx gave me a stern look, not a single hint of amusement. He wasn’t himself.
“A personal dilemma that I’d rather keep to myself.” He spoke with a coldness I had noted on the balcony when I had pushed too far. Was I responsible for this? My heart sat in my mouth.
“Are we still meeting tonight?”
“No. I don’t think we should.”
Emotions raged within me. Fear and confusion dominated everything else. What would this mean for my family? For me?
“Do I get an explanation?” I growled.
“No,” he said back firmly.
“If that’s what you want,” I said as I stormed away towards Emile, failing to conceal my upset.
For a moment, I looked back at him, and he almost looked guilty. Emile and Raest looked at me, concerned, but I brushed away any questions. In a flustered hurry, I pulled Emile away to leave, and as both parties left, I took one more glance at Nyx. He did not look back.
Chapter 11
Amongst the jolly revellers, I sat alone, drinking like some sad sap inside The Crowing Hen. I had fought with myself not to come, but a part of me hoped that Nyx would change his mind. I needed to know the cause of his sudden turn. It was driving me mad. Many dreadful things had run through my head, and the fact that Raest seemed fine puzzled me further. I couldn’t be sure if he was upset and was masking it better.
Hours had passed, and Nyx had not come. I felt like an idiot, and my groggy head wasn’t helping. I fumbled as I went to place a freshly drained mug on top of a small tower I had constructed with several others. The barmaid hadn’t been game to collect the empty ones after I had snarled at her. I waved at her for another tankard, and she frowned in return.
“Just try cut me off,” I grumbled under my breath.
Arndell,
when had I become such a mean drunk? Why was I even letting this man bother me so much? If he was angry at my brothers, it was their problem to sort out. Another mug was placed on my table, and the barmaid bolted before I could look her in the eye. I swirled the liquid and mulled over my bitterness. Maybe I had been stupid enough to think we were, or might, have become friends. I didn’t have many friends. My siblings were about it. Goodness, what did that say about me?
“That is a very pretty tower.”
A man’s voice. Nyx. I tilted up my fuzzy eyes, lilac flashed before me.
“You came! Not that I was waiting. I just came here for a drink since they have nice mead,” I stammered.
A slight smile flashed onto his lips, but it was gone in seconds.
“I had a talk with Ophelia and decided to see you after all. I went to your room, but you weren’t there. Guess I got lucky here.”
I sat staring at him, struggling to find the words.
“Did you want a drink?” I asked.
“No. I’ve had a bit already, and I don’t want to fuck this up more than I already have,” he said, shaking his head.
I looked at him bewildered. He continued.
“Look, I booked a room upstairs for privacy’s sake. If you will join me, there is something we need to talk about, and out here isn’t the place.”
I nodded and wobbled my way up onto my feet. His hand brushed my arm to help me steady myself, a mixture of soft skin and calluses. We walked towards the stairs, scaling up to the second floor. Upon reaching the top, we walked into a long hallway filled with doors on either side. Dim candles lit the way, and I followed Nyx to the very last room on the left. Pulling a key from his pocket, he placed it into the keyhole and turned the doorknob.
The room was large and surprisingly clean, considering the floor below. A round table that could seat four or five was in one corner, and a large emerald green rug ran across the wooden floorboards. A double bed sat in front of a large window, its covers the same colour as the rug. Candles lit this room too. I nervously walked further into the room to examine it. It felt strange being alone with Nyx.