Page 33 of Dreams of Ash and Smoke

“Hello, ma’am.” I break the tension in the room, bowing my head. “I am Verena.”

“Yes, you are.” She lets out a light joyous laugh before looking at her children and back to me, “Where are my manners? My name is Calanthe, former queen, and the mother of these four.” She looks at me as if waiting for something but I’m not sure what reaction to give her.

“It’s lovely to meet you.” I smile, noting the way she warmly looks at me.

“You as well. Come. Sit and eat with us.” She walks me to sit in front of Esmeray, next to Ruelle who takes Eryx’s right but not the immediate chair next to him— that one stays empty.

I take my place at the table beside Ruelle, feeling Esmeray’s intense gaze on me as I sat down. The room is full with a tense silence, interrupted only by the soft clinking of utensils against plates. I glance around at the faces of the royal family members, each one so different yet sharing a certain air of power and authority.

Calanthe, the former queen, raises her goblet and everyone follows suit. “To new beginnings,” she proclaims, her voice strong yet tinged with a hint of sadness. We all drink, the wine warm as it trickles down my throat.

The meal proceeds with polite conversation, though I can sense an undercurrent of tension lingering beneath the surface. Esmeray’s eyes never seemed to leave me, her gaze like a weight pressing down on my shoulders. Ruelle chats animatedly with Hadeon, their laughter filling the room, while Eryx sat stoically at the head of the table, his eyes flickering between each of us. But it’s Calanthe who breaksthe uneasy silence that had settled over the table.

“Verena, tell us about yourself. Where do you come from?” Her voice was soft, but her gaze was piercing, as if she were trying to unravel the mystery of my past with just a look.

I hesitate for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. “I come from Zorya,” I began cautiously, but before I can continue, Eryx cuts in.

“She was betrothed to Dryston and left because her and Hadeon’s lives were in danger, mother. Please do not bombard her with questions.” His tone held finality and his mother drops it after their eyes spoke more than their mouths ever would.

How many secrets did this family have?

Chapter 16: Seren Fach

Verena

As we progress through the courses, Hadeon’s eyes constantly dart toward me while I try my best to avoid his gaze. The royal family engages in conversation about tactics for the upcoming war with Zorya, but amidst the chatter and laughter, I find my thoughts wandering to the Dark King sitting across from me. He appears composed and at ease with his family, a stark contrast to the image I had in my mind of him before.

I can’t help but be reminded of myself when defending Hadeon. And in hindsight, I understand why Hadeon did what he had, but I still struggle to fully trust him.

Suddenly, a figure enters the room and walks over to the king at his beckoning. They whisper something in his ear as I sip on my soup. Without warning, King Eryx slams his hand down on the table, causing me to jump in surprise. However, no one else seems fazed by this abrupt outburst, as if they have grown accustomed to such behavior from their ruler. My eyes remain fixed on King Eryx as he whispers a response back to the fae messenger. He then stands from the table and addresses everyone in the room with a commanding presence. “If you’ll excuse me,” he declares before swiftly leaving the room.

“He gets very protective of his kingdom, when something goes wrong it upsets him. He gets his anger from our father. It used to not be as bad butever since Amaelya’s funeral, it has been more than uncontrollable at times and we just have to ride it out.” Ruelle informs me in a hushed reveal. I nod my head as if I understand.

We finish our meals and begin our departure to our own rooms But, as we step out of the dining area, Hadeon grips my arm softly.

“Verena, please, talk to me.” Ruelle stops walking, waiting for me when she realizes I’m not following her.

“Hadeon, I understand why you did what you did. And I am sure I will forgive you since my heart would never allow me to hold a grudge against you. You had a duty and you followed it out. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me over the years but for right now, please just give me some time.”

Hadeon’s eyes drop to the floor, his grip loosening on my arm as he nods solemnly. “I understand, Verena. I will give you all the time you need.” He releases me, “Just…” He pauses his leave, trying to find the right words. “I meant it. When I said you were my queen all those times. I know that title is no longer yours, but I will always view you as my queen. And I know you don’t want to be friends right now so I will respect that. But, if you need anything, do not be afraid to ask.” He steps back and leaves us standing in the middle of the hall.

“That was so regal of you,” Ruelle speaks this time, breaking my trance from where he stands. “I know it’s not easy to forgive, I’ve seen it firsthand with Esmeray and our father but you handled it well. I admire you, you know? You would make a great queen.” I look at her, softly smiling.

“Would have,” I confirm with her as we walk back to our rooms in silence. Ruelle gives my hand a reassuring squeeze before leading me down the corridor to our rooms.

As we settle in for the night, I found it difficult to shake off the events of the evening. The tension in the royal family, King Eryx’s sudden outburst, Calanthe’s peculiar behavior—it all weighs heavily on my mind. But amidst the chaos of emotions swirling within me, one thing remains clear: I need to uncover the secrets and mysteries that surrounds this family and myself.

The moon cast a silvery glow through the window, illuminating the room in a ghostly light. Ruelle takes to her room near mine.

As I lay awake in bed, my thoughts are a tangled web of excitement and nervousness. The castle was waiting for me to explore its secrets, but I can’t do it with anyone else around. So I wait patiently until the late hours of the night, making sure that everyone had gone to bed before I finally snuck out. My attire was not quite appropriate for sneaking around a castle — a short gown that barely reaches mid-thigh and a thin robe that did little to hide my body. This was all Ruelle could provide for me, claiming it’s all they had. And so I was left with bare feet, as shoes were not something I enjoy wearing and since I don’t expect to run into anyone, there was no need for them.

Carefully and quietly, I made my way through the halls of the castle, taking in every detail with wide-eyed curiosity. To others, it may have just seemed like a quick dash from one place to another, but for me it’s an opportunity to experience the grandeur and mystery of this ancient fortress.

Thankfully, my lack of shoes help me move with ease— something I silently thank the Gods for. As I crept along, I can’t help but feel a sense of thrill and adventure coursing through my veins. This was my first taste of true freedom since arriving at the Court of Dusk, and I intend to savor every moment of it.

Enriched with intricate designs and rich colors, the artwork that graces the walls of some rooms is a striking contrast to what one would expect in a place like this. The portraits depict the royal predecessors, their faces stern and regal, along with the apparent Gods and Goddesses who held power over this kingdom. And then there were the portraits of the current royal family, both before and after their father’s untimely death.

But it wasn’t just portraits that don these walls— vibrant scenes of the aurora borealis, the heart of this court, were painted alongside serene beaches, bustling cities, delectable food, majestic animals, and other random inspirations. Though the court itself boasted plenty of natural light and dark walls, it was the golden trims and accents along with these colorful paintings that truly lit up the entire castle, casting a warm glow throughout its grand halls.

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