Page 16 of Crown of Slumber

“Hello?” I called uncertainly. My voice bounced off the walls, resonating down the empty hallway.

No answer.

Was there a formal gathering I’d forgotten about? I chewed on my thumbnail, thinking hard. No, I was sure I hadn’t missed anything. I knew there was nothing else on my agenda when I’d taken Mal flying.

The tea room. At this hour, Mother and Gigi often took tea together. I gathered my skirts and practically sprinted down the hall, my bare feet slapping against the cool marble.

I rounded the corner and choked on a horrified scream, covering my mouth before it pierced the air.

A servant lay prone on the floor, a tray of biscuits surrounding him. He must have dropped it when he’d fallen.

“Gods!” I crouched to the floor, sweeping his long blond hair out of his face.

I knew this man. It was Hastings from the kitchens. He often brought us our tea and refreshments. My hands shook, my breaths coming in sharp gasps. Burning suns, what had happened to him? Was he dead?

“Breathe, Aurelia,” I whispered to myself, inhaling through my nose, then exhaling deeply. “One step at a time. Check to see if he’s breathing first.” I swallowed hard, then leaned close. After a moment, I heard deep, slow breaths coming from his chest.

Thank the gods. I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to calm my skittering pulse.

Then, Hastings uttered a loud snore.

I jumped with a yelp, scrambling away from him, eyes wide.

He snored again.

I blinked. What the hell?

With slow and careful movements, I drew closer to him, lifting his arms and searching his tunic for injuries. But he seemed perfectly fine. No blood. No bones jutting out at odd angles. No bruises.

And he wassnoring.

Was Hastings… asleep?

I poked him uncertainly. “Hastings?”

He didn’t rouse.

I shook him more forcefully. “Hastings!”

Still, he continued to snore.

With a frown, I climbed to my feet, glancing down the hall to see if anyone approached. I needed to inform our medic about Hastings’ condition. Perhaps he drank a tonic that made him extra sleepy? I knew he often took a special medication for his heart.

Yes, that was all. Surely, there was no reason to panic.

But I couldn’t stop my legs from sprinting down the hall, my mind frantic.Someone, anyone, please…The hall was eerily empty as I raced past the library and the study, only stopping when I reached the tea room.

Gasping for breath, I braced one hand on the open door frame before going utterly still at the sight before me.

Soft snores filled the air. The room was full of sleeping figures. On the chaise sofas were Mother and Gigi, their bodies sprawled along the cushions with an informality that would make the queen blanch. Two servants lay on one end of the room, next to the tea cart. On the opposite end was Pearl, Mother’s lady’s maid.

I clutched my chest, which was tight with anxiety. I couldn’t make any sense of this. Why was everyone asleep?

I approached the sofas, checking my Mother first. Like Hastings, she had no visible injuries. Her face was smooth and free of worries or concerns.

I shook her shoulders. “Mother.”

Nothing.

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