Page 3 of Chaos and Destiny
“My involvement is merely ceremonious at this point. Perhaps the change in atmosphere is just what we need around here.”
“Are you sure you will not open the castle for guests this year?”
“Yes. I’d prefer to keep the crowds in the city. We will have open meals and that is all. I’ll make sure Inok lets you know how many to expect, and, as always, you may bring in extra staff as you need them, Loti.”
Some time later, I sat at my desk waiting for Inok to join me, letting my eyes land on the smooth surface of the old desk Efi had gifted me. I peeled them away to study the print on the couches she’d chosen. I had hated the oversized pillows because they were always in the way of comfortable naps. But now I loved them. They were hers. They held the laughter she’d filled the room with when I grimaced at her decorative choices. She was everywhere. And nowhere.
Inok hastened through the room and took his seat across from me. Never late. Never absent. “The schedule for this afternoon, Your Grace.” He handed me a rolled parchment.
I took the paper and unrolled it, shaking my head. “Why are we meeting with Attoc and Muth? They were in the open council meeting just days ago.”
“They were, Your Grace. Both have champions to present for sponsorship, and they cannot come to an agreement. They have requested a private council.”
“I should have known. Tell the pit lords I will not meet with them again. Instead, send Brax to each practice yard. Let him observe and report to me. I’ll make a decision then.”
“Yes, Your Grace.” He paused, glancing at the paper in my hand. “And the other?”
“Other?” I looked once again at the message. “Oh. Right. I was trying to avoid this one.” I let out a deep breath and handed the note back to him. “Tell her to meet me in the throne room.”
“You know she hates that.” He smiled.
“I know,” I replied with an answering grin.
Chapter 2
ARA
I‘d seen him die.
Over and over again, I pictured all the different ways I would kill the southern prince and watch the blood leave his still and lifeless body. I’d tie up his lackeys and make them watch, just for locking the door.
I should have been more careful. I should have stopped to consider the power of the royals. But what kind of prince spends his free time in a library? I turned around and glared at the stacks of books on the desk across the room. Maybe I’d kill him with those. Can you papercut someone to death? I added it to my list of options.
I went to the window first. Several stories up, the only thing it offered was a clear view of the furious thunderstorm wreaking havoc outside the castle. Rather than using the simple lamps that sat collecting dust, the room glowed in the dancing flames of hundreds of candles spread throughout the masculine chamber. Even the embers of the fireplace snapped, giving warmth to the ambiance of the Marsh Court suite.
A tall-backed, red leather chair sat beside the fire, and, had I been here for any other reason, I would have dared to call the room cozy. Printed rugs lay flat along the wooden floor while several surfaces held trinkets of random things. The dresser, void of candles or books, held an open felt-lined box—an indication the prince kept his prized weapons secure. I ran my fingers over the flasks of wine and lifted a half-drank jug of ale, sniffed, and then promptly corked it. The bitter scent was horrendous.
The printed drapes matched the wood tones of the towering timber beams that crossed the ceilings and reflected the calming glow of the candelabras. I moved in front of the fireplace and let the heat warm me as I studied the painting above. It was a simple painting of a farmstead, likely depicted from somewhere within the Marsh Court. I was sure the prince hated it; therefore, I liked it.
I checked behind the wall hangings and under the bed. I spent hours tracing my fingers along the tiny gaps in the floorboards for anything that would help me, and I even rolled up the rug on the floor. I found nothing but a stashed pile of dirt a sneaky maid had been hiding below.
Knowing the sentries weren’t posted outside the door based on the silence on the other side, I flopped onto the bed that was way too soft and used my knife to clean beneath my nails as I plotted. I’d gotten out of this situation before; I could do it again.
I eyed the leather-bound book I’d risked everything for. It pulled me, suffocated me, encased me. I was terrified to open those tattered pages and find the truth to be more than I had bargained for. Nealla was the only one who could tell me the reality of Alewyn’s Promise and my full prophecy. She was also the source of most of my childhood nightmares. Once I learned of my prophecy, there was no turning back, and the thought of losing my own free will sickened me.
Skimming through the textured pages of the book of magic, I wondered if I could use it to escape. I’d crushed a sea fae’s arm before, so surely a door would be easier.
Unfortunately, the book was not a step-by-step guide on how to use magic. There was a lot of information about the rooted origins of magic and how the intensity of magic used to be much more powerful, but overall—though I tried—the book was pointless. I tossed it aside and looked again to the other book, feeling the power thrum. I would read it. Soon.
The room was so large, but every corner was filled with him: his books stacked along the furniture, the Flame Court sigil embroidered on a tapestry hung along the wall, and even the pillowed bedding smelled of him. I pulled open the heavy wooden drawers of his borrowed dresser. Though he had been here for a while, his room was fairly bare. His perfectly folded trousers and shirts hardly filled the drawers. The cloak he had worn in the tavern the previous night hung over the post of his bed. He definitely hadn’t planned on capturing me, and it seemed like he would walk in any moment, based on the way he’d left this room.
I searched through the nightstand for hidden papers or secret messages—anything. It was empty. Did he truly have nothing to hide? I knew that wasn’t true. I’d seen him save those two lesser fae in the alleyway. I knew he was hiding something.
Watching the sun set below the horizon, I realized I had been in the castle for a full day. Tilting my head against the window frame for a moment, I thought of the last time I was here as a prisoner. It seemed like a lifetime ago. I still had parents back then and I was also blissfully unaware of who I was—that I was Alewyn’s Promise.
Shaking my head, I refused to think of those days. No matter what, I would get out of this opulent room and find my own place in this broken world. Hopefully, Prince Fancy Pants would show up soon, so I could kill him and be on my way.
The door flew open and I was instantly moving. A small lesser fae skittered in, dropped a tray on the floor, and ran out of the room. A great wind pulled the door shut just before I could reach it.Damn it. I needed to stay focused.
