Page 43 of Deadwood
I wasn’t scared of him and the threats he doled out, and for that, he should fearme. I didn’t have nearly as much to live for, and pain was all too good of a friend of mine. He could say whatever he wanted. Dole out whatever empty threats he found pleasure in.
He wasn’t the only monster in my life.
* * *
We hadn’t beenin the city long before I began to feel queasy. One of the guards brought me back to the castle, leaving Lander behind to presumably indulge in his hobbies while he had the spare time. His family might fault him for his addictions, but I envied him for having the luxury of being able to form them. He had the ability to leave as he pleased, to partake in whatever activities he liked, while I, on the other hand, wouldn’t know what to do with myself if presented with the opportunity to do as I chose.
As soon as I returned to the room and was alone, I used my power to refill the fire vial in the lantern. Right as I did, the sourness in my stomach eased. My brows pulled together, taking notice of the pattern I’d been feeling during the trip. At some point each day, I’d grow nauseous, but I’d been assuming it was due to the long hours in the carriage. Each night, when we’d settle down and I’d refill my lantern vial away from any prying eyes, the rolling of my gut would ease.
Was I having…withdrawals?
I stared at the vial glowing a bright amber in the compartment of the lantern, then moved my gaze to the tips of my fingers. That had to be what was going on.
Was I truly so accustomed to using my power day in and day out that even one day away from it was whittling away at my body?
If that was the case, I’d have to find a vial to use my magic on in private each day until we returned, which wouldn’t be difficult in the grand scheme of things, but making sure no one witnessed what I was doing might become tricky. Thankfully, since we had been in Torbernite, my guards had been a little more lenient on watching my every move, so I hoped it’d stay that way until we returned to Amosite.
Accepting that was the case, I laid down, falling into a deep sleep shortly after. I must’ve rested all through the afternoon and well into the night, because when I opened my eyes, it was the next morning.
Feeling like I’d woken from the dead, I climbed out of bed and bathed before dressing for the day and heading downstairs. The Bulars were holding a grand breakfast in the dining room to begin the celebration of Exitium Lunae, and I was thankful for it as I was starving since I’d skipped lunch and dinner yesterday. With the festival, I was sure there’d be plenty of food to indulge in, and my stomach was already anticipating the delicacies.
The doors to the dining area were wide open as I entered. My guard stayed posted by the threshold, leaving me to my own devices. I assumed none of them told me their names, despite our traveling together, due to my father’s instruction. I didn’t mind very much, given that as soon as we arrived back in Amosite, I likely wouldn’t see them again.
“Lady Auria, I’m so glad you joined us,” Queen Bular said from where she sat at the end of the table. Her blonde hair was placed atop her head in an intricate style, pins and clips holding the multitude of curls in a seamless display. Her eyes were lined with brown eyeliner, her blush heavy.
The dining area wasn’t quite as long as my father’s, the room feeling much more intimate, but I guessed it was due to the nature of the holiday that we were eating at a smaller table. Today, as Lander had informed me on our way into the kingdom, was a day to celebrate equality. To honor each other.
“Of course. Thank you for inviting me. I’d never miss a delicious breakfast,” I replied, taking a seat next to Lander. Paxon sat across from him, and their father was seated at the opposite end of the table. The warm smells of various foods coming from the kitchen made my stomach growl.
“Just lunch and dinner,” Paxon remarked with a wink in my direction.
My fingers fumbled over the cloth napkin as I unfolded it. “I?—”
“It’s no problem to skip a few meals,” Queen Bular said before I had a chance to come up with some excuse and apologize. “You have all been on quite the journey, and rest is important to take care of yourselves. I’m sure sleeping on the road is not the most comfortable.”
I gave a small nod, flattening the napkin on my lap. “That’s quite the understatement.”
Three servants wearing finely pressed light green suits appeared from a small door that led to what I assumed was the kitchen. Their attire wasn’t as grand as the royals, but even so, they seemed better off than Amosite’s. They carried covered plates of food and sat a platter in front of each of us. I thanked the one who placed a silver tray in front of me, earning me a peculiar look from the queen.
“Lander tells us this is your first year celebrating Exitium Lunae?” King Bular sent a glance my way as he sliced into his fried egg.
“That’s correct,” I replied, grabbing my fork.
“Does Amosite not partake in the celebration?” he asked before taking a bite.
“I’m not sure.” Without knowing the holiday even existed before last week, I wasn’t sure if Silicate ever threw their own festival to celebrate.
Paxon stared at me from where he sat, not touching his plate. “Why is that?”
My thumb ran along the intricate etching on the handle of the fork as I tried to think of a suitable answer. It was one thing to never have celebrated Exitium Lunae, but to admit I knew nothing about it was almost embarrassing. What king’s daughter was so uneducated that she’d be clueless about a holiday celebrated all across Serpentine? Me. And depending on how I answered, it could lead to questions I couldn’t respond to altogether, which would look all the more suspicious.
“Now, Paxon, leave the poor girl alone,” Queen Bular piped in.
Poor girl?Was that how they saw me?
Paxon gave a closed-lip smile. “My apologies.” He finally grabbed his cutlery and sliced through an egg with the side of his fork, the yolk leaking out onto the plate. “It’s only interesting that you know nothing of your kingdom’s traditions around such a widely celebrated holiday.”
His mother didn’t scold him this time. She simply glanced at me, half expecting me to explain.
