Page 26 of A Story of Sinners

Despite that, I fidgeted uncomfortably in my seat. Though we were high up and mostly out of sight, all one needed to do was raise their head to catch a glimpse of my body on display…and they did. Constantly. My outfit had been a purposeful move on Aiden’s part, meant to upset the visiting fae king.

Aiden droned on, front and center, about the necessity of aid and how every nation on our continent was at risk. The darkness was slowly seeping into our world, poisoning the air and the earth. Fruits and vegetables no longer thrived, and trees on the outstretch of the Scourged Forest were slowly turning to stone.

Even though the shadow creatures and shades had left us be, their world was bleeding into ours, converging our reality with another that was pure poison. It was only a matter of time before the continent turned to stone and ash.

Redmond chuckled next to me as I pulled at the neckline of my gown, trying to cover my chest. “Everyone is too preoccupied with their own fears to notice you, Dahlia. They think this is the end of the world. Your outfit is the least of their concerns.”

That wasn’t completely true. Ryken hadn’t stopped staring since the moment he’d entered the auditorium, but his look wasn’t one of judgement or hatred, not anymore. His eyes were filled with concern. Our explosive fight last night had settled into a sort of unspoken truce.

I would take vengeance, and he would wait silently in the wings.

If only I could find a way to do so.

I adjusted my outfit one last time and narrowed my eyes on Redmond. “Do you not think it’s the end of the world?”

He leaned back in his chair and raised his brow. “Oh I do, but with the combined sources of science and magic, we can discover a way to halt the convergence. If the shades and shadows wished to destroy our world, they would have done it already.” He tapped his pointer finger on his chin. “We simply need to speak with them and figure out what it is they want.”

“The shade gods were once ruthless. I can’t imagine them wanting anything other than death and destruction,” I snorted.

Brandon, who was seated at the end of the row, seats away, shushed us. “Be quiet,” he whisper-shouted. “The king is speaking.”

Redmond and I smirked at each other and listened to King Aiden drawl on about something every leader already seemed to agree upon. When the king of New Hazel took the stand, Redmond nudged me with his shoulder and reached into his pocket, pulling out a small leather pouch.

“What’s this?” I asked, removing the pouch from his hand.

A smile graced his face and his eyes sparkled. “Don’t think for a minute I forgot what today is. Happy name day, Dahlia.”

My lips tilted as I untied the small leather pouch, tearing it open to see what lay inside.

I thought he’d forgotten, just like everyone else. There was nary a greeting nor good wish when I was shouldered awake. George, Brandon, and Aiden had all crossed my path today, and not one of them acknowledged my presence with little more than a command.

“Thank you,” I whispered, my heart alight as I excitedly tilted the pouch upside down. A small vial landed in the palm of my hand, and I scrunched my brows. “What is it?”

“Something I’m sure you’ll need,” he whispered. “A backup plan.”

I uncapped the vial and sniffed the liquid inside. The sweet yet pungent odor of a sleeping draught seeped from its container, and it made my head grow dizzy. I quickly screwed the cap back onto the container and cleared my throat.

It was an incredibly thoughtful gift, considering my circumstances. It could be used to incapacitate an enemy, or simply aid in sleep when the nightly anxiety clawed at my mind.

“Thank you. I’m sure it will be needed.” I tossed the leather pouch back to Redmond and twisted the vial into the elaborate updo of my hair.

A few moments after the king of New Hazel ended his speech, Aiden took the podium once more to call for a respite in the morning meeting. As people made their exit, I leaned in close to Redmond, shielding myself from prying eyes and praying to be forgotten.

A throat cleared behind me, and I jumped as Brandon laid his hand on my shoulder. “Everyone is off to the hall for the midday banquet. Come.”

“I’d rather stay with Redmond,” I said, lifting my eyes to his. “I doubt I will be missed. I would like a little leniency, given what today is to me.”

Brandon stared at me blank faced, not a shudder of recognition whatsoever. To think, he had been one of my best friends. It may have been childish for me to put so much importance on this one day of the year, but no matter how immature I told myself I was being, it didn’t stop my heart from sinking.

Brandon still felt like a friend to me, despite the imbalance of our relationship.

“Er…” Brandon wrinkled his brow. “The first day of the negotiations, which you are a part of, no matter what you otherwise wish.”

Redmond shook his head in disappointment and grasped my hand, his eyes softening. “I’ll be here when you return.”

“All right,” I sighed, standing up to realign my gown. “I’ll see you soon.”

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