Chapter 12
I have gone the wrong way, I realize instantly. There are six doors in the throne room, three on each side. I usually enter from the far-left door, farthest from the thrones. But he made me so angry I turned myself around.
Did I go through the middle or far right door? I’m not sure.
I’m face-to-face with a long, quiet hallway. Doors are on the left, windows on the right. Every door at my left has a heavy padlock. At the end of the hall is a stairwell.
Up the stairs? Or back? That’s not really a question. I’m certainly not going back and risking running into him. Up it is.
On the next floor there’s a landing that has a single sofa and small table at the far end in front of a lavish tapestry—likely a waiting room for those anticipating an audience with the king. I’m about to move on when a glint catches my eye.
I pause, shifting my weight back and forth. Something is shining in the bottom fringe of the tapestry. I cross over quickly, crouch down, and reach forward to investigate. The tapestry gives way to my hand. I pull the heavy fabric aside to reveal an opening and crawl through.
The glint I saw was sunlight from a skinny window at the end of this impossibly narrow hall. I have to side step as the walls try and crush me. But as I do, I notice there are small perforations in the stone. It is as if the builder didn’t completely fill in every gap with mortar.
Through these holes, I get glimpses of the throne room below. Voices echo up to me. Eldas paces the floor before the thrones, hands gripped so tightly at the small of his back I’m surprised his bones aren’t shattering. Rinni is there too. She’s relaxed before the raging king. This is clearly nothing new to her.
“How can I do this, Rinni?”
“If anyone can, it’s you, Eldas.”
“She will not listen. I cannot work with her. I waited for the queen I was promised and did not get her.” Eldas stops, slipping his long hair over his shoulder. “Her power is only a fraction of Queen Alice’s. It’s further indication that the line of queens is diminishing. If the power of the Human Queen dries up entirely, then our world is doomed.”
“That is a concern for the future. Focus on the here and now,” Rinni advises calmly.
“The here and now is that she might be the last Human Queen.”
“You’re being dramatic,” Rinni says. It’s accurate, yet there’s the ghost of doubt drifting around her words. “You’ve only just begun working with her. Give her a chance.”
“How can I ‘give her a chance’ when she delights in disrespecting me?” Eldas stops, turning to face his knight with a palm on his cheek. “She actually struck me.”
The full spectrum of emotions runs across Rinni’s face. I see her brow furrow with worry. Then her lips part in shock. I see her close them quickly to hold back what looks like laughter.
“Rinni—”
“About time, Eldas.”
“She’s won you over already? She’s even stealing my allies.” Eldas scowls and resumes his pacing.
“You’ve become unbearable these last few months.” Rinni doesn’t mince words and folds her hands together smugly. “Someone needed to put you in your place, and I certainly wasn’t getting through to you.”
Eldas pinches the bridge of his nose and hangs his head, raven hair slipping over his shoulders and shielding his face. “I suppose I have been somewhat curt.”
Rinni snorts. “Somewhat?”
My words exactly. I’m not sure if I’m relieved that Eldas is admitting it or all the more angry. If he knew he was being an ass then why allow himself to act that way?
Eldas comes to a halt, staring at the door I left from. There’s a murky expression clouding his gaze. I can’t make out the depths of it all…but dare I say it? Is that remorse?
No, it can’t be. He was cruel and he knew it. Those facts trump everything else. Yet, the longer I stare at him, the cloudier my own feelings become. Your heart is too soft, Luella, I scold myself.
“I wonder if…” Eldas murmurs.
“If what?” Rinni presses.
“If she’s all right,” Eldas finishes. I was right, there is worry in his eyes. “I should check—”
“Don’t.” Rinni rushes over and catches his elbow. “I don’t know exactly what you did, but I suspect it might be best to give her some space. You’re likely the last person Luella wants to see right now.”