Chapter 16
Rinni cracks the door.“Your Majesty? Are you ready?”
“Yes.” I’m perched at the edge of my bed. Alice’s journal is balanced on my knees and I’m scouring through for any information that could give me a starting point for how to approach my predicament.
I’ve already managed to figure out that the “Being” is the mirror of the “Knowing” in that it is the essence of existing rather than just understanding existence. It’s a tricky concept, but the important bit is that I now know my powers can change the true name of something.
A useful discovery to dedicate my morning to.
Rinni says nothing. The silence drags long enough that I glance over to her. Her eyes are focused on the wolf that’s taking up nearly the entire foot of my bed. She has a confused, bewildered, and slightly afraid expression.
“Rinni, meet Hook.” I named the wolf after the hook shape of his one, damaged ear.
“Hook… You have a wolf?”
“Yes, and his name is Hook.” I close up the journal. “Before you ask, yes, Eldas knows Hook is here. And yes, he’s all right with it.”
“Eldas… I’m missing something.”
“Maybe.” I smile sweetly and saunter over to the closet. I feel better than I have in days. “Hold on just a moment while I get dressed.”
Rinni studies me when I emerge.
“What? Did I pick poor clothes for a queen?” I ask.
“It’s not that. I like that you went with green again. It complements your hair. Perhaps you do have a bit of fashion sense to you.”
I gasp. “Rinni, did you just say something nice about me?”
She rolls her eyes. “You say it as if it’s a shock.”
“Well, I didn’t think you liked me much.”
“I like you fine.” Rinni’s eyes fall to Hook at my side. “You’re not bringing that beast into the throne room.”
“You want to try and tell him he can’t come?”
Hook tilts his head at Rinni. His eyes say, “pet me.” But his long muzzle full of razor sharp teeth says, “try me.” It’s only been a day, but I think finding Hook was one of the best things I could’ve done. It’s like we were meant to be together all along.
“Fine, but if Eldas asks, I said he should stay in your room.”
I shrug. After last night, I’m already more confident around Eldas. As long as he keeps up his end of the deal, maybe there’s hope.
Maybe, somehow, we got through to each other. A little?
We walk through the main room of my apartments. It’s still barren, and getting furniture slots higher onto my to-do list. It’s solidly underneath “figure out my magic” and “stop the cycle of the Human Queen.” But it may be more attainable than either of those goals and, moreover, having a furnished apartment might make me more comfortable during my—hopefully short—three months here. At the very least, it’d be nice to have an actual desk to read journals and take notes at.
We go down the same path to the throne room. Just like before, Rinni listens at the door before opening it. “Your Grace, Her Majesty and…Her Majesty’s wolf.”
Eldas stands before the great window behind the two thrones—one crafted by nature, the other by mortal hands. His hands are folded behind his back and his long silhouette is cut sharply against the morning light. I think I hear the echo of a sigh.
“Thank you. You may leave, Rinni.”
Rinni bows and departs through the side door we entered through.
Eldas turns to face me, looking down his blade-like nose. His face is so severe that I wonder strangely if it would be painful to kiss it. I already know his words are sharper than glass. Would his tongue match? I push the thoughts from my mind. I’m here to work.
His gaze shifts to Hook.