Page 21 of Of Shadows and Blood

Sawyer left and I could not rest, could not accept this. Answers will not come unless I find them and if I can make my way around the castle, without notice, my eventual escape will be easier. All I can do is focus on getting to the castle. This risk, it will be worth it if our escape is precise.

My feet race along the grass, completely avoiding the pebble driveway up to the castle. Each slip on the dew makes my leg muscles ache but I press into my heels and climb the grassy hill. This renewed energy makes movement more fluid, more elongated and for a brief moment, I smile at the freeing feeling racing through my bones.

Lighted lanterns with delicate orange flames line the main drive up to a rounded circle where shrubs and statues seem to have overtaken the otherwise clean landscaping. At the end of the tan drive is Demis, the castle. The gold warmth from the lanterns flickers upon the grey, cold walls.

It is, in fact, very cold.

This nightgown is far too thin.

Getting through the entrance we exited through earlier is a breeze. Servants are too busy to notice my wraithlike form slip into alcoves and behind open doors. They are too occupied carrying jugs and trays around, refilling chalices and gossiping around worktables as I pass through what seems to be the kitchen. Though barely any food preparation looks to be in place. Smells unknown to me float through the air and my stomach growls again.

A narrow stairwell to my right provides a quick escape from a guard entering the kitchen. His armor clangs as he leans against a marble pillar and I hold my breath behind him. Is he vampyr? Would he hear me breathe?

Seconds later, a maid enters with linens in hand right as he grabs her into a quick embrace. The girl giggles in his arms and leads him out into another workroom. My breath releases and I begin climbing the spiral stairway up, unsure of where I am headed. At the top, there is no door, rather a piece of tapestry hangs over the exit. I press my hand to the ancient canvas and pull it back, letting the art sway from my touch. Poking my head out into the space, I recognize it as the grand hall we passed through after I woke. Rotating my head, I scan each end.

Guards stationed at the west end of the hall stand unmoving, as if frozen in time. The east end is empty, lit by lanterns and the moonlight shining through the openings that lead into gardens and courtyards.

Heading east, I smile at the hidden passage. Clever. Probably useful for the servants put to work in this wretched palace.

Keeping my body close to the wall, I move one foot at a time, keeping myself as thin as possible until I dash to a small wall beside the entrance into one of the courtyards.

Luckily, it’s empty tonight. No scandalous women in sight.

The thought of being caught makes my stomach jump. I don’t know what would become of me. The grace and respect I’ve been treated with since my awakening has been overwhelming but what if they realized I was a traitor? They would realize, shortly, that I am not Elivienne.

Cedric spoke of enemies.

The courtyard is silent, peaceful even. The noise of the castle is gone now, the people we once passed nowhere to be seen. Tables and benches lay around, untouched by the temperature and bushes of the deepest greens scatter about, as if still proving that it truly is spring outside.

On the other side of the courtyard lies a large set of doors, manned by two more guards. How they do not see me, I do not know. My body slides behind a statue of the female form. The woman is shrouded in carved lace, a feat of art that inspires awe. A moment for myself, I trace my fingers over it, imagining the pottery Ma produces at the village. She would love this.

People come and go from the large doors and I can only imagine what is occurring behind them. Some sin, perhaps. I stay behind the statue for a good half an hour, plotting, panicking, before I see him.

Cedric walks – more like sways and drags his feet – towards the double doors, which open immediately at his arrival.

Music blares from the room, entertaining the chattering crowd within. The sound of violins and harps float through the castle as if begging to be heard by anyone who would listen. The music, coupled with the fresh air flowing through the space, provides a sense of repose. The violinist produces higher pitched notes which melt together with the other instruments so beautifully, I feel as if I am floating.

With his back to me, Cedric enters the room, which I can see from my vantage point is large enough to hold an army. It looks finer than the rooms at the cottage. A large crystal chandelier hangs in the middle and pale white tiles sparkle under the crowd’s dark dress.

The music drains and everyone turns to him. Even the guards move from their post to face him. Bows follow suit with greetings of “King Cedric” and “Your Majesty”.

King Cedric. He is the king.

Lux is completely under his control, though he looks too young to hold a station like this. Surely the rulers of kingdoms have more experience, more age to them. But he’s a vampyr, perhaps that changes things.

And he believes I am someone of importance to him?

I shake the thought from my mind, lowering behind the statue once more. Perhaps Sawyer is in there.

Taking a golden chalice from a servant, Cedric drinks heavily before examining it with a feral head tilt, as if it emptied far too soon. A drunk? He reeked of it in Avonde’s wing this afternoon. She was worried for me, for Elivienne. He could be a cruel thing.

That could make anyone run away.

That would also make a king desperate.

With how fast Cedric’s arm moved, I missed the throw as the chalice he was holding slams into the back of someone’s head at the far end of the room. The throw, further than I can manage, makes a deadly sound against his victim’s skull. I gasp and grab onto the stone, my fingernails biting into the cold.

The man grabs his head and slowly turns around.