Page 60 of Of Shadows and Blood

“Questions even you cannot answer.”

Garreth laces his hands on his lap. “Rolan is a member of the High Council, a brash one at that. He could try to prod his way into our kingdom when we already have some tensions existing with Duresden, so we must play this game. You are incredibly powerful as a hybrid with a long line of family history that makes your match to Cedric important to the continent.”

I pocket that information. “And this?” I motion to the obscene city behind us.

“The High Council has their eyes on him already, but they do nothing as a collective. We hold out hope that by the end of the year, he will reform and be back within the code. Just play nice.” Garreth smiles widely. “Give no suspicion of your malady. You and Rolan have a history, a childhood friendship but it is strained. We will guide you.”

I smile tersely as the carriage slows.

Giles, our driver, assists me out of the cab. A rug is laid out, directing us to the main entrance. As the last one out of the carriage, I’m taken aback by how grand the castle truly is.

Demis is large and wide, very square like a cow pen or a crate. But Juris is tall and narrow with sharp metal spires jutting from the high points. It looks like a giant manor with the most aggressive features of modern architecture. The appearance of the castle severely juxtaposes with what lays just outside its gates. The castle’s grounds make it look like a diamond in a pig pen. The sea on the other side of it, beneath the steep rocky cliffs, provides a salty sea breeze almost strong enough to cover the smell of the city. But not strong enough to wipe away the faces of its inhabitants.

No, those images will haunt me.

Cedric stands at the end of the rug runway, hands casually in his pockets. The sun shines upon his hair and flecks of red appear in his pitch-black locks. I involuntarily reach for the red streaks framing my own face, pinned up in the hairstyle the maid chose for today.

Picking up my train, I move slowly down the walkway, keeping my head down to avoid the gaze of the servants. Sweat beads roll down my neck and down either side of the twin plunging V’s of the gown. Only a thin layer of black mesh conceals the skin beneath.

Cedric turns to face the castle, putting his elbow out. Garreth and Avonde stand to his side, linked as well. I stop short of the end.

“Your arm rests upon mine,” Cedric whispers as the large doors open before us.

“I gathered,” I reply, nearly spitting the words out. He sighs with a hint of a groan from the back of his throat as he drops his hand back into his pocket, walking forward without me.

I move slowly a step behind him, looking back to Avonde, who shows no hint of knowing what was said, clearly invested in her conversation with Garreth.

The first thing I notice is the gold.

Everywhere to be seen is decked in so much gilded décor from the rugs to the vases and chandeliers. From the top of the twin grand staircases winding down each side of the room, a man with fiery red hair opens his arms up, laughing.

Rolan, I take it.

“Cedric, welcome!” he booms, descending the stairs in a trot. His crown is three times as large as what lies upon Cedric’s head and his face is tanned from the blazing sun above his land.

A long cape of gold, white and brown trails behind him as he approaches us. The slam of the doors behind us makes me jump, causing another boom of laughter from the king.

“What a splendid sight, but I must tease that you always were easy to frighten, dear Elivienne,” he says, taking my hand in his and raising it for a kiss. However, his mouth stops an inch from my skin, eyes darting to Cedric on my left.

“Right,” he says, releasing my hand and stepping back. The smile upon his face returns as he takes in all of us, our outfits of black and red standing out like a sore thumb in his warm palace.

“We were shocked upon receiving your invitation,” Cedric speaks up, motioning to Garreth. “You remember Garreth?”

Rolan nods and steps to the other two, kissing Avonde’s hand and pointing down the large hall to our left. “The banquet has just barely started, however we held off on the ceremonies until our guests arrived,” he begins, leading us down the hall. Guards are posted every six feet and appear smaller than us, most likely humans. The grips upon their staffs seem to loosen as we pass. “You do not have to answer to anything he says,” Cedric bends to whisper, just barely audible. “We won’t be long.” I give a small nod in understanding.

Taking a calming breath as we approach the banquet room, I remember my place in all of this.

To be Elivienne.

Twin doors with spiralling columns of gold and peridot gems in the center swing open by vampyr guards. No humans here. Members of Rolan’s court rise as we enter, the room near silent. The outfits of his people are far more conservative than those at Lux and suddenly I decide I am more exposed than I would like to be.

My pause at the entrance is interrupted by a hand at my back, guiding me forward. I pick up my pace, moving fast from his touch. Similar to Cedric’s Chalice Room, there are servants everywhere offering wine and blood. Most of his court are seated at their respective tables as there appears to be an order to things here.

We all take our seats at the head of the room upon a dais. No plates are presented, only large servings of carafes and chalices. I know what is within them and my nostrils flare, reminding me I must feed at some point tonight.

“You may sit,” Rolan speaks to the room. His subjects all lower themselves at the order and begin pouring their glasses full. No cess are present either, I observe, save for the one we brought.

Avonde sits demurely at the end of the table, hands folded on her lap with no glass before her. Cess take a normal diet.