Page 66 of Of Shadows and Blood

“Is this a little much?” I whisper, aware of Lee right behind us.

“Court culture,” he whispers back, keeping his smile wide for the crowd to see.

“Oh.” I nod. Cedric clears his throat and holds his hand out for me to take, just as we did in Duresden. He leads us down the path to the castle, keeping his eyes on me. Everyone we pass dips into a deep bow, eyes closed in reverence. I can’t help but feel like an imposter as they regard me in such a way.

I’m just Liv. Not their queen. Not his.

If I could take back my words about the grandeur of the castle’s exterior, I would.

The main entrance is far more enchanting than the halls of the castle I was graced with when I awoke. The stone a pale grey with three staircases before us. The one in the middle seems to lead to the main halls of the castle I crossed to enter the Chalice Room. I recognize it by the guards on each side and the peek of sunlight being let in through a courtyard on the second level.

On the left and right are two grand spiral staircases that seem to defy all laws of gravity as they ascend into what should be a third floor.

But as my eyes trail up the staircases, my gaze catches on the ceiling – black as a void bedecked with silver and golden twinkling lights of some sort high above us. The black mass seems to swirl, as if a sentient abyss. The lights ebb and flow just like the night sky and I know I’m gaping at it. The delicateness of the mass is more than weightless. It is magical.

“Like the night sky,” I say to myself. Cedric steps in front of me, bringing my attention back to earth.

“Exactly the thoughts my ancestors had when they put it up there.” He looks up himself, taking in the sight. “Of course, with the help of some clever sorceresses.” He winks.

My magic zaps at that, causing me to jump. Like static electricity in my hands. I rub them and giggle.

“Oh yes,” he drawls, rolling his eyes with a sly smile attached. “You cess have a terrible hold on your power.”

“I don’t know any better.” I laugh awkwardly, shoving my hands into the pockets sewn into my dress. Elivienne had good taste in clothing.

“Sure you do.” He winks again and I’m caught off guard by his casual nature, considering. Just when I want to make a snarky comment, a large man with an oversized belly comes down the left stairwell, barely able to make it down without the help of the railing.

“Your Highness,” he says, bowing before Cedric. The man coughs and bows back down again. “Lady Liv,” he says, holding this one longer than when he greeted his king.

“That’s better,” Cedric says and approaches the man. “What is it?”

“The prince requests an audience,” he coughs out.

Cedric rolls his neck before turning to face me, now just awkwardly standing in the center of the giant chamber. “I have to attend to this. My apologies. The servants are at your disposal and will settle you in.”

Without another word, he walks up the stairs ahead of the man who is left to catch up. The man looks to me and gives a once over before slightly shaking his head and bowing. He departs and the journey up those steps seems to distress him more than coming down.

I turn around to find two women behind me, standing stoically as if waiting for instruction.

“Hello,” I say, unsure of what to do with myself.

The dark-headed one steps forward, chin held high with a smile. She looks about my age.

“Lady Liv,” she says, curtsying deeply. “We promise to use your preferred name only in intimate settings moving forward.”

“Thank you. It’s just Liv,” I correct. Hopefully I can snuff out this “Lady” nonsense. But at least Cedric has spun some lies about a preferred name to those who attend me.

She just smiles at my correction, moving past it to introduce me to the other. “We are your household. I am Jett and this is Isadora.”

So, not maids.

“Nice to meet you both,” I say, extending my hand forward to Isadora. She looks down at it plainly so I slowly retract.

“As your ladies-in-waiting, we are here to help you with whatever you may need. We will organize your wardrobe, affairs and anything in between. Consider us as friends and helpful servants.”

“Did I know both of you before?”

They look at each other oddly. “Before what?”