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“I have guards?” I asked, annoyed that they thought I needed someone to look after me. I trained for eleven years. I knew most Advenians trained for centuries, but still, I could look after myself.
“Yes,” he replied coldly. The warmth in his tone vanished as his voice turned serious. “You aren’t safe in the castle. I will stay with you until it’s time for you to get ready for the banquet. Your servants will take you to the Grand Hall after they dress you. But Scottie, after tonight, everyone will know who you are. It’s important that you remain with your guards.”
“But—”
“None of that,” he cut me off. “You will have guards with you at all times. All it would take is one mind user to get inside your head and control you. It doesn’t matter what physical training you’ve put your body through over the years.”
I could tell there would be no talking him out of it. Clearly, he had discussed the fact that they thought there would be attempts made on my life with Sie. Could Advenians really hate rank zeroes that badly that they would murder just to not have one on the throne?
I swallowed. The answer to that became obvious as everyone that passed me glared in disgust. I knew what they said was true. Guards were strategic. Sie wouldn’t be able to use me to figure out what the High Council was planning if I ended up dead. Just a pawn in a mind-altering game… I just never thought I would need them. It gave me an idea. “I want to train while I’m here.”
“I’m sure you do,” he laughed softly. The lightness returned to his voice as we walked past the grand entrance. Two imposing curved staircases wrapped around the walls to meet in the middle of a second landing. Peter ignored the stairs and headed straight toward a darkened hall.
The castle had a few chandeliers dangling from the arched ceilings, but I was surprised to see more torches, candles, and fireplaces used to light the palace. I always imagined that the castle would be exploding with electricity, but so far it was contained to small amounts here and there.
“You really don’t know what you are getting yourself into,” he chuckled. I rolled my eyes. I wasn’t voluntarily getting myself into this, but I decided it wasn’t worth arguing over. “I really suggest that you read through your folder today, Scottie. You already have a full schedule, and training is not on the list.”
I halted. “What am I to be doing?”
“Oh, they will keep you busy with lessons and etiquette classes.”
I scoffed. The idea of being cooped up in classes all day long without moving my body sounded absolutely miserable. I would go crazy if I couldn’t kick something.
“I propose a compromise.”
Peter arched his brow. “I didn’t realize you had a choice.”
I ignored him. “I will agree to your guards and these classes if I can keep up with my training. If the castle is as dangerous to me as you and Sie say, then I want to be able to defend myself. And frankly, training would be more useful to me than whatever my lessons and etiquette classes entail.”
He crossed his arms across his chest, making a show of looking me up and down. “Fine.” He turned to start walking again, and I had to hurry to keep pace with him. “I’ll talk to Sie about it. We’ll get your schedule changed. But trust me, Scottie, I can guarantee you that your lessons are more important than training. Youneedall the etiquette classes you can get.”
“Jerk,” I mumbled under my breath, but from his lingering grin, I was pretty sure he heard it.
Peter was a breath of fresh air, despite the insults, as he finished showing me around. He talked to me like Vallie did and made me feel like a person.
He only showed me a portion of the grounds on the first level, but I honestly couldn’t remember anything. Everything was blending into one another—Council rooms, offices, a dining hall, the central kitchen, three smaller cafes, the Hall where our engagement banquet would be held.
Finally, we reached the back of the castle. A stone patio opened up into an extensive garden. A beautiful but dark lake was hidden behind the wide hedges of the path. The water was static, begging to be disturbed. There was a quiet stillness to it that made me believe no creatures lurked below, or if they did, they were hidden well beneath the depths of the surface. I had the urge to jump in. I wanted to feel the water surrounding me, clinging to my existence. I wanted to explore the bottom, see what sulked beneath, but I never could. Even if it was an acceptable thing to do, my markings would show.
Peter took me back inside through a different door. I couldn’t hide my excitement as we toured the library. It was massive. I had to crane my neck to see the top of the stained glass ceiling. The sunlight glinted through the red and orange depictions, casting a fiery glow over the books. A slim black stairway spiraled upward, leading to each level.
“What kind of books are here?” I asked.
“All genres,” he replied, seeming bored.
“More than a school would keep?”
Peter crossed his arms across his chest as he leaned against a pillar. “Not the scandalous sort.”
“That isnotwhat I meant.” I squealed as I turned away from him in an attempt to hide the heat from my cheeks. I wanted to know if they contained books on Lux. Not that I could correct him and admit to that.
“Uh-huh,” he laughed. “Come on. I’ll take you to your room now. You probably should read over what is expected of you so you don’t look like such a lost puppy.”
I stuck my tongue out, but followed him anyway. He was effortless to talk to and instantly made me feel at ease—unlike how I felt with Sie. How Peter was friends with someone so emotionless was beyond me. They were complete opposites. I wondered if people thought the same about me and Vallie. One light, warm, and welcoming, the other dark and closed off.
“This will be your room,” he said as he opened a set of double doors.
“Wow,” I breathed. The floor was solid oak, with walls painted dark to match. Small, circular tables were situated beside a black leather sofa and singular chair, the material looking stiff and uncomfortable.
