Kit stiffened as though resisting the urge to smack Elyria in return.
“Hear that?” Thraigg nudged Nox in the hip with his elbow. “I’m asir, now.”
Nox rolled their red-black eyes. “I haven’t been called ‘Saer’ since leaving Nocterrum.”
“Are ye a noble back in Shadowhaven, Noxie?”
The nocterrian ignored the dwarf, though something resembling a grin played at the edge of their mouth, revealing the barest hint of fang.
Barcroff seemed dumbstruck at Kit’s admonition. “I—Of course, my lady.”
“So, can you assure me they will be given the same gracious hospitality we are being so kindly afforded?”
The steward shifted uneasily on his feet.
“Did you fail to hear Lady Ravenswing?” Dentarius asked after a few moments.
Barcroff’s fingers twitched before he ran his hands down the front of his doublet. Then he cleared his throat, his smile already plastered back into place. “No, of course not. Apologies, my lady. It is only...well, there are only so many rooms, you understand. And since we need to reserve the rest for?—”
“Reserve them?” Kit’s browsknitted together.
Annoyance flickered across Barcroff’s face before he smoothed it away. “Yes, for when the rest of your party joins us.”
Silence.
Elyria’s fingers curled against her palm.Thewhatnow?
Kit’s expression barely shifted, but Elyria knew her more than well enough to recognize the stiffening of her shoulders, the way her jaw tightened.
“The rest of our party,” Kit echoed. It wasn’t exactly a question, but...
“We are aware they have been delayed, but I received word they are to arrive within the fortnight and—” Barcroff startled as he took in the confused expressions on each Arcanian’s face “We received word days ago to expect two additional guests. Surely King Lachlandris informed his own delegation of this?”
Kit’s fingers twitched at her side.She didn’t know.Neither did Dentarius, judging by the way his gaze had darkened, his arms slowly folding over his chest.
“When the rest of our party arrives, we can reevaluate living arrangements,” Dentarius said, voice level. “Until then, I expect you will be able to find appropriate accommodations for usall.”
Barcroff’s cheeks reddened, but he dipped his head. “Yes, my lord. Of course.”
Elyria thought he might have said more, but a servant rounded the corner at that very moment. Barcroff quickly summoned the somewhat terrified-looking young man over, instructing him to lead Ollie, Shep, and Jocelyn to the guardhouse before ushering the rest of the group down the hall.
“Wouldn’t’ve minded the barracks, y’know.” Thraigg sighed. “Was lookin’ forward to making some new friends. Knights always know the best place to grab a pint.”
“Something tells me you’re more than willing to put in the work to sniff out the premier local haunt on your own,” said Nox.
“Aye, I am at that,” Thraigg replied. “A hard job, but someone’s got to do it.”
Elyria smiled at the exchange, though her amusement was quickly replaced with something that straddled the line between curiosity andsuspicion. Questions ran rampant in her mind as they finally arrived in the guest wing of the palace and each member of the group peeled away to get settled in their respective rooms.
Who exactly comprised this “other party” that the humans were expecting, and why did Kit and Dentarius know nothing about it? What was the king playing at? Both kings, at that. With Arcanians behind the walls of his palace for the first time in centuries, what could be so important as to keep King Callum wholly occupied for the next two days?
Elyria barely heard Barcroff as he relayed a string of final directions, instructions, and itinerary items—mealtimes, where they could find recreation within the palace—then summarily dismissed himself. She slunk into her quarters with something heavy weighing on her heart—and knotted in her chest.
Two weeks before this supposedother partywould even arrive. Did that mean it would be, at a minimum, two weeks before she’d be given license to search for Malchior? That would not do at all.
Sighing, Elyria ran a hand over the thick velvet curtains draped on either side of the large four-poster bed situated in the center of her room. Like everything else in this place, the bedroom was immaculately appointed. To one side, glass doors led to a small balcony. The other wall was home to a fireplace, flames already dancing in the hearth. Twin brocade-covered, oversized armchairs sat in front of it, a table between them.
“Nice room.” Kit strode in through the still-open door, her hands on her hips. “A bit too nice, actually.” She whistled as her mismatched gaze took in the patterned wallpaper and thick, plush rug under their feet. “Nicer than mine.”
