“Queen Cayleen and Prince Marcel expect you in the sundown room to meet with the Lord and Lady of Garren.” Gently, she places a hand on my arm, a touch that makes me want to both pull away and lean closer. “Don’t spoil your experiment because of my immune deficiencies. I’ll be right in the next room.” She gives me a smile and offers a curtsy before leaving.
“I thought the rule was no flirting,” Deean says, nodding to Benny, giving him the go ahead to proceed.
“Not flirting. And that rule was for you, not me.”
“Mmm…she’s close to the Queen, so be wary.” Deean nudges my arm with his shoulder.
“There is nothing to be careful about because there is nothing there.”
“I believe you.” He absolutely does not believe me.
Deean and I stop bickering in time to watch Benny dump the salt into the water. There is nothing at first but the scent of lilac filling the room, but as soon as the flakes of salt touch the anchor, bubbles begin rising to the top. The gold bursts with light breaking through the water, causing droplets to shower the ground.
“Is everything okay?” Ariah calls from the other side of the door.
Light rushes out of the water as beams of light, spreading out like a fan, cast an image on the ceiling to create a tree-like picture that resembles a map of Farella Isle.
“She enchanted it.” My voice is so low and full of awe, I don’t even think I actually spoke the words.
“Brilliant.” Benny spins trying to study the image from all angles. He stops and drops his head before facing us. “You wouldn’t go out of your way to enchant an image if it didn’t mean something.”
There is a knock at the door. “Prince Iann, Prince Marcel ishere, waiting for you,” Ariah calls, dropping the casual tone she carried this morning. “He would like you to accompany him to the sundown room.”
“Sketch it, study it, memorize it.” I point a finger at the ceiling. “I will work on getting the Queen to grant us access to the isle.”
“How are you going to do that without telling her what we’re after?” Deean keeps his gaze upwards, his eyes tracing the image.
“No idea, but I’ll figure it out.” I squeeze him on the shoulder. “You came through on your end of the deal. Welcome to the crew.” He gives me a look, and even through the terrible facial disguise, I can tell how much he softens at the words. Words he’s desperately been craving. I turn to go, but another thought stops me. “My rules are still in place.”
He pushes me towards the door. “Get out of here before Marcel forces his way in.”
I cautiously open the door, trying not to let the scent of lilac escape.
Ariah is several feet away waiting. “Your brother is outside. Did the experiment work?”
“Perhaps,” I say with a smile to match hers.
Knowing Marcel has no issue coming in here and dragging me away, I make my way out.
As I pass Ariah, she reaches out gently, stopping me with her arm. She pulls away as if second guessing, but I make no attempts to suggest I have any qualms with her action.
“Perhaps you can tell me about it later. Lady Arranella is hosting a departure party out at the Rose House. Would you like to come? Eli and Benny are welcome to join too.” She leans in before saying, “I do warn you, they aren’t tame parties, but they’re fun.”
“IANN!” Marcel calls from outside.
“I wouldn’t want to attend a party I wasn’t invited to.”
“I just invited you.” She winks. “Plus, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind a prince showing up uninvited.”
I release the muscles in my jaw and give her a hesitant nod. “I would love to.”
Parties have never been my favorite pastime, and often I find myself disappearing from the crowd, only to end up in a study with a book. This one time, for her, I’ll make an exception.
Leaving her behind, I meet up with Marcel in the hall who is less than amused at my pace.
Today, he has on warm colors, blending in with our new surroundings, and I can’t help but wonder if it’s a strategic move or not.
“I hear Lord Garren is a dull man with a crude sense of humor,” Marcel says, eyeing a group of people who whisper between themselves as we pass by. “He’s eager to discuss opening up trade between Haymel and Saden, which could lead to potential exploration opportunities. Did you think over the ideas I asked you about?”
