She leans on the table with her elbows and folds her hands to rest her chin upon. “Good. Now, do you two have anything to report on the princes?”
I sense Vera’s gaze go to me, waiting for a few seconds before she speaks.
“Prince Marcel has written to the King about their visit. He is worried about Lord Garren and the trade alliance, but overall considers the trip to be a success and believes the rivalry between kingdoms has come to an end.”
There are circular swirling designs on the polished tile that I didn’t realize the last time I was in here. They match the patterns on the curtains, and the embellishment has me envisioning countless outfits I can craft with them.
My insides flame. Distress eats away at me along with the effort to keep my mouth shut, something I’m unaccustomed to. The last time I spoke up to a higher authority, the council ended up taking it out on my best friend—a friend I desperately wish I could talk to right now. But this is the Queen. A woman with far more power, and people to use, to destroy everything and everyone in my life.
I am angry and disappointed. It was reckless to think that anything would come of Iann and I, but for one night we could have pretended.
An elbow digs into my ribs and my eyes dart up to Vera who nods her head towards the Queen.
“I’m sorry. Umm…the King wrote to Iann…Prince Iann, I mean, saying that his middle brother was missing from the palace and then stated that Rolley is his confidant.” Theinformation on the map and Farella surface, and although I should divulge such insights, I keep it all to myself.
Queen Cayleen rises from her seat and comes around to the front of her desk. “Anything else?”
“No, Your Grace,” Vera and I say simultaneously.
“And what do we know of this Rolley person?”
“Chana hasn’t been able to uncover much,” Vera answers. “He keeps to himself. Doesn’t really interact with the Saden crowd, nor ours. I believe Ariah has also been watching him.” Vera’s eyes slip to mine as her eyebrows raise.
“My focus has mainly been on Benny and Eli, but Rolley did have a lengthy conversation with Benny one morning. First time I ever heard him speak?—”
“About?” Queen Cayleen interrupts me.
The taste of iron floods my tongue as I bite at the inside of my mouth. “Farrella Isle, Your Grace,” I surrender to her, fessing up a scrap of information.
I hold tight to Iann’s offer and the anchor being a map. I’m sure it’s information this role requires me to give her but there is a need to cling on to the secrets for now.
Her lips purse as she gives us a slight nod. “Maybe it’s the excitement of our recent guests or the training of our newest recruit, but I’m truly disheartened by the lack of competence in my Foxes. Vera spends her time crying up and down my halls.” Vera’s head lowers. “Chana practically lives in the shadows yet can’t figure out who this extra person is. And another can’t keep his poisons locked up.” She walks closer until she’s only a few feet away from us. “Our guests only have three more days here and I want no more distractions. Finish the dresses and accompany Prince Marcel to the ball.” Her glare on me feels heavy and I can’t hold it for long. “And both of you find out who poisoned our guest. Whoever is responsible acted outside of my orders and I need to know if they are ally or a foe.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” Vera and I sing in simulation, our voices carrying a new fear.
We turn to go but the Queen stops us. “I almost forgot.” She holds up a single empty vial. “I have your first true task as an official Fox, Ariah. I want this filled with Prince Marcel’s blood.” I lose all control of the muscles in my face, my jaw nearly drops to the ground. Why in all the divinities does she require his blood? “And I want it in my hands by morning.” Her dress glides across the floor as she walks back to her desk and sets the vial down. “Both of you can get out now.” She waves a hand towards the door.
Vera has to push me forward to fetch the vial before we both take our leave.
The halls are empty as Vera and I head back towards the grand hall. I keep a lookout for Iann and wonder if I should tell him about the ball, but a bigger part of me says screw the ball.
How am I going to get a vial of Marcel’s blood without him knowing, and in under a day?
Suddenly, there is a pull on my dress causing me to fly backwards, and then abruptly I am shoved into a darkened side hall.
“Keep your mouth shut,” Vera says with a finger pressed to my lips.
Pulling away, I see another figure waiting in the dark. My eyes begin to adjust and I realize it’s Chana.
Vera examines the necklace around her neck. The large gem is dazzling with a golden light. “She’s not watching,” Vera says.
“What did she want?” Chana comes closer.
“She claims Marcel wants to escort Ariah to the ball. She’s also worried about the Saden man who was poisoned. She has no clue who did it.” Vera folds her arms. “Oh yes, how can I forget about the part where she wants Ariah to get Marcel’s blood.”
“Blood?” Chana’s face pinches. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
“Wait.” I stop both of them from proceeding. “What do you mean she’s not watching?”
