Tapping my foot, I continually searched for Saramel on the dark street, but she didn’t appear.
Above me, the moons slowly glided across the sky. Stars danced in the galaxy, winking in pulsing light, and colors emitted from the visible planets.
I used the night sky to calm me, latching onto its beauty as I waited and waited and waited.
I finally sank to the ground, pulling my knees to my chest and wrapping the navy gown around my legs. I tried to ward off the chill, but it had to be after midnight, and I was freezing.
Hopelessness began to consume me, seeping deep into my bones as the night sky continued to shine.
I had no idea what I was going to do. I had no rulibs. No friends. No home to venture to. And even if I wanted to return to Emerson Estate since I had nowhere else to go, I had no way of getting there. Besides, I couldn’t even leave. The courts had demanded that I stay in the city. Even if the city didn’t want me.
I dropped my head onto my forearms, and tears sprang into my eyes. Fear bit me so hard that I couldn’t contain it any longer. A soft, mewling sound escaped me as I let some of my worry gush out of me.
“Elowen,” a soft voice said, then somebody dropped to the ground at my side.
I whipped my head up to see Saramel hunkered beside me. A shawl covered her hair, hiding most of her appearance. “I couldn’t come any sooner. I’m so sorry.”
I threw my arms around her. She didn’t utter a sound, and just as quickly, her thin arms locked around my neck.
We held each other as tears rolled down my cheeks, and quiet sobs lifted her shoulders. The despair wafting from both of our auras was so acute that I could practically taste it.
Finally pulling back, I wiped my eyes. She did the same. I regarded her carefully. “How’s Cassim?”
“Asleep, thankfully. He doesn’t know yet what’s happened. But he asked at bedtime why his da wasn’t there to tuck him in, so I had to make up an excuse.” She shrugged dejectedly. “He asked if he would see him in the morning, and I didn’t know what to say.”
New tears formed in her eyes, and I pulled her back in for another hug. She clung to me, and I couldn’t help but wonder if anyone other than me knew the truth about her husband. She seemed as fearful and alone as I felt.
“Have you heard anything?” I asked when she pulled back. “Do you know where they are or what’s happening to them?”
She shook her head. “I’ve been trying to stay close to the halls in case anyone says anything, but nobody knows what’s happening. And if the king and queen are aware, they’re not telling anyone. I even asked the queen’s personal attendant, but she’s oblivious too.”
“They’re not back? None of them?”
“No. Not one.” She gripped my hands, and her throat rolled in a swallow. “It was pure luck I even saw you. I happened to walk outside to see if they were perhaps making their way back. I was hoping to catch a glimpse of them on the street, and that’s when I saw you at the gate.”
“I’m so glad you found me, and I looked for them too when I was at the courts, but I didn’t see any of them.”
“Stars, I nearly forgot that’s where you’ve been!” Her tone turned anguished. “Elowen, I’m so sorry. How are you doing?”
“I’m okay, just scared, like you. They took me in for questioning, then let me go. I have no idea where they took the rest of them. They split us up when we left the palace. But even down there, I didn’t see them.”
Saramel nodded, her frown growing heavier in the moonlight. “They’ll have to send word eventually. Prince Adarian is the crown prince, for goodness’ sake. They can’t keep him indefinitely without informing the king and queen.”
“Do you suppose the king and queen already know what’s happening, and they’re just not telling anyone?”
She shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine.” She glanced over her shoulder, toward the palace. “But I should go back. Cassim’s alone in our quarters. I don’t want him to be afraid if he wakes up.”
“Of course. I’m so sorry to keep you.” I hastily stood and smoothed out my gown, wiping the dust and dirt off my backside.
Saramel looked me up and down. “You must be freezing.”
“I am, but . . .” I shrugged. “I’ll survive.”
She cocked her head, her frown growing even more troubled. “Do you have anywhere to go?”
I considered lying to her. She didn’t need my troubles to worry about on top of her own, but I couldn’t. I’d lied enough today. I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak.
“Oh, Elowen.” She clasped my hands. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking. Of course, you have nowhere to go.” She pulled something from her pocket and pressed it into my palm. I realized it was a handful of rulibs when she closed my fingers around them. “Take this. It’s all I have on me, but I’ll do my best to retrieve your things for you tomorrow. You have plenty of rulibs within the palace to sustain you. But for tonight, go down to the wharf. This will be enough to get you a room near the docks and a bit of food. It’s not the most luxurious accommodations, but at least it’ll be a roof over your head.”
