Ava tensed as she turned to Casimir’s father, dressed in the colors of his kingdom. A gilded crown embedded with diamonds sat atop his blond hair. His gaze paused on Ava, scrutinizing her with the same golden eyes as Casimir.
His wife wore a flaxen gown, the glow of the chandelier causing the beading woven through the skirts to glimmer as she moved.
Everyone, aside from Jareth, rose from their seats, bowing and curtseying their greetings.
“Your Majesty,” Ava said, dipping her head.
Orion barely dipped his in return as he strode to the head of the table and took his seat. Seraphina took her place to his left, across from Quinn. She didn’t say a word, just like at the ball.
Ava addressed the queen. “It’s nice to see you, Your Majesty.”
Seraphina studied her. “It’s nice to see you as well, Your Highness.”
Orion snapped his fingers at a nearby servant. “Where is dinner? You should be setting our plates before us already.”
Ava picked up her crystal goblet and took a sip of wine, trying to hide her shaking hands. In Saxumdale, it had been considered rude to talk about war over dinner and they’d waited until dessert. But she didn’t know the rules here. No one had explained them.
Minutes later, the first course was set before them. A boiled egg in an elevated cup with a sprig of some type of greenery on it. The egg was so small, it would only take two bites to eat. Ava’s stomach growled, missing the hearty meals back in Mosshaven. Maybe the next course would be more filling.
“So, Ava,” Orion began, setting his fork down. “Since Thorne couldn’t be bothered to seek my help himself, and wasn’t very forthcoming in his letter, why are you here?”
Ava cleared her throat. “My brother is busy overseeing the safety of Monterre.” She almost added a sarcastic remark about reminding him they were in the middle of a war, but knew it would do her no good. “As for why we’re here…First?—”
Orion cut her off. “Start with the archives. You need access. Why?”
Ava looked to Jorrar, who said, “The book Ava’s grandfather left for her has been able to teach us how to create and use portals. However, there is a section at the end in an ancient language. We need it translated.”
Orion assessed Jorrar closely. “First thing in the morning, someone will escort you to the archives. What else?”
The first course was removed and the next was placed in front of them. The smallest salad Ava had ever seen. She tried not to groan at the measly portions.
“Something is not right with Deidamia and Andras,” Jorrar said.
Ava studied Orion, gauging his reaction and trying to determine if he knew anything.
Orion took a bite of salad, mulling over Jorrar’s words. “Explain.”
“Andras killed Deidamia,” Jorrar said bluntly.
Jareth’s eyes widened in surprise. But Orion didn’t seem phased in the least.
“How do you know this?” he asked, almost bored.
Jorrar gestured to Ava and Casimir. “They saw it happen.”
Orion pinned Ava with a piercing stare. “How?”
Ava had already finished her salad, hands now in her lap. “We watched him rip her heart from her chest.”
“When? Where?”
“When we were helping another kingdom get their home back.” She emphasized the word ‘helping’ as she looked at him pointedly. “It was in Igneothenia. A couple of weeks ago.”
“Did anyone else witness this?”
“One of our captains, Raine, and the general of Igneothenia’s armies.”
“Who else knows?”
