Page 127 of Somber Prince
The curved beams had cross bars that made it possible to climb. One would be hanging upside-down over the courtyard at the highest point of the ceiling, but it could be done.
“I know, right? Brilliant,” Lucia agreed animatedly. “It was all your sister’s idea. She is one smart cookie, I tell you.”
Air left me in a long breath at her mentioning Melanie.
Lucia gave me a sympathetic look. “You miss her.”
“I do. Melanie and I were never close. She said mean things sometimes, but she mostly did the right thing. No matter what, she’s my only sister. My only family left. I just hope she’s safe.”
“Well, she did what she really wanted.”
“She did. Melanie always gets what she wants. If it didn’t work out this time, she would’ve devised another plan somehow. She’s strong and stubborn like that.” It often used to infuriate me, but now I was glad my sister possessed the qualities that hopefully would help her survive wherever she was now. “I wonder where she ended up after all. It’s killing me that I’ll never know.”
“Maybe you will, one day,” Lucia said vaguely. “If there’s anything I’ve learned about this life, it’s that it has tricks up its sleeve you won’t see coming.”
I couldn’t argue with that. After all, here we were, in a world I knew nothing about only several weeks ago.
The moans and groans coming from below had finally stopped, replaced by the clinking of dishes and shuffling of feet.
“Dinner is here, I guess.” Lucia climbed to her feet, then gave me a hand, yanking me up too.
“I’m starving,” I confessed.
Delicious smells wafted from below, making my stomach spasm and my mouth water. I hadn’t eaten anything since that bland meal pack on the way here, which must’ve been hours ago.
“You know what?” Lucia said as we headed down the stairs. “I could use a drink too, right now. I may actually have some of that wine they’ve been trying to shove down my throat ever since I came here.” She shrugged. “I mean, I got to see you again. We both survived. It’s worth celebrating, don’t you think?”
“Look on the bright side,” I agreed.
We got two plates of food served by the Keepers in the courtyard and found a relatively quiet place on a bench in a recess by the wall. It took us some time to get rid of Sefri, who tried to hook up a couple of shadow fae to us for dinner.
“That woman just never quits.” Lucia gave the Keeper a glare as she finally walked away from us, taking her disappointed clients with her.
“It’s her job, I guess.” Now I missed Sigid and his friendly, non-intrusive presence.
“One can’t even eat in peace around here,” Lucia complained, digging into the food on her plate.
I didn’t know if all the queen’s Joy Vessels were out in the courtyard with us. Maybe some did eat in peace in the privacy of their rooms. But every single one I could see from my place on the bench had a fae next to them, their tendrils attached to the humans’ leilatha harnesses.
I dipped a dumpling into a fragrant sauce, then took a bite. Dropping my eyelids, I chewed slowly before realizing that there was no need to savor it so thoroughly. Rha wasn’t here to share it with me. Being with him had taught me to pay attention to every tiny spark of joy. They were easily found even in the darkest of times, which was when we needed them the most.
The more time had passed since I saw him last, the tighter worry squeezed around my chest. I knew he wouldn’t just leave me here, and I doubted meeting with his mother would keep him that long, considering how little they had in common.
What if something bad happened?
Lucia handed me a goblet of wine.
“To us.” She clinked her glass against mine. “And to our survival.”
I took a sip mechanically but couldn’t drink more. I usually drank alcohol when I was happy—to cheer, relax, and celebrate. Not when I was racked by worry like this.
“I’ll get some water,” I said to Lucia, getting up. “Do you want some?”
“No, thanks. I’m good with wine for now.”
I made my way to the fountain promptly, feeling the stares of both humans and fae on me. Every human I could see had a fae attached to them. Several “unattached” fae wandered around, looking at me like at a dessert they wished to take a bite of.
I took a clean goblet from the tray on a stand by the fountain.