Caleib flinched slightly. “Not sure, Prince.”
Sol glanced at Cas sidelong. It wasn't the first time he was referred to as “Prince.”
“Can’t this wait until tomorrow?” Nina whined. “We all need rest. And healers.”
Caleib fidgeted nervously. “I’m afraid not, Miss Amana. The King seems… in a foul mood today. He wishes to meet who you’ve brought.”
Sol was not prepared for this so quickly. She did not want to meet perhaps the few people she should care to impress while covered with mud, horse fur, sand, and gods knew what else. Her conviction began to waver, and she wondered if she would be successful in fleeing back to the stables, stealing a mare, and riding straight to Yavenharrow.
“Fine. We will be there in a bit,” Nina said. “Will you be so kind as to fetch the Royal General for us?”
Caleib blanched slightly but nodded erratically and hurried after Sawyer.
Sol was a nervous mess as they walked down the foreign hallway and into the heart of the castle, even more so as she beheld the heavy activity within it. The hallways were blurs and specks of white, red, and black cloaks, all hurrying with purpose. Noticing her curiosity, Alix explained: the White Cloaks were castle officials and workers, such as couriers or low-level scribes; the Reds were students who had yet to graduate; and the Black Cloaks were either high-level students, alumni, or distinguished Magic Wielders. The people without any cloaks were human.
Not surprisingly, those without magic manned the labor, the cooking, or the personal attention of the Wielders. Servants. Also not surprisingly, they ignored her, aside from polite smiles and bows.
After the initial shock of the crowds, Sol grew even more nervous at the thought of standing before this King. Nina assured her that technically, he was only the temporary overseer of Rimemere, so King Regent, until she claimed the role. Sawyer’s mother never had the chance to step in as Regent.
Sol was learning the Yarrows seemed to have unfortunateendings.
She was too busy cataloging the information she didn’t notice when they finally stopped in front of a massive set of wicker doors.
Before pulling them open, Nina leaned, and whispered, “Just try to nod, look nice, and do what they say.”
Sawyer, though, waltzing up from behind them with Caleib a mess of nerves by her side, told Sol, “Don’t. Make them hate you.”
Cas laughed softly behind them. Sol didn’t know what to expect when they walked through the doors, but it certainly hadn’t been what sat before her.
Or who sat before her, more like it.
The room wasn’t a throne room like she expected but instead resembled an ancient conference room. Rows upon endless rows of bookshelves stretched on either side of them, spread into wings, spiraling into dark corners. That familiar smell of parchment, ink, and candle wax hung thickly in the air, and a massive chandelier hung in the center of the room, illuminating the five people seated in a semicircle, directly facing the door.
They all smiled slowly when Sol and her Court entered, except for the man in the middle.
Sawyer looked exactly like her father. The man was tanned, chiseled, and wore the most arrogant smirk, one Sol instantly preferred on Sawyer. While it was taunting on her, the way the man carried it was… unnerving. Like he knew something they didn’t.
He also had onyx eyes, which seemed to go on forever, even under the direct light from the chandelier.
To his right was a stoic woman with brown hair in intricate braids and violet eyes that speared daggers into Sol. The young woman next to her looked similar, violet eyes, and ashy hair tied in a knot on her head. She, however, didn’t have the raw elegance the older woman did. They gave her an echo of Penny’s peculiar gaze, but the young girl was not nearly as cold in demeanor.
To the King’s left was an older man, hunched over a dusty tome. He barely looked up as they entered.
Alix cleared his throat slightly, then fell into a polite bow, which Nina followed flawlessly.
“Your Majesty,” he said as he leaned forward.
Sawyer and Cas remained like statues, both looking distant and bored as they took their place against the closest bookshelf.
Sol gave everyone a small curtsy.
That seemed appropriate.
“The Yarrow Court,” the King said, adjusting his golden crown. He motioned them forward. “It's been a long time.”
Nina placed a gentle hand on Sol’s back, leading her forward.
Sawyer and Cas sat, then Alix next to them. Nina skipped a seat for Sol then sat as well. As Sol reached the edge of the table, everyone’s gaze burned and weighed heavily on her. And as she leaned to pull out the heavy stone chair, she paused.
