I stare at her in astonishment before peeking back into the room. Sure enough, white tendrils of steam are coming out from the archway in the wall.
“That’s amazing,” I whisper in awe.
She laughs, “it is, Lady. Can I get you anything else?”
“No, thank you. I appreciate it.”
The bath is relaxing and everything I need it to be. I sit in the hot water for what seems like ages and let my thoughts roam again to the conversation at dinner, unable to ignore the curiosity still burning through me.
The leaders of the Four Kingdoms held a secret council over the work I do for Zander, and by the looks on his sons faces, neither Keane or Desmond knew anything about it.
What else has the King kept hidden from them? From me? Is he actually anticipating that I’ll find the book, or have I been running around on a fool’s errand for some different purpose only he knows? If he truly does need the book, what knowledge within it is so important that he had to call a Kingdoms Council? Are Cal, Holis and Mana aware of any of this? Or do they ride with me in innocence as a job given by the King? And since when did Zander have visions? I never knew that was an aspect of his summoning.
I doze off in the water with my thoughts and wake up almost abruptly with the knowledge that thereissomeone I can go to for answers. But even as I sit in the lukewarm bath, I start to debate if I really want to go down that path...
In the short time I’ve spent with Golem, I’ve quickly grown to care for the magical creature. He’s been with me since the beginning of this trip and has never once shied away from an adventure.Ancients,oftentimes he’s the one instigating them. He’s been a good friend and someone I can go to for answers, but he’s also the King’s Golem, and a part of me knows that he’ll protect any information Zander doesn’t want me privy to.
I sigh heavily and move out of the tub, thinking of how best to navigate this discussion. I don’t want to push too hard and hurt either of our relationships, but I also know I’ll kick myself if I don’t try. I get dressed slowly and throw on a gold nightslip in the same style as last night. I tug on two of my thickest and warmest socks then wrap my green cloak around my body, grabbing an extra blanket from the bed as I turn to the magical creature.
“Will you talk with me outside, Golem?” I ask softly, jutting my chin towards the balcony. Alanna hasn’t returned from court yet and I don’t want to risk her walking in on our conversation.
Golem nods and walks with me into the cold night outside. I take a seat on a chair in the corner of the balcony and snuggle under the blanket, working out how best to start this delicate conversation as the mountain waterfall falls at our side.
“I don’t know how to approach this, Golem,” I sigh again, “and if there are things you can’t tell me then I understand, but I’m hoping you can be as truthful with me as possible…”
Golem’s eyes narrow on mine, his features remaining emotionless as he stares at me with the typical Discerni look.
“I guess I’ll just get straight to it,” I nod, “tonight at court, Prince Keane, Lord Desmond and I were made aware of the Kingdoms Council called two years ago by King Zander. Do you also know of this meeting?”
Golem remains eerily still for a long moment before he nods.
“And are you aware of the nature of the meeting and what was discussed?”
He nods again and folds his arms in front of his body.
“Why did King Zander hide that from me? From his sons?Wait, no, let me rephrase that…isthere a reason why King Zander kept it hidden from us?”
Yes.
“Are you allowed to share that reason with me?”
Yes… then no.
“Right now? In this moment?”
No.
“But sometime down the road?”
Yes.
The intense feeling of curiosity fills my lungs right as I’m about to ask another question. The summoning captures my chest and heart and makes me hunch over in a gasp. I release a hard breath and shift uncomfortably in my chair, rubbing my chest as I let my gaze move toGolem in front of me. Keane lets go of his summoning just as swiftly as he began, and there’s no doubt in my mind he’ll want to question Golem as well.
I stand up with a sigh, “we’ll need to put this conversation on pause, Golem. The Prince will be here soon.”
Golem shows no look of surprise at the announcement and instead bows his head. He follows me back into the room as I hastily pull a pair of riding pants over my gold night slip and tuck the silk into my waistband. I look around the room, not wanting to continue the conversation out in the cold, and frown when I realize there’s no fireplace to sit in front of. But past Alanna’s bed and sectioned against a corner is a settee facing a table for two. I walk over to the furniture and throw the blanket on top of the seat just as a knock greets the door.
Ancients,that was fast.
