“What in Hestaesia is wrong?” Faye gasped.
“He’s left me again. Without so much as a goodbye.” The faerie swallowed, attempting to hold back the emotion from her voice.
“Oriel?” Lori asked, rushing forwards to stroke her hand sympathetically down Indi’s arm.
“Who else?” the faerie exclaimed. “Thatrat bastard!” In a fit of rage, Indi swiped a nearby hairbrush and launched it across the room.
Lori and Faye froze in surprise. Indi’s ample bosom heaved as she grappled to regain control over herself. She began to pace back and forth.
“What exactly is going on between you two?” Lori asked, taking a cautious step back from the volatile woman.
“It’s a long story,” Indi sighed. “He visits and then he leaves, that’s how it is. It’s how it’s always been. He promised he would take me with him this time.”
“Alright, calm down. To be fair to Oriel, this isn’t like all those other visits,” Faye reasoned. “I’m sure he wasn’t expecting for Lephas and Raxx to turn up with us in tow.”
“Exactly,” Lori agreed. “I… I may have spoken with him briefly this morning. He said he was heading back to Banesteppe to prepare King Zelrus for our arrival. He hopes to temper some of his brother’s fury.”
“You saw him leave? Did he say anything about me?” Indi’s eyes widened, imploring Lori for information.
“No, he didn’t. I’m sorry.”
Lori was lying. Faye had spent enough time around her sister to know. She glanced at Lori and her sister shook her head subtly.
I’ll tell you later.
“What am I going to do?” Indi sobbed. “I can’t stay behind again, I just can’t! You have to help me.”
“I’m not sure there’s anything we can do,” Faye mumbled.
“Take me with you. I wouldn’t dare tag along with Lephas and Raxx, but with you two there as well I’m sure Magna will allow it.”
“A-are you sure that’s wise Indi? We may very well be heading back to face the king’s wrath.” Lori’s face paled just talking about it.
“That’s even more of a reason to take me with you. Zelrus and I grew up together, he’s like my brother. Perhaps he won’t listen to his men, but he’ll listen to me. I could vouch for you.” Indi smiled.
“Actually, that doesn’t sound like a bad idea, but I’d have to check with Lephas first,” Lori reluctantly agreed.
“Of course, of course.” Indi nodded quickly.
“Will Oriel be angry that you followed him?” Faye asked.
Indi’s expression darkened into an angry scowl, the likes of which the princess had never seen on her overall sunny disposition before.
“He’ll just have to deal with it,” she snapped, opening the door and closing it behind herself.
When Indi’s footsteps faded away down the corridor, Faye turned to Lori expectantly.
“As I’m sure you’ve already figured out, I spent the night with Lephas in the front room,” Lori explained.
“Yes, I know.” Faye nodded.
“Well, when we woke up this morning, we spoke to Oriel briefly before he left. He mentioned that Indi was going to be upset but he asked Lephas to placate her, if he was able.”
“Ouch, that’s a bit…”
“Indeed.” Lori shook her head. “I came in here just as Indi was coming into the kitchen. I’m assuming Lephas hasn’t done a very good job of calming that situation down.”
“Certainly doesn’t look like it,” Faye laughed. “Why didn’t the prince just explain it to her himself?”
