I turned my head and squinted.
Well now. The staircase was right next to me.
“I knew that,” I slurred. “I was simply checking to make sure you knew where it was. After all, it is a matter of royal safety that one’s guards know the entirety of the house you live in.”
“Of course, Your Highness,” a choked voice stated.
“Precisely.” I lifted my chin and gradually made my way up the stairs in regal fashion—if a little crookedly—except the trashcan clutched to my chest ruined the whole effect. There was nothing to be done about that, though. I wasn’t releasing it. The trashcan and I were about to get well acquainted. “Goodnight, everyone!”
Many “goodnights” returned from downstairs and upstairs.
At least, the ground was starting to settle down.
Small blessing, that.
None too soon, I had my bedroom door shut behind me.
Then the trashcan and I talked to one another. It was more me than it, but I more than made up for its silence. Scrunching up my face from the horrible scent now laying waste to my bedroom, I set the filthy trashcan outside my room, locked my bedroom door, and opened a window for fresh air.
My bed was soft and fluffy, and I flopped down on it, leaving one leg hanging off the mattress with my foot firmly planted on the floor. This was a trick Caspian had quickly taught me in our early days here. With a foot on the floor, the room didn’t spin quite so much. Every little bit helped when you were this smashed.
I closed my eyes and sighed into the darkness.
“Hello, my dearheart.”
My eyes popped open, and my head snapped up from my pillow. I stared at the bottom of the bed with wide eyes, gazing at the wavering spirit sitting cross-legged at the foot of my mattress.
I blinked slowly. “Grandmother?”
Her silver eyes narrowed. “Are youdrunk, Trixie?”
“Why, yes. Yes, I am.” I blinked again, my eyes drying out. “Am I dreaming?”
“You are not.” Grandmother Isabella sighed heavily and shook her head in disappointment. “How many times did I tell you that nothing good comes from too much alcohol?”
“Many times. Obviously, I ignored it.” I sat up gradually, clutching at the bed so I didn’t fall off. “I haven’t seen you in twelve years, and the first thing you do is reprimand me? But, more importantly,where have you beenall this time?”
“I’ve been busy.” She alluded to nothing and everything. Her scowl disappeared and was replaced with patience. “I’ve come with a message.”
I was too drunk for this Fae shit. “Say it then.”
“The king is ready for you and Caspian to return home. He expects you both to leave tomorrow morning, and for you to arrive at Gatlin Grove by the evening. He fully understands Caspian won’t arrive as quickly.”
“Just like that, we’re supposed to leave?” My lips pinched from annoyance. “Not even a day to pack?”
“Just like that,” Grandmother stated softly. “When the ruler beckons, you answer.”
“I have an answer I’d really like to give him.”
“In your drunken state, I doubt it would be flattering.”
“You guessed right.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “You’re not going to answer my question? Where have you been?”
“You’ll know soon enough.” Her translucent left hand patted my right knee. It felt like nothing except a cold brush of air. “I love you, Trixie.”
“You have a bizarre way of showing it.”
“I suppose I do now.” Her smile was small, and her frame began to disappear from view even further, her voice fading into nothing right along with her. “You’d better sober up, my dearheart. Your majority is here. It’s time to be the woman you were always meant to be…”
