I wanted to roll my eyes, and I could feel Donavyn growing tense. But then we reached the top of the stairs and entered the massive, marble lobby and my jaw dropped.
Creamy marble floors shot through with silver threads. Wide pillars upholding shining, wooden bannisters that bracketed the stairs curving up to the second floor on both sides, and balustrades lining the second level, which was open to the lobby so servants could be seen rushing back and forth.
The carpet on the stairs was a deep, plush red accented in gold fleur de lis, and it was so thick, no footsteps could be heard, even in the echoing chamber.
The walls were lined in a pale gold paper that glimmered, and creamy crown moldings that framed the panel moldings on the walls. Chandeliers lined the wide corridor, with lamps and candles burning brightly in alcoves along the way.
Now that the formalities had been completed outside, the king and queen quickly disappeared at the lefthand landing at the top of the stairs with a brief farewell to Donavyn and Lady Faye and wishes to see them at the banquet, then Lady Faye was led away in the same direction, to the royal guest wing that would house high ranking visitors, while the rest of us were ushered to the right.
As we walked the long, very wide hallway, following the footmen, I found my attention drawn by some new, beautiful thing at every other step.
Alcoves with thick velvet curtains, that contained lounges and delicate busts of what I assumed to be members of the royal family. Shockingly large art on the walls—tapestries and paintings—in bold colors, depicting everything from serene ponds, to historic battles.
On and on. I marveled at the way my feet sank into the deep carpet, the bright windowsin the ceilingat some points in thehallway, and door after large, double door in each wall on both sides.
Eventually the footmen led us to one of those pairs of doors on the left. A servant exited just as we arrived, her eyes widening at the sight of us. She dropped into a deep curtsey and greeted Donavyn.
“Your suite is ready, Sir. Please send for me if you’re in need of anything. Anything at all.”
Then she met his eyes for a few seconds too long.
I wanted to swear, but Donavyn ignored the implication and bowed his head briefly. “Thank you. I’m sure the rooms are very comfortable.”
He followed the footman inside, asking about things like boot cleaning, but as I followed, one of the other men tsked and gave me a tight smile. “Staff quarters are deeper in the castle,” he said pointedly.
I frowned, and was about to ask how far away, when Donavyn reappeared in the doorway, looking stern. “I need her close. Her quarters are here with me. She’ll take the servant’s room. Make certain the others know. I won’t be requiring an attendant.”
Then he stared at me until I followed him back into the suite.
I resisted the juvenile urge to poke my tongue out at the gaping footman. But the men who showed us around the room—making careful references to the servant’s cubby and showing me the door—didn’t ask any questions.
After a few minutes of explaining the intricacies of the bathing room and learning the pulley system they’d installed to call for servants, the footmen stood before us.
“Your bags have been placed in your rooms,” the one with the white wig said without preamble. “Is there anything else you need?”
“Please tell the king we’re happy with our quarters and we’ll look forward to the very generous banquet this evening.”
“Very good, Sir. Please don’t hesitate to pull the bell to call us if you discover any lack.”
“We won’t. Thank you.”
Donavyn followed the men out, making certain they’d started down the hallway before he closed the doors and turned back to face me, sighing heavily.
“Well, thank you,God.We did it. We’re here, Bren. We did it.”
50. Welcome
~ BREN ~
That night, Donavyn and I stood in a line outside the twelve-foot double doors of the royal banquet hall, awaiting our turn to be announced. Apparently, Fyrehold high society stood on every tradition and ritual. But they also gave preference to those the king and queen favored. The moment we’d arrived, the footmen ushered us to the front of the line. Behind us, Fyrehold nobles queued, baldly glaring. Donavyn kept his chin high, nodding to acknowledge greetings, but otherwise ignoring the eyes that followed our every move.
‘Don’t they think it’s rude that you don’t greet them?’I sent, trying to glance over my shoulder without being obvious about it.
‘It may irritate them, but it’s a demonstration of power. It tells them I believe my position with the king and queen is higher than theirs—or at least, my favor in their eyes. These people are all about attitude. You’ll hear me say things I don’tbelieve here, Bren. Don’t be fooled. I’m on a mission just as surely as you.’
I swallowed and tugged at my gloves, heart trilling as the footmen stepped forward to grasp the handles on those huge doors and swing them wide.
The doors opened to a wide, marble staircase with midnight blue carpet lining its center. A crier stood on the landing, unmoving, until the footman passed him a small piece of paper.
