The tome stayed in my hands as I headed to my bedroom, already late for dinner. My plan was to keep it with me until I had time to read through anything useful on sentences.
I did a quick job of taking a shower and getting dressed, my mind already piecing together what to wear, so I asked the room for it, and that was that. The pale blue button-up shirt reached my thighs, even with the brown belt around the waist. I put on dark denim pants and a pair of leather boots that felt like walking on clouds, tying my hair in a loose bun.
The dining room was still empty when I arrived, but I hadn’t waited long before hearing voices coming through the corridor, and all five of them entered the room.
“I always expect more people than you, Barracus,” Cerridwen was saying as she crossed the threshold. “I prefer to be wrong because the food was excessive rather than because it lacked.”
“All I hear is that you prefer to be wrong,” the old man muttered from her side.
They seemed to bicker often. From what I could tell, there was no romantic connection between them. Still, the thought had crossed my mind.
“Good evening, Jane. You’re early today,” Cerridwen said.
“Looks like someone’s hungry,” Reagan murmured, striding after them.
“I thought I was actually late,” I said.
Reagan leaned toward me, and I straightened instinctively. He brushed a kiss against my cheek, and I froze.
The room froze with me. Every pair of eyes turned our way, utterly silent, including the two staff who had slipped in last.
I cleared my throat.
“Apologies for keeping you waiting,” Reagan said smoothly, sliding into his seat, utterly unconcerned by the gawking around us.
He seemed unusually cheerful, his gaze lingering on me with a casual confidence that ignored the inquisitive look I gave him.
Finnegan crossed the room to sit beside me, while Gwinifer took the seat next to Cerridwen.
“Yes, I’m terribly sorry too,” Gwinifer added with a mocking lilt as she sank into her seat. “I’d give you a kiss, but you’re too far away.”
Ignoring her, the first thing that came to mind slipped from my lips. “So, you had a meeting?”
“Yes. Reagan, Barracus, and I were discussing preparations for the Aurora Rite,” Cerridwen explained. “Did we already tell you about this celebration?”
“A little,” I said.
Reagan summoned the food. Platters of roasted beef, peas, carrots, and rice appeared on the table, accompanied by salt, pepper, pistachios, almonds, and bottles of water and ale.
“Well,” Cerridwen began, her tone brighter than usual, “the Aurora Rite is our first winter celebration. It’s when we welcome the season by feeding the aurora lights. Every citizen is invited to the castle, even those who live far away, though not many can make the journey. Some villages host their own rites.”
“Aurora lights?” I asked, recalling descriptions I’d heard before. “But you can’t see them from here. At least, I never could back in Ehrfurt.”
“This is not your human town, Jane,” Finnegan remarked, piling food onto his plate.
“Will this be your first time seeing them?” Reagan asked, slicing into a piece of roasted beef.
I nodded. We began to eat, the table filled with the soft sounds of utensils and conversation, until I felt Cerridwen’s eyes lingering on me. Her gaze swept over my clothes.
“Jane, where did you get that shirt?” Cerridwen asked, her tone intrigued.
“I asked the bedroom for it. Why? Is there something wrong with it?”
“No, nothing wrong,” she said slowly, as if weighing her words. But she didn’t finish her thought.
Reagan was looking too, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“What is it?” I asked, glancing between them. I couldn’t see anything unusual about my outfit.
