It’s not whiskey. It takes like pure alcohol with brown food coloring. I’m sticking with the water the whole time we’re here.
The meal is interrupted by a raven perching on the balcony outside the window. Namir goes to inspect, and the bird caws loud. His screech is almost as strong as Ari’s.
“Not a normal raven then,” I say, wiggling my finger in my ear.
“That’s Evander, Caedis’ familiar. He’s rumored to be the third most powerful demon creature in the realm,” Umbra says.
“Who’s the first?”
Namir turns around, showing his teeth. If a tyger could smile, I imagine that’s what it would look like.
Togmerin goes to the balcony doors and opens them. The raven flies high into the room, sitting on the mantle. Tied to its foot is a tube. Togmerin goes and grabs it, unrolling it as he goes.
“It’s for Anima.”
He hands me the note. At first, I don’t read it. Having something delivered in this way is over the top. Not to mention he could have sent a servant to get me.
I don’t like this bird.
I chuckle as Namir circles the mantel. Evander caws again, and I take it as a sign I need to read this note.
Anima,
Join me for afternoon tea. We’ll get to know one another before you ask me about the Bloodlands.
- C
“He knows,” I say, placing the note on the table. Umbra grabs it and reads it aloud. Voices erupt as options are discussed, but there is no advice they can give. I have to go.
I will go with you. Watch at the door. You’ll only have to call for me in your mind, and I will be there.
“You can’t go alone. Take Tog with you. It’s not proper for a princess to meet with someone behind closed doors,” Umbra says with a pleading expression.
“I’m not a princess. You may have called me that to get me in the door, but you know my role and where I stand. Don’t make this out to be more than it is. He felt my power, and he wants to know what it does.”
“That’s an even worse reason to go! He will try to take you.” She’s out of her seat and pacing, mumbling under her breath.
Donaas goes to her, rubbing her back to calm her. There’s definitely a story behind this. Umbra isn’t the type to get riled up, especially not over tea.
“Namir will go with me. I don’t need a babysitter.”
I get up from the chair and walk to the door, Namir at my heels. Evander shakes out his feathers before launching through the opened door. I guess we follow him.
The corridor is silent as we navigate into the belly of the palace. There is no one around, and it almost feels abandoned, devoid of life and happiness.
Evander leads us down a hall with huge scones pinned on the walls. Paintings of death scenes hang between thick curtains that have seen better days.
An onyx door, the same stone as the fireplace, creaks open, and a servant steps out. Evander takes off, and I follow the servant into the room, except it’s not only a room, it’s a cavern.
A huge circular cavern cut out of whatever rock the palace is sitting on. But it’s not empty. Each section of the space has some purpose. A bedroom, kitchen, living area, and what I assume to be a bathroom through the only other door in the space.
“Have a seat, Your Highness. His Majesty will be here shortly,” the servant says before taking his leave.
Namir doesn’t stay behind in the hall. He trots in front of me to investigate the surroundings. I’m not sure if there is ill intent here, but I have a weird feeling about this meeting. This seems too personal.
As I’m about to sit, the door slams open and Caedis walks in. He’s dressed differently than before, more relaxed in what looks like jeans and a t-shirt. His face wears a cocky smile, and I know this meeting will not be fun.
“Have a seat. I’ll make the tea,” he says, striding past me. His wings are gone, put up just as Uriel can tuck them in.
“I’m not here for tea. If you already know why we’ve come, let’s get to the chase and talk about that.”
He throws a glance over his shoulder before he continues into the kitchen area. A kettle goes on the stove. He takes tea canisters out of the cabinets, placing the loose leaves inside a diffusor. If there was any question that he had a portal, I can verify it now.
“How often do you go to the Mortal Realm?” I ask, cutting the silence.
“About once or twice a week. I have a few business ventures that need monitoring. It’s tedious, but when you’re left to fend for yourself in a wasteland, you do what you can for your people.”
He brings the service over to the small table and takes out a box of pastries from the fridge. Barbara’s Bakery box sits next to the cups. My favorite bakery in New City.
“Seems you have me at an advantage. Bringing me tea and pastries from my favorite bakery. And here I thought I was the unknown in this equation.”
He grins, taking a seat opposite me on the other couch. A small coffee table sits between us to hold the tea and food.
“I’ve known about you for an awfully long time. You started as an anomaly, then it grew to fascination. You did not understand who or what you were.”
“You stalked me?” Disbelief fills, but also anger because I didn’t know. Some assassin I am.
Namir trots over to us, then puts his gigantic head on the table to sniff the pastries. Without thinking, because I need something to do—otherwise, I’ll cut off the demon’s head—I open the box and hold out an eclair for him.
He licks it at first, then swallows it in one gulp, pawing at the box for more. I take out a cannoli for me, giving Namir another eclair.
