open for most of the walk. I don’t know what an atrium is, but I’m sure it will be just as beautiful. We finally reach a room with a roof made entirely of glass panels. Three of the walls are the same white stone as the rest of the palace, with carved columns depicting vines and tiled mosaic pictures of elves swimming in the ocean. The far wall is made entirely of glass and faces out over the cliff, straight to the sea. The river from the waterfall cascades off the edge and into the ocean below, the sound a dull roar. In the centre of the room is a low table full of plates of food and small, ceramic cups, surrounded by comfortable-looking chairs.
The queen goes immediately to the largest chair, the one that has its back almost pressed up against the wall. “Please sit,” she instructs, as she straightens her skirts. At first, I thought she was wearing the same dress as the day before, but now that we are much closer, I can see the neckline is different, but still in that bright bronze colour.
Vaeril takes the seat to the right of the queen, receiving a smile from her. Choosing the remaining seat next to him, I examine the food on the table, my stomach making a loud gurgling sound again. Trying to hide my blush of embarrassment, I feel the queen’s amusement as she watches me.
“Oh, please, help yourself,” she mocks, obviously enjoying my discomfort.
Don’t let her know she angers you. Eat the food, don’t let it go to waste. She wants to think you are a gormless human, so let her think it, at least you won’t go hungry, I think, looking at all the beautifully made food. There is no way she is planning on eating all of this, it’s just for show. Mind made up, I plaster a smile on my face as I look up at the queen, reaching over for one of the small plates.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” I reply, as I start to load up my dish, making sure to try one of every item on the table.
“So, Clarissa…” I only just manage to stop my sigh as she speaks, putting emphasis on my name, and I know I won’t be left to eat in peace. Lowering my plate so it rests on my lap, I wait for whatever she’s going to ask me. “Vaeril tells me you were a slave. You were a criminal in your kingdom?”
Oh, he did, did he? I hope Vaeril can feel the glare and anger I’m pushing down the link between us. That is my story to tell, and like Eldrin, she hasn’t earned that right. I look over at him now, his face is blank, but I can feel a twinge of discomfort from the link, and I know he received my feelings.
Turning my attention to the queen, I see she’s been watching my interactions with Vaeril with interest.
“I was a slave from the age of eight, until recently when I was blessed. I don’t remember my life before that.” I only tell her the basics, partially because she doesn’t need to be privy the rest, but also because I’m very limited with what I actually do know. Not that I want her knowing that.
Raising an eyebrow, she glances between me and Vaeril, who is reaching forward for one of the dainty ceramic cups. Raising the cup to his lips, he takes a small sip of the steaming liquid. A laugh bubbles up within me at seeing the strong, warrior elf daintily sipping from the tiny cup, so much so that I have to look away. A pulse of amusement reaches me through the connection, and I know he’s doing it on purpose.
“You were recently released from slavery? I thought you were being punished, which was how you met Lord Vaeril.”
“I was blessed.” I reach across and instinctively cover my Goddess mark, but I know she sees the action, her eyes narrowing. “Our priests are corrupt, the only way I could receive my blessing was to continue working for them during the day. One of the high mages saved me.” I don’t know why I’m telling her this, she doesn’t need to know about Grayson, but it’s too late.
Leaning back in her chair, she considers me with a haughty expression as she chuckles. “Not only is she a slave, but she consorts with magicians too?” She ignores me as she speaks directly to