Mare Barrow
The Kingdom of the Rift
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Chapter III
Tap. Tap. Tap
Farley huffs impatiently, standing over me. She squints at the watch banded around her wrist and shakes me again.
Go away, I want to say. Instead it only comes out as a low sound, muffled by the pillow beneath my face.
"Mare we don't have time for this, wake up!" she says exasperatedly.
"No," I mumble, turning over.
"Alright, fine. But do keep in mind that I warned you." Her footsteps echo faintly on the polished floors as she heads farther away from me. A faint smile blossoms on my lips as I snuggle deeper into the thick sheets. That is until a curtain of freezing cold water is emptied on my head. I bolt upright, gasping and shaking. Farley smirks above me, a now empty bucket in her grip. I grit my teeth and shove away the blankets, glaring up at her.
"Was that really necessary?" I hiss at her.
Her catlike smirk only widens in response in what I take as a solid yes.
Now it's my turn to huff as I climb out of the bed. The uniform that I did not change out of last night now clings to my skin, and I shiver from the cold. Farley shoves a towel in my face. "You should be thankful. I just spared you the effort of having to get into the shower."
I don't respond to that. "What do I wear now Miss I-know-it-all? Do you have a solution to that," I ask her, still fuming. Farley simply points to the chaise in the corner of the room. An outfit lies on top of it, and I roll my eyes. Of course. I don't even think I want to know what was chosen for me to wear, but I suppose I'll find out soon.
Now it was only a matter of getting in the shower.
A trail of water drips behind me as I stumble to the bathroom, Farley cackling all the while behind me. As soon as I reach the door, I give her a vulgar gesture before slamming it in her face.
Her resulting laugh echoes even louder.
~•~
As soon as I step out of the bathroom, Farley grabs me by the arm and rushes me out the door without a full explanation. The only words I manage to catch are, Anabel and late. The former is enough to make me feel nauseated. Anabel was one of last people I was inclined to see right now. But did I get a say in this? Nope.
Skylights above us illuminate the tile beneath our feet, the natural sunlight a welcome reprieve from the flickering candlelight. The Samos family could've just used normal lights, but the sheer ambiance that the flame provided was well worth it I supposed. They certainly did have a knack for the dramatics. What was next, velvet curtains and a sprawled chaise in a dimly light room scattered with petals?
Farley mutters something under her breath as we stop in front of a ebony door flecked with various types of metals in a neat pattern. The door opens right as Farley raises her hand to knock, and I catch a glimpse of surprise on her features before she smooths them over just as quickly.
Anabel somehow towers over the both of us despite being shorter than Farley. As for me, she was practically a giant. A serpentine smile slithers its way onto her painted lips as she ushers me in, halting Farley.
"Thank you for escorting her, General. Much gratitude, though I'm afraid this is as far as you are to be permitted," Anabel said, not at all sounding sorry. Farley's protests die before they can get past her lips at my look of warning. She only dips her head in Anabel's direction and spins away on her heel.
Anabel gently shuts the door and points to a small table laden with dishes positioned near the open balcony crawling with vines and bursting flowers. I take that as my cue to sit in one of the two seats. My eyes sweep over every inch of the room, reading for a possible threat. To my surprise, I don't find one. Not yet. I don't realize that this was a different sort of trap.
Anabel gracefully takes her seat and starts to ladle some of the various assorted dishes into her plate. I only stare at her, confused. What was this?
She looks up at me and smiles. It was a kind smile, one that took me severely off guard. "Go on dear, you can't expect me to finish this all by myself."
I blink at her, then look down at the food. Then back up again. "What-what did you want to see me for exactly?" I queried. Her smile only grows wider, revealing straight white teeth. "Why I only wanted to simply talk and get to know the woman my grandson is so taken by."
She looks me up and down, frowning. "I was curious as to what he saw in you and wanted to see it for myself." Her tone implied that I hadn't impressed her. I bristled at that, straightening in my seat. She spoke as if her opinion should matter me. Ha, well, good luck with that, I thought.
"Last time we spoke, you were the King's well-trained pet." She gives me a wicked grin. "It seems you've taken off the leash."
"Don't presume to know anything about me," I snap. "I did what I had to do and play the pampered pet. We've all had to do regrettable things to survive."
The response only pleased her. "So you do bite," she mused. Her eyes came back into focus and she stared even more intently at me. They were so like Cal's that it unnerved me. "Julian told me that you were a lot like her. I must confess, that among many other reasons led to this."
"Julian spoke with you as well?"
"Well he wrote to me while he was in Archeon. I haven't heard from him since, but from what I've heard, you and your little group of rebels were the ones to rescue him from Corros Prison. Am I correct?"
Even mentioning that night was enough to throw me back to when I stood helplessly by as my brother was murdered before my eyes. I hadn't forgotten the screams of those two officers as I mercilessly electrocuted them. It was something I regretted now.
Anabel can feel the dark cloud hanging over me. "I'm sorry," she says gently. "I heard what happened. It's never easy to lose a loved one." Anabel would know. She lost both her son and grandson the day Maven betrayed us. I didn't know how close Cal's mother and Anabel were, but the grief that haunted her eyes whenever she spoke of Coriane was telltale enough.
"Thank you," I murmur.
She dips her head in acknowledgement.
"I hope you're planning on attending the ball tomorrow." She changes the topic deftly, causally spreading butter across her toast.
"What ball?"
She sets the slice of bread down. "You truly didn't know?"
I feel vaguely annoyed at her words. No one had been given an opportunity, save for Farley, who had spoken to me before Anabel whisked me away. "Sorry, but I didn't get the time," I answer tightly.
"Oh," she says, without a hint of emotion. "Well, Larentia proposed the idea as a wonderful way to celebrate our newly found alliance, as well as an opportunity to showcase her daughter's renewed engagement. "
She watches closely for a reaction. I swallow heavily and force a casual shrug. She doesn't miss it, and I didn't expect her to. However I do notice the lack of title when she refers to the Samos family. It was like she barely noticed that they had proclaimed themselves as royals.
"Sure."
"Lovely." She smiles at me, then leans a bit closer. "I know that you believe that this is a silly waste of time, believe me, I do as well, but there are alliances to secure and pieces to play. A gathering such as this can be just as influential as a council. Do remember that." With that said, Anabel leans back, and I loose a breath.
"You'll need an outfit. I suggest seeing one of the seamstresses." She waves her hand in a dismissal. "It was a pleasure to finally speak with you Miss Barrow. Perhaps we can continue tomorrow."
Relief floods me from head to toe. "Of course," I assured her. Now it would only be a matter of staying as far away from her as possible.
Anabel hands me my plate now piled with eggs, bacon and toast. "You didn't eat anything," she states as a way of explaining.
I take the plate from her and mutter a quick thank you before I slip out the door.
As I look back, Anabel's face contorts in sadness as she stares out the balcony overlooking a babbling stream.
I shut the door quickly and make my way back to my room before she could see, wondering what could've been going through her mind.
~•~
"I can't believe we have to go to this stupid ball," Farley grumbles, throwing herself on the plush bed opposite to mine.
I nod in agreement, but I don't forget Anabel's words. This gathering would be so much more than a display of power.
Farley had already filled me in on her day. Her first order of business was meeting with Davidson and Larentia about extending our visit to attend the ball. Larentia insisted on it actually. Her husband, the quiet yet cunning Volo was nowhere to be seen.
"I'm sure he has duties far more important than discussing parties to attend," Farley had drawled. "Like designing himself some new crowns and intimidating expressions, which need work, by the way."
"Well at least you don't have to get all dressed up," I reply.
She snorts. "Oh poor you. I hear having a dress fitting is hell."
"Well it would be to you," I smirked, imagining Farley having a fitting of her own.
A pillow to the face is her reply.
The banter was a welcome distraction for us both, one that I embraced wholly.
Farley's smile dies as she looks out the window, hugging a pillow close to her chest. I quickly cross over to her side, reaching out to touch her shoulder. "What's wrong?" I ask her tentatively. She leans into my outstretched arm and sighs, the strength of it heaving her body.
"I guess...I just miss Clara. I wish I could talk to her, but she can't talk back which is both a blessing and a curse."
I smile a little. "Have fun dealing with her in the teenage years. I've heard my mother say that it's a real joy."
Farley laughs a bit at that. "If she's anything like you, I might cry."
"That's something both you and my mother can relate on."
She picks at the silken sheets, almost hesitantly. "I miss him too," she admits quietly after a while. My heart sinks at even the mere mention him. His name hadn't even been spoken, yet it was enough to still us both.
"I miss him as well," I say softly, turning my gaze out to the clear blue sky. Shade had died on a beautiful day like this one. Despite the sunlight streaming through the glass, sadness darkens the room.
After a while, Farley exhales loudly. "Well there's no use dwelling on that now. We can only go forward and never look back.
I nod, silently agreeing with her though it was easier said than done.
She squeezes my hand. "Are you ready for tomorrow?" I knew she was referring to Cal. I would have to face him tomorrow, something I dreaded.
I inhaled deeply and clamped my jaw.
"As ready as I'll ever be."
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