-'๑'-Chapter Three -'๑'-
Celaena watched as Aetheren followed Adelith like a puppy up the steps before they rounded the corner and away to Maeve's office. Once they were gone, she turned to face Traen and Therawin.
"Where would you like to go Milady?" Traen asked as casually as he could.
Celaena shook her head. "Don't call me that."
"What would you have us call you?"
Celaena thought for a moment. She hadn't been formally introduced to anyone at the outpost really. Not that she wanted to get to know much of them anyways. So barely anyone must have known who she was besides Adelith, Maeve, and possibly Rowen besides the two that guarded her when out of Adelith's sight. "You may call me Elentiya."
"Very well then, Elentiya." Therawin nodded. "Where would you like to go?"
Celaena looked down the left hall, then the right. "I'm feeling a bit starved. Take me to the kitchen."
Traen headed left and the guards led her in to find Emrys already readying lunch with Luca hard at work on chopping vegetables of all kinds.
"Ahh, the young lady returns." Emrys noted from his spot in front of the stove. "Has my cooking brought you back?"
Traen stood in for her. "Miss Elentiya was wondering if there was anything you'd be able to cook up or if there is still breakfast left over."
Emrys put a finger to his chin in thought. "I believe I can whip you up a quick something. Are you boys hungry as well?"
Both the guards nodded and Traen pulled out a chair for Celaena to sit across from Luca as he worked while they took their spots beside her at the large worn down oak table in the center of the close-knit cluttered room.
Emrys quickly put together a small pot of stew and laid it out for the three of them including Luca.
"Emrys I'm not really hungry." Luca attempted to argue.
Emrys almost glared, "You barely touched your breakfast. Now eat up m'boy. You won't be any good to me worn out and hungry by lunch." Wiping his hands on his apron he looked to the guards. "And you two as well. I saw you creep in here this morning to only grab a bit of bread. That won't do you any good trying to survive on that bit of air."
Celaena couldn't help but admire the hint of care in Emrys' stern voice he put on for Luca and the guards. It was almost as if Emrys was acting as their father figure.
She finally began to dig in as Luca took a small pause of loading bite after bite into his mouth to speak to her. "Rumor has it, you're not from Wendlyn." Emrys shot him a stern look as if telling him not to pry, but Luca went on. "What has you out this far?"
"Rumors already spreading, are they?" Celaena asked between her own bites.
Luca shrugged. "Mistward may look like a large outpost, but word gets around fast. The gods know we all talk around here."
Emrys again shot him another warning glance as he retorted. "Well, it's true." Then he looked back to Celaena to continue.
Celaena's gaze flickered from Luca to Emrys. "Yes, I'm not from here."
"Well, what's it like where you're from?" Luca asked and Emrys finally intervened. "Luca, stop pestering the young lady. Hurry up and eat so you can get back to helping me with lunch."
Luca sighed and returned to eating before he continued with his chopping without Celaena answering again. She didn't want to get the young boy in trouble. Yet she couldn't help but wonder if they knew anything of their queen's esteemed champion.
Finally she asked. "Do you know anything about Adelith?"
Emrys perked up and Luca smirked as he kept working with his kitchen knife. Emrys turned to look at Celaena from his stirring and smiled. "Lady Morgenthal, is something else."
Luca chimed in, "Adelith is nice, but she doesn't socialize a whole lot."
Emrys eyed Luca before continuing. "That being said, we don't know much. But, we do know she doesn't take kindly to strangers. It takes a while for her to warm up to others. And even then, she's no interest in forming any actual bond."
"Malakei always asks her how she intends to find a mate with that sort of attitude." Luca chuckled. Just as a sturdy older man came swaggering down the steps, bow slung over his back and pointed ears relaxed below short black hair fading into gray. "Speak of the devil," Emrys laughed.
"I smelled lunch." The older man said smiling as he came to place a kiss over Emrys' lips before snagging an apple from a nearby barrel. "Who are we talking about now?"
"Lady Morgenthal." Luca replied. "Malakei could tell you a bit more about her than we could. He's worked more with her on the battle front than we have."
"Well, who wants to know?" Malakei asked.
Traen laughed as he pointed to Celaena. "Her newest prisoner."
"Ah, so you're the one everyone's been making talk about." Malakei said spying Celaena as she shot him a quizzical look. "I can certainly smell why they've been making such a fuss."
"What do you mean?" Celaena questioned. She wasn't sure whether to be offended or just curious at his choice of words.
Malakei exchanged glances with the guards at Celaena's sides and laughed. "Well, I have one question before I answer that." He paused before letting Celaena nod slightly to go on. "How much do you know of the Fae?"
Celaena pondered his question for a moment. She honestly had to say she didn't know much except their customs and traditions and of the way they celebrated, but nothing entirely intricate of their primal ways. "Vague details," Celaena responded finally. "Why?"
Malakei cleared his throat. "Well, when a Fae feels a certain way, they give off a scent that other Fae detect. For instance, your not wanting to socialize. Because they sense that, they're keen to steering clear of you."
It made sense really. . She'd only been here for a few days and out and about for barely two, and between feeling Adelith's near death patience with her along with everyone else almost seemed to rub off. Not that she herself really had much of an interest in getting to know anyone anyways. She hadn't felt the need, nor want to. She wouldn't be here for that long anyways.
"Now, your question of Adelith, Lady-" Malakei asked breaking her thoughts.
"Elentiya," Luca answered and Malakei continued. "Well, Elentiya. You are in for a special treat with that woman. She may seem like hard ass, but-, well, that's just who she is."
"Yeah, if you think you're on her bad side, you probably aren't, but then again, no one can ever tell." Luca chimed in. "At least around here. Nobody else knows what she's like in Doranelle. Very few of the demi-Fae are allowed in to Maeve's realm."
Malakei barely narrowed his eyes at Luca before letting loose a slight chuckle. "I guess it's the best explanation. But if you're lucky, and very few are,-"
"Like the royal family of Doranelle," Luca cut in before letting him finish, "you'll be able to see another side of her, a whole lot of us who's ever met her don't believe exists."
"Except me." Luca said. "One day, she accompanied Maeve here when I was really young. She was, eighteen at least, and-" Luca paused, "well. . One day, she saw me run from the outpost and followed me. After she caught up with me, she took me to a clearing a few miles from here and let me talk to her about what was bothering me. She actually listened to me, and then offered a few comforting words before returning me to Mistward where she paused Maeve's entire caravan just to come after me."
Celaena found herself slightly smiling at the thought by the time Luca's story was over. The rest stayed silent for a moment and even quieter if it were possible when the top step creaked and Rowen was seen making his way down the steps. The guards immediately stood at attention behind Celaena as they waited for Rowen to speak.
"I'd quit doddling if I were you. The officials will be making their weekly inspection soon." Rowen ordered from the landing platform as he leaned against the top of the door frame. With that being said, he turned back up the steps as Luca immediately went back to his chopping, and Malakei slipped out the back door.
"Now, if you want a real story," Therawin began, speaking quieter than normal, "have you seen that scar over Rowen's nose?" Luca leaned in a bit closer to listen in as Emrys waved them off. Celaena nodded and he continued. "Well, rumor also has it that after Adelith returned from Adarlan three years after the king began his conquest, he wouldn't let her in to see Queen Maeve who had fallen ill at the time. Adelith wouldn't have it, so she beat him to a pulp and six guards had to pull her off of him. We heard the news soon after. Even though they both have the same blood oath to Maeve, Adelith's will always be stronger. That's why wherever our queen goes, Adelith will always be not too far behind. Rowen is just sent off wherever Queen Maeve sees he's needed just like her other five minions."
"Why?" Celaena dared to ask.
Therawin exchanged glances with his companion before he answered. "Well, we've been told Queen Maeve had raised her since she-"
"That's enough story time for today gentleman." Emrys cut in. "Be off with ya if you're done eating. Let it be known that Lady Morgenthal's story is hers to tell, and no one else's."
-'๑'-
Later that night the Queen sat in her dining room with Rowen at one side and Celaena at the other along with two demi-Fae officials who were overseeing the outpost for as long as it stood. Maeve and one of the officials seated a place away from Celaena's side were in deep conversation, or a rather light debate with Rowen about some reconstruction to the old building. Celaena ceased to pay attention when the discussion took a turn for annoyance between Rowen and the official and even Maeve seemed to be a bit bored.
As she stirred her food mindlessly she caught herself checking the door at every creak that seemed to sound outside of it.
Where ever could she be?Celaena thought to herself. Even though she was certain she'd only asked Adelith if she would be in her company later was to get a small rise from Aetheren, she couldn't help but be at least the slightest bit upset about not being in her presence. Undecidedly whether it was not knowing of her whereabouts, or if she'd lied to her, or if she was playing the game as well. Though, if she were to be quite honest with herself, Adelith was charming in a way. A slick tongue and sarcastic remarks.
Just when Celaena was about to give up all hope, the door opened to reveal the beautiful young Fae who silenced the room.
"It is nice of you to finally join us Adelith." Maeve noted as she took her seat next to Celaena.
"I apologize Milady, I was dealing with complicated matters in the stable."
"Oh," Maeve arced an eyebrow in concern, "whatever seems to be the problem?"
Adelith seemed to look right passed Celaena as she spoke, "One of the mares has fallen ill. She won't stand upright."
Maeve nodded, "I trust you've handled the predicament to the best of your abilities then?"
"Yes Milady. I've sent for a healer to be here in the next day or two to have a look at her."
"Very good. They should have her up and moving around justly in no time at all."
Adelith nodded to her and went to her plate, nitpicking the meat from the bones, unengaging in the conversation over the table. Even Celaena had tried to weasel a sentence or two from Adelith but the only responses she gained were short and un-heeding. When Maeve stood to leave the table everyone else stood to excuse her, but Adelith did not return to her seat to Celaena's dismay. She only followed the Queen out of the room.
-'๑'-
Adelith made her way out of the dining room, silently following Maeve towards the stairs that led up to the Queen's office. At the stairs, stationed were Traen and Therawin who bowed at her approach. They turned to take up the rear but Maeve simply waved them away. After all, being under Adelith's watchful eye gave her all the comfort and contentment she needed to feel safe.
Adelith was deep in thought since the stables, all throughout dinner, and the long trek up to Maeve's office. She had fallen into one of her moods once more. Unable to shake the feeling that something felt off. Not just here, but everywhere. The need for solitary confinement overtook her quite harshly. She had no idea why Celaena's questions got to her so easily either. Maybe it was the fact Celaena felt comfortable or daring enough to ask such things. Maybe it was why she had been so willing to answer them.
There was too much going on in Wendlyn and between them and the western continent, along with Maeve's personal safety to worry about. Why was she the one to be escorting the Assassin around when she should be beside Maeve ensuring the safety of the matriarch of Doranelle?
-'๑'-
Celaena sat in the lounge of her chambers as she tried to concentrate on her literature. Somehow, the words on the page ceased to exist in her mind as she absentmindedly read them. She found herself thinking back to Adelith's sudden change of moods. How she completely ignored Celaena in the dining room. And when she was finally able to grasp her attention, how she'd barely uttered a few words before leaving a full plate at the table and silently following Maeve out of the room.
Just like a pet,Celaena thought to herself in a huff.
She shut her book and gently slid it to the other side of the couch. She grew tired of reading. She found herself missing her chambers in Rifthold. At least there were other things to do than just read. Not to be mistaken that reading was something Celaena enjoyed much more in the entire world than anything else but at the moment it seemed to be proving so difficult to retain what words her eyes had only seen. Billiards would be perfect at about this time, though she could barely figure out how to sink a ball.
She stood and made her way to the door, opening it to see the guards just beyond the threshold. Traen turned to see her peaking her head through.
"May I be of assistance Mil-," Traen caught himself, "Elentiya?"
Celaena looked between the guards, "I was only wondering if there happened to be a gaming room anywhere in this outpost."
Traen looked to Therawin and he only shrugged, "The only gaming room known to be here is in Queen Maeve and Lady Morgenthal's chambers."
Celaena poked her head back inside to view the clock on the mantle. It was only eight. Surely Adelith would be awake and her aunt wouldn't have turned to bed so early.
"Very well then, take me there."
Traen and Therawin exchanged uneasy looks before turning back to Celaena, "I'll have Nydilia see if the Queen is accepting visitors."
Celaena narrowed her eyes, "I can turn this place upside down if I must to find their chambers. I simply request entertainment, and as Lady Ashryver Galathynius, I do not believe I should be denied that."
Traen and Therawin exchanged glances, unsure of what to do. In the middle of their confusion, Aetheren came up the long narrow hallway.
"What seems to be the trouble boys?" She eyed Celaena who stood between the door and the frame.
Celaena narrowed her eyes at the female guard who couldn't have been but two or three years older than her.
Aetheren looked between the guards before looking back at Celaena, "What do you want."
More of a statement than a question, Celaena huffed as she opened the door and stepped into the hallway. "Take me to Queen Maeve."
"I do not believe that's going to happen any time soon." Aetheren replied biliously.
Celaena's expression turned into a scowl before the vaguely familiar voice of the Fae sounded from down the hall, "If you're bothering to look for confrontation tonight ladies," Queen Maeve came to stand still before the guards and her niece, "you'd do best not to find it between each other."
A woman of such great power. Even being of small stature, she seemed to tower over everyone in her presence. Not by her height, but by the energy she gave off. Celaena couldn't help but shiver in her company.
Maeve glanced at Aetheren and then rested her gaze upon Celaena, "What seems to be the issue?"
Celaena eyed Aetheren sardonically and turned blinking to Maeve, "I was wondering if you would be interested in a match of billiards."
Maeve simply smiled and nodded, "I do not much fancy the game, but I am sure Adelith wouldn't tire of a challenge."
Celaena smiled back at Maeve as she continued down the hall, beckoning for Celaena and the guards to follow. As she walked passed Aetheren she shot the guard a derisive look of achievement and followed with the other guards close behind. Though she could not help but wonder why Maeve had been venturing the halls without guards, or Adelith above anyone for that matter, and in the basements.
They made their way up six flights of stares and down another narrow hallway. When they reached the end, Maeve's guards stationed outside opened the door for them into a room that equaled two of her lounge. Celaena quickly glanced about the room taking note of exits; only three windows and one door leading to a balcony, rooms; appeared to be three separate ones, supposedly bedrooms no doubt with bathing rooms and wardrobes attached. A billiard table in one corner, a large dining table in the middle, and a fire place stationed at the east side with plush couches and chairs along with blankets of plenty.
But it wasn't the satin sheets of the down feathered pillows splayed about the floor before the fireplace that caught her eye. It was the handsome Fae woman bound in and over top of them. This must be where Adelith was hiding all day, whenever Celaena hadn't seen her while she was out and about being led everywhere by Fae other than the Queen's personal body guard.
-'๑'-
Adelith perked her pointed ears towards the door before turning her head away from her book to spy the queen and her niece elegantly striding through the doors to their private chambers. She watched as Traen and Therawin attempted to follow them inside.
"There is no need for your presence gentleman," Maeve speculated as she motioned towards Adelith. With that the two bowed and returned to the hallway and Adelith back to her literature.
"Adelith," Maeve called and Adelith stretched from her post, "Lady Galathynius has requested to play a match of billiards. Since I do not much fancy the game, I've offered you in my place."
And here, Adelith was hoping for a silent night in the comfort of her chambers, away from the one thing that seemed to be causing so much conflict in her mind. Nevertheless, if Queen Maeve of the Fae proposed anything, it wasn't to be taken as a suggestion.
She stood from her spot in front of the fireplace and closed her book heading to the billiards table as Maeve headed into her quarters. Adelith found herself hoping it was only to retrieve something. She wasn't fond of being left in the company of others who shouldn't be familiar to her.
Celaena sat at the small yet elegantly carved mahogany table as she watched Adelith rack the balls and size up the cue sticks from the wall. She glanced at Celaena and picked a cue stick her size and appropriate weight and extended it to her.
As Adelith placed the cue ball onto the felt table strategically she felt Celaena's gaze on her eyes.
"Can I help you?"
Celaena shrugged as Adelith took her shot and broke the table, perfectly spreading the balls at every side and even sunk two solids. Celaena stared in amazement.
"Maybe let me win," she replied, " I guess."
Adelith took her next shot and again sunk another ball.
"Or not." Celaena said in a huff.
Adelith took one more shot, and missed on purpose. "Your turn."
Celaena stood and aimed for an easy stripe in the left corner pocket. Inches between the stripe and the pocket. She aimed carefully, and scratched. In anger she almost threw her cue stick but kept it firmly in her hand and turned to Adelith. She gestured to make another shot and Celaena retrieved the cue ball and placed it anywhere in the table she pleased.
Adelith shook her head, and Celaena threw her arms up, "What?"
"If you're going to play, you should at least know the rules."
Celaena eyed Adelith, "Then teach me."
Adelith rounded the table and picked up the cue ball, placing it on the right side of the table behind the two halfway points for that side, "If somebody scratches, you have to keep it behind these points forming an 'imaginary line'. The ball is always placed on the same side the game was broken from."
She held up the cue ball to Celaena and she snatched it from her hand, placing it behind the imaginary line and lined up her shot to the far end of the table where most of the stripes had landed. She attempted to shoot, but she missed the cue ball completely.
Adelith let loose a hint of a chuckle and Celaena spun around, glaring.
"You're absolutely atrocious at this game," Adelith said crossing her arms, "Why on earth would you want to play it?"
"I was bored. I couldn't sit still and read, and this seemed like the better option."
Adelith motioned for the cue stick and lined up her shot for her, without moving it, Celaena took the cue in hand and shot gently across the table just as Adelith instructed and landed the ball in the pocket.
"There." Adelith replied, "You got one."
Celaena took another shot and, undoubtedly missed before taking her seat at the small table, defeated.
Adelith took her next two shots and on her third, Celaena spoke, "Why were you in such a bad mood earlier?"
Adelith let loose a sigh. Of annoyance, Celaena guessed.
"I'd rather not speak of my troubles."
"Why? It always helps to talk about things." Celaena said leaning back in her chair casually crossing her legs.
"I am not fond of sharing my burdens. They're mine to bare and no one else's."
Celaena pondered the answer. It made sense. "But why," she pried.
"It gives people reasons to believe I trust them," Adelith replied taking her next shot with ease, "I do not believe in giving anyone false hope."
"Why not give them real hope?" Celaena asked, "Surely you trust somebody."
Adelith set her cue stick against the table and sighed, "The only ones I trust are the royal family."
"What about Aetheren?"
Adelith let out an unamused chuckle, "Aetheren may be related to the royal family, but she is not my friend. Merely another unlucky woman vying for the attention of someone who isn't going to give it."
"What of me? I'm of royal blood."
Adelith just stared at her. The unsociable scent she'd carried with her the first day was long gone by now. At least when she noticed Adelith's presence. She wondered if Celaena was even aware. The thought of her being that comfortable around Adelith almost shook her.
"Well, are you ever going to give your attention to anyone other than the royal family? If you ever plan to find a, mate, surely she'll want your attention at some point." Celaena didn't know why she was being bold enough to ask the questions. Maybe it wasfalse hope, or merely being curious. She couldn't bring herself to mentally decide.
Maeve suddenly cut off the conversation to Adelith's relief as she opened her door and entered the lounge in her one strap nightgown revealing fair, almost pale skin enveloped in tiny green vines with little intricate leaves that seemed to sprout from her left shoulder, over her neck and down her arms and back. Celaena couldn't help but marvel at the intricate tattoos that stained Maeve's skin. No wonder the woman wore such unrevealing clothes during the day time whenever she was out and about.
Maeve noticed Celaena's gaze and smiled softly, "They mark all the royal family in Doranelle. I only ever show them off at balls and special gatherings."
Celaena continued to trail the vines before looking back to Maeve as she gestured to Adelith, "She has them too. They mark her loyalty to the royal family."
Adelith pulled up the sleeve of her midnight blue tunic to reveal the same markings up and down her forearm before Maeve casually walked over and pulled back Adelith's hair to reveal a small patch just starting to regrow beside her right eye, though it wasn't the almost bald patch that was being revealed, but the same vines along the side of her face that were hid so well by Adelith's black hair. Maeve gently pushed Adelith's hair back in place and smiled at Celaena who had failed to notice that in place, her hair was unable to hide the tip of a small leaf.
How could she not have noticed something like that? No matter how small, it was still a detail, and Celaena always took in every bit she could.
Adelith yawned and Maeve placed her arms around her, "If you're tired, you should turn to bed little Luvena."
"Luvena?" Celaena asked with a raised eyebrow.
Maeve smiled to her, "It means little Beloved One. I've called her that since she was just a little girl."
Adelith raised an eyebrow at Maeve who took on a sassy grin, "Have I said too much?"
Adelith shook her head and pursed her lips to keep from smiling before stifling another yawn.
"Go to bed." Maeve ordered taking a step back.
Adelith narrowed her eyes at the queen, "You know I cannot do that, my Queen."
Maeve raised an eyebrow before glancing at Celaena and asked, "Why is that?"
"I believe you know why."
Maeve sighed as Celaena slunk a little, realizing that she was still the Assassin of Adarlan. Maybe that was why Adelith wouldn't let her get close to her. Of course. How could an assassin originally sent here to kill members of the royal family, even begin to redeem herself of the loyalty to another empire. Even though said empire had ripped her life and kingdom apart at the young age of eight, she'd still grown to believe that it was the only home she'd ever have after that.
"Adelith, she is of no threat to me."
"I cannot take chances, Maeve. She is still an assassin," Adelith replied.
The sting of the words hit Celaena almost like an arrow dipped in bloodroot, making them all the more real. It was unsettling to say the least, and she had no idea why she cared. Maeve seemed to believe she could be trusted. But a mere guard of her royal family? One who wasn't just a mere guard. . Celaena's face gave the soft hint of a scowl and headed for the door. Before opening it she bowed to Maeve.
"I do not want to trouble you," Celaena said opening the door with one hand, clenching her other into a fist, "I'll just return to my chambers."
She walked out, leaving Traen to shut the door before he and Therawin trailed after her. Maeve turned to Adelith who stood her ground and crossed her arms.
"I can see why you are protective," Maeve sighed and looked down but Adelith cut her off.
"We know why she was sent her. She did not even have to tell us. She still has yet to come clean. I have more than a right to be protective of you. I have an obligation; a blood oath. Until she proves where her loyalties lie, I am still uncomfortable knowing you are under the same roof."
Maeve held out her arms for Adelith and she complied, wrapping her arms around Maeve's small form. The woman who had brought her in to the royal family. The woman who she was always tempted to call mother, though she knew it was not her place. If she ever lost Maeve, she wouldn't know what to do. All she knew was that it would leave a rather large void inside that nothing, not even all the jewels of all the forests of Wendlyn would be able to fill.
"You've raised me to protect you til my last breathe. Let me fulfill my oath til the end as I see fit."
Maeve nodded against Adelith's shoulder, "Do not give up on souls so easily, Adelith." Adelith pulled back and raised an eyebrow to her, "You want her to prove where her loyalties lie, let her in. Your heart may be undone, but so is hers. Sometimes, it takes two broken hearts to fix one damaged soul."
Maeve let go of Adelith and turned her toward her chambers. She watched as Adelith shut the door and turned to her own, ready to sleep for the night.
-'๑'-
Once in her chambers, Celaena slammed the door shut in anger. Sorrow. Hatred. She couldn't decide what emotions were flowing through her at the moment, if not all of the above. The one thing she could not stand of emotions was that they were often uncontrollable. For Wyrd's sake, she was Adarlan's Assassin, how could she be so unsure of herself? It was unfair how she had to choose. Choose between Chaol's life, and the life she could have here in Wendlyn where she was truly safe and away from the hands of Adarlan's pitiful ruler. All the while still worrying of the Wyrd keys even though Elena had told her not to.
Celaena stomped up to the stone wall and took swing after swing until her knuckles were bloodied and bruised, leaving cracks filled of blood in the stone wall, ignoring the surge power through her entire being as her Fae attributes threatened to break way. But she could have cared less at that moment. She leaned her back against the wall and slunk to the ground as she finally let the tears run rampant down her cheeks. Her canines ached just as the tips of her ears. Slow soft sobs escaped her mouth as her throat tightened with the weight of her own burdens swelling inside her. Her stomach heaved with every whimper until finally, she let sleep take her.
Earlier the next morning Nydilia woke her with worried cries as she helped her to her feet and into the bathing chamber where she wrapped Celaena's knuckles after fixing her up.
"Why on earth would you do something like this, child?" She asked finishing up the bandages.
Celaena didn't answer. She didn't want to. She couldn't. Without letting her in. Celaena realized she didn't want that. Realized she'd never wanted to let anyone in. Remembered the vow she'd given after Nehemia had disappeared from the mortal realm. The only human being she'd ever really grown to fully trust, love, and let in. Even when she and Chaol had their bright and shining moment, there were still things she would never have let him know. Could never let him know.
The rest of the day she never even caught a glimpse of Adelith. Only Maeve once or twice, but she was far too busy for Celaena to even get close enough to ask about her, debating at this point in time whether she really cared anymore. It went on like this for three days until one morning she did manage to see Adelith. Only briefly as she walked through the dining hall to spare a passing glance that seemed to be plagued by sleeplessness and sorrow at Maeve only to head to the kitchens.
