Harey, thank you for letting me laugh at you for laughing at me and being wrong. I feel much better now. And you may be clueless as to what that means, but I do, and its a load off of my shoulders.

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I followed Roiben through the network of hallways, not at all wondering why they called it the Palace of Termites. Mostly the walls were crude dirt, held still lacy roots, and sometimes dusty clumps fell to the ground and broke open, once to my horror revealing a worm. Roibens steps were sure and weary, and every few moments he glanced back at me, like he was afraid I'd disperse like a cloud.

We stopped at a small door, almost like an afterthought to all the fine onyx and polished ebony doors with the gold and silver handles. He opened it and gestured me in, I ducked my head at the slight door and looked around. It was a simple room, with a small bed held up by a splintered, coarse frame. A bookshelf that reached the shallow ceiling held a few books, violently colored spines worn with use. A small table in th corner held up a small dagger which Roiben quickly picked up and slipped up his sleeve, and I feigned oblivion. The sword at his waist was slim and fine, and as he unbuckled the belt and hung it up on a rusted hook, I heard him give a sigh.

"You're not suffering for want of a fine weapon," I said skittishly, feeling small next to his brooding, imposing figure. He gave a laugh, that awful empty sound.

"Yes, but I am suffering for want of everything else." He pivoted so he was facing me and grabbed my shoulders. "Is Ethine all right? Talathain? Have they been punished?"

"They are both fine," I said confusedly. "And they have done nothing to anger the Queen since you have left . . ." I stopped mid-sentence as a sort of cold indifference entered his silver eyes. He had hoped for me to tell him that they had begged and pleaded with the Queen to have him sent back, and that she had reprimanded them. He craved the feeling of being wanted. I felt repulsed by him. This new, frightening Roiben was selfish, although it seemed that he had had no one to care for these long years. Halfway between angry and horrified I hugged him tightly once more.

"Ethine wept for weeks after you left, Roiben. Talathain has never looked the Queen in the eye. I was sent here with Nephamael," I spat out his name like it left a bad taste in my mouth. "Because I've been cold to the Queen and refused to listen to her. Give them time to grieve Roiben, then they'll fight back."

Roibens tensed muscles relaxed as I told him how much everyone loved him, and it looked foreign on him. I wondered if he could ever let his guard down in this palace of spiders.

"Myrocia, thank you. I have missed you as well. I doubt we will be able to speak again, so let me say something now," he pushed me back, and his gray eyes searched my green ones. "Tell . . . tell Ethine I love her, and to hold strong for her brother. Without her I never would make it. I think of her every night. Tell her that, Myrocia." I nodded under his ferocity. "And Talthain, tell him it is awful to be without him, I miss him so. And Myrocia, hear me. The lady Dulcamara, she—,"

The door burst open and there was Nephamael, bringing the stench of iron into Roibens small room. His black eyes grew suspicious as he assessed Roiben holding both of my hands, then they lost the angry quality. Roibens fingers tightened around mine and I squeezed them reassuringly.

"Come, Myrocia, the Queen has prepared rooms for us both," he said coolly, extending his arm. I nodded and kissed Roibens cheeks, letting my eyes convey sympathy as I left the room and started into the hallways with Nephamael.

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Sorry for the short Chappie! I've got SO many things going on, plus a father breathing down my neck. It's stifling my creativity, and I've taken to writing under the cover of the night!

I love you all!

-Ash