Chapter 2
A/N: Continuing with the updates. Will address more issues, but overall thanks for the positive feedback.
"NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Queen Mareena screams.
"But Dad's responsible! And technically he overrules you!" I try.
"I don't care if he's the emperor of the whole bloody world, I won't let him take you out of the palace!"
"But we're only going down near the Stilts, and we're leaving the summer palace soon!" Mother exhales. "Fine. But tell your father that if anything happens to you I'm going to personally blow his head off!"
"I think he already knows!" a voice says from the doorway. I turn around to see who it was. "Grandmother!" I scream excitedly as I run forward and hug her. Mother's mouth straightens into a grim line.
"Well, if it isn't the exalted Queen Mareena" my grandmother Elara says with a small smile. "Hello, Mother" she responds coldly.
"Come on! Don't be like that. I am your mother, and the previous Queen" Grandmother replies. Mother huffs.
"Only by marriage- fortunately not by blood."
"Don't listen to her" Elara's voice speaks in my mind. "No matter what she says I still love her, just a little" I smile. This form of conversation with my grandmother was only available to my father and I. Grandmother did not wish her thoughts shared with others. She goes on. "I'm sure my son knows what lies in store for him – everyone in the palace probably heard it. Besides, it would only take the hyperactive young heir a few minutes to go find him and tell him the news".
On the way out I run into another friendly face: My aunt, Gisa. Mother's actually happy to see this one. They embrace, and I remember the story Mother told me. Back when Mother was a Red – not saying that's a bad thing, blood equality and all that – She was a pickpocket. One day, in fact the day before she came to the court, her and Gisa were in the city for some reason or another. Gisa tried to steal something – I can barely imagine my mother ever being poor – and the police broke her hand. She had got an apprenticeship sowing, and this almost ruined her career. Of course, after mother became Queen, she got the best skin healers to fix her hand. That reminds me of my other brothers, Bree and Tramy. If Gisa's here, they must be too. They usually live in a renovated house down in the Stilts. Don't come up here much – Well, my grandparents anyway. They say they prefer to be out in the open instead of in the stuffy palace.
Sure enough, when I walk into the dining hall to grab some food, I find my uncles in the kitchens. No doubt trying to take some of the best cuts of lamb. As some of the adults down in the Stilts say, "Mischievous little buggers". Bree pops his head out and spies me, and they come rushing over for a hug. Once the urge for embraces has passed, they start conversation. "So, what have you been up to?" Tramy asks. I shrug.
"Stuff," I say, and try to grab some of the beer that they're sharing. Bree pushes my hand away. "If your mother finds out, we're dead. Doesn't matter that we're related." I smile. "Don't tempt me". As a serving girl walks past Tramy nicks a cake off a platter. He breaks it and hands some to me. I shove it in my mouth, glad to be with the two people I can ignore court etiquette with. Bree laughs at my infringement. "Our little prince! However could you eat like that!" He gasps in mock dismay. "But seriously. What are you doing?" These are my uncles – I can tell them. "Well… Dad's taking me on a hunting trip!" Tramy frowns.
"And Mare was fine with this?"
I grin. "If anything happens to me, it's Dad's head on the block!". Tramy laughs, a short bark that somehow still contains more happiness than I can usually muster. They have a gift, too. They are the most optimistic people I have ever met. And I've met a lot of people. As Shade once said, "They've laughed death in the face and Death laughed with them!" I admire their attitude.
Leaving them to keep stealing food, I wander to the entry hall to meet our newest guest. Once I arrive I find Mother has beaten me there. She stands, embracing Father's only sister, Evangeline Samos. Technically we aren't related, since Cal died a long time ago, but Evangeline is the sister Mother never knew she wanted until she had her. Eying them now, I can't believe they used to hate each other. Father told me one time Evangeline nearly killed Mother in a training session. My entry is not unnoticed, as Evangeline turns to me and I brace for what may happen next, expecting the usual 'Pinch-your-cheeks-you're-so-cute'. I'm only half right, as instead of pinching my cheeks she sweeps me up in a hug. "Oh! It's been so long! The last time I saw you..." I wriggle out of her grip. "Uh, Aunty? It's only been two years." Her eyes sparkle. "And in those two years you've grown at least a foot." She's exaggerating, I've only gone up by about 8 inches. Still, she enjoys having a child to fuss over. She never got remarried after Cal died. People say that she used to be bloodthirsty and ruthless, but after the incident she became, to quote half the court, "So nice I swear she's possessed." Mother said that it was because she really was a nice person, she just hated Cal and Tiberias. My father walks into the room and embraces Evangeline, then turns to me. "So, what was the answer?"
Mother glares at him. "If anything happens, I'm taking your two most important parts." He shivers, then laughs. "It's a good thing you like those parts!" I make a vomiting noise, and he puts a hand around my shoulders. "Well, squirt, looks like we're going hunting!"