The darkest glass, p.32
The Darkest Glass, page 32
This isn’t your life. This isn’t your life.
She ducked past a member of the Sentry and his wife just as they entered the ballroom. Outside, the parlor and surrounding halls were clear. As she approached the foot of the stairs opposite the ballroom, she caught movement in the corner of her eye. She turned.
A young woman in her early twenties neared the ballroom doors. She wore a lovely off-shoulder dress embellished with silver roses and ivy and a black lace veil that covered her eyes. The soft blue of the dress reminded Julia of those rare spring mornings in Temmings when the air carried a gentle warmth. As Julia was about to turn away, the young woman walked through the closed doors and disappeared into the ballroom.
Julia stood frozen at the foot of the stairs. She could feel her brain scrambling to make sense of what she had just witnessed.
A young woman had walked towards the doors.
She never opened them.
Now she was gone.
It was a mistake to leave the stairwell. Julia knew every second counted in the hunt for Tabitha’s room and the entrance to the ghost tunnel. But here and now the only conscious thought running through her mind was the fact someone had walked through a closed door. Julia pressed her hands against the doors and felt the solid wood beneath her fingers.
“What? No, that can’t be.” She ran her hands along the doors.
There must’ve been some kind of apparatus involved, she thought.
“Good evening, Your Highness.”
Julia whirled around. Standing before her was a tall, narrow-shouldered man with deep brown skin. He had a pleasing face framed by fine black hair tied at the nape of his neck with a satin ribbon and eyes the greyish brown of cedar trees. But it was his extended fangs that stilled her heart, even if they were capped by a gold-plated brace that stretched across his top teeth.
“You seem troubled.” His words carried the fluctuating pitch of a Khagalese accent. “Have you lost something?”
Just my mind is all, thanks, she wanted to say as she tried to keep her face neutral. She had never met a duskborn—at least that she knew of—but had heard enough horror stories of cultish blood draining and cannibalism to know never to approach one, even if they were only victims of a rare and deadly blood fever as her mum once pointed out.
What is he doing in Dutchenson Castle? And why is he roaming free and unguarded?
“Angelina, there you are.” Madelyn appeared behind the man, her face a perfect mask of feigned ignorance.
“Oh, Farhan, good evening. Such a surprise to see you.” Madelyn subtly slipped between Farhan and herself. “I take it you’ll be joining in the festivities this evening?”
“Just popping in for a moment, I’m afraid. Dr. Loveney and I still have a good deal of work left before the evening retires, but given this was a special occasion …” As he said this, his gaze flickered to Julia. Something in his eyes unsettled her.
No, her own inner voice assured her. I’ve always wanted to talk to Farhan.
“I wouldn’t dare miss the return of our beloved princess,” he continued, returning his attention to Madelyn.
“That’s very kind of you. If you’ll excuse us, I must be returning our guest of honor.” Just as Madelyn grabbed Julia’s hand harder than she needed to, Farhan shortened the distance between himself and the Princess Holiant. “No need to trouble yourself, Your Highness. Allow me to escort the young miss back.”
“Yes,” Julia heard herself saying. “I’d like that.”
“Expelle Farhan, Magos,” Madelyn said with calm focus. Something in Julia shifted and the world lost its veneer of softness. All at once the deepness of the hallway shadows, the sharpness in Madelyn’s eyes, and the pain in her squeezed hand flooded back. Farhan clenched his jaw against whatever pain he was suddenly feeling. He shot Madelyn a murderous glare before realigning his features into a smile that didn’t meet his eyes.
“My apologies, Your Highness. Please forgive my assumptions.” He dipped into a half bow. “Enjoy your evening.”
Madelyn and Julia stepped aside as Farhan entered the ballroom.
When he was out of sight, Julia fumed, “What in the saints name happ—” but stopped when Madelyn started shaking violently.
Julia threw her arms around the Princess Holiant and squeezed tight, just as her mother used to when she was little and thunder frightened her.
“Madelyn, here, here I have you. It’s okay. It’s okay.”
They stood this way for several minutes until Madelyn finally regained herself. Julia let her arms fall and took a cautious step back. “You all right?”
Madelyn nodded. “I’m fine. Sorry, I—” She shook her head and her face hardened. “Never mind. You shouldn’t be out here. I told you it was dangerous to roam the castle, especially alone.”
Julia ignored her jab and instead released the torrent of questions racing through her mind. “Who was that? Is he actually a duskborn? A full, unguarded duskborn, about in the castle? And what was that thing you said?”
“Julia, stop!” Madelyn said curtly, dispelling any hope Julia had of getting answers. “You need to return to the party right now. Before Mother or Father notices you’re missing.”
Madelyn reached for Julia’s arm, but Julia pulled away. “No, I’m leaving.”
“Right now? But—oh, Mother.”
Julia bolted upright at the sight of Queen Catherine stepping out of the ballroom in a perfectly tailored olive green dress. With the flick of her hand, both queen’s attendants dismissed themselves and shut the ballroom doors behind them. The thin golden tassels laced through Catherine’s crown of auburn curls shimmered as she turned her attention to her eldest daughter.
“Madelyn, is everything all right? The vicaress was asking after you and I was terribly embarrassed to find you nowhere at all.”
“I’m sorry, Mother. Angelina wasn’t feeling well so I stepped out to assist her getting some air.”
The queen looked at Julia as if just noticing her. Julia’s blood chilled under her piercing blue gaze.
“Is that right? Well, we can’t have her feeling faint. Madelyn, dear, do return to the gala. I shall attend to Angelina myself.”
Madelyn opened her mouth to protest but one raised brow from the queen and she quickly shut it, offering a nod instead. “Yes, Mother.”
Julia watched Madelyn go with a heavy heart. As the door shut behind her, Queen Catherine walked toward the courtyard down the hall from the main stairwell. Julia knew better than to not follow.
The night air was cloying on Julia’s skin. Already she could feel the base of her purple high collar dress beginning to dampen. Overhead, the moon loomed, round and jaundiced. The queen stood with her back to Julia, overlooking the courtyard below.
“Tell me, how has your time at Dutchenson been so far?”
“Pleasant, Your Majesty.”
The queen nodded knowingly, smiling to herself. “Ah yes, to be young in a beautiful, strange castle. It’s terribly frightening, isn’t it?”
“I-I suppose so, yes.” Sweat beaded at her brow. She squeezed her hands together in hopes of steadying her nerves, but to no avail.
“You know, as a new queen I had countless responsibilities placed on me. I was expected to carry myself and the Chase name with utmost honor and poise. Any less would be shameful to myself and my family. I had our people to think of, after all. I couldn’t let Halcyon down.”
Queen Catherine tilted her chin, a portrait of beauty and control. “You will be taught to be a queen as I was and all those before me. But I’ve come to find there is something even the finest instructors Halcyon has to offer can’t teach you.”
“Your Majesty?”
“Come here.”
Julia hesitated but soon joined Queen Catherine at the railing.
“What do you see below?” the queen asked.
Julia looked out onto the castle grounds. From here she could see part of the Royal Gardens and some of the outer courtyard near the castle’s entrance. The long swatch of forestry surrounding the back of the castle curved around like a fanned collar, blocking out the seaside cliffs beyond. But under the moon’s glow she could make out a figure traversing through one of the courtyards. A figure in a golden multifaced mask holding the leash of a not-dog creature. Even from this distance, the leashed beast paused and swiveled its cloaked head towards the balcony.
Julia’s fingers curled around the railing until her knuckles were white. The same fear looking into Billie’s deadpan eyes once again rooted her in place. The queen tilted Julia’s face towards hers and away from the thing staring at them. “Do you understand now why I didn’t bother to lock you in your room tonight? Because there was never going to be a chance of you boarding the Borealis. The howlers would notice you the moment you stepped outside. They’re bred to smell mana remnants, among other things. And I can promise you they run faster than you think.”
“Mana remnants?”
“The unseen traces left behind when magic has been used,” Queen Catherine clarified. “Some magical-imbued objects, like the heart beating in your chest right now, also emit it naturally.”
This close to the queen, Julia could see Madelyn in her features. The same gentle eyes and upturned mouth. But where Madelyn’s traces of doubt flickered like a flame across her face, her mother harbored no such hesitancy. Her assuredness had been polished to a fine glint, seamless in its craftmanship.
“What did you people do to me?” Julia croaked, tears pricking her eyes.
When the queen didn’t answer, Julia realized any hope or nerves or bravery she had harbored these past few days had been in vain. The game had ended before it’d ever begun.
“To rule as queen is to use the wield the four oldest tactics—beauty, wits, patience and fear. Do you understand?”
“Why are you doing this?” Julia murmured. Hot tears streamed down her face. “Why are you keeping me here? I’m not her.”
Queen Catherine’s gaze softened and she dropped her hand. “I wanted Piers to lie to you. I fought for it, but Leo disagreed, of course. He feared you seek out answers just like…” Queen Catherine’s eyes glassed over as the words died on her lips. “Grief and fear changes people. It was a terrible thing that happened to you, and I wish my daughter were —” She closed her eyes and let her head bow, her voice falling to a whisper. “I’m sorry, Julia. But the line must be protected. The Chases must never fall.”
“I swear I won’t tell anyone what happened. Please, Your Majesty. Please, just let me go home.”
“I can’t let you leave,” the queen lamented. “I wish it could be different, truly I do, but if you remain inside Dutchenson Castle, no harm will come to you. You’re protected here.”
“Protected from what?” Julia pressed.
“Not what, dear. Who.” The queen lowered her voice. “The White Raven knows you’re here.”
A reassuring smile replaced the concern present there only a moment before.
“Now, let us put these dark matters to rest, shall we? Staring into the shadows only invites something to stare back.” She put a guiding hand on Julia’s shoulder, steering her back towards the hall. “Best we return to the gala. It would be a shame to let a good party go to waste.”
This time, Julia didn’t argue.
The night was a flurry of greetings, cheek kisses, and dances.
Julia was numb to it all. Her lips smiled, her head nodded, and her feet shuffled from one dancing partner to another, but her mind was a storm uncontained.
The queen spoke as if the White Raven—one of Azavith’s thousand faces—was real and not only knew of her but meant her harm. That because of this, Dutchenson Castle was to forever be her cage and her new heart the lock that kept her there. The assuredness of her words, the panic swimming in those darkened blue pools all spoke of true fear.
And Julia knew lies. Knew their lilt on the tongue. Knew the comfort when they wrapped around the mind or when they were meant to spur the heart.
Queen Catherine hadn’t been lying. And if the White Raven was real, then the rotting thing roaming the forest that took Billie, the impossible heart beating in her chest, the ever-present voice of her dead best friend were—
“Tell me, has the swan twirl reached the banquet halls where you’re from?” Sir Eustace asked, her first dance partner. “You have a most interesting style, Your Highness.”
The White Raven knows you’re here.
“How delighted you must be to be reunited with your true family,” said Lord Hammond, her next partner.
The White Raven knows you’re here. Hunting you, hunting you.
“I’m curious, did you ever know you were Princess Angelina?” Lady Iyer, her third dance partner, whispered with a raised brow. “I promise I shan’t tell a soul.”
Hunting, hunting, HUNTINGHUNTINGHUN—
The familiar scent of bergamot and sandalwood caught Julia’s attention halfway through the night. Piers approached just as the dance ended.
“Good evening, Sir Helmond. I’m afraid Her Highness is requested elsewhere at the moment.”
“That’s quite all right,” Sir Helmond replied, quickly dropping his hands. He nodded to Julia. “It was a pleasure, Your Highness.”
Julia forced a half smile before Piers ushered her out of the room. When they were in the hall alone, Piers let out a small chuckle.
“I’d say with steps like those you’re all but guaranteed to bruise half the gentry.”
When Julia said nothing, Piers motioned for her to follow him. “I heard the Queen spoke with you.”
“How did—?”
Piers held up his hand. “If it had been the King, you and I would be having this conversation in your room with several guards present to relay back our every word.” Piers stopped in front of a set of double doors. “After you, Your Highness.”
The room was bathed in shadow, hiding its true size. The sweetness of kellweed smoke and woodiness of old books permeated the air. Julia ran her fingers over the velvet chair closest to her.
“Queen Catherine knew everything,” Julia said with a brittle laugh. “She knew I was trying to escape tonight and even how I’d bloody do it. It was all a game to her. I must’ve looked like the biggest idiot.” Julia dug her fingers into the chair. “You said all I had to do was play my part, not that I would be trapped here forever.”
“You misunderstand, Your Highness. You’re free to leave at any time. But if you do, I can’t guarantee your safety.”
“From what, the White Raven?” Julia snapped mockingly.
Piers didn’t answer, but his stricken features spoke to the horrid truth Queen Catherine had alluded to on the balcony. Saliva flooded Julia’s mouth as if she were to be sick. She steadied herself against the chair, swallowing over and over as Emily’s tittering laughter filled her ears.
“The Majesties won’t let you leave,” a familiar voice said, “because you’re too precious a test subject to lose.” Farhan emerged from the hall and leaned against the doorway, arms folded. “And of course, the little spectacle your friend’s phoenix sigil caused at the hanging. ‘A Chase always rises’ as they say. And what better miracle than the beloved missing princess?”
Julia’s breath caught in her throat. “You …”
“Nice to see you again, Your Highness.” Farhan’s gaze slid to Piers. “This has been a rather exciting experiment wouldn’t you say, Lord Astley? But even so, I think we can agree your method was never destined for success. Fear may motivate her into silence, but cooperation was never an equally measured variable.”
“I’m a bit disappointed, Farhan. As a man of the sciences, I assumed you would understand it best to try all possibilities. Or am I misquoting your mentor?”
Farhan frowned, annoyed. “Thanks to your dalliances, I was forced to test Her Highness’s suggestibility in front of the Princess Holiant. We could’ve lost everything because of you.”
“Ah, what’s life without a bit of drama?” Piers mused, a smirk playing across his face.
“I strongly urge you do not get between Dr. Loveney and her data again. We won’t have another chance at this. Too much emotion has led this experiment.”
Farhan lowered his voice until it was but a murmured warning.
“Don’t let the princess share Elizabeth’s fate.”
Julia backed away until she was in front of the window. Moonlight enshrined her, illuminating her wide eyes. This was all wrong. She was a test subject? In an experiment Piers knew about?
So he knew about my new heart … and let it happen?
“I want to go back to the party,” Julia stammered, hot tears pressing against her eyes. “Right now. Take me right now.”
Piers slowly turned to face her. In the silvery glow, she could see a mixture of resolve and regret in his glassy eyes and downturned mouth. “I’m sorry, Your Highness. Please know I did this to keep you safe.”
“What ar—”
Before she could finish, Farhan was across the room in the blink of an eye. He gently gripped her chin between his long fingers, forcing her to look up at him. As she stared into his grey eyes, the icy grip of fear began to melt away.
“There now, Princess. You are, and always were, Angelina Chase. Let Julia Sheffield sleep now. She is oh so very tired.”
“So very tired,” Julia parroted. “And … scared. Scared the White Raven is real, scared the Book of the True Word is real, scared the monster that took Billie is real, scared the rumors about Emily are real, scared, so scar—”
Farhan placed his hand on her cheek. “My, my, how much Julia tries to carry. But you’re not her.” His eyes narrowed ever so slightly in his effort to quiet a fracturing mind.
“You’re Angelina Chase, the Crown Princess. And Princess Angelina is happy. She is happy to be in Dutchenson Castle. She only wants to be in the castle where it is warm and safe.”
“Warm and safe.” Julia smiled dreamily. “It’s so pleasant here …”
Farhan let his hand fall. “How are you feeling, Your Highness?”
“Fine, of course,” she replied with a polite, but confused smile. “Piers, can we go back to the party already? I’d hate to miss another dance.” She looped her arm through his and looked up at him curiously. “Why do you look so dreary? Something wrong?”
