Chapter 8: The Meeting

Poe came dashing into my room in the late evening after the first day of the Meeting of Princes.

"My Lady," she smiled radiate. "You are free to roam the castle! The princes all agreed, Valentin wasn't happy, but he had to be fair."

She paused, as I cheered and ran to my door, ready to enjoy my reinstated freedom.

"Although you can walk around freely, you must still stay within the Castle walls and have two guards with you when you walk."

I rolled my eyes. I had to understand this was step one in a series of steps to get me home. My heart ached constantly for my children, my family, my home, even my dog. "Where are my knights? Did the princes agree to help me find a portal? Are they helping me go home?"

My handmaiden held up her hands, "I don't know! I don't know! I was only told this much."

As I crawled into bed that night and listened to the fire crackle, my thoughts dwelled on my children. Even though they were young adults, I wondered aloud about how they were doing. Poe pulled up my blankets and convinced me to finally lay down.

"You can speak with the King tomorrow when he is in front of the Princes. He won't be able to ignore your questions with an audience," she said.

Wishing her a good night, I lay back and closed my eyes. I tossed and turned, the endless questions I wanted to ask rolling around in my head. Eventually, I threw back the covers and grabbed a cloak. I carefully opened the balcony doors and slipped outside. I looked up and wondered if my children were under the same stars I was. A light from beside me caught my attention. I paused in my walk to look closer. There was a person in the room next to mine, and I recognized the black, hooded Prince from the throne room that morning. He was removing his cloak and hood, standing over a table laden with books. His gaze snapped up from the books to the windows, and once again I was taken by surprise by the colour of blue in his eyes. Curtains were abruptly pulled, and my view was ended.

"Oh great," I wheezed. "Now I'm a creepy neighbour!"

I went back inside and tossed my cloak on a chair. My mind was no quieter when I flopped back on the bed but fell asleep in good time. For the first time in a long time, I dreamed. It wasn't a good dream, though. I kept dreaming about stars and planets, fire, and moonless skies. In the early hours of the morning, I woke to Poe shaking me.

"What is it," I mumbled. I tasted blood. "What happened!"

Poe was pushing a cloth under my nose, "You are alright, my lady. You had a nightmare."

I gave her a look, and she graciously continued.

"You must have hit your nose on something."

I was given a cup of dark tea and fell asleep again. When I woke, Poe had clean clothes waiting. I dressed and opened my door. Two guards snapped to attention, then followed me. They followed me to where I relieved myself, they followed me to the kitchen (food wasn't ready,) and they followed me to the early morning question period with the king. This time he was alone and asked very clearly about the dreams I'd had as a child. Talking about old dreams made me cold to the bone. It was almost midday before I had had enough of my guard entourage. Every time I went open to a door, I was reminded I couldn't go outside. I was reminded of how to speak to nobility, and when the king wanted to talk to me. I had heard the "rules" of my stay every time I asked a question. I decided to make a plan. Needless to say, it wasn't the best plan, but it would give me a few minutes of peace and quiet.

I paused by a window overlooking the main yard again. I could see a group of men once again struggling with a sheep. I realized the guards were taking a big interest in this action too. Without a second thought, I silently slipped back and took off towards the library.

"Hey! You!"

"Come back, you....."

I ran harder, they ran faster. I whipped the library door open and slipped inside. I ran to the back of the library, but as I turned into the window nook, I came face to face with a surprise.

A tall, slender, dark - haired male Fae sat in a wooden, high - backed chair behind a simple square, wood, food - filled table. His stunning blue eyes stared first at me, then at the guards running up behind. He tossed a piece of bread to the plate before him.

"I'm so sorry," I began. "I was just looking for a quiet place...."

A guard grabbed my arm and roughly swung me around with a huff.

"I'm so sorry, my..."

"Leave her."

The guard paused, "but...Exile....?"

"Just leave her," the Fae was clothed in black from head to foot. He sat up and pushed away his plate in exasperation. "Where is she going to go? I've been told she cannot go outside the castle walls. Let her sit by the window with me until I am finished eating, after which I'll return her to her room when she has her fill of fresh air."

The guards looked at each other and hesitated. The seated Fae did not.

"Go!"

The guards went. Quickly.