Chapter 36

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Ellery

When I arrived and asked to be granted counsel with the king, one of the harried-looking servants let me into the great hall. I'd seen it months ago when I was here for the king's coronation.

Still, I couldn't stop marveling over the splendor of the stories of balconies soaring high above my head, sweeping staircases, and the currently green marble floor shifting toward a darker hue. This place was opulent and beautiful and so much more than anyone else in this realm possessed… including the duke. I was sure that irritated him.

The servant led me to a bench and told me to wait there until the king was ready to see me. I adjusted the blue walking dress I'd worn, settled on the bench, kept my back straight, and clasped my hands in my lap while I prepared for a long wait.

I wasn't disappointed as the twenty-foot-tall grandfather clock in the corner ticked away the minutes until they turned into hours. The sun shifted through the windows, and night descended without anyone returning to speak with me.

The small breeze drifting through the open windows tickled the leaves of the plants in the corners. Inside, tucked amongst the marble and open windows, the palace was cool and a small reprieve from the heat.

Servants rushed around me until, eventually, everyone dispersed, and the only sound in the hall was the steady ticking of the seconds. I kept my face composed and my posture straight as I tried not to let my irritation show, but I inwardly seethed over being treated in such a way.

I didn't see any guards, but I was sure they were there, watching and waiting to stop me if I tried to leave. If I didn't think it would get me killed or captured, I was reaching the point of unleashing lightning on this place.

I could draw it from the ground; it would be difficult with all the marble blocking the earth from me, but not impossible. However, by the time I drew enough to create any damage, I'd most likely be brought down, my secret revealed, and my mother left in limbo.

No, I could sit here and imagine destroying it all with a serene smile, but I couldn't do anything. Being powerful and useless was a maddening way to exist.

At some point, I dozed off and woke with an aching back and neck from falling asleep with my chin on my chest. Too tired to process where I was, I fell asleep again on the small space.

The slap of feet against the marble woke me the next morning. I sat up to discover servants rushing around again, but no one spoke to me.

The tantalizing scent of eggs and baking bread wafted from the platters they carried. They didn't offer me any food or drink.

Rising, I stretched my back and arms as I tried to act casual while battling my rising ire. No, I wasn't a wealthy aristocrat, but my family had helped keep the amsirah of Tempest fed for millennia.

I didn't deserve for them to leave me sitting here, hungry, thirsty, and waiting to find out about my mother. This is just more of the duke's game.

That was most likely true, and it only increased my ire. Thankfully, I knew where to locate some of the bathrooms on this level from my last time here.

I didn't bother asking a servant about it before walking over to use one. After using the facilities, I washed my face and drank some water before returning to the bench.

Resuming my demure position, I stared straight ahead while the servants worked, the clock ticked, and the sun creeping higher into the sky cast new shadows and light around the airy space. They'd taken my mother from me and were determined to have my dignity too, but I wouldn't let them see me break.

My toes curled and uncurled in my black ankle boots as I resisted rising to pace back and forth. They would never see how upset I was.

I fully expected to spend another night here and wasn't disappointed as the sun lowered in the sky, night descended, and the servants dwindled away. Alone, I remained staring straight ahead as exhaustion crept in.

My stomach wouldn't stop rumbling, and every part of my body ached from sitting in the same position for hours, but I didn't move. I was glad I'd told Mr. Fletcher to return to the manor after bringing me here; there was no way we could have three workers away this long.

If they released my mother, we would open a portal and return home. I would have opened one to come here, but Ryker had said a carriage would be better.

I couldn't open a portal to escape the palace or outer bailey—that was prohibited to anyone who wasn't a member of the royal family—but he didn't want me weakening my ability to do so. He also said the king liked the pomp and circumstance of seeing his followers arrive in carriages; it's why we all arrived by them for his coronation.

Unclasping my hands, I rested them on my knees as one of the realm's six moons appeared in the large, arched window above the towering, double-entry doors. Moonlight spilled across the black floor, creating a silvery sea that swept across my boots.

It was beautiful, but this place had become an ugly, hostile one that I'd far prefer to see burn. I really hoped Ryker's plan to take these assholes down would work because I'd love to see this arrogant asshole fall. I hoped he took all the aristocrats out, especially the duke.