“In better news, after the meeting, we are planning a small gathering to celebrate the reopening of the palace. It will be only council members and their loved ones. We are in several delicate situations, so please be considerate and careful in your actions, but you may invite Caelynn.”
A flickering of hope grows in my chest. Caelynn. I can see Caelynn tomorrow.
Give me a sacrifice, princeling.
I blink rapidly. “Thank you,” I whisper.
The queen nods, and I rush to send off a message to Caelynn.
Caelynn
Ilove you.
I frown at the scrawled words on the worn pages of the spell book in Rev’s handwriting. Again, the phantoms are outside, dancing and performing. A few have even braved close to my window a time for two. They’ve shown me a warrior killing a massive beast. A female being crowned queen. And two lovers dancing.
Though, most of the time, they’re bouncing through the trees with the shadow sprites. Those moments where they give me a show, I know, are meant for me, to give me strength.
“That’s from Rev?” I ask the book, voice soft. I haven’t spoken to the spell book since last night. And part of me wonders if he’s only using a message from Rev as a way to force me to stop my cold shoulder.
“Yes,” the book says softly. “There is more if you’d like to read it.”
I grip the open book and carry it to my lumpy bed. “All right,” I concede.
I miss you more than you could even imagine. I wish I was better at poetry or something so I could express what I feel now, being apart from you, but I can’t. Though I’m not very good at expressing my emotions through written word, I do have some good news to share. And bad, but I’ll start with the good. You’re probably aware of the bad already anyway.
I am back in the High Court as of an hour ago. The queen has informed me that there will be a gathering tomorrow to celebrate the rebuilding of the palace. It will consist of only council members and their loved ones. The queen suggested I invite you.
Please, for the love of everything holy, come. I need you here. I need to hold you again. I need to know that, though we’re apart, there is hope for us. Because if I don’t get that reassurance, and soon, I will implode.
I chuckle, tears welling in my eyes.
Please send your response as soon as possible so I can relax knowing I will see you tomorrow.
On to the bad news. I assume you are aware of the wraith attacks. One of them on the Whirling Court palace. The Whirling Court is said to be building its “defense” in response, which I worry means they are building an army. I wanted you to know where it seems the next attack will come from. We will do whatever we must to protect you.
Please respond soon. I love you.
