Given that I am not a subject of the Lucent Enclave, I do not appreciate the way you ordered me to meet you as you did in your letter. I am inclined to deny your ill-worded request and write the essay with the vast knowledge I have of your character.
However, if you were to kindly ask, I may consider joining you at the proposed time and location.
Regards,
Lady Wren Kalyxi of the Wild Holm
A surprised chuckle escaped Castien. Her signing off the letter with her island was a clever touch. It relieved him to see that she was well enough to respond in a way that matched their previous interactions. Hopefully, it meant her recovery would be swift and the emotional damage not lasting.
He slid another piece of parchment off the stack, dipped his quill, and began to pen another letter.
Wren lifted another spoonful of oats and cream to her lips and blew on it gently before placing it on her tongue. The sweetened mixture tasted faintly of cinnamon, which reminded Wren of trees shedding their leaves and huddling by the hearth with a blanket around her shoulders to keep warm. It was a comforting meal, and she was grateful for it after the past few days that she had endured.
Her gaze drifted from the bowl cradled in her blanket-covered lap to the crackling hearth, then to the darkened window. Earlier in the day, when Wren had awoken from her second slumber, Blossom opened the curtains. There wasn’t much light to be let in, but it made the space feel more open. Now, however, the dark nothingness drummed up fear in Wren.
Was someone watching her in the darkness? Did her brother’s killer steal her journal to use against her, or had she made more than one enemy since arriving? Wren didn’t know what reason the murderer would take the journal. Knowing of her Curse would give them power over her, but she wasn’t sure how it would aid them in killing her. She shivered and drew further intoherself. Perhaps it was a good idea to take lessons from Kierana after all.
A light knock on her door made her startle, but it was just Blossom. The maid came in holding another letter. Wren’s heart rate increased at the thought. Castien’s invitation had been unexpected. She was admittedly still recovering from her time asleep when she replied. He might have found her horribly rude, but somehow she thought otherwise.
“Another letter, my lady,” Blossom presented.
Wren set her bowl on the night table and eagerly took the letter.
“Also,” Blossom added, and Wren paused with her thumbnail under the wax crest. “Miss Kierana has asked if you are up to company. She has been found innocent of all accusations and is anxious to check on your state.”
A small smile touched Wren’s lips. When she came to the island, she did not think she would make true friends. She would not place all her trust in Kierana, but Wren thought that maybe she could garner a kinship with the woman. It was not something she was used to, as she had not possessed any friends outside of her brother, but she was willing to give it a try.
“Let me see what Prince Valengard has replied with, and then you may let Kierana know I would love to have her company.”
Blossom smiled, and Wren felt her maid’s spirits lift like a blanket being unfurled in the breeze.
“Very well. I will tidy the room while you read,” Blossom said, then flitted over to Wren’s desk, which still had the contents of her school bag scattered across it.
Blossom had cleaned some of the disheveled chamber while Wren slept, but she told Wren that she hadn’t wanted to wake her, so she didn’t get much accomplished. Wren felt terrible for making more work for Blossom, but she hadn’t been able to see through her panic at the time.
Wren settled her back against the headboard and opened Castien’s letter.
Year 822, Week 36, Mira
Dear Wren,
I thought, based on how you cut short our last meeting, that you would appreciate a concise letter. Do forgive my folly in that presumption. I will endeavor to write lengthier letters in the future, since you so desire to read more of my script.
For now, I must beg of you to reconsider your decision and accept the humble request of a lowly prince. Will you please join me in the library tomorrow at ten in the morning?
Sincerely,
Castien
Wren’s lips parted in shock at his familiar tone.DearWren, he’d written. She traced the words with her eyes, then the tip of her finger. Her name looked different in his hand. She could not discern how it made her feel. The rest of his letter was lined with sarcasm and ire, but those two little words seemed to stand out from the rest. He could have written any version of her name, or not addressed her at all. And yet he chose to address her as if they had been writing letters for years.
“Will you be writing a letter in return?” Blossom asked, pulling Wren out of her reverie. “I can bring you the supplies again if you’d like to stay in bed.”
Wren had penned her last letter atop a tome in her lap. Blossom sealed it for her and delivered it to Castien’s butler, who had apparently been waiting in the foyer. Wren wondered if he was lingering out there right then.
“I should like to sit at my desk. I won’t make a mess for you,” Wren promised.
Blossom waved her hand. “Nonsense, Lady Wren, you should not be mindful of such things for my sake. Would you like assistance?”
