“I am not sure of your meaning, Princess Calypsia, but I can assure you I have no aim other than to carry on my family legacy.”
Calypsia’s eyes flashed. Her anger was like a smack to the face. Wren almost stumbled at the impact.
“Do you mistake me for a fool? I have clawed my way to this position, and I will not have my greatest prize snatched from me by a sniveling nobody from an inconsequential family,” she hissed.
“I apologize, but I cannot make sense of what you’re referring to,” Wren replied honestly.
“I have seen you with each of the Valengard men,” Calypsia growled as her rage burned. “And I have seen Castien’s butler at your chamber door. You aim to make yourself an empress consort.”
Wren blinked at her in shock. Calypsia’s perception was the furthest thing from the truth, but she appeared certain of her theories. Was this how her interactions with Castien and Finn were being perceived by everyone? Or was it simply unbridled jealousy from Calypsia? Wren leaned toward the latter, given the venom the woman was spewing.
“Princess Calypsia, I harbor no desire for either of the Valengard men. I’m sure you know that Lord Finnick has never met a stranger, and speaks to me the same as any other student. As for Prince Castien, we are partners in the Giftings class, you may recall. Any letters exchanged on our part were in relation to that. You may rest assured that I have no such aims as you have accused me.”
Wren made sure to use Finn and Castien’s titles in order to present a level of formality between them. She almost smiled at the idea of Finn overhearing them. He’d loathe her use of his name and title.
Calypsia’s anger abated, but only partially. Enough to allow Wren some relief.
“I hope for your sake all of that is true. If you have lied to me, there will be repercussions. Do not forget the place I call home. I am no stranger to meting out punishment.”
Wren’s stomach turned at the threat. Grimhaven was infamous for several aspects of its brutal culture, but the most prominent was the Grimhaven Games. The worst criminals from all the Seven Havens were sent there to compete in the games. They fought for their lives in vicious competitions while Grimhaven citizens gleefully watched. Wren held no sympathy for the criminals themselves, but she still didn’t think it was right to take pleasure in watching someone die.
Fear crept up her spine, but she steeled herself. She could not let this vindictive woman get the best of her.
“I have not lied. But I would be careful with your words, Princess Calypsia. For in times like these, they could be seen as a threat. And if that were the case, I would have to report them to the headmaster. It would be a shame if your reputation was tarnished in such a way,” Wren said every word with a smile.
Calypsia’s jaw clenched. Wren dug her heels in against the woman’s fiery emotions.
“Forgive me, Lady Wren. I was mistaken about your character,” she gritted out.
Wren’s smile widened. “It is no trouble at all. I am merely glad we were able to sort it out. I will be on my way now, but I do hope you enjoy the rest of your evening.”
Lady Calypsia’s smile was more of a baring of teeth than anything else. Wren left without offering another curtsy. She kept her back straight and chin high as she walked to her chambers. It was not until she was inside that she allowed her shoulders to droop.
“Lady Kalyxi!” Blossom cheered upon Wren’s arrival. The maid smiled at her from where she was arranging a bouquet on Wren’s night table. “How was your class?”
“It was informative,” Wren said in a tired voice. “But I am afraid my energy has waned. Could you fetch me a cup of everleaf tea?”
“Of course, my lady, but do you not think that a nap would be more beneficial?” Blossom asked the question with caution.
“I have much to study and I should like to take dinner in the dining hall this evening, so I do not want to sleep the afternoon away. Thank you for the suggestion, dear Blossom, but I will take the tea.”
Blossom dipped into a curtsy. “As you wish. I will return shortly.” She gestured to Wren’s desk. “A letter came while you were away. I have left it just there by your quill stand.”
“Thank you, Blossom.”
Wren crossed the room to her desk with anticipation making her hands tingle. She knew as soon as she saw the red wax who the writer was. Heron’s journal could wait while she read Castien’s letter. She couldn’t very well see him in the dining hall and not know what he had written. Then she might lose in their verbal joust.
Wren set her school bag down and snatched the letter up. Deep down, she knew it was dangerous to find excitement in these exchanges, but she had so few lighthearted moments that she couldn’t resist. So she opened the letter while telling herself she wouldn’t encourage this behavior anymore.
She had gotten so good at lying that she had done it to herself.
Year 822, Week 36, Avisa
Dear Wren,
I sat down at my desk to begin work on my essay, and realized that I still had unanswered questions. Could I beseech you to enlighten me, if only for the sake of our mark in the class?
My inquiries are as follows:
