Hadrian looked ahead the entire time, paying no mind to those we passed. I smiled at them for him, nodding thanks to those who so desperately wanted to be seen. I could see the disappointment reflected in their eyes when their prince ignored them.
We reached the end of another corridor, one of them reached out for him. Hadrian didn’t see the elf move, not until her hand was clasped on his wrist. It all happened so fast. Hadrian turned and yanked his arm from the elfin’s grasp, shouting in surprise. She recoiled.
Everyone was watching and Hadrian knew it. He looked up, rubbing his wrist as if her touch had hurt him, and hurried forward. His reaction brought out whispers amongst the crowd. We continued to walk, only stopping when we reached the door to his room.
“What happened back there?” I asked, reaching for his shoulder.
“She scared me, that’s all. I suppose I am still on edge after what happened in Nasamel.”
I could understand. I opted to drop the conversation before I stepped too far.
“You look nice.” His hushed compliment sent warm tendrils to squeeze at my stomach. He pushed the door open and I attempted to hide my smile when I passed him.
“Thank you.” I blushed.
It was the first time I’d been back in his room since that morning. The pink light of the sunset reflected on the spines of the books that took up every spare inch of the room. It filtered in from the windows above his desk, giving the room a different mood to when I first visited it.
A subtle musty scent was covered by the heavy aromas of the burning incense and scented candles that dripped wax onto the stone floor from their holders. A table had been set up in the middle of the room. Its four dark wooden legs each carved by hand, the details were precise and intricate.
A velvet purple cloth covered the surface of the table and hung over the sides, spilling onto the floor. Bowls of meats and fruit had been placed across it, still steaming and fresh.
My stomach rumbled as I moved closer to it.
Hadrian was behind me, pulling a chair out from the table and gesturing for me to sit. “Please…”
Once I sat, Hadrian pushed me from behind until I was eased beneath the table. “I hope you like figs and duck. It is my favorite combination, so I requested it for tonight.”
“I can’t say I’ve ever tried a fig, but duck is a favorite of mine.” I’d only had it once before and I could still conjure the memory of its pleasurable taste.
Hadrian moved for his own chair, a smile still plastered on his face. “Well, I hope this exceeds all expectations.” He lifted the metal cover off two plates and the most incredible smell washed over me.
I looked at him, really looked. He was handsome, more so than I had cared to notice before. The side of his face was pink from the sunset, extenuating his sharp jaw and high cheekbones. His dark, wavy hair had been tucked neatly into a ponytail. The same circlet I had seen him wearing before held his hair in place. It was the first time I noticed the faint scar that ran through his left brow. It was subtle, but now that I’d noticed it, it was hard to miss.
“Where do we start?” Hadrian questioned, pouring a deep, red liquid into a crystal glass and pushing it over the table towards me.
I coughed, clearing my throat. “Anything but what happened with Petrer. I’d be glad to forget about it for now.”
Hadrian lifted his full glass, “Out of sight, out of mind.”
I relaxed at his response and lifted my glass to his until they clinked together. We both took a long sip. The liquid graced my tongue and my cheeks clenched from the sour twang of the drink.
Hadrian chuckled from his seat, “Never tasted wine before?”
He already knew the answer. I wiped a drop of wine from the corners of my lips. “No, never. What’s it made from?”
He swirled his glass before him, allowing the red liquid to dance in his glass. “It is made from a fruit called grapes. It is not common in Thessolina but is from the lush jungles of—”
“Eldnol, I know. Your father showed them to me when I had the audience with him. But I had no idea they could be turned into a drink.”
“Father has a way of getting what he wants…” I caught his eye roll. “As I am sure you are aware.”
I nodded, “Still, I don’t understand why he would lie.”
“I am finding it hard to process what you have told me. But I believe you, something is off about all of this.” Hadrian began to eat and I did the same. I just didn’t want to be the first to start. “But it seems that father has not been the only one to lie about something. What about your little secret you have kept so hidden until Nasamel?”
“And yours,” I replied, stuffing a forkful of duck into my mouth.
“It would seem we are a kingdom built on lies. But from today I would like at least for us to be entirely honest with one another.” Hadrian didn’t look up as he spoke. “Do you think you could do that?”
I played with the food on my plate. Pushing a pile of buttered beans around whilst I looked at Hadrian stuffing food into his mouth, his lips stained red from the wine. I didn’t know what to say. How to respond. I wanted honesty, at least with someone. I was built on lies and half-truths, since childhood I’d hidden a big part of me. Even with Petrer I was never truly honest and open. I couldn’t help but think that was why he did what he did. A punishment for my deceptions.
I nodded, focusing on my plate. “I would like that.”
“Good,” Hadrian replied, “So let’s start with your secret. I will ask you again, what are you?”
I almost laughed. “Despite everything, that has been the one truth I can stand by. I don’t know what I am.”
Hadrian looked puzzled but then smiled. “I believe you. Since that is part of our new pact. How long have you known about your power?”
“For as long as I can remember. It’s always been a part of me.”
“And your parents, they never told you or gave any indication they knew what it was?” he asked.
“No. It was a conversation that was never allowed. I gave up on answers a long time ago. What about you though?” I changed the direction of attention back to him, “You were going to tell me this morning what you are before we had to leave the tavern.”
“Ah, yes. I have something that may help with that explanation.” Hadrian’s chair screeched across the floor and he stood from the table. I watched him with intent whilst he moved over to the right of the room, closest to the desk and the wall of bookshelves. He riffled through the stacks of books, muttering to himself whilst he searched.
“What are you looking for?” I asked, staring at the back of his head from my seat.
“A book,” he said, not turning to address me. “Do you enjoy reading?”
“I suppose, although it was rare for me to get books back home, they usually cost a pretty coin.”