The Crown of Spheres

߷ C H A P T E R - F O U R T E E N ߷

☁︎︎ C H A P T E R F O U R T E E N ☁︎︎

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An air of frigid calm had settled into my bones as I nearly stumbled into my suite, knowing I only had a few hours left to organise my things and get more information about the Crown from Calder's private study. I wasn't entirely sure where he was right now, nor did I care, since all I needed was to be alone in that room for even just a few minutes to steal some more documents.

I took a second to calm myself and walked over to Whim's open cage and closed it, whispering to her as she lay on her bedding. "I have to go get some things then I'll be back, okay? Then we'll leave this place," I informed her in hushed tones. Her large pale ears went flat against her head, and I exhaled quickly, fighting off a sting of anxiety that squeezed my stomach. "I'll be careful, don't worry."

My spine was rigid as I left the suite moments later. I remembered the way to Calder's study, and walked with purpose with my chin raised since I knew skulking past servants would only draw more suspicion.

The white walled, stone floored hallway with the high arched ceiling outside Calder's study was empty and quiet. I hesitated for only a moment before I reached for the handle, only somehow managing to calm myself enough to focus on what I needed to do when the door opened. My heart leapt into my throat as my eyes widened. The gangly, dark haired cousin of Calder stared down at me.

"Nynia?" Pol asked, and for a moment all I could hear in my ears was my heartbeat. "What are you doing?" He asked, holding the door open. I prayed there was no one behind him, but my mind had gone blank and I was lost for words. "Calder isn't here if that's who you're looking for, he should be back soon though," He continued.

"No, I-" I hesitated and mentally kicked myself. My palms had started to sweat. "I thought I left my book in here, I wanted to come and get it... if that's okay,"

"I haven't seen a book," Pol murmured, stepping forward and encouraging me to step back. I knew my cheeks were turning red.

"May I look?"

"You know, Calder doesn't really like anyone he hasn't given direct permission to enter going into his study," Pol continued, stepping forward again. I took another step back, floundering in silence as I wondered what to say. I couldn't walk away from here, I needed that information. He'd been searching for years for the Crown, I couldn't waste time covering his old ground as he progressed.

"Look, I don't care about whatever boys games you're playing in there. I just want my book. So, if you wouldn't mind getting out of the way-" I began, about to push past him but he stepped in my way. "Excuse me," I continued in a stern voice, worrying silently about the pace that my heart was pulsing in my chest.

When Pol didn't move, everything I had been feeling up to that moment seemed to go quiet. I didn't have time for this. I didn't have the energy for this. I knew I could turn around and walk back to my suite, throw my things into a sack and bolt for the door but... something inside me became sour and tight at the thought. It twisted, curling round my ribs and threatened to slither out through my skin and strike down the gangly man stood in front of me.

"Please, get out of my way," I said quietly, carefully looking up at Pol's ice white eyes that were nearly hidden behind his dark hair. "Or-"

"Or?" He asked, sounding genuinely surprised.

The Queen's words made a reappearance in my mind from our meeting over a week ago. It felt strange to know that she was dead now... not sad, but strange. However, the image of her body strewn across the rocks in a pool of her own blood only fuelled my urgency to leave this place.