Chapter 32
The sound of shuffling feet across the wooden floor awoke me from my slumber. Opening my eyes slowly, I realised that Kieran was no longer lying beside me in the bed. Sitting up in a panic, I swivelled my head towards the intruder, shocked to only see Brooke standing there, attending to the curtains.
“Good morning, Elena,” Brooke smiled sweetly. “Sorry to make you jump like that. Did you enjoy your rest? You must have needed it as you never sleep in this late.”
“Why what time is it?” I yawned sleepily while stretching my arms. “Where’s Kieran to?”
“He is already down having breakfast in the great hall with the Commander General. He arrived early hours of this morning, along with bringing much excitement with him,” explained Brooke slowly. “And it’s just gone eleven in the morning. Breakfast is nearly over but I bought some fruits and yoghurts up for you. We must start getting ready to head down to the city soon if you still want to find out the origin of the Deadly Nightshade.”
“Yes, of course, I do. I’m sorry but I felt so exhausted after yesterdays business,” I apologised while scrambling out of bed. “What’s this excitement you speak of? I don’t see how an old Army General can be that exciting.”
“He bought two thousand of his Army men with him to accompany him to the Palace. Five hundred of them are staying within the Palace walls while the rest of the men have set up an encampment on the outskirts of the city,” grinned Brooke wildly. “Where do you think Hollie is right now? Hoping to catch the eye of one of the men!”
“Oh, Wow. That’s not something you see around here every day. I understand the excitement now,” I replied shocked. “I best get ready as I have wasted enough time. Go and find Hollie and meet me down by the Palace Gates in ten minutes. I won’t be long.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Brooke nodded while bowing gracefully before heading out of the room and out of sight.
Quickly, I walked over towards the wardrobe and threw on a floor-length baby pink gown with gold detailing and slipped on the matching pumps. Carefully I pulled my hair into an elegant updo, allowing a few tendrils to frame my face. As I headed on out towards the bridge, I grabbed a handful of fruit and nuts and began hungrily eating them.
It wasn’t long before I found myself walking towards the large golden gates that led out to the mountainside and down towards the city. I eagerly spotted Brooke and Hollie gathering near the gates, talking excitedly amongst themselves. Brooke didn’t seem as enthusiastic as Hollie in their conversation, both blushed furiously when they spotted me.
“What’s the matter with you two?” I grinned as I eyed up the giggling pair suspiciously. “You’re acting like a pair of giddy schoolchildren.”
“Have you seen the men that the Commander General has bought with him,” gushed Hollie excitedly. “The hair, the muscles, the testosterone! Me and my wolf can’t contain ourselves anymore!”
“Since when have you become interested in men?” I asked shocked, before swivelling my eyes towards a blushing Brooke. “You never showed an interest before.”
“No, but these men are a different breed of men of what usually hangs around the Palace,” agreed Brooke. “Let’s just say, they are exactly like your Prince. Big, strong, muscular and tanned!”
“Well, I guess I have to look forward to meeting my future Army men,” I acknowledged, smiling gracefully. “Come on, let’s head down to the city and see what Hattie has to say.”
We turned around to the gates and waited for them to creak loudly open by the nearby guards before slipping through and heading down the familiar mountain path. During our time at the Palace, we had become accustomed to the chillier air, but as we descended towards the city, the air became noticeably warmer which made a welcome change. The warmer weather had bought out a large outdoor market to the cobbled streets and everywhere we looked or turned, we were greeted with a wall of noise and people.
Fishmongers, bakers and butchers and their stalls lined the roads, their merchants loudly shouting out their wares, hoping to attract some buyers. There women sitting in huddled groups, making scented candles or wicker baskets, to try and make an income for their families. Large tables filled with the most beautiful gem laden jewellery in the kingdom glinted under the sun, enticing fancy ladies and their rich counterparts while the most beautiful smells wafted through the air as outdoor chefs cooked whole pigs and deer to feed the hungry shoppers. Children laughed and cheered as they ran in and out of the stalls, blissfully unaware of the stresses of life all around them. Street performers stood on every corner, showing off their talents, be it singing or dancing or performing circus tricks.
“How I miss this place,” sighed Brooke loudly. “It’s nice living in the Palace, don’t get me wrong but this is what you call home. I miss all the hustle and bustle and the noise.”
“I know what you mean, I smiled gently before pausing and frowning sadly at a familiar sight. “ They are selling it already?”
Brooke and Hollie turned their gazes to where my own steely gaze was lingering. Standing in front of me, was my grandmother’s old house, standing empty and silent amongst the throng of noise. A large for sale was nailed onto the wooden door, with contact details of the landlord that owned the house. Feeling a lump form in my throat at the realisation that my grandmother has really gone, I beckoned Brooke and Hollie to follow.
“Come on. Let’s go. Hattie’s is just down the road.”
“Are you okay, Elena?” Brooke asked tentatively, placing one hand gingerly on my arm. “I’m sorry that you had to see that. And so soon after her death.”
“I’m fine,” I replied stiffly, holding back the tears. “I knew that the house would be eventually sold. Just not this soon. Seeing the house for sale makes it more real that she has gone. And I’m more determined than ever to find her killer!”
Holding my head high, I carried on walking quickly down the road, careful to not have eye contact with anyone. The sooner I was off of the street, the better. If people knew who I was dating, then like Kieran said, I’d be an instant target. Luckily, everyone around me seemed to be too engrossed in their own tasks to notice the three of us hurrying through the streets. As I looked up, a familiar dark green shop, emblazoned with the name Hattie’s written in fancy gold writing, soon towered over us.
“This is it,” I breathed deeply. “Time to find out where the Deadly Nightshade came from!”