Chapter Fifty-Six
Chapter Fifty-Six
Surely enough, Malion is waiting in the Dining Hall for us to join him, patiently remaining standing by the windows against the far side of the wall, gazing out into the evening sunset that bleeds over the horizon in a farewell kiss to the earth. Though I have no doubt that he hears our entrance, the Chaplain doesn’t move to greet us straight away. I toss a glance in Toshiro’s direction, silently asking him to retrain Arcane. She is less than friendly towards the Faeries and I would hate for something like the incident on my first night here to happen again to the leader of their church. Though, the image of any of the High Fae here kneeling in prayer to their great gods is laughable.
I don’t have to look in order to see if Mirin and Toshiro are following me as I stride towards Malion, stopping beside him to turn and gaze out at the lands with him. The view from this vantage point is hardly the best that the Palace has to offer, though the view of the mountain peaks that jut through the ground in the distance is still lovely enough to admire. “Well, I’m overjoyed to know that my Faerie companions are still alive. Why have I not seen nor heard any of you since my husband’s departure?” I ask in lieu of a greeting.
Malion’s golden-colored hair flows loosely at his shoulders, pulled half-up away from his face with intricate braids and golden pins. Now that I can see him up close instead of feet away, I notice how full and thick his lashes are, framing his equally as stunning eyes, the same amber hue as my serpent necklace. It’s almost as though his gods infused him with the gold of heaven while still inside of the womb, even his skin a sun-kissed shade that is unique to this region. I would almost be inclined to believe that one of his parents was a member of the Seelie Court from his resemblance to a lion, though it would be unlikely.
The Chaplain smiles as he turns to me, outshining the sunset with his charm as he turns to me, at last. “The sunset is impeccable this evening, though I see that it stands no chance of besting your beauty, My Lady Belamour,” He says, smooth as warm butter. Seeing my unimpressed expression, however, he seems to decide that dancing around my question would be unwise. “Your Nobles have been honoring your arrival in prayer. We have all been dwelling inside of the Chapel, seeking answers and counting our blessings. You are more than welcome to join us. In fact, I encourage it.”
I make sure to keep my chin high and my shoulders back as I speak to Malion, determined not to allow his towering height to give him the advantage of looking down on me. Arcane is docile at my side, though when I reach to caress her shoulder thoughtfully, I can feel her muscles quiver from the effort of fighting Toshiro’s spell. That would explain why he has remained so quiet upon entering the hall, considering that he all but admitted that restraining her is a difficult thing to do. I have no doubt that it strains his mental physique quite a bit. My gaze never wavers as I give him fraudulent smile. “Is that so? What questions are you seeking answers to, exactly?” I challenge him, intentionally ignoring his invitation to join his cult. There is enough tension within these walls without me insulting their religion.
Malion holds my gaze, his eyes reflecting the red light of the dying daylight like a mirror. He is far too beautiful to be a male, I decide ruefully. His attention flickers over my shoulder, where I can sense Toshiro standing, becoming one with the shadows in his stillness. Something in the Chaplain’s expression lights up as he acknowledges Toshiro with a slight nod. I had nearly forgotten that Malion is a lackey of the gods, a title that Toshiro holds. I wonder if the gods of the human realm are different than the ones that are worshiped here, but the Chaplain’s sway of attention tells me the answer to that.
“How divine it is, to be in a presence such as yours,” Malion chimes, voice like a silvery bell. His eyes slide back to me as he adds, “My Lady Belamour. Shall we share a meal together? It would be an honor to sit at your table once more.”
I narrow my eyes at the golden Chaplain, noting his attempt to avoid answering my question. We both know that he cannot lie as a Faerie, so the fact that he decides to change the subject is telling. I hold his honeyed gaze for a long moment before nodding, following his gesture to the long table. Once I reach my seat at the end of the table, Malion reaches to pull it out for me. Toshiro steps between us swiftly, scanning the Chaplain with a dark look as he seats me himself. Malion smiles with force and steps away, taking the seat on my left instead of acknowledging the slap on his wrist. It’s almost painful to see him try so hard to remain pleasant, and a part of me wishes that he would simply lose his senses and be done with the games. No matter how civil he tries to be, I know his nature all too well.
Toshiro beats Malion to serving me, silently piling my plate with food and taking a bite of each item, pointedly glancing at him through his lashes. He licks his fork clean and sets my plate in front of me once more, gesturing to the food on the table. “Do not allow me to hold you. By all means, serve yourself.” He says rigidly, reaching for my gauntlet to sample to wine within it. He pauses for a moment as the lip of the cup touches his mouth, his eyes narrowing as he forces a smile. Without an explanation, Toshiro switches my cup out for his own.
I swear that I see a gleam in Malion’s eye as he witnesses the exchange, his plastic smile never wavering. “It would be rude of me to serve myself before you, considering your title.” Despite the pleasantries, Mirin offers me a glance from the opposite side of Toshiro, asking silent permission. I nod, giving it to him. He wastes no time filling his own plate, remaining quiet as he reaches for his preferred meats and vegetables. He’s doing a wonderful job of keeping his pain hidden in the presence of a High Fae, making my chest fill with pride.
I reach for the cup that was once Toshiro’s and raise it to my lips, wondering what was in my drink that made him take it from me. Surely the Chaplain would have no motivation to attempt my life, though a Faerie is still a Faerie, no matter their title. The wine is bitter against my tongue as I take a long drink, hoping to feel the effects soon. “Oh, please,” I say, setting my gauntlet back down. “It isn’t as though anything is poisoned,” I direct my smile at Malion, gesturing to his empty plate. “No need for such pleasantries. Eat your fill, Malion.”
Mirin digs into his own plate, unbothered by the banter happening to his left. I’m sure that such an exhausting day has left him feeling more ravenous than usual, so I can pardon his lack of manners for tonight. At least he had the decency to ask before ignoring proper dining etiquette.
Toshiro leans back in his chair with folded arms, fixing the Chaplain with a stubborn smile. Seeing that he has no intention to eat before him, Malion sighs in defeat and reaches across the table to fill his plate with a surprising amount of food for one Faerie to eat. They typically require very little to sustain their bodies, so seeing that he fills his plate with nearly as much food as mine is surprising. Perhaps he isn’t entirely Unseelie, after all. Only once Malion has taken his first bite does Toshiro finally reach for his own plate, apparently suspicious of his true reason for joining us for tonight’s meal.
“So, what are you really here for?” I ask, sensing the tension growing between the Fox and the Chaplain. As desperate as he is to gain Toshiro’s favor, he is remaining remarkably calm now that he is facing suspicion from his idol. “I know that the others sent you here for a reason.”
Malion smiles sheepishly, turning his attention back to me. The Hall is now lit by candlelight since the sun has officially retired for the night, leaving us illuminated by the soft, warm glow of a hundred flames. “Is it so obvious?” Seeing my deadpan stare, he fills in the answer for himself and takes a drink from his cup, clearing his throat. “They asked me to check up on you. They are hesitant to become involved after the happenings involving Lady Leilatha.”
“Ah, yes,” I muse, pretending to reflect on the scene of her demise. “She hailed from a rather prominent family, is that correct? Such a shame that she decided to oppose me,” I’d nearly forgotten that Toshiro has no knowledge of what happened that night, reminded only by his curious side-eye. His dark brow is raised slightly, interest apparently piqued by the subject. “I don’t suppose that anyone has attempted to share the news with her family? That would be most unwise. It would be a shame to add more names to the list of deceased, wouldn’t it?” I add, batting my lashes at the Chaplain innocently.