Chapter 118: Gossip Mill
Serene ran across the palace grounds. Her legs pumped under her simple dress, the skirts of it gathered in her hands. She turned a corner, her breathing was uneven, and her chest burned, but she did not slow down. Serene nearly skidded when she pushed open the heavy door to the outer courtyard. The archery range was ahead. She could see two figures at the firing line: Evander and Seraphina. Royal guards stood nearby. As she got closer, Evander let an arrow fly, and it struck the center of the target with a solid thump.
"Bull’s eye!" one of the guards shouted.
Evander raised his fist and punched the air. "Yes!" He turned toward Seraphina with a wide grin on his face. Did you see that? You’re going to have to do better than that."
Seraphina lowered her bow calmly. "Stop bluffing. You got lucky today."
Evander scoffed. "If you wanted to beat me today, you should have picked horse riding. You know I’m terrible at it."
Seraphina, nocking her own arrow, opened her mouth to respond, but her name rang out across the range.
"Seraphina! Evander!" Serene’s shout was breathless. She reached them, bent slightly forward, her hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath.
Seraphina lowered her bow. "What’s wrong, Serene?"
"Have you heard?!" she gasped.
Evander and Seraphina exchanged a look.
"Heard what?" they asked at the same time.
Serene straightened up, still breathing hard. "Good news or bad news?" she asked.
Evander answered immediately. "Good news."
Seraphina said at the same time, "Bad news."
They glanced at each other again, frowning.
"I answered first!" They chorused.
"Decide!" Serene snapped, her voice sharp with impatience.
"Good news," they chorused.
Serene took a breath. "Father is back at the palace."
Immediately, both Evander and Seraphina dropped their bows onto the rack. They turned towards the path leading back to the main halls. But Serene jumped in front of them, spreading her arms out to block their path.
"Wait! Not yet. We are not allowed to see him."
They stopped abruptly.
Evander frowned. Seraphina’s forehead creased. "Why not?" They asked together.
"It’s an order from Aveloria," Serene replied.
Evander rolled his eyes. He picked up a cloth and wiped his hands. "I don’t understand why Aveloria keeps restricting us from everything lately."
Seraphina picked up her bow and an arrow. "I’ve noticed it too. She’s different. More cautious. She’s doing what she can to protect us, even though she’s not telling us anything."
"It’s probably for safety," Serene agreed.
"I get it. But I feel suffocated." Evander said. He glanced around the range. Guards stood at every point, watching closely. "I can’t even talk or hang out freely with my friends anymore. The guards are always around. It makes everything stiff. My friends tease me about it all the time. I hate it."
Seraphina looked at him. "You were attacked. You should be grateful for the help."
"Lucky for me, I don’t lack any combat skills. I was able to fight off my attacker."
"Well, what if you just got lucky?" Seraphina asked.
Evander nodded his head in disagreement. "No matter the situation, I can protect myself," Evander said, his voice tightening. "The one who needs more protection is Serene. She lacks combat skills."
Serene gasped. "Excuse you."
Evander continued. "All she’s interested in is embroidery, paintings, and having tea with the noble ladies."
Serene crossed her arms and pouted. "You shouldn’t undermine my strength." She balled her fist tightly and took an awkward swinging punch at his arm.
Evander stepped aside easily. Serene stumbled forward and nearly lost her balance. Evander reached out and caught her by the loose bun of her hair to stop her from hitting the ground.
"Ow! Ow! Evander! Let go!" She screamed, hanging at an angle.
Seraphina rushed forward and helped steady her. "Evander, let her go."
"What? I was only trying to help." Evander released her hair, clicking his tongue.
Serene straightened up, rubbing her scalp. "That hurt! You’re awful, Evander. This is not how to help a lady."
"You can’t be in the game." He said, not sounding sorry.
Serene scoffed, smoothing her dress. "Well, if I don’t have combat skills, I could still get lucky."
Evander raised an eyebrow. "Lucky how?"
"I could have a strong mate. Like Theron or Galen or Lucien." She closed her eyes for a second, her hands clasped together, and a blush spreading on her cheeks. "I’d prefer someone more like Lucien."
Seraphina reached over and flicked her sister’s forehead. "Stop daydreaming."
Serene’s eyes flew open. "Ow," She complained.
"You might end up mated to a farmer," Seraphina added jokingly.
Serene’s eyes widened. "A farmer?"
"Life is full of surprises, twin sister," Seraphina replied. Evander laughed.
Serene froze, then suddenly snapped her fingers. "The bad news!"
Evander groaned. He walked away from the range, heading toward the main halls. "Can we grab lunch while you tell it? I’m starving."
They began walking away from the archery range. The guards followed at their usual twenty-step distance.
Serene continued speaking as they walked. "Over the tea with the ladies this morning," She began, lowering her voice slightly even though the guards were out of earshot. "They were talking about Emberspire."
Evander snorted. "You and your noble ladies gossip mill."
"It’s not gossip," Serene protested.
"It really is," Evander said. "You should form a proper group and name it, The Gossip Mill."
Serene ignored him. "They said wanderers attacked Emberspire."
That caught Evander’s attention.
"The whole pack is gone. There’s only one survivor. He was brought to the council this morning to tell what happened."
Evander stopped walking. He turned to look at her. "Are you serious?"
Seraphina turned to him sharply. "Has Serene ever passed wrong information?"
Evander hesitated, then shook his head. "No." He resumed walking, but his pace was slower this time. "Okay. Tell the rest."
Seren kept talking as they entered the hallway. "I don’t understand why the Wanderers are doing all this. Why are they causing so much havoc? Everything feels wrong lately." She clasped her hands together. "So much is happening. I keep thinking about it all cause it keeps me awake at night. Our stepmother was a wanderer. Our father was bewitched. Someone attacked you, Evander. Rowena is wanted. Marek is missing. And now a whole pack is just... gone. One survivor. It’s too much."
Seraphina let out a deep sigh. The sound was heavy. "A lot must be going through Aveloria’s mind since she stepped in as a leader after her father fell ill. She has to carry all of this."
"That explains more of the restrictions."Serene added.
"She’ll need our support," Seraphina added.
Serene nodded. "You’re right. I pray for her every night."
Evander shrugged, but his shoulders were tensed. "There’s not much we can do but pray to the Moon Goddess for protection. She has three strong men beside her."
Seraphina glanced at him. "You don’t think that matters?"
"I just think the goddess knew what was coming; that’s why she gave Aveloria multiple mates."
Serene nodded. "You may be right."
Seraphina looked at Serene. "Do you know anything else about the Emberspire survivor?"
Serene nodded. "Nothing much. Just that he’s being taken care of, I don’t know which chamber they put him in, though."
Evander stopped again, staring at his sister. "Are you two up for finding out?"
Serene blinked. "Why?"
He shrugged again, a casual gesture that didn’t match the calculating look in his eyes. "I feel bad for him. That’s all. No one should be alone after something like that."
Then he walked ahead, his hands in his pockets.
Seraphina shook her head slowly. "He has something up his sleeve. I can tell."
Serene smiled, linking her arm through her sister’s. "Evander is predictable. If he’s planning something, we’ll know soon enough."
