Session Ten
The next week was rather uneventful. Though the castle servants were terribly busy preparing for the coronation, I myself had little to do to keep busy. I spent most of my time practicing...learning how to make better use of the Pattern Lens.
Unfortunately, the Pattern Lens does not allow for the transmission of sound. Uncle Caine has agreed to teach me the art of lip-reading...and has shown me that the Lens can be seen by those who are sensitive to its use. He offered to just find me a book, but I explained that I would rather learn from a person. Also, I haven't spent much time lately with Uncle Caine, and I am beginning to miss his infantile form of wit. He, of course, requested a favor in return for his teaching, and I offered to make him any item he could envision. Given that in three months he will be fighting in Chaos, I fully expect him to request a suit of armor from me.
Using the Pattern Lens has proven to be a mixed blessing. I saw no sign of Jack during the week, and interestingly enough, I saw no sign of Ishmael. Alexandra had apparently taken up with a young nobleman named Kiril.
I have been told that one shouldn't pry into others' affairs...that it only creates discomfort and awkwardness. And now I have learned the truth of this, for I have learned that my sisters' involvement with some of the young women at the brothel isn't strictly professional...or at least not professional to Alexandra. Strange...all this time I thought there was something going on between her and Ishmael, and then it turns out that she prefers women. I have resolved to be more careful about my nightime spying.... I don't want to know these kinds of secrets.
Also during the week, I went to Amber City with Ariana and Tamaryn to do some shopping. I have decided on an off-the-shoulder black satin gown. I assume that Shard will be wearing black; isn't that what all vampires wear?
Other than that, the week was spent studying trump artistry with Vincent and Fiona, painting my portraits of Jack, Shard, and Edwin, and practicing with the Lens. I also had a nice little lunch with mother. She believes that the Pattern has had a noticeable effect on my personality. She's right, of course, though I feel it may be more to my loss of Faerie Magic. Fiona feels that I place to much belief in magic's ability to influence my personality. Half-empty...half-full. What can I say to this? I just don't feel so driven anymore...I feel like I can relax.
The day of the coronation arrived with little fanfare. The castle was filled with a silent urgency as servants bustled about to get all in order. Though Elaine was confused by my orders, she did not invite Shard into my quarters when he came to pick me up. I explained that I didn't want him to assume anything by an invitation, which Elaine understood. She merely thinks he's a bit forward; I doubt I shall enlighten her on this one. We were barely twenty feet down the hall when Laughter and Ishmael arrived via trump. Ishmael took one look at Shard, and though he hid it passing well, I could see the panic in his eyes. How sweet. I introduced everyone, and Ishmael seemed rather skittish around Shard. My comment, "The coronation begins soon, shall we go down?" only made his face redden. I wonder what my dear brother has been up to.
Ishmael's arrival with Laughter was not taken at all well, especially by Driscoll. I think people were being a little ridiculous. Just because Ishmael escorted her doesn't mean that he's sleeping with her. For a time, Shard separated and went off to speak with Driscoll...no doubt to calm the situation. I merely listened as I could, but found the whole affair rather tedious. I did have a chance, however, to talk to father. Suhuy seems genuinely interested in me, and I suggested that we spend some time together once things have calmed down. There is a certain aura of power about him; it's easy to see why mother is attracted to him.
The coronation was long and tedious. My comment to Shard, "Let's hope for both of our sakes that this finishes before dawn," actually drew a smile from him, though a slight one. Nimue put in an appearance as the Unicorn at the conclusion of the ceremony, that there would be little doubt of the truth of Nicholas' right to the throne.
Supper was difficult in that way that all family meals are. Ishmael saw fit to hit me in the face with a pea, but I did not respond in kind. I was not about to show such disrespect at Nicholas' coronation dinner. Unfortunately, Grayson was being a complete twit...drinking too much and nibbling on his date's ear at the dinner table. I warned him to be careful...sending my words directly to his mind...and expressed my worry, but he shrugged me off and continued drinking. Ah well, I cannot force him to behave.... Actually, I suppose I can but I will be kind and show him some respect.
Afterwards was the dance, and I must say that Shard is an amazing dancer. Unfortunately, Ishmael had to come up and interrupt. He asked Shard if they could speak in private, and so they went off to a side hallway while I retreated to the punch bowl where I called up the Lens to observe what the hell was going on. I suspected that Ishmael was going to threaten Shard to keep away from me...he can be so overprotective at times...but in fact, it was not at all that. My skill at lip-reading is still slight, but I figured out this much. There is some kind of sexual tension between the two that is particularly galling to Ishmael. I stopped viewing at that point, too weirded out.
Shard came back, and we danced further. And then I heard a high-pitched shrieking laugh that could only come from one person...Grayson. I excused myself and went to speak with Ariana. In a few sentences I explained why I had kept the secret from her and why it no longer seemed important, and then I returned to my rooms, disappointed and annoyed. Upstairs, I continued to watch with the Lens until Eric noticed it and shut it down. I could have tried again, but by that point I was already quite tired. And so I went to bed.
At breakfast, I talked to Random about the idea of an indoor garden. He suggested I put together a proposal and submit it to Nicholas, who is already planning on expanding the castle anyway. I have a plan for creating a tower with a glass roof and many windows...to form an indoor jungle of flowers and vines. It would be beautiful, and it would give me a welcome distraction.
After breakfast I went to speak with Grayson. His door was locked, but a firm push broke the lock and gave me entrance to his quarters. I quietly stepped into his bedroom, listened to his snoring for a moment, and then conjured a large pair of cymbals. I carefully leaned over him...and brought them together with all the force I could muster. His scream made it all worth it. "Good morning Grayson," I called out to him loudly. He merely moaned, and tried to hide beneath his pillows. "Nothing to say? But you were so verbose last night! I'll say only this Grayson, until Jack is uninvited, our lessons are discontinued." And then I left, dropping the cymbals to the ground and passing Ariana on my way out. I took lunch on the balcony in my quarters, and had a few moments of peace. Unfortunately, it wasn't to last.
Sometime a few hours later, I received a trump call from Grayson...who explained that he needed to speak to me. I came through, to find Ariana and her son waiting outside Nicholas' office. Grayson had uninvited Jack, and before I could thank him he also told me that Alexandra had invited him immediately after...and run off with him.
"Bitch. Bitch. Bitch," was all I could say. I tried very hard to keep my temper under control...I could feel my face grow flushed...fell the muscles in my neck bunch up. I asked if anyone had told mother, and Ariana said she was in with Nicholas. I immediately stormed off to the Pattern...it could teleport me to them. My thoughts as I descended the stairs were jumbled. She warned me away from him...when all the while she was consorting with him. I alternated between jealous rage and fear for her well-being. He's had at her, too, but she lacks the bitterness which served as my shield against his affections.
Halfway down the stairs, I found myself tired and my temper calmed somewhat. No...I knew who to contact...and so I trumped father. He pulled me through and I told him what had happened. I cried...I admit it...I was very upset. I told him that she had invited Jack and run off with him...explained how I felt it was my fault for not warning her more thoroughly.... He pulled forth a trump, and in a moment Vetch was there with us. Lucien confirmed that she had been asking him to teach her how to assume Faerie form. The two assumed Faerie form and perpared to leave when I asked father to take me with them. As I possessed the Faerie Ward, I could protect them from any spells hurled at us. And so we journeyed between...and were set upon by fell creatures. We defended ourselves, and then the monsters stopped attacking...for it was too late.
By the time I got back to mother's rooms, Alexandra was already there. And so I sank down into a chair myself...and it began. Mother was so angry...I didn't let her start...for I knew how tearing words would be. Alexandra and I argued...and I laid it all out...how she had warned me...how he was charming...I felt so sorry for her...for she was pregnant now...and married to him. And in her eyes, I realized that no small part of it was done to spite me. And that was saddest of all, to see that she had thrown so much away for something so small and petty. And in my anger I also told of her little lesbian escapades in the brothel...and even I recognized that I had gone to far.
Father said nothing save that he terribly disappointed in her...and then mother took her away. I cried a bit, hugged father and left. And in the hallway, as I dabbed my eyes, it occurred to me...that could have been me.
When I returned to my rooms there was a bouquet of dahlias and a note. I caused them both to burn without noticing them a second time. The smoke blacked the ceiling overhead and stained the white lace curtains as it flowed out of the room. Let them stay soiled for all I care. It just doesn't matter anymore.