IV

Rosalie

Estelle had once been the bane of my existence. Baying for my crown and doing her best to push me away from Alex. Thankfully, none of her exploits had worked. And eventually, even she, the Germanic witch, had managed to find true love herself, despite everything.

Estelle had rarely set foot back into Castle Black in the years that followed. And if she did, she certainly didn’t show her face into court.

“Estelle is here to answer some questions.” Alex spoke before Estelle could answer for herself. She didn’t even flinch at his tone. Just carried on eyeing me with a smug grin plastered to her face. There was no reason why Estelle’s presence should affect me the way it did. She was hardly a rival anymore. But there was something about her assumed superiority of me. And the very fact that she knew secrets about me that no one else did, was enough for me to dislike her.

“Questions about what?” I ask, moving into the room and around the large office table to stand behind Alex. Estelle’s eyes followed me as I moved. Briefly moving down to the growing bump, a flash of something resembling sadness, flashing over her features. The movement was slight, the expression fleeting, and easily missed. But I had noticed. It came to mind that I have never heard if Estelle and Henry ever having children.

There was a small, toxic part of me that wanted to gloat about the fact. But I couldn’t allow myself to do that. I was not that person. And despite my feelings towards Estelle as a person, she was still one of my subjects. And as both a Luna and Queen, I felt every pain and fear of each of my people. I could not gloat over such a sadness as never knowing motherhood.

“Estelle, what do you know of a demon by the name of Tenebris?” Alex asked, matter-of-factly once I had come to stand beside him. His question was enough to break Estelle’s lingering stare and for her eyes to move back to Alex.

“Tenebris? Why do you ask me about such things?” Her smugness disappeared replaced with something more reminiscent of fear, her tone shifting to hostile as she adjusted her seating position, so she was more upright.

“Answer the question.” Alex dismissed her queries.

“Tenebris isn’t just a demon. He is the demon. He commands the shadows and whispers to the darkest thoughts in every man’s mind.” Estelle visibly shivers in her seat.

“Have you ever heard of a prophecy connected to Tenebris?” Alex continues, seemingly unaffected by Estelle’s words. “Anything that would suggest his rising from the shadows, of him bringing great darkness?”

Estelle stood abruptly from her seat, the chair scratching against the stone floor.

“I had no idea what you are playing at your majesty. But I assure you, I know nothing of such matters. Tenebris is not a demon to trifle with. I had heard of no such prophecy. Nor do I intend on learning about anything to do with him. Tenebris is a demon of the old world. Not the new. I do not bother myself with researching into such creatures. If you wish to understand more about him, you will need to speak to someone who understand the old ways. I cannot help you in this.” She turns sharply in a wave of golden hair, before heading to the door.

“You cannot or will not.” Alex stops her before she can reach the doorknob.

“Does it matter?” She asks over her shoulder, “they both equate the same.” This was all she says before leaving the room with a snap of the door shutting behind her.

“She seemed sacred.” I observe when I was sure she was gone.

“She is hiding something.” Alex added. His fingers crossed in front of him, elbow resting on top of his desk.

“When is Estelle Schmitz not hiding things.” I reply cynically.

“Estelle only hides things in half-truths because she wants something in return. Some payment for her information. When have you ever seen her not offer terms? Yet this time she didn’t even make a suggestion of payment.” Alex worked his finger backwards and forwards along his top lip, deep in thought and the peculiar interlude.

“What is she even doing here at Castle Black. I cannot even recall the last time I saw her at court. Surely, she couldn’t have got here from Wales this quickly?”

“She is in town with Henry on business. They have rooms in the village. But I think it is time we offered the se’er an extended visit at court.” Alex’s eyes never wavered from the shut wooden door that Estelle had left moments before. His expression was guarded, and I could feel that he was hatching a plan even as we spoke.

“But..” I try to protest.

“Rosa,” Alex takes hold of my hand, breaking off any protest that I was about to make. “Estelle is our only lead into the mystical world. If what your dreams are telling you are indeed about Tenebris, then we need to be prepared. To know everything we can about this demon in order to vanquish him. Estelle is all that we have.”

He pauses for a moment and giving me his sternest look. The sort of look he might give one of the children when he is chastising them. “She will be invited to stay, and it will be at your bequest my love. She is technically still one of your ladies.”

I want to argue the point. To pled to not make me live with her condescending looks and petty ways. But I also knew that he was right. Estelle was our only lead at the moment. And even if she were the last person in the world that I would wish to have wait on me, especially pregnant and already prone to mood swings, I would have to suck it up and get on with the task.

“Very well.” I sigh, “I shall send the invite first thing.”

“Not and invite little mate, a summons. There can be no turning down the request.”