Chapter 8: A Missing Piece

The sky had darkened. Jaziel made his way to his wing of the palace, making sure to offer everyone who bowed along the way a smile and courteous nod. He was pleased to see how well trained everyone was. Many of the servants had long gone to sleep, leaving the palace to the night staff. Jaziel ascended the stairs, trying not to groan.

Once he arrived at his quarters, he offered the guards a smile before walking into his room. Once the door was shut, he finally let out an exhausted groan. He collapsed into the nearest chair and put his legs up on the small table in front of it. Was it courtly behavior? No. His father would probably punish him if he saw it, but no one was here and the bastard was long gone.

He draped an arm over his eyes and was beginning to drift off when a knock sounded at his door. Not the main door… it was the connecting one. Right… he still had things to do. He pushed himself to his feet and splashed some water on his face before walking toward the door.

When he opened it, Iselle stood on the other side, looking up at him. She wore a pale nightdress, the fabric much thinner in some areas, to his detriment. He had forgotten how lovely she was. He had barely glanced at her during dinner, too preoccupied with getting things in order for tomorrow’s trip into town.

Iselle’s eyes widened upon seeing him. She reached up, causing Jaziel to flinch slightly, then brushed her hand through the damp tendrils of hair hanging around his face.

“Are you very tired?” she asked, concern coloring her voice.

Yes… yes he was tired. But he was sure he could use some activity before bed. It might even help him sleep better. A lopsided smile crossed his face as he gently placed his hands on her waist. Her eyes widened.

“Iselle…” His tone was low. Her lips formed a thin line, and he leaned in before she pressed a hand to his chest, causing him to pause.

“Caelis… came to say goodnight.” She spoke the words carefully. Jaziel’s eyes widened as he noticed a pair of lavender eyes peering up at him from behind Iselle. He removed his hands and let out a laugh as he scratched his neck sheepishly.

“I see…” Jaziel looked up at the clock on the wall and took a deep breath. He cinched Iselle’s robe around her before placing a gentle hand on his son’s head.

“Well… come in,” he said, stepping aside. Iselle took Caelis’s hand, and the three moved toward the seating area in his room. Jaziel pulled a cord, and a few moments later a servant arrived with pastries and honeyed water for the small table. Iselle sat first, and Jaziel followed suit.

Caelis hesitated for a moment before sitting close to his mother. Jaziel sighed internally. He was much too timid. He supposed he must have gotten that from Iselle. He thought knight lessons would help toughen him up, but it didn’t seem to be working.

Iselle offered Caelis a glass, and he sipped it carefully.

“How was your day?” Jaziel finally asked. He wanted rest, so he was hoping it was rather short.

“Fine,” Caelis replied, his eyes not meeting his father’s. Well, he asked. It wasn’t his fault the child wouldn’t open up. Still, he tried. Perhaps he would be allowed to sleep now. But when he looked toward Iselle, she was giving him a pointed look. He sighed.

How was he supposed to talk to this child?

“Read anything interesting?” he asked with a little less enthusiasm. Iselle sighed, shaking her head slightly, but Caelis beamed. He went on a rampage of words so fast that even Jaziel had a hard time understanding him. His interests were certainly varied. Geology, maths, theology, even a fairytale book he and Shani had read together.

Jaziel zoned out after a while as Caelis recounted his day from the library onward.

“Although… I had to grab Mom because Nimue made Shani cry,” he finished as he took another sip of water. Jaziel’s eyes sprang wide.

“Nimue did what?” Jaziel snapped. Caelis’s eyes widened as he carefully put the cup down and retreated further into the chair. Jaziel sighed.

“What happened between Nimue and Princess…?” he repeated, this time much softer, his work smile finding its way back onto his lips. Caelis looked toward his mom, whose eyes looked glazed over for some reason. Her hand rested on his. Iselle’s face contorted in an emotion even Jaziel couldn’t place. The young boy stepped in front of her and took a deep breath.

“They were talking about how Aunt Jamila will be marrying someone soon… she also hit Shani a lot,” he mumbled, fidgeting with his hands.

Nimue was disciplining a royal?

Shani may not have been full-blooded, but she still had Noxis’s eyes and was Jamila’s child. The idea that someone would lay a hand on her, let alone make the child cry, didn’t sit right with him.

After all… what right did Nimue have?

Nimue was just a lucky maid who became Jamila’s nursemaid and later rose in status alongside her. Yet she was here correcting Shani and talking of his sister needing to remarry? Jamila didn’t need to do anything… She was an empress now. She told other people what to do.

Yet she didn’t seem to discipline Nimue, no matter how out of line the older woman acted. Perhaps it was due to Jamila’s attachment to the woman. Or maybe she was just too kind to adjust the behavior of a servant who had been part of the palace for so long. Either way… he knew he was missing something. Something important.

He sighed as he ran a hand through his white locks. His tongue clicked with frustration. He could see the puzzle, but something wasn’t fitting into place. He needed to know more, to understand what was bothering him so much.

“Perhaps… I should visit the archives while Jamila is in town…” he mumbled to himself. Some of the tension eased at the idea, a smile once more crossing his features. He looked up to find Iselle and Caelis standing to leave. He reached forward and grabbed Iselle’s wrist.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“You seemed… deep in thought, so I thought I should put Caelis to bed,” she replied in her usual calm tone. One sleeve of her robe had slipped when he grabbed her, revealing a pale, freckled shoulder. Jaziel bit his lip and took a deep breath. Since he had a game plan for tomorrow… he deserved a small reward, right?

He stood and approached Iselle, leaning close to her ear.

“Maybe… Caelis can sleep in his own room tonight and I can come to yours?” His tone was low enough that only she could hear him. She stared at him blankly with those icy eyes, not even a flush on her cheeks. Iselle shook her head.

“No… he sleeps with me,” she replied. Jaziel sighed. The boy was six, and yet he still slept with his mother… he supposed he would have to wait another year. He released Iselle’s wrist and was about to back away when she grabbed his sleeve.

“I could, however… visit you for a moment tonight, if you are okay with that,” she said softly as she looked up toward him. Jaziel hated the feeling of someone else sleeping beside him… but a visit was different. A wicked smile crept across his lips.

He gently took her hand and placed a kiss on the back of it.

“I look forward to it, milady.”

He hoped tomorrow’s search was just as lucky as tonight had been.