We were late.

I looked at my CB.

5:07 pm

Trent tapped on the wheel of the black SUV we were in while we waited in front of the gate to the palace. His black suit looked very similar to the same style as the one I had on, which helped to further emphasize that we were related.

Gesai was in the passenger's seat in front of me. Her yellow strapless dress worked with her silver skin. The lacy pattern matched the elbow-length white lace gloves that she wore to cover the scars on her hands. Her red hair was down, spilling over her shoulders. I could feel the nervous energy coming off of her as well. Something was off and everyone could tell, but no one knew what.

The green armored guard at the gate walked up to the driver's door. "Name?'

Trent stuck his left arm through the window so the Root could scan his CB. "Trent Vowler."

The personal guard of Harror was wearing a helmet, but the pause before he responded was enough to let me know he was surprised. "I thought you would already be inside! One second, let me get you an escort!" He pointed at the side of the palace. "If you drive around that side, someone will be there to guide you back to her highness."

I bit my lip to stop the smile from showing on my face. After working with Harror for a week in Mive, it felt strange hearing her referred to as 'her highness'.

Trent drove the vehicle over to where we'd been instructed. Another guard waited for us by a side door, but my father turned to look at the three of us instead of getting out.

"It should go without saying, but let me do most of the talking in here." My father looked at me, then turned to Gesai. "Habits are hard to break, but remember, you're part of the Vowler house now, not Alard. No one in there has any authority over you."

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The silver woman nodded and swallowed. "Yes, sir."

I squeezed her shoulder and noticed she was wearing the green dolphin pendant that Aelin had bought for me to give to her.

"You'll be fine." I repeated the line that I'd been saying over and over in my head. Not that it'd been comforting me any more than it looked like it was helping her.

"Your seals will keep you from talking about most things that you shouldn't." Trent shook his head. "Even so, talk as little as possible. You're going to get a lot of attention, especially since we're sitting at Harror's table, but that should keep you away from most of the drama as well."

"Do you know what's going on in there?" I looked at my teacher.

Trent shook his head. "I know Harror is wanting to make a big deal out of this and it's going to be a long night." He looked at Gesai. "You should be able to leave before me, so take the car back to the clinic and I'll get a ride from one of the guards."

"Are you going to be okay?" Worry covered Gesai's face. "You still aren't back to what you were before the accident."

"I'm well enough." The old man coughed, a clear sign that he was lying.

"Can't we reschedule?" I looked at the guard, who was staring at us from his station by the side door. "I'm sure Harror will understand."

"The Gods don't care, nor will they 'understand'." Trent straightened, then opened the door. "Don't worry about me."

I got out of the SUV and opened the door for Gesai while Ether slid out of my door. With Ether on my left arm and Gesai on my right, we followed after my father.

The Root led us down hallways until we reached a secure door. It only took a moment for him to enter the code and the door buzzed open, revealing a very decorated office.

Tres's office had been filled with art and sculptures, while Klix's had been filled with trophies that she'd claimed in battle.

The room we walked into was filled with bookcases on all the walls. Some of the shelves housed plants, while others were filled with books. Occasionally, a stone took one of the places. The wooden desk in front of the window looked like it was made out of a living tree, with a pair of branches sprouting out of the front to form chairs.

Harror sat behind the desk; the green-skinned woman wearing a breathtaking white dress with gold accents didn't look happy at our arrival.

"You're late."

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