Chapter 53: Temperate Penumbras - Part 7

Cele ended up dozing off in the wardrobe. He had no indication of how long, but his once numb limbs now throbbed painfully.

It was the slam of a door that awoke him. He jolted up instinctually, ready for confrontation, despite his protesting muscles.

“My prince,” he heard Rudolf say, in such a voice that it was clear he, too, was taken aback.

“Leave me,” Heiko bit, crossing the room with heavy steps that seemed out of character. After a moment, he demanded, “Where is the Ilysian?”

There was a silence in which Cele assumed the captain pointed to the wardrobe.

“He actually stayed in?” The prince released a bitter chuckle. “What a good dog.”

It was enough of a slight for Cele’s belly to bubble in agitation, making him kick the door open with his boot. The vacillation of the light from the hearth forced him to squint and avert his gaze. Still, he could feel Rudolf and Heiko’s bemused gazes.