"What do we do now?"

Eboni and Kas were stood inside his room, brushing dirt and loose twigs from each other's clothes after being flung back up the mountain at an incredible speed.

"We don't tell the others- not until we are out of the reach of the Empress." Kas replied shrugging off his cloak.

"I agree, but we leave tomorrow morning. I can't spend a moment longer than is completely necessary knowing The Darkness is poisoning the mind of our host, and goodness knows who else." Eboni said taking Kas's and her own cloak, laying them over a chair.

"Agreed."

A pounding on the door froze them in their tracks, both stunned to silence.

"Brother- Eboni!" Atu called out louder than was necessary "There are servants here to get you out of bed and help you dress appropriately for the feast."

Kas looked to Eboni, fear of being caught shining through his eyes until a plan sprung into his mind.

"Just a moment!" He called out before whispering for Eboni to take off her shoes and climb into the bed.

She kicked off her shoes and clambered into the bed, bringing the bed sheets up to her chest.

Kas rolled over and pulled her into his chest.

"What are you doing?!" Eboni hissed.

"Why else would to grown people sleep in the same bed when another was available?"

Eboni blushed at the thought of being seen in Kas's arms by the others but it was quickly replaced with fear of being found out as he called for the servants to enter.

A man and a young woman entered, followed by Atu, who grinned shamelessly at the sight before him.

"Sister Eboni, if you could follow me please?" The young girl asked nervously.

"Yes, of course!" Eboni pulled herself from Kas's warm embrace, scooping up her shoes she mumbled goodbye to Kas and Atu before following her servant to her room, glad that the others were out of the lounge and in their own rooms so she didn't have any witnesses to her bright red blushing cheeks.

The next hour was filled with bathing and preening. The dress laid out on her bed was blood red and extremely tight, ending just below her knees with a slit up either side from the bottom to the middle of her thighs.

It was the most revealing thing she had ever worn, but the thoughts of how she felt in the dress disappeared as she remembered that she would not be able to avoid the Empress tonight.

"Sister Eboni?" The servant girl said timidly.

"Yes?" She made sure to smile kindly, not liking the fact that this girl seemed to be afraid of her.

"The others are waiting for you." She held the door open for her and Eboni walked through to where the others were waiting.

Bren was the first to see her, a frown falling onto his face.

"What's wrong?" She asked shocked, had she done or said something that had upset him?

"Nothing." He sighed.

"Oh, that dress looks amazing on you!" Iasa said as Eboni turned to the rest of the group.

"Ready?" Orlan said after a second of silence.

Atu rolled his eyes, nudging for Kas to start walking. Bren and Iasa were stood to the side watching them, Iasa with a small smirk and Bren with a scowl.

"Let's go then." Eboni said all thoughts about the weird behaviour of her traveling companions disappearing as apprehension spread through her body.

The feast was the most extravagant affair that Eboni had ever attended, even more so then the dinner they had walked in on last night. Were it not for the fact that she knew the Empress was in the control of the entity that wanted her and her friend's dead and world domination, she would have probably enjoyed herself a little more.

The plates and cutlery were all solid gold, the goblets inlaid with diamonds and rubies. The food was rich and never ending- as a plate was finished another was set in its place. Wine flowed from a tall fountain in the centre of the hall while girls in haltered tops and short skirts swayed their hips in time with the musicians.

Eboni was sat next to Orlan and Kas, who kept sending her reassuring smiles throughout the evening. She was relieved to find that the Empress, adorned with the most lavish jewels hanging from her head, ears and neck, sat at her own table and though she was close she was far enough away not to sense her or Kas's uneasiness.

Bren and Iasa were laughing and talking with Atu- who kept sending worried glances towards his brother.

Eboni was sure that Atu could tell that Kas was not being his usual self, but she was thankful that he knew better to ask him amongst a listening audience.

The feast had long finished and yet the music and dancing continued yet the group was eager to leave prepare for their journey tomorrow- or today. Eboni had watched the sky as the night had come and gone, the morning now quickly approaching.

Biting back her fear and the urge to just take the Empress life energy away where she sat (As that would surely alert The Darkness to the fact she knew of their plans.) She rose from her chair and with another reassuring smile from Kas she made her way to the Empress.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" The Empress asked, her gaze distracted as she watched the dancers as they twirled around her table.

"Oh, yes, it's been a wonderful day, thank you for your kind hospitality."

The Empress nodded slowly her gaze turning to meet Eboni's. "Tomorrow I must find something else to for you and your friends to do- a tour of the city perhaps?"

Eboni sucked in a sharp breath. She knew? No, it is a coincidence- act normal- she reassured herself.

"Thank you, but as you can imagine we wish to move as quickly as possible. There is little time to waist." Eboni said.

The Empress nodded, the jewels hanging from her headpiece jingling.

"I will have an escort prepared for your safe passage. I trust that once you have found who you are looking for you will return here to rest before completing your journey?"

Eboni smiled graciously. "It would be an honour to be in your presence again thank you for such a kind invitation." She curtsied quickly and walked quickly back to her table, ushering the others back to their quarters, fighting the urge to roll her eyes at the gracious spew of words that had just come out her mouth.

They were able to get a few hours' sleep before the second sun rose indicating it was time to leave- but Eboni could not sleep, not knowing such evil resided in the same home as she did.

The scraping of a chair against the silent night sent her heart racing, standing from her bed she sneaked into the main room to see who was lurking around.

Bren was stood with his back to hers, looking out into the city. His hair was tousled and his clothes crumpled.

"Bren?" Eboni asked softly coming to stand beside him.

"Couldn't sleep." He murmured back, keeping his gaze fixed on the life below him.

"I understand." She replied.

"No, you don't." He said through clenched teeth. His sudden change in attitude forcing Eboni to stumble back in shock. "I know you're hiding something Eb's- I can feel it, you're keeping secrets from me! You and that arrow boy have been up to something." He turned to her accusingly.

"I will tell you everything once we reach Cerina." Eboni looked up to meet his piercing gaze.

"I don't care." He huffed, meeting her gaze before turning on is heel and stalking back to his room.

Eboni fought back tears as Bren's face and accusing gaze burned into her mind. His skin was pale, lips cracked and eyes bloodshot and tired. But the hate and mistrust that seeped from his soul was haunting.

Holding back a sob she returned to her room. What had she expected? She scolded herself. Of course, Bren would react to The Darkness that surrounded them. If she felt uneasy in this place what must he be going through? But she had only been consumed with thinking about her small adventure with Kas and even when she learned the truth, about the Empress, The Darkness and Bren being written into the prophecy- not even a single thought had been directed towards him. Her friend. Her Brother.

She looked out of her window begging the suns to rise so that they could leave this place, hoping that it wasn't too late. For Bren's sake.