Once Upon Twilight

The day started bright and sunny. By the end of it, dark clouds would have settled over Nightroot Citadel. And me.
I skipped downstairs, dressed in a heavy coat, two pairs of jeans, and two shirts. A hat topped my head, and woolen boots covered my feet. My hands were still bandaged from the ordeal with Azhdar’s spittle ball.
Gama strolled out of the dining hall, the telltale bits of food on his chin revealing his breakfast: eggs and leafy vegetables. He cocked his head to one side when he beheld me, joining me at the bottom of the steps.
“What in the world are you doing?” he wondered, examining me from head to foot. “You are dressed as though it’s winter.”
I sheepishly smiled, wrapping my arms around myself. “I know I look rather ridiculous, only, well, I’ve never been anywhere where the seasons change.”
Gama wrinkled his nose. “That’s right. It’s always summer in Oria, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Not a single frost has ever touched my homeland.”
“Well, see that you don’t catch your death of cold. I’ll be blamed for it.”
I hid my smile in the collar of my coat. “I’ll try to prevent you from falling into disgrace.”
“Good. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go prepare for some interviews.”
“Interviews?”
He sighed in a way only long-suffering people could sigh. “Braddock, the caretaker of the rear gardens of the Citadel, has told me he can’t return any time soon, so we must find a replacement before that lazy boy Kilian collapses.”
“Kilian?”
“The one handling the gardens right now. He only pops into the kitchen for his meals, or at least that’s what he’s supposed to do.”
I twisted about, staring at the back wall of Perun. “I didn’t know Perun had a garden. How do I get there?”
He waved his hand absently at where I looked. “You go around the back and follow a path only your nose can find. That’ll lead you there.”
I blinked at him. “Only my nose can find?”
Gama crossed his arms over his chest. “Do you think we would want a garden just anyone can wander into? It would be ruined in a week!”
“Well, I’ll be sure to look for it then,” I mused, wondering how in the world I’d use my nose for the search.
“Do or don’t, just don’t get into any trouble because I told you about it.” He moved toward the stairs, and I went to my scheduled breakfast. Gama’s voice made me pause after a few steps. “Oh, I almost forgot. Someone brought this for you earlier.” I turned to find him holding out an envelope to me.
“Who was it?” I inquired, accepting the paper.
He wrinkled his nose. “Two children. They were very eager to see you, but I told them you were indisposed.”
I turned the back over and read the name aloud. “Miss Ellie.” That told me who the two children were. Jennifer and Pim. I smiled and hurriedly opened my little surprise. The envelope contained a folded piece of paper, which I uncurled. My eyebrows shot up.
“Well?” Gama wondered, eyeing me. “What is it?”
My eyes brightened. “It’s an invitation to a birthday party for the girl. She turns seven the day after tomorrow.”
Gama rolled his eyes. “Is that all? They were making such a fuss over it being delivered that I thought it was a will naming you the principal heir.”
“You need to be around children a little more,” I teased, tucking my little gift in one of my various pockets.
The toad shut his eyes and shuddered. “I think not.”
“Well, thank you for delivering it. Was an answer expected?”
“They didn’t say anything. The pair acted like they expected you to come, no matter what.” He shook his head. “Children. Always expecting the world to come to them.”
“Well, this world certainly will,” I mused.
“Suit yourself.” He trudged up the stairs, disappearing into his room.
I continued my journey to the dining hall, but the expedition was interrupted once again by a noise. The sound came from the front of the hall. I paused, one bandaged hand on the door frame, and turned to the front doors.
Nothing seemed amiss until it happened again. The front doors were rattling. I furrowed my brow and wandered over to them. One of them opened, revealing the bright but chilly morn.
I inched my way out, uncertain what terrible fate awaited me. That’s when I saw it. A familiar carriage rolled down the road toward the Citadel.
It can’t be, I thought to myself. I stumbled down the root bridge, stopping halfway to lay a hand on the wide railing for support. It just can’t be!
The elegant green-hued carriage drove up to the root bridge and parked, the door facing the front doors. The valet beside the driver hopped down and opened the portal. My breath caught in my throat as a man emerged.
My father.
He made only a cursory inspection before he turned back to the dark interior of the carriage. “We’re here, darling.”
Callista stuck her head out and inspected Perun. She wrinkled her nose. “Are you sure this is the palace, Father?”
“Of course, dear,” he cooed, helping her out of the coach. “There is only one tree this large in the city, after all.”
“But it’s such a dreary place,” she countered, reluctantly setting her foot on the bridge made of roots.
I stumbled closer, not believing my eyes. My legs shook so badly that I thought I would collapse. I wasn’t sure if this was a dream or a nightmare.
“You won’t have to live here permanently. Only while we stay to visit your sister,” he pointed out before turning to face me. A smile slipped onto his lips when he noticed me standing there in a stupor. “Good morning, Elara. I hope we haven’t come at a bad time.”
I fainted dead away.