Page 150 of The Last Syphon

The princess’s eyes seemed to flicker with unease. “Uh, no.” Kronan stepped in, too, but left the door open. They stood in her bedchamber, side by side. Inara couldn’t help but notice what a striking pair they made. “I’m here for him.”

Both Felix and Inara looked around the room. “Who?” she asked.

She pointed to Felix.

He tapped his chest. “Me? The Crowned Prince wants to see me?”

Inara’s suspicions skyrocketed. What is he playing at?

Princess Phaedra shook her head. “No. He doesn’t wish to see you.” That sounded better. “He wished for me to show you to your new bedchamber.”

Inara and Felix frowned. He spun to face her. “You’re kicking me out?”

“What? No. Of course not.”

“Then why is he giving me a new bedchamber?”

Inara just shrugged. She had no idea why the prince did the things that he did. “Tell him thanks, but no thanks. We stay together. I’m not having him stay in some local lodge at the edge of one of the cities.”

“My apologies. You misunderstand me. His bedchamber is right by yours. Across the hall.” The princess waved a hand as she stepped back, indicating the door on the other side.

“I’m confused,” Inara began, scratching her head. “I thought you said this wing was only for Chosen.”

“It is,” Princess Phaedra said with a nod.

“So why is he suddenly getting a bedchamber in this wing?”

“You’d have to ask my brother. He simply sent me to show it to you.”

Inara’s confusion tripled. Why did he want to give Felix his own bedchamber?

“Please.” Princess Phaedra waved a hand to the door across the hall.

Felix looked to Inara. She shrugged. It was up to him. Her only concern was that he was close. She didn’t want him far away in case something bad happened, which, knowing her best friend’s innate ability to piss people off, was something that was most likely to happen. But having him next door might actually be a good thing. It meant that she would no longer have to share a bed with a big baboon who kicked her and stole all the blankets during the night.

“Go ahead,” she said.

“Alrighty.” Felix walked out into the hall and slowly opened the door. “It looks identical to yours.” He stepped further inside. She heard him scream, “Oh my Fates.”

Inara shook her head. Yeah, he was happy.

“Do you really not know why he requested the change?” Inara asked Princess Phaedra.

The elegant woman looked at her. And there it was; a sparkle in her eyes that told Inara all she needed to know.

“Give us a moment, please, Kronan.”

Her Shielder frowned. He hesitated.

“We will be fine. Perhaps you can help Felix get acclimated to his new bedchamber.”

“I would rather have the Guardians feast on my body while my heart still beats in my chest.” But he did as the princess asked, begrudgingly walking into the room across from hers.

“A tad bit dramatic, but in all honesty, I don’t blame him. Felix can be a bit much to handle,” Inara admitted. She liked to think she had grown somewhat immune to his antics. They no longer fazed her. She was, however, well aware, that it might take others a little longer to get used to him.

“Would you like to come sit down?” Inara asked, waving a hand to her bedchamber.

Princess Phaedra nodded. “Thank you.” She took a seat on the couch, and Inara sat in one of the empty chairs in front of her. It still amazed her how she had her own lounge area and how big and spacious her bedchamber was.