It's true that someone's mouth can literally fall open if you surprise them hard enough. I don't know why, but it's bizarre thinking of Dathid as having a wife. He doesn't seem like the type of guy to have a family, and most definitely not an elf family.

I'm staring at them like an idiot, so I shut my gaping mouth and mutter a quick "Hi." I do a little wave that adds to the awkwardness of the moment.

Princess Elaeria starts speaking in English, but it's heavily accented and difficult to understand. I don't have a lot of experience with married people, but I would think that Dathid should've mentioned a wife or a family at least once during the time we were together. Why is he married to an elf? Why does it seem like he's in danger if he's married to the princess? What's the deal with that awful tapestry? From what I've seen so far, the elves and faeries hate each other. And it doesn't seem like there's a great love story happening here.

I'm so lost in my thoughts that it doesn't register that Dathid has said something until he moves to leave. I have no idea what he said, or what to say to him, so I just quietly watch them go. As soon as they're gone, I turn my wide eyes to Jonah.

"Not here," he says.

"Well then you better take me somewhere, because I have lots of questions and I don't know how long I can hold them in."

Jonah grabs me by the wrist, leads me into a secluded alcove and closes the curtains behind us. The alcove has a bench carved into one of the sides, and Jonah sits, taking up the whole thing.

"Are you married?" I demand as soon as the curtain is closed.

"No, Knight Crawlers do not marry."

"Why didn't you tell me? Why are they married? They don't even like each other."

"I didn't tell you because I thought you had enough to deal with without worrying about Dathid."

"Why should I be worried? Why are you worried?"

"Well, I'm sure you've noticed that faeries and elves do not get along. I'm worried because Princess Elaeria's former betrothed is not happy with the match and neither are most of the elves."

"I don't understand. Usually when people are married, you can tell. Seriously, how are a faerie and an elf married?"

"They didn't marry for love. They don't even feel enough emotion to hate each other. Theirs is a marriage of alliances."

"I'm confused. Why wouldn't she marry the guy you think wants to hurt Dathid? He seems to have plenty of emotion."

Jonah takes a deep breath. "With Ziras gaining power, many of the curra are joining forces. The Cromsmead elves and the Manahata faeries have been battling over their border for generations. A marriage between the two kingdoms was the best solution for a quick peace."

"That's weird. Why would anyone agree to that?" Then a thought occurs to me. "Will I be forced to marry someone?"

"No, you get to choose if you want to marry or not. Now, let's get back to the party before we're missed."

We don't stay long because it's late. When we get back to my room, Jonah follows me in and adds wood to the fire. He kisses the top of my head and turns to leave.

My insides jitter like I drank too much coffee. I close my eyes and focus on breathing. There's nothing to be afraid of. It's just new and different. I clasp my hands together and say to his back, "Jonah, will you please stay here tonight?"

"All right," he agrees without a thought.

It's stupid to be afraid. "I'm sorry. It's just I've never been anywhere before. I've only ever slept in my own bed. I mean, since before I met you. But after you, I had you and that makes it easier. Wait. I'm not making sense."

"You don't need to explain. Will you be all right for a little while? I have to go back and support Dathid, but you get ready for bed and I'll come back as soon as I can."

The sky is still bright even though it's the middle of the night. The sun doesn't move across the sky, so it's always sunny. This is selfish. I need to get a grip and go to bed.

"I'll send Albína up to sit with you. When I come back, I'll sleep under the bed. You don't need to be alone."

"No, that's okay. I'm good. You go enjoy the party. Dathid needs you, and I'm sure Albína is having fun. I've always been alone, so this isn't a big deal. I don't need a babysitter."

Jonah looks offended at my suggestion. "Maybe I need the company."

I'm surprised by his comment until I realize he's joking.

"I'll be back as soon as I can," he says and walks out the door.

For the first time since I came to this strange world, I'm alone. I feel every bit of my solitude. "Albína will be here soon. Stop being a baby."

The sheer size of my enormous room makes me uneasy. A wave of homesickness washes over me when I think of my comfy little room in Queens. "You're just not used to it. Get a grip."

To ease my fears, I learn my new space. First I try out one of the sofas and am pleased that it's even more comfortable than it looks. The elves certainly know how to do luxury. However, I can only sit for a minute because my anxiety makes me jump to my feet.

I pace the room, then explore one of the many doors on the far wall. I open the first one slowly and find another bedroom. That's weird that my bedroom would have a bedroom. Then I notice the little room also has a door leading to the hallway. Why does this room have a door to my room?

This second bedroom is considerably smaller than mine, but it's still lavish. Someone has recently moved in. There are gowns and women's clothing on the bed, and crates with various items littered everywhere. Who's staying here? It occurs to me that spying on this person is wrong, so I close the door and hope that it locks.

Next to the little room is an alcove with a narrow door that leads to an empty closet. The only things in the space are the clothes I wore here, the gown I refused to wear and a nightgown. I assume the nightgown is for me, so I change into it.

Auntie's Orb is sitting on the dresser in the corner. Someone put it on a pretty silver candlestick. I'd forgotten completely about it. I'm relieved I didn't lose it with my carelessness. I pick it up and try to see whatever it is I'm supposed to see. I stare at it as hard as I can for as long as I can, but nothing happens. Frustrated, I put the Orb back on its stand and leave the closet. How mad is everyone going to be when they figure out I can't read it?

Pushing my dark thoughts aside, I leave the closet and walk past the bathroom to another door that opens into a small bare room. There are empty bookshelves along two of the walls and a bench seat under a picture window. There's an old delicate desk in the center and that's it. The room gives me the creeps, so I quickly close the door.

I turn around and jump when I find Albína behind me.

"I'm sorry, Miss."

"No, I'm sorry. I'm a little edgy," I say, but that scare knocked some of the wind out of me.

"Are you getting to know your room?"

"Yeah, I found the closet." I wave to my nightgown. "Whose room is that?"

"That's mine, Miss."

"Oh, sorry! I peeked in it."

"No worries. Think nothing of it. Got to get your bearings." She pulls the bed covers down.

I climb in and she hands me a cup of warm liquid that tastes like flowers. I drink it all and lie down. It's odd having someone stand over me while I'm in bed. It really gets embarrassing when she pulls the covers up and tucks me in.

She hums to herself while she closes the heavy window drapery, and the room gets dark with the exception of the light from the fireplace in the center of the room. Then she settles in the chair closest to the fire and pulls out some yarn from a nearby basket.

"You don't need to stay, Albína. I'm okay." I'm mortified that I need a babysitter and feel guilty that she's missing the party.

"I'm sorry, Miss. Sir Jonah told me to sit with you. So sit I must."

"I'm sorry you're missing the party."

"'Tis nothing. It's truly an honor to be serving you. I don't mind missing the tail end of a dying party."

I stare at the ceiling. "Where'd the birds go?"

"It's time for sleep."

I have no idea what that means, so I repeat, "Yeah, but where'd they go?"

"To the clouds for sleep."

I still don't understand, but my head is growing soupy and I'm wondering what was in the drink she gave me. I blink a few times, then everything goes dark.