**
Calliok Vex was certainly not one to joke around about such a serious matter. In fact, the man didn't know how to throw a joke to save his life.
So if he took the time to visit her when he stayed away most of the time, then it certainly wasn't a simple matter.
Ember stared at the man. "Do you think something happened to my mother?" She asked in a taut voice, searching his expression for any flicker of truth.
He leaned into his seat, relaxing even more as his dark beady eyes casually perused her. "The Queen is safer outside these palace walls than she is inside them. I'm not worried about her—I am only worried about whatever purpose that has her staying out so late."
Ember gulped at the darkness tinged to his words. "She must have her reason." She simply said. It would not be the first time the Queen left the palace without a word even though it could be classified as a rare occurrence.
"True," he said, still eying her, "I'm sure she has her reasons."
