Bianca and I made our way to where Aria and Airell were standing. We stood there silently, each of us lost in our own thoughts. 

"Where is Eryx?" asked Bianca suddenly, startling me.

Aria shrugged and Airell made a face. 

"What?" I asked. 

"Must be with Finn. That's where he hangs out now." he said and stared pointedly ahead. I turned my head and saw Eryx and Finn standing together talking earnestly. 

"With Finn?" I said, feeling shocked. This was the most unlikely friendship I had ever seen. Eryx constantly griped  about humans and thought they were beneath him while Finn had lived with most of his life with humans. Moreover, his family had been the part of a widely spread scandal. Not only that, Eryx was Airell's best friend and rarely left his side. No wonder Airell looked hurt.

A flurry of activity near the gates of the grounds distracted me. A magnificent silver chariot rolled up through the oenate gate. The royal family had arrived. 

A fancily dressed servant got out from the front and pulled open the door. He extended a gloved hand and a pale white hand with nails painted black emerged from the cottage. Slowly the queen came down in a lovely black silk gown, a huge silver crown perched on her head. Queen Flavia was tall and beautiful with brown curls cascading down her back and her swan like throat was adorned with a ruby necklace that glittered like blood.

Another chariot rolled up and Prince Illyr climbed down. He looked similar to his brother Arryn- he had the same dark locks and good looks. But he looked more serious, and sullen than his good natured brother. There was something about him that made me want to keep staring. The set of his jaw and the anger in his dark eyes made me want to run as far from him as possible. I remembered how Arryn said  that he suspected his own brother and even though I had been skeptical at the time, I certainly understood now why he had said that.

The prince caught my eye and glared at me. I felt flustered and averted my eyes. I just hoped he hadn't notice me shiver when he had directed his piercing gaze on me. I felt angry at how afraid I felt of him- it was inexplicable.

They entered the funeral ground and were greeted by Arryn who had changed into an ensemble which befitted his royal status. Mrs Kuperus went up to them and I saw the Queen give her an icy look. Kuperus paled and I felt sorry for her again. None of us had anticipated the attack so how could she possibly have prevented that? Wards had already been placed around and security was high. It didn't seem fair to blame her. 

Two servants brought out a pale lavender coffin and set it on the ground. Garessa's parents were called to lower their daughter into the coffin. Garessa's fair hair hung about limply as her lifeless body was laid into the coffin. Prayers were said as people wiped their tears and paid there respects. 

Jasmine and Avery helped Garessa's parents away from the coffin. There silence as everyone wished for peace for the deceased. I found the silence peaceful yet haunting as I closed my eyes and desperately hoped that no one else would be hurt this year.