Chapter 72
Did I sleep? No. I didn’t.
h a knife in hand and a satisfied.
with
I was scared of being killed in my sleep. Or worse waking up and seeing Amira standing over me wi smile on her face
I rolled out of bed at dawn, my body stiff, my head throbbing with exhaustion. The chamber they’d given us was cramped and dim. barely lit by the early morning sun filtering through narrow slits in the stone walls. The bed was hard, with blankets thin enough to feel the chill of the room right down to my bones.
Amira had already left, thank goddess, sparing me from starting my day with her snide remarks. I dressed quickly, pulling on a simple gray dress that had been provided. It was coarse and itchy against my skin, nothing like the fine garments I’d worn at Alaric’s court. Yet it suited my supposed identity perfectly, Elena, the humble palace hand who sometimes had a smart tongue.
A sharp knock made me jump.
Before I could move, the door swung open, revealing a stout woman standing in the doorway. She wore a severe black gown buttoned up to her throat, and her silver hair was pulled back into a tight bun, stretching the skin of her face until it seemed permanently set in at scowl. Her pale eyes swept over me, unimpressed.
“You’re late,” she snapped, stepping forward.
“Late” I glanced toward the tiny window. The sun was barely rising. “It’s dawn.”“”
“Precisely,” she said, narrowing her eyes. In this palace, dawn means late. Up before the sun, girl.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but her cane whipped up, striking sharply against the bedpost beside me with a loud crack. I flinched. my heart jumping into my throat.
“Rule number one,” she said, voice tight with authority. “Never speak back. Rule two, no slouching.”
I straightened instantly, my spine rigid, heart racing.
Rule three, she continued, her eyes narrowing further. “Dresses below the ankle. No showing skin unnecessarily. And rule four,” she (said, stepping even closer until I could feel her sharp breath on my face, no frowns. You are here to serve with grace. I’ll tolerate no
sullenness or attitude”
My jaw tightened but I quickly smoothed my expression. “Understood.”
The cane struck my leg swiftly, causing me to gasp sharply in pain.
“You’ll say. Understood, ma’am.”
Understood, ma’am,” I repeated, teeth gritted.
“Good” she snapped. “Now follow me. There’s work to be done.”
She turned sharply, marching from the room without another word. I hurried after her, trying not to limp as my leg throbbed. We emerged into a corridor, stark and gray, bustling with other servants who quickly moved out of her way
Down the hull, Amira stood near another servant, her smug eyes flickering to me briefly before returning forward, lips curving wi suppressed amusement
with
arrowed my eyes at her
“Eyes forward!” the woman barked. me snapping again “And straighten your back!”
I did so unmediately my hands urbling slightly at my sides.
Funny?” the woman’s sharp voice suddenly rang out, echoing off the stone walls
I turned quickly, my gaze landing on Amira
had failed to keep her amusement in check, her mouth curled into a small smile. The woman strode uver, her care whistling
as she brought it down swiftly against Amira v lep
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Clupter 52
Amira gasped, the smile vanishing instantly. Her eyes watered with pain, cheeks flushed with embarrassment
I bit my tongue, holding back my own satisfaction.
Servants here do
not laugh or gossip, the king was generous to give you top maid but you do not disrespect me,” the woman hissed at Amira “Is that understood!”
“Yes.” Amtra managed weakly.
Another crack of the cane. “Yes, ma‘
ma’am
Yes, ma’am, Amira whispered hoarsely.
The woman turned back to me, eyes narrowed, as if daring me to speak.
“Understood, ma’am, I murmured clearly, keeping my voice perfectly neutral, fighting the satisfaction bubbling up inside.
The woman nodded curtly, finally turning away. “You,” she said sharply to me, “come. You will clean the east wing chamber.”
I nodded quickly, following her swift steps until she left me at the entrance to a small room. I pushed open the heavy wooden door and stepped inside.
A soft gasp made me freeze.
The room was beautifully decorated, more delicate and refined than any place I’d seen since arriving here. Pale, gauzy curtains filtered sunlight softly into the room, illuminating shelves lined with books and delicate porcelain. And sitting by the window, wrapped in a fine white gown, was a girl no older than me. She was startlingly pale, her golden hair falling loosely over frail shoulders. Her wide eyes regarded me warily.
“Oh I breathed, caught off guard. “I apologize–I was sent here to clean. I didn’t realize
“It’s fine,” she said softly, her voice gentle and musical. “They never tell anyone I’m in here.”
I hesitated, unsure what to say or do.
“You can stay,” she offered shyly, waving me over. “Please.”
I stepped closer, cautiously picking up a feather duster, though there wasn’t much dust to begin with. “You live here?”
She nodded slowly, eyes fixed on the window. “I do. My brother insists. It’s safer, he says.”
“Your brother?”
“Harden” she said softly, looking at me carefully. “The king”
I swallowed. I ser
She smiled sadly. “Don’t look so scared. I won’t tell on you”
Tim not-
“You are the sand knowingly. “Everyone is Especially of him. Knowing you saw me face to face like this may piss him off. I am usually in bed, covered”
My stomach twisted slightly, and I paused my pretense of dusting, turning to look at her more fully. “Why are you kept here?”
She sighed, leaning her pale cheek against the back of her chair. Tm sick. It’s a rare illness–the physicians call it White Fever. It makes for weak, pale, always cold. My brother fears I’ll catch something worse from outsiders, so he keeps me away from everyone. It gets awfully lonely so I come out to look at everyone outside
Tm sorry I marmured sincerely.
ightly, unding faintly. “It’s not your fault. What’s your name?”
“Liena Implied quickly remembering the lie
she said, offering her small, delicate hand,
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Chapter 72
I took it gently, feeling her thin bones beneath fragile skin. “It’s nice to meet you.”
She smiled softly, genuine warmth filling her eyes. “Likewise. It’s been so long since I’ve talked to someone new.
I hesitated, then took a seat nearby. “Do you not have anyone else to speak with?”
“Only physicians and maids,” she said quietly. “My brother visits when he can. But he’s busy. Always busy, always worrying”
He
worries about you?
She laughed softly, bitterly. He worries about losing me. But in the process, he’s forgotten I need more than medicine and isolation. I need life
Her words made my chest tighten in sympathy. “I can’t imagine how lonely that must be
“It is she whispered, eyes
es shimmering. “But enough of my troubles. Tell me about yourself, Elena.”
My heart squeezed. There’s not much to tell.”
She ulted her head slightly, curious. “You’re lying
blinked in surprise. “What?”
She smiled knowingly. “I see things clearly from here, Elena. You hold secrets.”
My chest tightened again. She was far too observant. “Doesn’t everyone?”
She laughed softly. True. But yours seem more interesting.”
1 smiled despite myself. “Maybe one day I’ll tell you.”
She nodded gently. Td like that”
We sat quietly for a moment, the silence comfortable. Outside, the sun rose higher, bathing the room in golden warmth.
Seraphina broke the silence first. “Are you afraid of death, Elena!”
I paused, surprised by the question “I suppose everyone is”
Tm terrified, she whispered softly, eyes distant. “My brother tells me I’ll get better, but I know he’s lying. He thinks I don’t hear him whisper to the play sacians, but I do”
“Im sorry,” I murmured, unsure what else to say.
She smiled sadly. Don’t be. Talking to you–it helps.”
Ereached out instinctively, gently squeezing her hand. “Then I’ll come back.”
Her eyes brightened slightly. “I’d like that very much”
The heavy knock at the door startled us both, the sharp voice of the stern woman cutting through. “Elena‘ You are needed elsewhere!”
Fughed heavily, rising quickly. Thave to go”
Seraphina nodded slowly. Be careful, Elena Not all wolves here are loyal”
I fraze, her words echoing the strange woman’s warning at the taver
“What did you say?”
But she only smiled faintly and shook her head ‘Gu
I stepped toward the door, pausing brielly Goodbye. Seraphina”
“Goodbye” she whispered softly
the corridor, shutting the door gently behind me. The woman’s sharp eyes glared, but for once I ba
rely let it
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Chapter 72
Because in that room, I’d glimpsed something rare in this cold palace warmth.
And it had come from someone who knew exactly what it felt like to be trapped.
E
