25. Jasmine
“Ican do this,” I tell myself, trying to find some confidence as I stride down the silent hall.
The tense encounter with Karul”s former betrothed leaves me with a gnawing curiosity despite his reassurances. What exactly did the elf woman say to put such a stormy look on Karul”s face?
My mind races as I pace back and forth in my chambers, resisting the urge to press my ear against the study door down the hall. The muffled sounds of their conversation were so frustratingly out of reach.
As I cautiously peek into the room, I”m quickly shushed away by Karul. Frustrated, I flop onto my chaise, the sound of its fabric creaking under my weight as I try to push away the overwhelming desire to pry.
Surely, Karul will tell me everything I need to know... won”t he? Even now, I can”t shake off the memory of the elf woman”s haughty glare.
A hesitant knock echoes down the hall. The oak slab creaks open, revealing a timid servant girl with a laundry basket. As she moves about, delicately hanging and smoothing out dresses, inspiration strikes me. ”Liza,” I call out, gesturing to the untouched snack platter from earlier. ”Would you mind taking this tray of crackers down to the kitchen?”
Liza bobs into a curtsy, her eyes bright with deference. ”Of course, my lady.”
Once she leaves, I swiftly exit the room and chase after her down the servants” stairwell before it snaps closed. This hidden passageway runs directly behind the study. For once, fate seems to be on my side.
Crouched against the stone wall, I strain to listen to snippets of the discussion. Muffled voices. Raised voices. Something about the woman”s family and their demands. It’s like an elusive puzzle just waiting to be put together.
Guilt gnaws at my conscience. I forcefully push it aside. My curiosity demands to know what he faces, what we face. Soon enough, the elf”s strident voice rises in a crescendo of finality. My pulse quickens at the menacing tone that swells from her lips.
In a flurry, I rush back upstairs, nearly colliding with the elf woman as she emerges from the study. Her sharp, piercing gaze locks onto me and pins me in place like a butterfly on display.
”Jasmine, isn”t it?” Her voice is as smooth as snakeskin yet carries an underlying sense of danger.
My heart races as I freeze under her scrutiny, unnerved that she knows my name. ”Y-yes?”
The elf woman moves with an eerie grace, her steps almost otherworldly as she circles me. Her eyes seem to glow in the dim light, and her long hair flows behind her like ethereal wings.
”You care for him, don”t you? It is so plainly obvious.” Her voice sends chills down my spine. She drops to a chilling whisper. ”But he is promised to another. If you come between us, it will mean his ruin.”
I suppress a shudder at the emptiness in her gaze. What does she mean by ruin?
”I mean, girl, that unless you remove yourself from the picture, Karul will meet a rather unfortunate end.”
A wave of terror crashes over me, cold and suffocating. She knows exactly how to strike where it hurts most. Her hand brandishes my cheek in a condescending gesture.
”For his sake, I suggest you come to terms with your reality. Stay, and you risk condemning him.”
Her words are like daggers piercing my heart. Karul”s life hangs in the balance because of me. The thought sends my mind reeling in panic.
The elf studies my distraught expression with those dark, unfathomable eyes. ”I can see that you now comprehend the gravity of the situation. His life rests solely on your decision.”
”You would truly end his life?”
”Not I. Silly girl. Not I. But there are consequences. You must understand. For those who dare to cross my family, retribution shall be had.”
She smooths out her elaborate skirts, the fabric rustling softly. ”It is, how you would say, just politics. The way forward is clear. Make the best choice - for the both of you.”
She turns and glides away without another word, confident that she has ensnared me with her words and power. My heart clenches in fear as I realize the weight of the choice before me.
Her chilling proclamation hangs in the air like a looming storm, threatening to destroy the fragile bliss we had built together. Even hours after leaving, her words still echo in my mind, causing me to sink to the floor under their weight. Love and fear battle fiercely inside of me, tearing at my emotions.
What cruel fate awaits us now?
At this moment, I want nothing more than to run to Karul”s side, but a nagging voice inside my head warns me of the danger it would bring. Would my mere presence put him in even greater peril?
My thoughts turn to Karul, my beloved. I pray for his protection, knowing that what I must do next would break both our hearts. I can not allow that vile temptress to use me against him.
With a heavy heart, I decide to flee from this place. I need to sever the connection between us before it’s the death of him. My star-crossed lover.
After finding my handmaid, I ask her to fetch me a bath and she curtsies in response. “Right away, my lady.”
She efficiently prepares the ornate tub and scented oils. I disrobe and step in mechanically, barely registering the heat as I sink into the fragrant water.
Liselle looks at me with concern as she gently scrubs my back. “Pardon me, my lady, but you seem quite distracted tonight.”
“It’s nothing,” I murmur reflexively. Liselle waits patiently. I sigh, amending, “Just... a bit much on my mind.”
“Anything I can assist with?”
I nearly unburden myself in a rush. But no, I cannot drag her into this. “I appreciate your care. But this is a matter I must settle myself.”
Liselle still seems worried but simply inclines her head submissively. “I understand, my lady. I only hope your troubles are swiftly resolved.”
I manage a small smile. “As do I.” She means well, but this shadow looming over me and Karul is mine to face alone.
Liselle finishes washing my hair in silence. I sink into numb contemplation, no closer to untangling the threats coiled around my heart. “That will be all for tonight,” I tell her with a tone of finality, sending her off as I soak into the tepid bathwater.
I swirl a finger through the cooling bath, leaving ripples in my wake. The servants came and went what felt like ages ago, removing the dinner trays I barely touched. Still, the study door remains firmly shut.
I sigh, chin propped glumly on one knee that pokes above the surface. I should leave this rapidly chilling bath before I catch a chill myself. But some foolish, fanciful part of me wants to wait here, like a mermaid lurking in the depths, in hopes my prince will arrive to dispel the icy claws gripping my heart.
A shiver runs down my spine as the draft fills the room, causing goosebumps to form on my skin. Enough moping in the murky dregs. With water still dripping from my body, I gingerly place my feet onto the warm bath mat.
After drying off from my cold bath, I wrap myself in a robe and make my way silently to Karul”s bedroom. The manor is dark and quiet, with no signs of him emerging from his study anytime soon. A shiver runs down my spine as the draft fills the room, causing goosebumps to form on my skin.
I take my time slipping into my nightgown, lost in brooding thoughts. The elf’s threats keep replaying in my mind, each repetition making them feel more ominous. I wish I could speak plainly to Karul, but fear holds my tongue.
I pad across the room and slip beneath the silken sheets of the grand four-poster bed.
The mattress still bears the imprint of our entwined bodies from nights before. Now it envelops me in luxurious softness yet does little to ease the ache in my heart.
I stare up at the ornately carved ceiling, tears leaking from the corners of my eyes, wetting the pillowslip. Karul feels farther away right now than ever, still sequestered away behind closed doors with his urgent business.
Meanwhile, I am left here swirling in doubts and dread. That icy-eyed elf”s threats echo relentlessly through my mind. I now know the bliss I”ve found here cannot last.
A muffled sob escapes me, and I clutch one of Karul”s pillows to my chest, drawing what little comfort I can from his lingering scent. But it is a poor substitute for the warm strength of his arms.
Tonight, I shall cry myself to sleep, wishing to reclaim the joy of simply loving and being loved in return.