Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
ALINA
“Milady, it’s time.” Sally stood above me with a glass full of murky liquid.
“No. I can’t.” I turned to my side, shaking my head.
“Milady, you need to take your medicine. Do you remember what the doctor said? Your nerves need some rest and relief.”
“But now I always feel worse after I take it, Sally.”
Something had changed and it seemed the vile substance was stronger. I fought the wave of nausea just thinking about the bitter taste of whitebane in my mouth.
“Please. Do it for me,” the girl pleaded in a low and gentle voice.
I locked eyes with her. Sally was the only person who helped me through the long nights when I spewed my guts out, and the long, miserable days when I was bound to my bed, unable to get up.
My hand was noticeably shaking when I picked up the glass and took a small tentative sip. Immediately, my throat burned and I coughed. My insides protested and I almost vomited.
A light knock sounded at the door and Sally rushed to open it. I lifted my body up on my pillows and covered myself with the blanket. I still wore the light pink dress from two days before and I did not even care if I looked presentable.
A muffled rustle came from the doorway, and a moment later, Lady Corliss made her entrance.
“Alina, my dear. I heard about what happened. It must have been so terrifying. Do not be afraid, it will never happen again.”
She approached the bed and gently took my hand. Her fingers brushed against my skin, comforting me as if I were a little child in need of reassurance. Her almost liquid, light eyes looked deeply into my soul, as if she was searching for something.
“I . . . I’m alright,” I whispered.
“We will take care of everything. All you need to do is rest, get better.” She glanced at the glass in my other hand.
“Thank you.”
“We assigned you a personal guard who will be with you at all times. And as soon as you are more rested, you can spend more time choosing your future mate.”
Lady Corliss sat on the side of my bed. Her fingers gently patted the skin on my wrist and I watched her beautiful eyes scrutinizing my face.
“Prepare the bride for lunch in the parlor,” she said without turning to look at Sally.
“Yes, milady.”
“But I . . .” I tried to protest.
“The fresh air and some company will make you feel better.”
I could not help the panicked expression on my face when I glanced up at Sally.
“But first, dear, finish up your medicine. Like that. Yes. Good girl.” Lady Corliss took the empty glass from my hand, and carefully moved a lock of hair off my face.
Shortly after she was gone, Sally started preparing my gown. I watched her from my bed with my hands clenching the covers.
“I’ll be there with you. If you feel worse, I’ll bring you back, and I don’t care what happens to me.” Sally hurried through the room with a freshly pressed gown in her hands.
“You are so good to me. Thank you,” I said but the maid only shook her head.
“You shouldn’t thank me,” she said quietly.
“Why not?”
“I’m not helping you that much.”
“What are you talking about? You stay with me at all hours, holding my hand while I sleep, cleaning me up when I can’t get out of bed. I’m sure this is not the best job in the palace and for all your hard work, I thank you.”
“I can’t explain everything to you. But please do not thank me,” she responded.
When I was finally dressed in a light silk dress with creamy lace on the bodice and sleeves.
Sally ushered me to sit by the mirror and lifted up my hair, exposing my neck.
She managed to curl a couple of locks of my hair that framed my face.
I looked in the mirror, taking in the sharp, thin features of my face, and could not help a light gasp from escaping my lips.
I was not prepared to see my reflection.
I barely even recognized the girl with huge brown eyes and pale, lifeless skin.
“There. You look lovely.” Sally finished and took a step back.
With her help, I got up and walked toward the door.
“Just remember, if you feel like you’re going to be sick, give me a signal and I’ll take you back at once,” Sally reminded me.
I said nothing, watching her open the door for me.
In the corridor, stood the man from the garden, with dark, shoulder length hair and striking eyes. He was leaning against the wall, but as soon as he saw us, his posture changed, and he straightened. I stilled in the doorway, hypnotized by the expression of his eyes.
Through a thick fog, a remembrance of something fluttered deep inside my chest. A whisper, a flicker of an emotion, a strange sensation.
I felt as if I had lost something very important, and enough time had passed for me to completely forget what it was.
I bit my lip, unable to concentrate on this new feeling or even recognize what it was.
“Milady.” He bowed his head.
“Please help Lady Alina into the summer parlor,” Sally ordered, and the man stepped toward me offering me his arm.
I stepped forward, and closed the distance between us. My hand landed on his arm and we slowly moved down the corridor.
I turned to look at Sally but she had returned to the room.
We walked in complete silence, but it was not awkward in any way. On the contrary, for the first time in a long time, I felt completely at ease, as if I was in the comfort of my warm bed watching the soft morning light seeping through the light beige curtains.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
The man who led me down the stairs did not respond right away, but when he did, his low, sensual voice felt like silk over my nerves.
“Kent,” he said.
“And your first name?”
“Rolan.”
A wave of overwhelming disappointment crashed into me, and I could not comprehend all the feelings that followed. I paused, trying to collect my thoughts, but was unable to do so.
“Are you from Ulfare?” I asked, trying hard to remember everything I knew about the capital of the blue clan.
Ulfare was known as the city of water. It was situated on top of a massive dam and protected on every side with man-made water channels.
The blue clan was the most numerous clan in all the dragon lands.
It was believed that because of the natural barriers, crawlers could not affect the prosperity of that region.
But that meant that the clan was in desperate need of land and resources.
It was one of the reasons why so many soldiers in the capital wore blue uniforms.
“Yes,” Kent responded, but the way he said it did not invite any more questions, and I turned away.
I stood by the door to the parlor, not ready to open it. Kent stood beside me patiently waiting. I glanced up at him, and for a moment, I got lost in the puzzling expression in his dark eyes.
What was it? Restlessness? Irritation? Anger?
I returned my eyes back to the door and with a sigh, I touched the doorknob. Unexpectedly, Rolan’s hand landed on top of mine and he pushed the door open for me.
The agonizingly bright light blinded me and I squinted my eyes, forcing myself to take a timid step further.
“My dear, please come.” Lady Corliss walked toward me with her arms outstretched and a warm smile on her face.
“I apologise for keeping you waiting,” I said, my eyes following the rows of the most powerful men gathered together because of me.
A broad table stretched almost from one side of the room to the other.
Multiple sets of eyes peered at me and all I wanted was to go back to my room and lock the door behind me.
The councilors were there too. I clenched my hands in front of me, knowing that each and every one of them were watching every move I made.
Lady Corliss ushered me to the seat at the center of the table. I was sure that the gesture was to show their respect, but I could not help thinking that I was a prize, an item to be bargained for, bought and used. As I sat, and dared to lift my eyes, I saw that every face was turned toward me.
“Lady Alina, we were just discussing possible arrangements that will take place in the near future. We want the period of courtship to bring joy to all parties, as well as a favourable outcome for every clan.” Lord Hall raised his wine glass and I looked down at my plate.
The delicate silver rim of the porcelain plate in front of me sparkled with multiple colors of the rainbow, and for the moment, I could not concentrate on anything else.
“My dear, are you well?” Lady Corliss, who sat beside me, placed her gloved hand on my forearm.
I nodded and looked up at Lord Hall.
“We all want you to pick someone from our clan. I am no exception, but I willingly would recommend Lord Rutherford to you, however, the decision is yours.”
Suddenly, my eyes registered an impatient gesture from one of the sentries, but my gaze landed on the figure by the wall opposite of me. Rolan stood with his arms crossed on his chest, his dark eyes narrowed, jaw clenched. He did not look at me, as if he was carefully avoiding meeting my gaze.
“Thank you, Lord Hall. I will take it from here.” Lord Adger stood up and his heavy belly appeared to be resting on the table.
“Lady Alina, you are about to fulfill the most crucial role that ever was presented to any living person. The blood of the red clan runs through your veins and it is in your power to preserve peace and prosperity to all the dragon lands, ensuring that our beloved queen will have an heiress. In times like these, when a brutal enemy is at the gate of every free city, we all need to unite, and face the threat of extinction together.”
One after the other, each councilor took a turn to talk about the future, making me want to cover my eyes with my hands and scream. I could not stand it, I needed to leave.
I turned to look at Kent. He stared back at me, his shoulders tensed, his eyes hard.
“I am not feeling well,” I whispered to Corliss, but she paid me no mind as she continued talking to someone on the other side of me.
I closed my eyes, feeling beads of sweat forming on my forehead, my body felt so incredibly heavy and I could only watch the surface of the table slowly shift, nearly tipping over.
The clang of silverware was the last thing I could distinctly hear before the buzzing in my ears muffled all the sounds around me.
Someone’s strong arms picked me up and I was carried out of the parlor. My arms wrapped around the strong neck and the smell of leather and smoke soothed me, making my muscles relax.
When I forced my eyes open I saw a strong profile in front of me. A sharp, angled jawline and thick eyelashes, walnut brown eyes, and warm toned skin. Lips partially opened, his breath slow and steady as Kent carried me up the stairs.
I sighed and pressed my forehead against his neck.
“Alina, poor child. Bring her here.”
I heard Corliss’ voice, but I could not keep my eyes open any longer.
All my senses focused on the arms that held me so tight that I protested when he released me on the bed.
When I managed to open my eyes long enough to look around, there was only Sally and Lady Corliss bustling about the bed, no one else was in the room.
I lifted my knees, looking at the bowl of soup and crackers that Sally brought from the kitchen. I could not stand looking at the food, but I forced myself to eat at least a little bit.
I was still in bed after my last episode of fainting in front of everyone. Sally managed to change my clothes, and I was back in the soft comfort of a night gown.
“Would you like anything else, milady?” Sally stood by the bed, waiting for me.
“If you could, please bring me something to read,” I requested, picking up a cracker.
“It’s no trouble. I’ll go to the library straight away. Is there anything in particular you would like?” she asked.
“I’m not sure.” I frowned too weak to form a complete thought.
“I’m not a big reader, ma’am. I’ll do my best.” She picked up my clothes and hurried out of the room.
When she was gone, I fell back on the pillows exhausted.
The frailty of my body seemed to have affected me in many other ways, because no matter how hard I tried, I could not concentrate on anything. Something was seriously wrong with both my body and my mind.