Chapter 10 #2
“They’re not noticeable with that jacket,” Ivara murmured.
I took a sharp breath, pulling the sleeves down further to cover the markings. “They may not be noticeable to others, but I know they’re there.”
“I understand,” she said, staring out the window. There was a distant look in her eyes, one filled with such sadness. “You can’t see it, but I have the mark of a bargain as well, though it's hidden.”
My throat tightened from the misery in her tone. “From Ambrose?”
“Gods, no. I would have killed him already if that were the case. No, this bargain is with my brother, who's the head of our family.”
“The one that was supposed to be at the meeting?”
“That’s the one,” Ivara sighed, her eyes still peering out the window.
“He came to me in the middle of the night. There was such terror in his eyes. He was in a panic, pacing back and forth, telling me he needed to leave right away. Made me promise not to come looking for him for at least two years. He knew without that bargain, promise or not, I would search for him the very next day. But the agitation in his voice—I finally agreed to it, and he was gone by morning light.”
“How long ago was that?” I asked softly.
“Six months,” Ivara whispered, finally meeting my gaze. “I’ve been acting as the head of the household ever since.”
“I’m sorry. That must be hard not knowing where he is or why,” I murmured.
I couldn’t stop my thoughts from drifting to my family.
Did my brother know about me? Know that I was no longer on Mide?
Were my friends looking for me? It had only been three weeks since I had come to Nemos, but that was enough time for them to wonder why I had gone silent in our message groups.
I blinked, pushing those thoughts away. It was no use worrying about it now, not when my time was to be cut so short.
Swallowing, I focused back on Ivara, though her attention was on the mark of my bargain that was now hidden under my jacket sleeve.
“It is, but when I find him, I’ll make him talk. Make him tell me everything and then thrash him until he can’t walk.” Ivara huffed, her eyes hard and full of fire.
“I’ll help if you’d like,” I smirked.
Ivara snorted, the fire cooling to a steady burn as she looked out the window again. I followed her gaze, looking at the green manicured lawn and the pretty white flowers neatly planted along the gates and walkways. I had once admired those flowers, but now they felt too clean, too unblemished.
The rest of the trip was silent. We watched the rolling hills and fields of green grass dancing in the wind while we passed by, my thoughts filled with nothing but Samian and Kieran, about what I should do.
The dream of Kieran warmed my blood. It felt so real and vivid.
I could still feel his calloused hands trailing down my skin.
But Queen Cassia’s words felt like a sentence.
I wasn’t sure if I could bring Samian and Kieran down that miserable road with me.
Yet, that pull between us, that need to have them near, to touch them, feel them, was so incredibly intense.
I doubted I could be strong enough to walk away from them if the time came.
The journey only took half a day for us to reach Thanlyl, but once we arrived, a lord greeted us whose ruddy face was dry and blotchy.
His light brown hair was short and styled similarly to Ambrose’s, but lacked the elegance.
His red tunic was luxurious, and the color brought out the flush in his face.
He peered down his nose at me when I left the carriage, but then his eyes moved behind me, narrowing on Ivara.
When Ambrose stepped out of his carriage, the lord’s entire face transformed into a broad smile, his eyes bright.
It was an effort not to laugh at the absurdity.
The lord and the servants behind him all bowed low, waiting for Ambrose to speak. An arrogant grin rose on Ambrose’s lips while he made them wait, glancing from servant to servant before finally landing on the lord.
“You may rise, Lord Lowell.” Ambrose’s haughtiness seeped from his every pore.
Arianna stood behind Ambrose, her head held high as if she were already queen. I fought against the grimace that threatened to show. Daelan, however, didn’t hide the disgust that pinched his face when he walked to stand beside her.
Lord Lowell rose, ignoring Daelan and Arianna. “Welcome, Your Majesty,” Lord Lowell said, snapping his fingers. The servants moved, gathering the bags still strapped to the carriages. “The journey wasn’t too bad, I hope.”
“No, the journey was just fine,” Ambrose smirked, glancing back at Arianna with a smug look. “Though I believe I would like to freshen up.”
“Oh yes, of course! I’ve prepared five rooms in the east wing as you requested. The servants will lead you to them.”
Ambrose clapped the lord on the shoulder as he passed, following the tight-faced servants. Their eyes were blank, emotionless. I peered back at Ivara, wondering if she noticed, but her face revealed nothing as she quietly followed behind Ambrose.
Curling my hands into fists, I walked behind Ivara, studying the muscles along her back.
They were all so good at hiding their true selves.
I half-wondered if I would ever be able to learn to do that, to keep my opinions and my sentiments hidden behind masks and facades.
Though I’m sure they had years and years of practice.
I bit the inside of my cheek, letting my mind focus only on the pain.
The servants led us through halls with velvet carpets and scarlet drapes made of silk.
Painting after painting lined each of the walls until we finally reached the eastern wing.
The drapes changed from red to a navy blue outlined with golden threads.
Daelan’s room was first, followed by mine, Ivara’s, and Arianna’s, while Ambrose’s room was at the end of the hall.
Without waiting for the others, I stepped into my room and found navy-blue wallpaper with golden flowers staring back at me.
Unlike my suite in the Marble Palace, this was just one large room with the bed against the right wall, facing doors that led to the bathroom.
A servant carrying my bag walked up to the tall wooden armoire and set it inside.
I watched her closely, waiting for her to meet my gaze; however, she kept her eyes fixed on the wall behind me as she curtsied and quickly left the room.
Finally alone in the bedroom, I sat on the bench in front of the bed, my brows furrowed. The servants were so aloof, almost robotic in their actions.
I was just about to fall back onto the plush surface when my door opened, and Ivara walked into the room with her bag in hand. I stared up at her, unable to hide the surprise on my face.
“I’ve decided to sleep in here tonight,” she said, throwing her bag in the armoire with mine. Ivara turned and looked at me, her face pointed, as if to say, "Try to say no, and see what happens."
“Not a fan of the estate?” I asked, biting back my smile.
“No, I’ve never liked this place. Even as a child, its haunted halls felt foul.” Ivara wrinkled her nose and jumped into the bed, making herself right at home.
I breathed a laugh and shook my head. “Are we supposed to sit here until they call for us?”
“Something like that,” Ivara sighed as she relaxed further in the bed.
“We are supposed to take this time to change out of our travel clothes and settle ourselves. Speaking of changing, did you bring anything other than your uniform?” Her eyes drifted down my body and back up again, her face pinching.
“No, I figured this was fine,” I frowned, looking down at my black leathers. “I wasn’t told to bring anything else.”
“Good thing I brought extra then.” Giving me a wicked grin, Ivara jumped from the bed, taking her bag from the armoire.
She pulled out dress after dress, tossing them onto the bed.
Each ensemble was more elegant and risqué than the last. Picking a few from the bed, she held up each dress, eyeing them closely until her smile grew sharp. “Go change into this one.”
I grimaced, but took the dress from her, holding it out in front of me. “You want me to wear this?”