25. Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Five
Astrid
After days on the road, I can’t handle the grime and sweat that cakes me from the dungeons and sleeping in the woods. I take my time, letting the water warm under my hand before I step inside. The water at my feet turns brown as I wash the remnants of the journey from my body.
So much has happened in the past few days, it makes my head spin. The plague is worsening, Erik is gone, I can’t go home. My chest becomes heavy as I try to take deep breaths and stay calm. I don’t know anything about this world. Now I’m just here, with my sister who isn’t even willing to try to fight and is the reason Erik is dead. His name hits my heart like a stone hitting glass. I lose myself in the wave of grief that passes over me. I crouch on the floor of the shower letting the drain swallow the tears. We trained together every day, and I’m never going to see him again.
His face shifts to Reyna, her laughter. Spending time in our secret garden, teaching her how to fight as well as I do. The tears fall harder until they stop coming completely. It takes me a few minutes to catch my breath, to shove my grief away so I can get off the floor. I shut the water off and wrap a fluffy white towel around my shoulders. The mirror is fogged over, and I’m thankful I don’t have to look at myself.
I emerge from the bathroom in a cloud of steam, running to my room to throw on... I close the door to my room behind me, dropping the towel as I consider. I was going to root around for the night gown I packed away, but I’m not in Demendia anymore. What am I supposed to wear to bed now? I move to the dresser against one of the walls. The top-drawer glides open revealing socks. The next drawer is some skimpy underwear. Finally, nestled within the third drawer from the top, I find a pair of gray sweatpants, and a loose black shirt that doesn’t cover my belly button.
“She hasn’t come back yet?” I ask the curled-up form on the couch walking into the living room as unease curls in my stomach. What if Effie abandoned us? She doesn’t owe me anything, there’s no blood shared between us. What if she decided we weren’t worth the trouble and left us to be caught? The thoughts run circles through my mind.
“Not yet, she’s still gone.” Embla lifts her head from the couch, breaking her attention to the screen in front of her. I wait another hour as I try to plan out what I would do next without my friend. Embla calls it a night before heading to bed, her eyes droop as she shuffles off.
Effie said not to leave the room, but if I’m scared for her safety, I’m sure she’ll understand. Em won’t be going anywhere with how tired she is. Quickly, I pull on my boots as I make up my mind. I poke my head into the hallway before entering it completely. The door to the room thuds loudly behind me. I pat my pockets, double checking I remembered to put my room key in my pocket before slipping my socks and boots back on. The ends of my nerves tingle at the silence that seems all consuming. I walk the couple of steps to the elevator, and laughter swells from one of the other rooms. I can’t get caught, if someone finds out I’m not fae I don’t know what they’ll do. Loud thumping music plays from somewhere deep on the floor. My heart is pounding by the time the elevator dings open. I press the button for the lobby repeatedly trying to get it to close as fast as I can.
The lobby that was once brightly lit is now dim. Small flames flicker from a handful of lit candles that trail down the floor leading to a corridor. Curiosity urges me forward, awareness prickling the back of my neck the closer I get to the thumping music. Panic slices through me, freezing me in place. I try to squash my curiosity and force myself to turn back, but it only grows more persistent until I give in.
Every candle I pass elevates the anxiety that flutters in my stomach. The lit candles trail through the corridor and down a hallway until they end in front of two large double doors that stand open. A lump forms in my throat, and my feet feel like they weigh tons. I consider turning around, maybe I should go back to the room. Looking for Effie was a dumb idea.
Moans come from the room, and what sounds like the slap of skin on skin. Why would they be fighting? If they’re having some kind of training tonight, I want to be involved. I would kill to learn a new fighting style. I square my shoulders, unwilling to let myself feel the fear that threatens me before I press up against the door inching closer to see. Wholly unprepared for what I feast my eyes on, my mouth dropping with a quick inhale.
Their room is larger than even King Daemon’s throne room. A small market could fit in here and there would still be room. The marble floor is covered in blood red fur rugs, rose petals are scattered everywhere. Eight circular beds take up most of the space, interspersed with couches and a black round table sits in the middle. A centerpiece of red roses and a bowl of red berries are centered on the table. Sixteen silhouetted bodies pick berries out of the bowl before their hands raise to their mouths. A light shines from them and they turn to the beds.
The dark velvet beds are writhing with activity, moans of pleasure escape all the beds except for one. I realize that most of the light in the room comes from the fae in the beds. Every person in the room is naked and wrapped around another except one.
A woman from the curves of her shadow, leads three men to one of the beds. She pulls one into a deep kiss while the others press themselves against her, kissing her skin slowly, and I can’t help imagining how it would feel to have a tongue caress me like that. I can’t stop the want that starts to build low in my stomach. The woman is tossed on the bed as the men bend her over, worshiping her with their tongues until they glow, joining the other beds and illuminating the room.
With the extra light, I can make out Effie sitting on one of the couches. She alternates a sip of wine with a berry as she watches the scene of debauchery around her with minimal interest. She stands in a fluid motion, full of grace that leaves me awestruck. She leaves her long-stemmed glass on the table before she claims people from other beds. The two chosen rise—a man and a woman—pulling them from their pleasure, still glowing, as she leads them to the only empty bed.
Effie shoves the man onto the bed before straddling his hips. My heart starts to pound in my ears, I shouldn’t be watching this but I can’t seem to get myself to turn away. Her head falls back as she sinks down onto his shaft. I gasp, slapping a hand over my mouth so I don’t interrupt, but I don’t think they can hear me over their current activities. I know about sex but the fear of Demendia lingers in my bones. I know the punishment for premarital sex. I’ve seen it, and recently. I need to get out of here. Effie places a hand on the man’s chest as he tries to sit up and he lays back again. The other female fae straddles his face, before locking lips with Effie. The fae that took up the other beds walk to Effie’s. With each fae that joins, the light of the bed glows brighter until I can no longer make out what is happening.
I can’t watch anymore, my longing becoming near unbearable as the light grows even brighter before squeezing my eyes shut. I flatten myself against the open door and slide out before opening my eyes, the dim hallway pitch black as I pray I haven’t gone blind. I can’t deny the want that blazes inside of me, the want to be touched by another. I rub my thighs together wishing for some relief. Shame creeps up the back of my neck making my hair stand on end bringing with it a flush. I can’t stop the images of the fae from running through my mind. Fear and panic replace my longing as my heart picks up speed, threatening to burst from my chest. I dash back to the lobby. I need to get away.
I take off running down the hall, I should’ve heeded Effie’s earlier warning to stay in the safety of the room. I stumble into the lobby, stopping only to breathe in the dark silence. My heartbeat slows with each breath I take.
I don’t know how long I sit in the lobby taking deep calming breaths until I hear the chatter of voices from the room. They get louder as those involved head back to their rooms. I can’t be caught here. If Effie finds me, I’m scared that will be the end of her help.
I flee before I can be caught. Racing through the hotel like a dog with my tail tucked between my legs. When I get back to the motel room, I slam the door behind me sinking to the floor and rest the back of my head against it. My eyes shut as I release a breath.