29. Chapter Twenty-Nine
29
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
ELODIE
S ettling back against the pillows, as the early morning light streamed down onto the grey sheets, it didn’t escape my notice that last night— for the first time in forever —had been dream free. And as I avoided the cold spots in the bed, I was also reminded that Kaius hadn’t spent the night.
As expected, I had nothing but time on my hands as I waited for the first knock of the day that would signal breakfast. I could feel the subtle shift of my magik that had become more obvious the longer I was here, and I knew I needed someone to teach me how to properly use it. I needed to find some control.
Leaning back, I closed my eyes and reached for it. The part that I could hold onto, shape. Mould to my will in the way I used to be able to.
Finding it, I pulled slightly—concentrating hard to force it to follow my directions. To move from place to place around my body as I willed it.
Starting small, I sent enough that small sparks flew over my fingers. It took more focus to keep them in control than when I had been fighting with Bastian, and before long I had to release it, allowing it to flow back through me.
Pulling again, a ball of energy formed in my chest, and I let it grow bigger and bigger until it became a painful knot of magik I needed to release. Straining against the pressure, I pushed it outwards, forcing it from my body.
In shock, I watched as a wave of magik poured from me to crash into the dresser, the drawers rattling and the stack of books tumbling to the floor, the vase and the flowers along with it. I froze, turning to the door expecting a guard to rush in, but when no one came, I let myself relax.
Didn’t really think that one through.
At the release of my power, a rush of energy flooded my body, flowing over my skin, and I breathed deep into the feeling. I ached to use it again, but it was risky without the control I knew I desperately needed. Sliding from the bed I picked up the books, lining them back up on the chest of drawers. Luckily the vase hadn’t smashed, the flowers as perfect as when Kaius had given them to me. Would they stay like this forever? I put them back, the growing dark patch of liquid spreading over the floor was now the only indication anything had happened.
The tall woman was once again setting a tray down on the table, the familiarity of it now strangely comforting. My fingers brushed over the pendant hidden under my top as I eyed the new stack of clothes she had brought, quietly eager to unfold them. I glanced up realising that she hadn’t left and was still standing in the room.
I should probably ask her name. I can’t call her Tall Woman forever.
I won’t be here forever, so it doesn’t matter what her name is.
Her eyes were on the vase of flowers on my dresser, and as I shifted they locked on to where I was tracing the outline of Kaius’ necklace. I looked away, not willing to risk the stability of my mind at this moment.
As I went to awkwardly thank her for breakfast, she spoke. “You will be taken to the gardens in an hour.”
“Why?” Taken aback by her words I asked with a frown, my fingers clenching around the emerald. The tall woman’s face warmed with a gentle smile that eased my worry a fraction.
“Because you can’t be kept in here all the time,” she said, a knowing look in her eyes as shock rippled through me. Had she heard the conversation with Bastian yesterday?
“Ok.” My brain offered me nothing more and she turned to leave.
“There’s no clock in here, how will I know when an hour’s been?” I blurted before she could reach the door.
“It would seem there isn’t.” And with skirts swishing, she left, leaving me staring at the space she had just occupied.
I was going outside.
Thoughts circled in rapid succession. Was this some sort of trick Bastian was behind? I was more than happy to spend some time outside under the sun, but would it come at a cost? I chewed at my lip as excitement and nerves warred within me. As my stomach rumbled, I glanced at the table. I’d eat first then figure this out, although I didn’t have much time to do so.
I picked at the pastries in front of me, my knee bouncing as I tried to keep track of the time in my head seeing as I hadn’t yet mastered the art of horology, and contemplated all the ways that this could go wrong. All the ways this could be a trap, but without all the information, I had no idea what sort of trap it could even be.
Did I want to leave this room? Fuck yes.
Was time spent not staring at that stupid fruit painting just what I needed? Also, fuck yes.
I silently lamented the absence of coffee, wondering if that would have helped me figure out any potential traps I was about to head into. Yet soon enough breakfast was over without a single sip of caffeine.
Knowing it was best to get ready sooner rather than later, I unfolded a long black dress that fell to my ankles, with a sizable slit up its side that would expose skin with every movement. With it was a quilted jacket that belted at my waist which I knew I would need if I was headed outside. I had Kaius’ jacket that I had slept in last night like a loser but this was probably better.
Dressing, I pulled on silky black underwear and thick socks that brushed my thighs. Glad that finally I had been given some proper shoes, ones with actual soles.
Killing time, I brushed my teeth and tied my hair into a messy bun, before perching on the end of the bed to nervously wait for the knock on the door. Who would it be that comes to get me this time? I was hoping it would be Kaius with him there was some chance of finding out more about this place.
It was nothing to do with his ridiculously beautiful face and large body full of tattoos that I wanted to lick all over.
Or the heady way my power reacted to him .
No, it was for the information.
For the millionth time my eyes trailed around the room as if this time it would reveal some hidden clue, some information that I needed. But no, this was just a bland room they were using to house their newest prisoner.
Being grateful I’m not in a dungeon doesn’t mean I don’t wish this wasn’t the way my life was right now.
The knock finally came, and the thought it could be the creepy guard from the other night had my hand hesitating on the handle. It came again, more insistent, and I drew in a breath as I opened the door. I released it in a whoosh, and my shoulders sagged in obvious relief as I took in the guard standing in front of me. It wasn’t the creeper, it was a regular guard.
Who was now looking at me like I was mental.
Fair play; that was a weird way for someone to open a door.
Belting the jacket tighter around me, I stepped out, waiting for him to lead the way. He continued to stare at me in confusion for a moment before starting off down the corridor, and I followed him through the grey stone hall.
As with every time before, the further we walked from my room, the grander it grew. Red carpet lined the floor, and gold adorned almost every surface from the skirting to the carved architrave that lined the ceiling.
Through the windows along one wall, I caught glimpses of the world outside. Instead of the gardens and forest I had spent hours looking at, the rolling green hills tipped white in frost had me pulling my jacket tighter.
The guard led me through a door and down the stone steps behind. Twisting round in a spiral, the stone walls enclosed me as I ran my fingers over the cold rock. The bottom led us to a small corridor which continued in one direction and another door stood in front of us which the guard pushed open. Light flooded in, and I shielded my eyes as they adjusted from the dark of the stairwell. Gesturing for me to go through, he closed the door the second my feet were out, and I whirled around to stare at the now firmly shut door.
I knew that being left alone meant there was absolutely no chance of escaping, and I sighed in quiet frustration before turning to inspect this new place.
Wide eyed I took in the beauty that lay before me, knowing I had made the right decision not to fight them on this. Boxed in on three sides by high stone walls, I was in a small, private courtyard. The walls rough walls tall enough there was no way I could climb over, despite the ropes of ivy and climbing flowers that had fused to it. Beneath the tangled greenery, I could make out lines scorched into the same design that had been etched into the palaces front doors.
Tipping my head back, I marvelled at the expanse of uninterrupted blue sky stretched above me. There was still a chill in the air, the braziers cast from flame-twisted metal that were dotted throughout the garden remained unlit, but the sun’s rays were warm enough on my skin. I had a feeling the height of the walls were the reason I wasn’t shivering my ass off.
It felt like a secret, intimate place.
A gentle burbling sound pulled my attention, reminding me there was more to look at. The floor consisted of small, smooth stones that snaked into pathways across the courtyard where flowers of all kinds bloomed in the spaces between, reaching high to greet the sun as I had.
An archway, also covered in ivy, served as an entrance to a garden beyond which a pool took up a wide section of space. Water tumbled from a stack of black rocks, causing ripples to move across its glossy surface. Soft clover grass lined its edge before it met with the stones.
Passing under the arch, I moved further along to an old oak bench, polished smooth with age and cocooned within a canopy of blood-red roses. Their thorny branches twined together, creating a solid roof until nothing but the tiniest beams of light could shine through.
Ducking inside, the echo of magik passed over my skin. It was soothing—a balm—and somehow, I knew this wasn’t a test. The cold bite of the wood seeped through my dress as I sat, the scent of roses heavy in the air I inhaled deeply, the smell pulling at something familiar within me just out of reach.
Hugging my jacket to me, I stayed in the quiet comfort of the thorny shade, fingers running along the worn oak, almost soft in its smoothness, wondering how many people must have sat here before me.
Where were they now? Who were they? This place was far too beautiful to be solely for the use of prisoners.
Leaving the shade, I headed back into the sun, continuing along the pathway as the flowers swayed towards me in a light breeze as if in greeting, tall stems bending gracefully my way. My fingers floated over them as I walked, a light dusting of pollen collecting on my skin.
Mostly hidden in tangles of ivy was a golden statue, of a man and woman wrapped in an embrace. It was seamless, its still-gleaming surface shining from under the mass of leaves.
It was hauntingly beautiful, a loneliness seeping from every stone. The once-neat patches of flowers grew wild and scattered in their abandonment. I felt as if I was the first person to step foot here in a long time.
And out of all the places they could have sent me, I was brought here. To this quiet, secret place.
Had Kaius arranged this?
Or the tall woman? Bastian?
My bark of laughter jarred the quiet peace of the garden, and small birds that had been hopping through the vines took flight. I very much doubted it was Bastian.
I sat down onto the grass at the edge of the pool and time slipped by as I watched ripples spread across the surface, each one breaking at the shore seconds before another joined. The gentle lapping of water and the almost warmth of the sun lulled me into a sense of relaxation I hadn’t felt since I’d been brought here.
My mind wandered to sunny days at home in my garden, sitting with a book and Titan stretched on the ground next to me.
For a moment, I let my heart ache for the chance to stroke his soft fur again, to look into his handsome face. I even missed having to sweep up the mountain of fur he moulted when summer came around. I allowed the pain of missing him, of missing Nanna, to flow through me, squeezing like a vice at my chest as tears tracked down my face. I didn’t stop them. It felt safe here to just feel, to give myself this moment alone with my pain with only the sky as a witness.
Soon the tears stopped, and I tilted my head back, allowing the sun to dry them and hide their evidence.
I doubted it would be much longer until they came for me. I should have bought a book; that Faerytale one would have been good—the encyclopaedia not so much. Plus, how was I supposed to explain that it just turned up in my bed out of nowhere? Then again, this place was full of magik so maybe that wasn’t so strange?
“Hello.” A gentle voice drifted from across the water and my heart jumped into my throat as I scrambled backwards, eyes darting wildly and magik surging through me—apparently now ready to use against this newfound threat.
How the fuck hadn’t I noticed anyone else was here?
Standing opposite me, the entire pool between us, was a woman I knew hadn’t been there earlier. Where would she have even been able to hide? My heart was still hammering away as I stared dumbfounded at her, unsure on what to do.
Had they dumped me in her garden?
Her skin was a rich brown, and large almond-shaped eyes only a shade lighter shone brightly, a slightly amused look filling her face as she watched me watching her. Black hair with a liberal amount of silvery grey strands was woven into hundreds of tiny plaits that reached down to her hips. She wore a long, light blue dress, and silver jewellery adorned her neck and wrist which contrasted beautifully against her skin. A ring was pierced through her nose and attached to a small chain that trailed over her face and connected to the large white gems that hung from her ears. The longer I looked at her as she glowed from across the water, the easier my heart settled, along with my magik.
“The guard brought me here. Sorry if this is your garden.” I was desperate to search this place for somewhere she could have come from but equally not wanting to take my eyes off her.
What were you supposed to say to the glowing woman who appeared from nowhere?
“It’s not,” she said right back, her voice smooth and calming.
Well, that’s… helpful.
I waited for more, but so did she.
“I think they will be back to get me soon,” I tried, and she only nodded, dark eyes roaming my face.
My initial fear was fast becoming replaced with the need to remove myself from this awkward situation.
Slowly I stood, and as she took a step forward, power skipped inside me, as unsure as I was whether she was friend or foe. I was suddenly and pointlessly glad I was wearing shoes with real soles, though it wouldn’t help me remotely. This woman screamed magik and having sensible footwear wasn’t exactly going to tip the scales in my favour.
I could feel the waves of her energy pulsing in the air. I wasn’t sure she was even doing anything, but it seemed to spill from her, floating across the pond until it brushed against me.
It was then I noticed she hadn’t been standing on the other side of the water, she had been standing in the water. Long dress flowing seamlessly with the liquid that rippled from her, the glow emanating from her growing more erratic the longer she looked at me.
Surely she couldn’t have just popped up out the water? I’d like to think I would have noticed that happening, even if I was busy drowning in my own sadness at the time.
She didn’t even look wet?
It’s either that or she flew over the wall like a human bat, which wasn’t a comforting thought, either.
“I’ve been wondering how long it would take before I got to see you.”
Cryptic.
“To see me?”
“Mmm,” she replied. “I’ve been waiting a while.”
“Waiting for me?” I repeated stupidly.
Who was this woman?
“Yes, for you.” She took another step forward, braids swishing as the water responded to her movement, the calm ripples of the water mirroring my quieting pulse.
“Right.” I mentally crossed my fingers hoping I wasn’t about to be kidnapped again by this water lady. It would be a pain to change things up just yet. “And you are?”
“I have many names.” Another step through the water. “But you call me Dalila.”
The name crashed into me with a familiarity so strong, I reeled. It flooded my mind in a wave before it crashed into barriers, hitting places even the force of this tsunami couldn’t penetrate. But with it came the knowledge that this woman in front of me was someone to trust, someone who would protect me. I took a step towards her, my feet hitting the edge of the water, my arm half raised in her direction—the lines by her eyes deepened as she beamed at me.
Water lapped at my foot, soaking my shoes, breaking the iron clad certainty I had felt, and I jolted backwards, my arm dropping back to my side.
Mentally screaming at myself as I realised what I was about to do, I felt as though my mind was trapped in a fog. There was a connection that stretched between us but none of that made sense. I didn’t know this woman; I’d never seen her before in my life.
I was pretty sure I would have remembered meeting a glowing water lady before.
“I don’t know you,” I breathed. I didn’t, couldn’t.
Her head tilted slightly to the side, assessing me. “Perhaps not.”
“Then why can I feel this?” My fingers hovered over my chest where that feeling of familiarity settled.
“Who’s to say, Carita.” Her mouth twisted into a wry grin and her energy leapt over her skin.
Carita. What did that mean?
I opened my mouth to ask, but the door to the courtyard banged open, and I twisted to see the guard appear in the doorway.
“Time’s up,” he grunted.
My head whipped to the water lady, and I stumbled back as my eyes landed on nothing. There was no trace of her except the slightly elevated ripples that were spreading out across the pond. My mouth gaped as I turned back to the guard in utter disbelief, ready to ask if he had seen anything. But as his eyebrows furrowed, I closed my mouth with a snap. He already thought I was a weirdo. I didn’t need to give him any more ammunition.
Blinking away my confusion, I slowly headed back towards the palace, checking behind every few steps until I got through the door. I hardly noticed the journey as I followed the guard, who seemed keen to get me back to my room as quickly as he could, my mind filled with thoughts of the woman. With yet more questions that I had no one to ask. It wasn’t like I could look up ‘disappearing water lady’ in the encyclopaedia.
Maybe I was losing my mind?
No, she was definitely real, and I wanted some answers.