37. Chapter Thirty-Seven
37
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
ELODIE
D espite the chaos of the last few days, I was certain I was slowly losing my mind. My only options for entertainment were reading from the two books even remotely interesting, or staring out my window in desperation for something to happen that would distract me from my current dire situation.
There were times where I was almost positive I could see patches of the vast forest bend and shake as if something within was shoving them aside, but then I’d blink, and my eyes would fail to pinpoint exactly what section of green tree I had been looking at.
I also could have sworn I’d seen strange little creatures running through the flower beds, weaving in and out of the bright blooms. The harder I tried to see, the more those things slipped away.
How could I be a prisoner locked in a room whilst also feeling a sense of peace so complete I felt it in my soul? I felt it in the rush of power that ran through my body, and I saw it in the glow of my eyes that had all but abandoned me in recent years. It was in the relief of nights spent sleeping instead of tossing from dreams intent on puncturing their claws into my subconscious.
Are you really a prisoner if you can open the door of your prison?
But here I was, in a room I couldn’t really leave. In a palace I had never heard of. In a place I was sure I wouldn’t be able to locate on a map.
I had been kidnapped, attacked. Only two days ago I had assisted in someone’s death, and while I was no closer to finding a way home, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to leave yet even if I did.
I was a walking contradiction.
Stretching lazily under the sheets, I had hoped for something to break the monotony of my time. But right now, I wanted to lay here and not move or think until breakfast arrived, because filling my time was getting harder and harder.
Fingers brushing against the pendant laying on my chest, the ghost of Kaius’ magik zapped across them, and I tucked myself into a ball as I remembered how he had looked when I’d seen him yesterday. That bone deep tiredness that weighed heavy on your shoulders.
What happened wasn’t his fault, I knew that . But the part of me that was hurting and licking her wounds wanted someone to blame.
Someone to direct her anger towards in order to feel that little bit better. There wasn’t much I could do now other than pick unnecessary fights with people who were much more powerful than me, and that would just lead to me being put on my arse.
Maybe there was a gym here, then I could find a punching bag. The place was big enough and from the muscles on everyone here, there had to be somewhere they were working out. At the very least, it would kill some time.
Things must be desperate if I’m willing to fill my time with exercise.
The deal Bastian had offered me sat heavy on my mind. Books. I wasn’t naive enough to believe that any book brought to me would help me escape, he would make sure of that. There was every possibility the prince was now going to pick out my new reading material, and that filled me with dread as I rolled over, groaning into my pillow.
Kaius’ rich earthy scent of cedar had long since worn away from the sheets. A spike of disappointment shot through me. I doubted he would be coming to my room any time soon.
Not that it matters, I’ll be out of here soon enough and can forget about all of this.
There was an ache in my heart as I acknowledged that a part of me, maybe the part that sat next to the one licking its wounds, didn’t want to leave.
Not leave forever.
To go home, yes, but I had found something that I needed with every fibre in me to understand, and I had the feeling the only place I could do that was here. Letting my fingers close around the pendant, I waited for the knock that signalled the arrival of breakfast. Hoping— again —that I would finally get my hands on some coffee.
Maybe that was what I should of asked for.
Predictably it came and I reluctantly left the warmth of my bed, I crossed to the door, and with a touch of my fingers to the wood, found Alouette leaning against the frame. A tray of pastries was balanced on one hand and a smirk on her face, huge knives still strapped to her waist. Before I even had a chance to say hello, she came into the room, door swinging shut behind her as she set the breakfast on the table, pulled out a chair and settled into it.
“Well, good morning to you, too,” I said, a smiling as I sat in a second chair, reaching for the food she had brought.
“No time for good mornings, Killer.” Yet another nickname I’d been adorned with.
“I didn’t kill him, you know,” I said quietly, frowning slightly at the floor.
“Maybe not this one.” My eyes darted up, meeting her pale green eyes lined with thick lashes.
“I thought you’d be ready to go, not lounging around in bed.” Breaking the contact, she nodded to the pyjamas I was wearing, my hair still crumpled from sleep.
“Go where?” Grateful for the change in subject, I broke off some of the croissant I was holding, equally intrigued and nervous about wherever it was she would be taking me.
“I hear you’re the one making demands of princes these days, surely you already know.” Alouette teased, picking up a croissant from the plate with long fingers, which for a second looked as if they were tipped with sharp claws, but with the next blink they were normal once again.
“I’m hardly in a position to be making demands now, am I?” I replied, gesturing to the room I was held in and remembering how much I had gotten out of any request I had made. That would equal ‘ not a lot’ .
“Did you, or did you not, ask for books?” She took a bite from the cooling pastry, and I could have sworn I caught a glimpse of pointed teeth.
“Yes,” I answered, heart skipping in hope at where she was headed with this. “But it doesn’t look like you’ve brought any with you.”
“Thought you might like to pick your own, since I doubt we have the same tastes.” She shrugged, taking another bite, eyes shining with mischief as excitement bubbled within me.
“You’re serious?” I asked in slight disbelief.
“Best hurry up and get ready.” The door to the bathroom opened as she flicked her hand towards it.
I rammed the rest of my croissant into my mouth before rushing to the bathroom to get washed and changed in record time, before realising I had nothing to wear apart from what I had slept in.
Opening the door to the tiny bathroom, I went to say as such, when a ball of fabric was tossed my way. Calling out a muffled thanks, I dressed quickly in the black leggings and fitted top. A thick red cardigan that brushed my calves was a comfortable addition.
Reluctant to waste time detangling my hair, I pulled the white strands up into a messy pile on the top of my head before opening the door in time to see Alouette polish off the last croissant. I didn’t care when the prospect of getting my hands on some books, that I chose , was in reach.
I slipped my feet into the shoes at the door, eager to get out of this room, but I didn’t let myself focus on the fact that Big Man had stuck to his word—that I could be getting something I asked for.
Alouette stood as I reached for the door. It opened, allowing me to see a guard stationed outside, older than any I’d seen so far, and who hadn’t been there a few minutes ago. His salt-and-pepper hair was cropped short, and lines creased the corners of his dark eyes as they met mine, deep gouges pulling his mouth into a frown. I took a wary step back.
“It’s fine, he’s one of mine.” She nodded her head towards him, and I noticed the similarity in their uniform. “That’s Old Roger, he doesn’t say much, but he’s handy to have around.”
The guard frowned at her, forehead creasing as we moved into the hall. Like Alouette, his clothing consisted of all black everything, and belts crossed his torso that held two guns at his hips. He folded his arms over his chest as we passed, and like Alouette said, he didn’t say much.
“Why is he outside? I thought you were so kindly appointed as my guard?” I asked, as I followed her lead.
“I am. He’s just there to guard the door while we’re away.”
“He doesn’t look very pleased about that.”
“Oh, he’s not,” she said, a grin pulling at her lips. “But, he’ll do as he’s told.”
“He will?” We turned another corner, and the red carpet thickened under my feet. The grey stone walls were bare here, with only the occasional window present where I could see a glimpse of the vast forest that lay outside my room. The flames flickered and pulsed as we passed by them, casting patterns across our faces.
“Of course he will. I am the boss after all.” She turned to me with a wink.
“You’re the boss?”
“Don’t give me that look. Yes, I’m the boss.”
“Whose boss?”
“ The boss.”
I rolled my eyes at her, and she nudged me with her elbow. The dense crop of trees still flicked past through the windows as we walked along. The sky was clear and blue and for a moment, I thought how nice it would be to sit in the courtyard by the pool and feel the sun. A flash of slick hair and groping hands threatened my mind, and I sucked in a breath before hurriedly continuing the conversation.
“The boss of who?”
“Many people.”
“Why does no one here answer my questions?”
“Why do you ask so many?”
“Because I know fuck all about this place!” I huffed in irritation as I caught the smile that curved her lips.
“Go on then, what do you want to know?”
“Honestly, there’s too much.” My mind going blank was highly inconvenient, so I started with the question that was even irritating me with the number of times I’d asked it.
“You still don’t know why I’m here?”
“Nope. Not my job to know.”
No surprises there.
“What exactly is your job?”
“I’m a General,” she answered as we turned down a corridor, and the windows were replaced by smooth stone inlaid with golden filigree designs that stretched out ahead of us.
“You’re a General!” My brows rose as I looked over at her, eyeing the belt of wickedly sharp knives that lined the front of her uniform.
“Don’t let my feminine charm fool you. I’m deadly.” Alouette’s smile was all predator.
“Believe me. I wasn’t fooled,” I muttered.
“That’s good then, wouldn’t like to think I was losing my touch.”
“Definitely not. If you’re a General, then why are you my guard?”
“Gets boring being the big boss sometimes. I like to branch out in my line of work.”
I rolled my eyes at her again. “You mean Bastian forced you into this.”
She barked out a laugh. “Prince Blondie has no authority over me. I work for the Commander.”
That surprised me. I had the impression that Big Man had the run of the land here. Looks like that wasn’t so… maybe that could help me.
“The Commander? The one everyone shits their pants at the mention of?”
“The very same.”
“So, he sent you to be my guard.” I frowned, wondering why this Commander would be handing over his General.
“Don’t be silly.” She laughed, the gold lacing the walls beginning to weave together thicker, the flame lights casting us in a warm glow. “I volunteered.”
“What? Why would you do that?”
“You deserve to feel safe, so I figured I’d be the best one to achieve that right now.”
She was right, I did feel safe with her, and I had done since the moment she walked into that bloodied corridor, eyes passing over the body on the floor like it was nothing but a scuff on the stones. My heart swelled with gratitude at this woman who owed me nothing yet was going out of her way to help.
“Tell me about the Commander.” I was yet to meet this terrifying man, and I was more than a little intrigued.
“What would you like to know?”
“Is he really as scary as everyone makes out?”
“Scarier,” she said, widening her eyes comically at me. I nudged her with my hip, and she laughed before continuing.
“The Commander is… powerful.” I watched as she considered what to say. “Like really fucking powerful. There’s practically no one who could go up against him and win.”
“In the palace?” I asked, now glad that I hadn’t yet met him.
“No, Killer, in all the Kingdoms. I’ve seen him do things I didn’t even know anyone but the goddesses themselves would be able to do.” I could see the reverence and respect in her eyes as she spoke about him. None of what she said made much sense to me, but I remembered what Kaius had said about royalty holding more power than most others.
“Is he royalty then, like Kaius and Bastian?”
“He’d wipe the floor with those shitheads if they stood against him.” Her mouth twitched with a smile as she walked, seemingly lost in a memory. “He’s also really fucking grumpy most of the time and could kill me with his little finger, so don’t tell him I’ve been gossiping.”
I nodded and we continued in silence, our footsteps echoing as the golden patterns twisted over walls that had changed gradually to a dark grey.
“Now, you answer my question.” Alouette’s voice broke the quiet.
“Ok,” I agreed, unsure what she could possibly want to know from me.
“When you’re in there, looking at books . What is it you’re really looking for?”
I swallowed past the lump her words had lodged in my throat. Could I tell her?
The way she was looking at me now—as if she already knew my plans—was unsettling, but honestly, anyone who was being held against their will would be trying to find a way home, wouldn’t they? And that is what I was trying to do, wasn’t I?
Seconds passed between us. “A way home.”
“Are you sure about that?” Her pale eyes bore into mine as if with a mere look she could burrow into my brain.
We came to a stop as a black wooden door loomed ahead of us, golden studs pressed into it in an intricate pattern which all the gold from the walls seemed to flow into. I opened my mouth to attempt an answer, when she put a finger to her lips and pushed it open. A thick silence crept into the hall, almost clinging to my body as the distinct smell of books found me, and without a second thought, I stepped through.