Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Joy
Ari's demand that I perform like a trained dog struck a nerve. I wanted to slap that smirk right off his face. But the way the courtiers and queen looked at me—with such dismissive doubt, as if a dirty half-blood couldn't possibly possess real power—made my anger burn hotter.
I thought of Enzo. If I wanted to escape this place and get back to him, I had to play their game.
I took a deep breath and reached for my power. My chest fluttered and tingles moved through me, growing stronger and stronger. I held my palms up, calling to the shadows lurking in the corners of the great hall. They responded eagerly, flowing toward me like dark water.
I flashed her a devious smile that made her shaking hand fly to her throat protectively.
With a flick of my wrist, I flung the shadows toward the massive crystal chandeliers overhead.
The darkness slid around them like serpents, setting the heavy fixtures swaying.
Courtiers gasped and ducked as crystal chimes rang out and chains groaned under the strain.
The guards immediately surrounded the queen, flanking her throne and raising their swords defensively above her head.
Queen Alanna’s eyes widened and her face paled as her gaze fell on me.
Her disdain for me had vanished, replaced by genuine fear.
One of the guards broke from formation, his boots echoing against the marble as he approached.
My pulse quickened. His hand went to the hilt of his sword, fingers wrapping around it with practiced ease.
The blade sang as it cleared the scabbard, polished metal gleaming in the palace light. “Stop this dark magic.”
I was through with being intimidated. My anger exploded outward. Shadows erupted around his blade like black flames, ripping the weapon from his grip and hurling it upward. The sword struck the vaulted ceiling with a resounding clang, its point embedding deep in the ancient stone.
The guard stared at his hands, then backed away rapidly. I wasn’t the scared little mouse he thought I was. This mouse had razor-sharp teeth.
Ari grabbed my arm. “Stop, you fool.”
I turned to face him, shadows writhing around my feet. Fury and satisfaction carried inside me. For once, I had the upper hand and wasn’t going to let Ari beat me down again. “You wanted them to see my power. This is what it looks like.”
He narrowed his eyes as his fingernails lengthened. “Don’t make me hurt you.”
Blood thundered against my ears. I’d just thrown a sword into the ceiling—let him try to intimidate me now.
Queen Alanna held up her palm. “Enough. You’ve made your point, Ari.”
Ari released me. The courtiers and soldiers had backed away, leaving a path back to the double doors. I again thought about escaping, but where would I go? It’s not like I knew how to get back to my world, back to Enzo.
Panic suddenly moved through me like ice water. I could only open the portal with Marsha’s spell.
Ari straightened and bowed slightly to the queen. “I have a proposition for you, Your Majesty. One that I would like to speak privately with you about.”
“Absolutely not, my queen,” the guard next to her said, his hand moving to his sword hilt. “It’s much too dangerous.”
Queen Alanna tapped one perfectly manicured finger against her chin, studying Ari with shrewd eyes.
“I will consider your offer and will see you in my private chamber. But first…” Her gaze swept over my torn dress and dirt-stained skin with obvious distaste.
“Make this girl more presentable. A creature with such power shouldn’t be dressed in shambles. ”
My hands clenched into fists. Creature. The word burned in my ears. I wasn’t some animal to be groomed for her amusement. Being reduced to property again brought back memories I’d tried to bury—memories of being bought and sold. I’d escaped that once. I wouldn’t let it happen again.
Every inch of her screamed privilege—from her spotless gown to her perfect posture—while she looked at me as if I was there to cater to her every desire. Not a chance in hell.
She arched one eyebrow at Ari. “Or do you not know how to treat your pets?”
Heat flared in my chest. “Pets?” I gritted my teeth and glared at her. “I’m not his pet.”
I wanted to refuse her offer out of pure spite, but I’d been wearing this dress for what seemed like days. The fabric clung to my skin with sweat and grime, and I could smell myself. As much as I hated to admit it, I desperately needed clean clothes.
She waved her hand dismissively. “Guards escort…” She paused, frowning slightly. “What was your name again?”
I held my head up high. “Joy DuPont.”
“Ari, you look like you should freshen up as well.”
“If that’s what you would like.” Ari nodded stiffly. His words didn’t match the coldness in his eyes.
I hid a smile. Obviously he didn’t like to be told he was unkempt. I wasn’t sure if he actually was, but I suspected the queen wanted to poke holes in his arrogance—and I was enjoying every second of it.
“It is,” the queen said with obvious satisfaction.
She rose from her throne and sauntered to a set of double doors directly behind her chair. Her guards stepped aside to let her pass as she disappeared through the doorway to her private chambers.
Just like that? She was leaving? Frustration burned through me.
I was tempted to unleash my power again, make these courtiers see me as something to be feared rather than entertainment.
But that's exactly what Ari would do—use fear and violence to control people. I wouldn't become a monster like him.
Meanwhile, other guards approached Ari and me, clearly intending to escort us in the opposite direction—back across the great hall toward the main entrance. Maybe if I pretended to be docile, they would let their guard down, just enough for me to use my shadows to escape.
Once we went through the double doors, the guards escorted us down a long corridor lined with elaborate tapestries.
Some depicted mythical creatures I recognized—harpies, unicorns, centaurs.
One showed a beast I'd never seen before: a creature with a lion's head and a dragon's body.
I wondered if such things actually existed in this realm.
If I did escape, I hoped I wouldn't face one. I wasn't sure my shadows could defeat it.
About halfway down the luxurious corridor, a guard opened a door for me. “Don’t think of using your powers. If anything happens to me and I don’t come through the portal with the queen and her army, Enzo dies. Do you understand me?” Ari asked.
I fought back tears. “Yes.”
“Good. Servants will come to attend you. Don't think of escaping—there will be a guard outside your door."
I walked past him into the massive bedroom. The door shut behind me with a soft click.
Finally alone. The silence felt almost foreign after the throne room's oppressive attention. I had a moment of peace to think about my next moves—though with my shadows bound, those options were painfully few.
It looked like something from a medieval castle—all dark wood and rich fabrics that spoke of old-world luxury.
A four-poster bed dominated the center of the room, its carved mahogany frame reaching nearly to the vaulted ceiling.
Heavy burgundy curtains with gold trim hung from each post, tied back with silk cords to reveal crisp white linens beneath.
Tall windows lined one wall, their diamond-paned glass offering a view of manicured gardens below.
Thick tapestries covered the stone walls, depicting hunting scenes and pastoral landscapes in jewel tones.
A massive stone fireplace took up most of the far wall, its mantel carved with intricate roses and thorns that seemed to writhe in the flickering light from the hearth.
Persian rugs covered the cold stone floor, their deep blues and golds complementing the room's rich color scheme.
An ornate writing desk sat near the windows, complete with an inkwell and quill, while a velvet-upholstered chair beckoned from beside the fireplace.
Even the door I'd entered through was a work of art—heavy oak studded with iron and carved with symbols I didn't recognize.
Despite its beauty, the room felt like a gilded cage. Luxurious, yes, but still a prison.
A large oval mirror stood against one wall, and I flinched when I caught sight of my reflection.
No wonder the queen had looked at me with such disgust. I looked like I'd crawled out of a chimney.
My hair hung in greasy tangles around my face, dark circles shadowed my eyes, and dirt wasn't just smeared on my arms and legs—it streaked across my cheeks and forehead like war paint.
The door opened with a whisper of hinges.
I whirled around. A single girl slipped inside, her gray servant’s dress too thin for the chill that lingered in the stone room.
She moved with quiet precision, head bowed.
Her black hair, braided smooth as midnight and gleaming in the dim light, hung neatly down her back.
“I am Brynn. I have been ordered to attend you.” When she glanced up, my breath caught.
Her skin was pale, almost luminous, and her lips were a startling, natural red—like a drop of blood on snow. Beautiful, haunting…wrong for this place.
She flicked her gaze over me, taking in every detail, before she lowered her head again.
“Oh my.” Her voice was soft, careful. “The guards weren’t exaggerating. You truly are…a sight. And you were presented to the queen looking like this?”
My spine stiffened, heat prickling my skin. “Didn't really have a choice.” I crossed my arms defensively. "Ari the Dark Demon dragged me here."
Her head tilted slightly, though her expression didn’t change. “Ari the Dark Demon?” she repeated, her tone neutral.
“You’ve never heard of him?”
She gave the smallest shake of her head. “No. Should I have?”
I bit back a laugh that Ari’s reputation hadn’t made it down to the servants. He wasn’t as popular or fearless as he thought he was. “I’m not sure.”
Something about the pause before her answer nagged at me, but before I could press, she dipped into a small curtsy, retreating toward the door.
“I will prepare your bath,” she said, voice steady and calm, though her hands clenched tightly in her skirts as if to hide their trembling. She opened the door and gestured for me to go inside.
The bathroom was even more luxurious than the bedroom, if that was possible.
A massive clawfoot tub dominated the center of the space, its porcelain surface gleaming white against the black-and-gold marble floor.
The tub was easily large enough for me to stretch out completely, with ornate brass fixtures that had been polished to a mirror shine.
To one side stood a walk-in shower that could easily accommodate five people.
Its walls were lined with the same veined marble as the floor, and a wide bench ran along one side, upholstered in what looked like waterproof velvet.
Multiple shower heads jutted from the walls at different heights, promising a rainfall experience from every angle.
The double vanity stretched along the far wall, its dark wood matching the bedroom furniture.
Twin sinks were carved from single pieces of marble, their golden fixtures catching the light from an elaborate crystal chandelier overhead.
Thick, plush towels in deep burgundy hung from racks, and an array of perfumes and oils sat arranged on silver trays.
Floor-to-ceiling mirrors reflected the opulence back at me, making the already enormous space feel infinite. Even the smallest details screamed wealth—from the mother-of-pearl inlays in the cabinet handles to the fresh flowers arranged in crystal vases.
I ran my fingers along the cool marble, torn between appreciation and resentment. It was beautiful, undeniably, but it felt wrong to enjoy anything in this place, not with Enzo trapped in vines and possibly dying.
Brynn turned on the water, adding drops of oil that filled the air with a soft, floral scent—jasmine and lavender mingling in a way that made my tense muscles loosen despite myself.
I cleared my throat, suddenly self-conscious. “I can take a shower.”
A small, almost secretive smile curved her lips. “You need to soak to get all that dirt off you.”
I gave her a smirk. “So you want me to sit in my own filth?”
“Come now,” she murmured, glancing at the door as if afraid someone might be listening. “The queen will send for you soon. You don’t want to disappoint her.”
I caught the tremor in her voice. “What happens if you disappoint her?”
Brynn hesitated, then dipped her fingers into the water. “She’ll order the executioner to cut off your head…” Her eyes lifted, haunted. “Or she’ll lock you in the dungeon.” She gave me a sad look. “Neither fate is pleasant. Don’t make her angry.”
Damn. If I could escape from here, could I protect myself?
Even if I could, what about Enzo? I had to go along with Ari’s plan for now until I could figure out how to escape, go through the portal, and save Enzo.
There had to be a way. But for now, I had to watch and wait for the right opportunity. “I think I’ve already done that.”
“Perhaps.” Brynn’s voice dropped to a whisper. “But she hasn’t ordered your death, which means either she fears you or she has plans for you.”
Chills gripped my trembling bones. Executioner or dungeon—neither would get me back to Enzo. But if the queen had plans for me, maybe that meant I was valuable enough to keep alive.
At least long enough to find a way out of this nightmare.