16. Layers of Armour
Chapter sixteen
Layers of Armour
T he sound of a key turning in the lock yanked Solveig from her sleep. Her hand dived beneath the pillow for a dagger that was nowhere to be found. In all that had happened the previous day, she had let it slip her mind that her weapons were yet to be returned to her. She couldn’t be in this castle, let alone in this city, without them. Years ago, she’d had the protection of Aldrik, and even when she lost him, people steered clear. But now? She didn’t know who or what could be lurking beyond the next corner and needed to be ready for anything. Especially if she had fifty disgruntled families on her tail from her exploits at Luxenal.
“Ma’am?” a voice called from the doorway. The surrounding room lit suddenly with the blue light of elemental flame. Solveig eyed the woman at the door, someone she had never seen before. She was young, with deep red hair that appeared almost purple in the flames light.
“And you are?”
“Teris, ma’am, your ladies’ maid.”
“Whose servant were you before mine?”
“I was with the prince; I have worked in the castle for six months now.”
“You have a strange accent. Where do you call home?” Suspicion roiled in her gut. No one had mentioned a maid to her.
“Apologies, ma’am, but now is not the time for chatter. You’re expected at the temple within the hour. I’m to help you dress and escort you downstairs.” Solveig eyed Teris as she flitted about the room. Her words were too proper, her appearance too healthy, to be a pauper desperate enough to go into service at the castle.
“Shall I have them prepare breakfast in your sitting room, ma’am?” Teris asked after she finished preparing the bath.
“No, the table by the chaise will do,” Solveig said, too quickly to be natural, causing Teris to shoot her a quizzical look.
“Very well. Do you require help in the bathing chamber, or shall I set out some clothes for you?”
“The clothes please,” Solveig stated as she walked toward the other room, locking the door behind her.
After a quick bath in warm lotus flower scented water, Solveig reopened the door to find a screen covering the entrance. A dress hung over it, under things placed on the ottoman to the side. Quickly, she slipped the items on, grateful that Teris had opted for practicality and comfort.
They rolled in breakfast as Teris tied Solveig’s hair in a simple knot at the base of her neck, a few wisps left out to frame her face. Solveig stared at her appearance in the mirror. She may not have been a prisoner at Luxenal, but it had taken its toll on her, regardless. Looking good to Solveig was akin to donning another layer of armour, but she had left all her cosmetics behind at the mine. They would need to be replaced quickly, along with a much-needed haircut.
She sipped on sweetened lavender and honey milk coffee as she chewed a few scant pieces of fruit, having no interest in the overly sugared pastries. Two years of basic rations at the mine and she’d lost much of her appetite for the fancier delicacies favoured by the rest of her family. The lavender and honey milk coffee, however, was an imported delicacy from Farrenhold that she had sorely missed.
“Ma’am, the carriage is waiting.”
Solveig turned in her chair to see Teris holding a large box. Her eyes narrowed.
“Your mother has requested you wear this.” Teris lifted the lid to reveal a thin golden circlet lying atop plush green velvet. Solveig rolled her eyes. She should have known; gold was the family signature. They couldn’t have her walking round completely devoid of it. Teris placed the circlet atop Solveig’s head, before offering her hand to lead her from the room and down to the entrance hall. Once there, she draped a long black cloak around Solveig’s shoulders, pulling up the hood to cast her face in shadow as they led her out to the carriage.