5. Paige
5
PAIGE
R ivers of blood flow behind my eyelids until this beautiful land is painted with it. Though, I can’t tell whether it’s the army of orcs who stain the soil—or the army of Astronia’s king. The uncertainty leaves me shaken, and I jolt awake.
Aries is deeply asleep, clearly unaffected through the mate bond. Our bodies are tangled around one another, so rather than wake him, I stay where I am and glance around his room, studying the private space of the dragon heir in the shadowy moonlight. His canopy bed is magnificent and massive . It’s so big that I wonder if it could fit his entire shifted dragon on it. The dark wood is glorious, carved into repeating patterns that look like dragon scales. Even more impressive is how luxurious the mattress is. Just what one would expect for a pampered dragon prince. Silk sheets, plush velvet pillows, the works.
It makes me wonder what Leo’s room looks like. Probably trimmed in lace and leather and diamond-studded pillowcases. The thought almost makes me snort out loud as I let my gaze drift.
Across the room, I spot a desk covered with scrolls, books, and parchments. Aries is a scholar? Clearly, we still have a lot to learn about one another. Beside the door to the bathroom, a massive fireplace is cut out, built from gray stone. Above it, a variety of weapons are mounted on the wall.
I shiver, imagining Aries wielding those instruments of death against an orc army. It’s not a welcome idea even if the detail work is beautiful with dragon wings carved into the cross guards.
My thoughts return to the conversation we had just before bed. As much as I hate it, Aries is right about taking some time before rushing back to face Constantine. Astronia needs us right now. And more than that, I need to figure out what else I can do with this newly discovered magic I possess. Creating something from nothing—even something as big as a world—won’t stop Constantine from consuming the magic I’ll expel to do it. Even with the revelation of what I am and the magic I possess, I’m not sure it’s enough to stop him or take back control of the library.
With too many questions and not enough answers, I snuggle close to Aries. In his sleep, he cradles me closer. Eventually, his warm embrace quiets my mind, and I slip back into sleep, dreamless this time.
When I wake again, I’m in bed alone. There’s a handwritten note on the nightstand beside me.
Training with Leo. See you at lunch.
I smile, not at all feeling left out.
No, wait. Actually, I wouldn’t mind watching Aries train. Does he ever take off his shirt? I laugh at myself and stretch. His bed is so large we could roll all over the place and…
I sit up and realize there’s a dress draped over the side of the bed. Aries made sure I had suitable attire. While his long shirt is comfortable enough, I’m not about to parade through the castle in it for everyone to see. Especially not his mother. As sweet as she is, I can tell she cares a lot for propriety, and I don’t want to risk making a bad impression.
Underneath the dress are some questionable undergarments that I can’t make heads or tails of. I get dressed as best as I can, not wanting to ask a maid for help like Aries suggested. I’m a big girl. I can dress myself. Besides, it feels weird to ask anyone for something so simple.
The last time I needed help dressing, I was probably four years old, and Hoc had been the only one around. For a moment, I’m lost in memories of him. My heart squeezes, and I blink back tears.
Shaking off the grief, I smooth out the lines in my green dress and check my hair. It’s a bit of a mess, so I snag a ribbon from one of the undergarments and use it to tie my hair into a ponytail.
It’ll have to do.
After a quick mental pep talk, I head to the door and open it.
There’s no one around, and I hesitate, trying to remember which direction we entered from last night.
Before I can venture a guess, a young maid rushes up to me. “My Lady, do you need any help?” she asks anxiously.
“I’m fine, thank you,” I assure her.
She eyes my dress but doesn’t comment on it. “Breakfast then?”
My stomach is ready to rumble, so I nod. “Yes, actually. Food would be great.”
“Do you wish to eat in here or…”
“The others I came with, do you know if they’re awake?”
“I believe they are resting yet. I can take you to them if you wish.”
“No. Let them sleep.”
“If you don’t have certain dishes in mind, I can take you to the tea room to eat.”
“You already have food prepared?” I ask, impressed but also horrified. What if I hadn’t been hungry? She would’ve gone to all that trouble for nothing.
“Of course,” she says as if I’m the one being ridiculous. “The tea room is already laid out for you.”
I smile warmly at her. “Well, please, lead the way.”
She dips her head before guiding me down the long hall. After several turns that have me hopelessly lost, she opens a door and steps back to let me pass.
Inside is the tea room, which is apparently code for a dining room the size of my entire apartment back home.
The young maid follows me inside and then perches herself near the wall. On the table in the center of the space, the extensive spread of rolls, cheese, and fruit along with several drink choices is more than I could eat in a week.
Maybe we should wake the others after all.
I glance back at the maid.
“Is something wrong?” she asks.
“I can’t possibly eat all of this by myself.”
She frowns. “Should I wake the other guests?”
“No, no. They deserve to rest.” I pause and then blurt, “You should join me.”
Her eyes widen. “Oh, no, I couldn’t possibly.”
“Please? It’s so wasteful to let it all just sit here untouched.”
She bites her lip and then takes short, quick steps over to the table before perching on the edge of the seat farthest from mine.
“I’m Paige,” I tell her.
“I know.” She nods quickly, averting her gaze.
“And you are?”
She looks up, cheeks flushing. “Me? I’m just a maid.”
“No one is just anything. What’s your name?”
“Lucinda.”
“Lucinda,” I say. “Does anyone call you Lucy?”
Her eyes widen, and her mouth hangs open.
“Lucinda it is,” I say hastily. “I’m not familiar with all the fruits you grow here. What’s this?” I point to a fruit the color of raspberries but in the shape of tiny stars.
“That’s a starberry.”
I pop it into my mouth and immediately hum in pleasure. “It’s delicious.” I grab something else. “What about this one?”
“That one’s called moon melon.”
After she gives me a short lesson, which seems to make her feel better about sitting with me, I make sure that we both eat the fruit, and soon, Lucinda is relaxed and laughing.
“You really have a fruit called yucca?” she asks. “Is it gross?”
“No, it’s actually pretty good.”
She laughs again. “My sister would call that irony.”
“So, you have a sister?” I ask.
Lucinda nods. “Brigita. She’s older by two years. She’s a scullery maid.”
“What’s a scullery again?”
The maid laughs. “It means she works in the kitchen,” she explains.
“Did she help make these rolls?”
“Possibly.”
“They’re so good,” I say.
“Aren’t they?” She sighs. “Sometimes, we’ll serve tiny cakes. She’s given me a few to eat after feasts are over.”
“You can have some whenever I’m around,” I offer.
Her smile dims. “My Lady… That’s not the way we do things around here.”
I frown. “When I’m queen, I’ll have some say, right?”
“Well, yes,” she says in that wary tone that reveals she knows this is a trap.
“Simple then.” I lean back and toss a stormberry into my mouth. Or try to. The blue-colored berry that tingles the mouth when you bite into it hits my chin and falls to the ground. I bend over and pick it up.
“I must admit, you are not what we expected…” Lucinda covers her mouth. “Forgive me?—”
“Why? You can speak your mind,” I assure her, straightening again. “I figured I’m not what anyone expected. Do you think others will mind?”
“Not once they get to know you. The people were so scared and worried when the prince was away, but he cares for you deeply, that’s plain to see, and I think the people will grow to care for you too.”
“Great. In that case, all we have to do now is stop an entire army of orcs.”
Lucinda pales.
Wrong topic to bring up.
I ask her more about her sister and her family, and she opens right back up again. She seems perfectly happy with her role in life, and when I detect a slight change in tone when she mentions a stable boy, I can’t help teasing her.
Eventually, Lucinda leaves to attend to other duties, but she gives me a bell that she tells me to ring in case I need anything.
“You know I won’t ring it,” I tell her.
“If you need anything?—”
“Fine. I’ll ring when I need a friend to talk to.”
Lucinda looks like a deer in headlights. “My Lady—we cannot be?—”
I wink. “We already are.”
“Maybe,” she whispers, and she hurries out of the room.
With a grin, I dip my spoon into a frost melon. According to Lucinda, the large pale-blue melons grow in icy caverns far to the north. The taste is a bit sweet with a cool, crisp aftertaste. It’s refreshing enough that, for a moment, I let myself pretend this is my life.
Eating exotic fruit for breakfast in a kingdom I call home.
But the daydream doesn’t last nearly long enough before reality edges its way in again. The truth is, this world isn’t any safer than the one we left behind. If I’m going to survive in either one, I’ll have to rely on more than just friendly maids and accidental alchemy.