Chapter 6
Seda
Seda jolted awake in the darkness, where distant screams and gurgling sounds echoed around her. Her breath caught, and she felt a shiver run through her body.
A slow drip hit her arm as the heavy smell of copper and iron filled the air. Her wrists felt heavy as she slowly stood on unsteady legs, reaching out her trembling hands to explore her surroundings, with the sound of rattling chains clinking as she moved.
As the distant screaming grew louder, she backed away as far as she could, her head hitting the wall behind her, and she slipped on something slick.
She curled into a tight ball, the only way she knew to protect herself.
Footsteps echoed as an orange glow lit up the area. Seda peeked out from under her arm and saw that she was trapped, chained in a dungeon deep within a long, dark hall lined with cells. A small, metal bed stained with old, dark blood sat beside her, with a bucket placed near the bars.
Panic began to seize her throat, and her breathing became labored.
“Looks like my albino-freak has finally woken up.”
Seda shot up in bed, sweat coating her forehead and dread wringing its ugly claws across her chest. Daylight streamed through the windows as Seda gazed at them, panic still rushing through her in a relentless assault.
She inhaled deeply, reassuring herself that it was only a nightmare. She wasn’t in the Camp anymore. She was in Umbrea. She was safe.
She ran one hand over her face, rubbing her eyes and exhaling slowly through pursed lips. Her other hand ran over her heart, feeling the racing beating below the soft material of her nightgown.
After Cahir left the night before, she made sure to find something suitable to wear from the massive closet. She glanced upward through the glass ceiling, watching the green orbs floating and fluttering amongst the clouds.
I’m safe, she reassured herself.
A gentle knock sounded at her door, and she quickly turned to it, choking out, “Yes?”
The door swung open, revealing a small, wiry Fae woman with messy hair. “My name’s Suza, and I’ve been instructed to serve as your lady’s maid during your stay here at Umbrea. Breakfast is almost ready, and King Ael is waiting for you.” She moved to the closet doors and entered.
Seda noticed the angry scowl the woman made as she turned toward the closet. “There’s no need. I’m fully capable of dressing myself,” she stated.
“Nope, I’m to assist you,” Suza replied firmly as she stepped out. “I’ve been instructed to help you in all the ways you might need.” She held out a lavender gown with a built-in corset and a long skirt.
So much for that, Seda thought.
“Do you happen to have any pants in there?” The thought of that constricting dress sounded awful, especially with her still racing heart, and it wasn’t that long ago she had to wear another uncomfortable dress.
Suza glared at Seda, eyes slitting into small open seams. “No. When you dine with a king, you dress for a king.”
Seda didn’t care how she looked for Cahir. She angrily got out of bed and moved toward Suza and the horrible gown. She muttered as the woman placed the gown on the chair beside her and waved her fingers for Seda to remove her nightgown.
“I’m not comfortable dressing in front of others. You need to leave while I put this on,” Seda said as she crossed her arms over her chest and pointed her nose higher in the air.
The woman tried to argue with her, but she stayed firm. This woman wouldn’t tell her what to do for every small thing. She had this choice, and she decided not to be naked in front of this snide Fae.
Suza hissed and stormed out of the room.
Seda waited for the door to close before pulling the dress over her hips and sliding her arms into the sleeves. She called for Suza, and the woman entered the doorway, wearing a scowl and quickly sliding her tongue across her lips.
“Turn around,” Suza said with a commanding tone.
Seda turned, and Suza forcefully tugged on her dress, tightening the corset and making it difficult for her to breathe.
Suza lit a candle flame and began heating a curling rod. “Sit down, I need to do your hair.”
The corset’s tightness caused Seda to sit uncomfortably on the vanity stool. She looked in the mirror and gasped. Her hair was badly knotted, and it also shimmered more than usual.
Perhaps it was because it was finally clean? Maybe it always looked this way, and she never paid attention. Or maybe there was something in that conditioner she used?
She should have brushed her hair after her bath, but was so tired she forgot. Her hair was undeniably knotted from her journey and the tornado of Wisps.
“Do you know why your hair sparkles?” Suza asked her as she reached for the disaster atop her head.
“Don’t know,” Seda replied nonchalantly. Even if she did know, she didn’t care to discuss it with her.
Suza aggressively brushed her hair, causing Seda to cry out several times in pain. However, when she finished, Seda was impressed with her work. She tried not to judge the poor girl for her own hair.
“This looks nice,” Seda said when she was finished. Her hair had been pulled into an updo with long, loose curls hanging down, framing her face.
The woman harrumphed, blew out the candle, and walked to the door. “Of course it does. Come with me. I’ll take you to the dining room.”
“What about Elco?” Seda asked.
“Your friend is currently outside the castle, likely biting into the wolves that keep appearing,” Suza replied.
Seda followed her through the castle, trying to remember the path so she could take it herself next time. When they reached the door, Suza knocked and opened it. The scent of coffee reached Seda’s nose, making her mouth water.
Seda entered the room, and Cahir rose from his chair. Luelle, Meir, Neoma, and another man she didn’t recognize sat beside him. When they saw Cahir stand, they also stood and waited for his orders.
Cahir was all smiles and looked refreshed, as if he had gotten hours of sleep. She was undeniably mad at him, especially now since he appeared to have slept well, and she hadn’t.
A smile slipped across her lips, remembering how he reacted to seeing her naked. He had run from her room like a frightened deer. So much for being this all-powerful king.
Unfortunately, something dormant had stirred deep within her last night when she saw how he had reacted to her. She suppressed the feeling.
You’re mad at that liar, she reminded herself.
Today, though, his dimples and bright smile were on full display, accenting his pointed canines. His chestnut hair was tousled and hung over his forehead.
“You look beautiful, Seda. Welcome in,” he said, mistaking her smile as politeness.
“Thank you, Cahir,” she responded. She decided to continue using the name she knew. Fuck calling him King Ael. No way in hell was she about to do that.
“You’re excused.” Cahir looked at the wiry woman next to Seda, and Suza quickly bowed and left the room.
“Seda, you’ve met Meir and Luelle, but I’d like you to meet Praxis.
” He pointed to a muscular, Fae man standing next to him, and he smiled at her.
Seda noticed that he had left Neoma out of the introduction.
“Praxis is my captain and my third advisor on the council.”
“I apologize for last night,” Praxis said as he approached her and extended his hand for Seda to shake. He shook her hand firmly, and she noticed him staring down at her chest, which was unfortunately showing too much cleavage from the wretched dress.
She cleared her throat. “It’s fine. I assume I would’ve acted the same way if someone shattered my massive windows, too.”
He smiled brightly at her and glanced back at Cahir, who was watching her with an almost predatory gaze.
He wasn’t staring at her breasts like he did the night before, or like Praxis just did, but instead focused solely on her eyes, which was slightly uncomfortable in its own way.
She returned her gaze to Praxis and the others.
“It’s nice to meet you. And nice to see you again,” she politely said to everyone else in the room, even to Neoma.
Luelle huffed, “King Ael, may we please sit back down, and can we eat now? I’m starving, and these look amazing.”
Cahir gave everyone a nod, and they all sat down except for Cahir.
He gestured for Seda to come and sit next to him, pulling out her chair as if he were a gentleman.
She hesitantly walked over, wishing instead to sit on the opposite side of the table, and begrudgingly sat down.
She looked down at the table and the food on display.
Her eyes widened.
“Honey cakes and coffee?” she asked, her excitement slipping free.
“Honey cakes and coffee,” Cahir answered with a dimpled grin.
She picked up a fork, digging into the warm cake and feeling the buttery, sweet texture melt in her mouth.
“Mmmmmmmmm,” she softly moaned. It had been so long since she had one of these, and these were even better than the ones she remembered in Joro.
Cahir’s hand tightened on his fork for a moment, and he shifted in his seat. Seda took another bite and sipped some of the sweetened, hot coffee.
“So, Seda, tell us about yourself,” Praxis asked from across the table, drawing Seda away from her thoughts of Cahir.
She looked over at Praxis, and his rugged smile lit up his face.
“Well, I was raised in Joro by adoptive parents. I have a brother and worked in Gardvord with Cahir. I also recently escaped the Camp.”
“How’d you escape the Camp?” Luelle asked as she bit into her own honey cake.
“Well, I had a little help from Elco and a surprise,” she said, holding up her hands.
“How the hell did you befriend the Lionne?” Praxis asked. “I’ve never in my hundreds of years of life seen one, but I’ve heard ancient stories.”
Thoughts immediately raced through her mind. Hundreds of years? Hadn’t Kalon seen one at some point?