3. Chapter Three Rhea
Chapter Three: Rhea
A small jasmine flower floats on the water, the ripples of my movements in the tub sending it twirling delicately across my body. I awoke this morning feeling a bit better, though still somehow exhausted. The sun has already crested over the horizon, brightening and warming up the interior of my tower through the windows and balcony doors.
Examining my body this morning in my vanity mirror before my bath, there were no bruises or marks from where I fell to my knees yesterday after Alexi left. Any body aches or head pain I had was gone as well. A bone deep tiredness that bled from my broken heart and soul was the only thing that lingered. The water in the stone tub starts to cool, my sign that it is time to get out. Sighing, I stand up carefully and grab a clean towel from the basket by the sink.
My bathroom layout, like much of the tower, is simple: a gray stone sink and small counter in between the tub and a toilet. Whoever built this tower was fond of the color gray—or maybe they just wanted to ensure that whoever was here felt constricted all the time. I wrap the fluffy cotton around me and walk to a small wooden trunk near the foot of my bed in the loft. Drawing the top back, I spot my favorite dress. The fabric is light pink with small purple flowers dotting it from top to bottom. Pink ribbon trims the neckline, which scoops low, showing just the top of my cleavage, though it didn’t always fit that way.
After dressing and detangling my damp hair, I take the steps down to the main floor to make something to eat for Bella and I. Setting Bella’s plate of dried meat on the floor for her, I add some nuts and an apple to my own before heading towards the library. My steps are halted when I spot the potted arastera plant in the corner. The leaves that, I swear, just yesterday morning were a vibrant dark green are now withered completely into shriveled brown husks. When my fingers pinch a dried-out leaf, it pulls off easily, crumbling in my hand. Brows furrowed, I try to remember the last time I watered the plant. It couldn’t have been longer than last week judging by how the soil still looks dark and not dried out… but perhaps I’m wrong.
I give it one last glance over before stepping into the library. Setting the plate down on the teal bench of the window seat, I scan the many books lining the walls of the room, trying to choose which one would be the best distraction. Bella walks in, tail wagging as she looks around the room too, like she’s also trying to choose.
“Which book should we read, Bells? You pick,” I offer, taking a bite of the apple.
She doesn’t hesitate to start searching for a book, scanning them as if she’s actually reading the titles, before stopping in front of one in particular. Her wet nose leaves a little mark on its dark-colored spine. Chuckling, I move to see the choice she’s made. Sliding the black book from the tightly packed shelf, I flip it over to read the cover, the silver foiling of the title reflecting the daylight. The History Of The Five Realms . I lower the book and look at her.
“Really?” I ask, raising a brow. Bella turns and trots over to the bench, stepping up and taking a seat on her hind legs. Her head tilts to the side, the mortal movement making me smile.
I’ve read many books on the realms that surround us, my favorites among them the ones that detail the beings who dwell in each. Unfortunately, I know this book in particular is very dry. Today I was hoping for lighter subject material. Narrowing my eyes at her, we engage in a staring contest… which I promptly lose.
“Fine,” I concede, walking back to her and taking my own seat. “Although if I’m being honest, I would much rather read a book about how a princess seduces a muscular and handsome knight.” Bella huffs and then lays down fully, her front paws dangling off of the bench.
The book’s spine cracks lightly as I open it, a familiar scent reaching my nose—one of matured leather and paper. Alexi always complains about how this room smells, as if the scent of old books is somehow offensive to him.
A map that details the main Continent, which three of the five kingdoms dwell on, is drawn on the first page. The Continent runs east to west, with the Mortal Kingdom on the west side, the Fae Kingdom on the east side, and the Mage Kingdom centered in the middle. The Mortal Kingdom is depicted with meadows and fields, as well as a large lake near the capital and a half heavily wooded area near the border. The trees extend into the entirety of the Mage Kingdom before expanding partially into the Fae Kingdom. The rest of the Fae Kingdom is mountainous, their capital located right in the middle of them.
“Here is where we are, Bells,” I say pointing to where Vitour, the Mortal Kingdom’s capital city, is marked on the map. “And down here is the Shifter Kingdom.” I drag my finger to the large island drawn to the south of the Mortal Kingdom.
“The Siren Queendom’s underwater capital is to the south of the Fae Kingdom, though they have small cities built all throughout the ocean that surround the Continent,” I continue, my finger tapping on the open waters where an “X” marks their capital, Lumen. Turning the page again, it goes into detail on the history of The War Of Five Kingdoms.
“The War Of Five Kingdoms of the world Olymazi began after a failed attempt at a marriage alliance between the Siren Queendom and the Mortal Kingdom. Siren Queen Zola Malika suggested a union with her eldest daughter, Amari Malika, and the eldest son of Aron Maxwell, the Mortal King.” I pause and look over to Bella, whose eyes are starting to look a little droopy. Smirking, I continue skimming.
“The alliance would have gifted some of the mortal land of the Continent to the sirens while giving the mortals access to the siren legion at will. The deal became null when Queen Zola initiated an attack on King Aron during their meeting.”
When I check Bella again, she’s fully asleep and faintly snoring. Smiling, I snuggle further into the velvety cushions of the bench and skip ahead in the book to where it talks about the Spell. The tome says that even after weeks of watching the Mortal Kingdom—who had enlisted the help of those from the shifter isle—and the Siren Queendom battle each other, the Mage Kingdom had remained neutral in the fight. However, when the fae rode their dragons down from the mountains, determined to ravage and conquer the distracted realms, they were forced to act. It was at this point that the ruler of the Mage Kingdom cast a spell that separated the beings and sent them all back into their own realms—and kept them there.
In the years after it was cast, there had apparently been a lot of trial and error as the beings tested the Spell to see what exactly had been done and what the limitations of the Spell were. From what I’ve read, whenever someone from the other kingdoms passes over their border and into another, they lose the magical ability specific to them forever. If a mortal does it, they lose their youth immediately. I wonder if the mages felt any semblance of remorse that it was one of their own that separated the world so completely.
The king had told me that it was the mages who had snuck into the castle the night I was born and murdered my parents. He said they were on their way to murder me before he intervened and stopped them. But, it didn’t make sense, even with what little information I had read about the Spell, mages, and their inclination to be more pacifistic. As I grew older, he repeated this story over and over again, saying the tower was the only way I could stay safe until I was old enough for him to protect me in a different way. I wasn’t sure what he meant by that but something internal questioned his words and their truth. Shaking my head, I set the book down and slide off the bench, walking over to my favorite collection of romance novels.
Humming to myself, I search the titles, reminiscing on what each book is about and which ones have the more provocative scenes. I have learned quite a lot about sex and romance through reading, not that it matters when I will never leave the tower and experience those things for myself. The bench is warm from the sunlight streaming in through the window when I return to lay down, crossing one leg over the other and resting my chosen novel against the front of my thighs. Bella eventually awakens from her nap, stretching her legs before looking over at me. She eyes the book I’m now reading and lets out what feels like a yip of disagreement.
“Bells, you’re the one who fell asleep at your own book choice. There is no reason I should be doomed to the same fate.” I give her a pointed look, pretending to be stern when her supposed indignation just makes me want to laugh. She hops off the bench, her nails clicking on the wood floor as she leaves. “Wait! Don’t go, Bella! I can read this one out loud to you too.” I frantically turn to a random page and start shouting, “The knight slowly lifted her dress overhead, baring her breasts to the cold air.” I laugh as Bella keeps walking away. When she’s out of sight, I chuckle again, turning to look out at what I can see of the castle outside the window.
Tall turrets dot the exterior every few hundred feet, the tops reaching high into the bright blue sky. The entire exterior, like my tower, is made of the same round gray stone—truly, was no other building material available when they built this estate? Dark green vines, dotted with small pink flowers, grow up the walls—different from the jasmine that travels along my tower. I imagine they are clamoring to get out of the castle’s shadows and into the sunlight. I can relate.
In the distance, to the right of the castle—more directly in line with my point of view—is Vitour. Alexi has described what life is like in the capital, how merchants line the streets selling goods such as clothing, jewelry, small weapons, and delicacies. He’s told me that seamstresses, taverns, blacksmiths, and apothecaries are among some of the more popular shops. I wonder if the air is rich with the scent of spices I’ve only ever read about or what it’s like to have the noises of so many people in one spot play in your ear. I fantasize about how women my age find love in the capital. Was it at those taverns?
Despite the daunting reality of my life in confinement, hope remains within me, a reminder that I have the ability to imagine something better. That I can pretend. And so I do. I pretend that today I walk to those markets. The warmth of the sunshine turns my light-toned skin pink while my hair glistens like gold. I imagine introducing myself to the people of Vitour and partaking in everything the city has to offer.
“The princess grieves no more!” they would exclaim, though I wouldn’t correct them on the lies of that assumption. I’d shake their hands and hug my people because that’s who they are. My father was the king of these lands, my mother his queen. And I would be happy to be with them, to indulge in the day-to-day of being free to do as I please, where I please, and with whomever I please. I would shop at all the merchant stalls, buying new dresses and shoes without a second thought. I would visit a salon and have my hair properly trimmed.
It’s easy to have hope when I pretend. Hope for a love that could heal the way I’ve grown up. Hope for friends that would link arms with me as we shop, smiling and laughing freely. Even hope for a family that could grow beyond just Alexi and Bella. I would simply hope.