Chapter 6
Calpurnia
DELILAH
Iwoke to a feeling of incredible warmth, as if a summer sunset had wrapped itself around me.
My eyes fluttered open, and I was bathed in a rich amber glow, the kind of light that seemed to belong to fire itself.
At first, I thought it was sunlight, but then realized it was the light of eternally burning crimson fireflies captured within delicate golden glass orbs, suspended from the high ceiling.
The light shifted and shimmered, making the air itself feel thick with magic.
The pendant lights were breathtaking, yet I could not help but feel a twinge of sorrow for the fireflies trapped within.
I’m alive. I think. And if this is still a dream, it’s the most vivid one I’ve ever had.
My hospital gown had been replaced with a long, off-white silk nightgown and matching modest undergarments.
I instinctively reached for my neck. At least my pearl necklace was still there.
They changed me? A wave of violation and disgust rose in my chest as I imagined what else could have been done while I slept under the spell of magic.
But the richness of my surroundings pulled me away from those thoughts, and I paused to take it all in.
I lay upon a vast, low set bed, its frame carved from black wood so polished it reflected the firefly light like water.
The headboard rose nearly to the ceiling.
Pillows puffed like clouds of flame red silk, and the blankets were a heavy, opulent weave of black and gold threads, radiating warmth against my skin.
They were the softest linens I had ever felt.
The walls glowed in the colors of an autumn sunset, framed by thick gold moldings. Furniture crafted from dark, richly stained wood accentuated the room’s lavish elegance. Curious, I stepped out of the bed to explore.
If my brain was inventing this, it had expensive taste.
I was beginning to doubt this was a dream. I had never fallen asleep within one before. Whether it was the healer’s magic or the indulgent softness of the bed, I did not know. What I did know was that it was the best sleep I have had in years.
The floor was a mosaic of polished obsidian and gold veined marble, warm beneath my feet. Was it heated somehow? The air carried the scent of spice and burning cedar, an intoxicating blend that filled my lungs with unexpected comfort, like sitting around a bonfire with friends.
The splendor of the expansive bedroom was fit for a queen.
At the very least, it was better than the forest of horrors.
This place, this entire castle, was a paradox, both terrifyingly fierce and breathtakingly beautiful.
It felt like a direct reflection of the beings who lived here.
What had the healer called them? The Fae?
I moved to the arched window and sat on the ledge.
At this elevation, everything appeared black and gray.
Far below, patches of green farmland softened the valleys between jagged peaks.
In the distance, beyond the volcanic landscape, I could see an expansive blue body of water.
The castle sat higher than any other structure in the kingdom, offering a view of several villages tucked into the valleys below.
Dragons of all sizes and colors roamed freely through the sky.
Dragons in the sky like it was normal. Okay. Sure. Why not?
At least they were not trapped like the fireflies. My quiet window gazing was interrupted by the creak of the door hinge.
My door burst open, followed by a swirl of bright orange and gold fabric, and a different Fae came rushing in.
She was a stunningly beautiful female with long, wavy chocolate-brown hair, amber eyes, and skin that shimmered like warm gold.
There was something about her glow that caught the light like polished metal.
All of the Fae here seemed to have gold shimmery skin and
molten amber eyes.
Her features were symmetrical and angular, with high cheekbones that reflected the firefly light. She radiated bubbly energy, her movements quick and erratic like a hummingbird’s, her large, sparkling eyes wide with excitement.
“Eeek, you’re awake!” she squealed, prancing in place. Her voice rang like tinkling bells. “Oh, glorious, glorious day!” she added, spinning in a joyful circle.
This lady had far too much energy for this time of day.
“We did not know how long healing sleep would last for a human, but do not worry, I have been taking very good care of you,” she informed me.
“You dressed me,” I said. It came out sounding like both a question and a statement.
“Mmhmm, yes,” she nodded. “And bathed you. You seemed to have been through quite the ordeal."
She bathed me? Oh. Great. Privacy is officially dead—even if I’m not.
"Oh my, where are my manners?” She gave me a small curtsy. “My name is Calpurnia, your handmaiden. And you,” she continued brightly, “I have been dying to tell you how pretty you are. Even the Dragon Master commented on your beauty.” She lifted her brows playfully.
Aurelius, the tall silver haired male who carried me to the healer, thought I was pretty? My own features felt so plain compared to theirs. All of them were ridiculously perfect.
“If you are feeling well enough, I am certain the Lord of Flame would love to dine with you tonight,” she said. “I am sure you have many questions.”
Lord of Flame. That title sounded like danger dressed up as royalty.
“Actually, I do,” I said. “What is, or rather, who are the
Fae? Some kind of supermodel elf species?”
“Oooh,” she hushed, though her smile remained. “Elf is kind of a slur, so I would not repeat that word,” she said. “Compared to humans, besides the obvious,” she said, flicking her pointed ear, “the Fae are slightly larger, known for their cunning intellect and their ability to wield magic.”
“Do you have magic?” I asked.
“Oh, pshh, no. Just the basics, I am afraid. Nothing more than moving small objects and things like that. But some Fae with royal or ancient heritage have immense power, like Lord Titus.”
She continued, “He wields the power of fire. Most high-born Fire Fae do, but not even close in comparison to our Lord of Flame. He could reduce an entire forest to ash with half a thought.”
Images of that eerie black steel throne suspended over the river of lava flashed through my mind. Titus, Lord of Flame, had to be the one who sat there.
“We are also immortal,” she added. “We age very slowly and can use magic to glamour any signs of aging. That is why we all look so young.”
“What about the healer?” I asked. She seemed older.
“Oh, Gleeda? Yes, well, she has been here the longest. But can I tell you a secret?”
Her voice dropped conspiratorially. “I think she uses a glamour to make herself appear older. Maybe she prefers it that way. Perhaps it makes her patients more comfortable.” She shrugged.
I decided not to ask what a glamour actually was. It felt a little too soon for scandalous secrets, and I made a mental note not to share anything I wanted kept private with her.
“You said Fire Fae. Are there other kinds?” I asked.
“Oh yes. There are us Fire Fae in the Kingdom of Flame. On the eastern border are the Water Fae of the Kingdom of Seas. To the west are the Earth Fae, the Kingdom of Terrain. And to the north are the Shadow Fae, the Kingdom of Night. But I would never go there. No one does. That is where dark magic and true monsters reside,” she explained.
It was the only time I had seen her smile flatten, just at the mention of the Kingdom of Night. I wondered if that was where I had been when I encountered the sea serpent, that nightmare made flesh. My curiosity sharpened. “The forest where they found me, what kingdom was that in?”
She shook her head, as if brushing off an unpleasant memory, then returned to her bubbly demeanor.
“None. That is the Sacred Forest, right in the center of all the kingdoms. No one can claim it. It is a spiritual place where all kinds of Fae are welcome to retreat and reflect.” She clapped her hands once.
“Now come, let us get you washed and dressed. It is nearly time for dinner.”
“Dinner?” I glanced out the window. I must have mistaken the setting sun for a rising one.
“You must be famished. Let us get you all presentable for Lord Titus. He is going to love you. Ooh, I cannot wait to do your hair,” she squeaked.
She led me to a ceiling high arched door within my chamber.
When she opened it, a thin line of fire traced the room like glowing floor trim.
Polished black marble veined with fiery orange and gold stretched before me.
My eyes widened. The space was nearly as large as the bedroom itself.
It felt like stepping into a living sunset, and above me hung more of those cruel firefly pendants.
At the center of the room, sunken into the heated marble floor, was the largest bathtub I had ever seen.
It was carved from a single piece of volcanic stone, its rim polished to a smooth, dark sheen.
With a clap of Calpurnia’s hands, the tub overflowed with thick, iridescent bubbles that piled high above the rim, catching the light with a soft, pearly sheen.
I sank into the water and felt the warmth seep into my skin, soothing my weary body.
The water itself carried a faint magical energy, a gentle thrum that buzzed pleasantly against my skin and tickled my nose.
I felt like a queen. The amount of wealth the High Lord must possess to give a random mortal woman a room like this was staggering.
I lay there, and for the first time since waking in this strange land, I felt truly relaxed.
Calpurnia began to wash my hair. God, did that feel good.
Why does it never feel that good when I do it myself?
I supposed the same could be said for many things.
I listened to the bubbles pop and logs crackle, and that was when I noticed the black marble fireplace tucked into the corner.
It seemed there was a fireplace in every room of the castle.
I could have soaked in that bath for hours, but Calpurnia hurried me along and wrapped me in a warm burgundy robe.
Her laughter, like a cascade of tiny bells, flitted ahead of me as she guided me from the sumptuous bath, through another archway, and into a dressing area.
She led me to a vast armoire carved from what looked like dark, petrified lava, threaded with molten veins of gold.
With a squeal of pure delight, she yanked open the doors, revealing a closet far too large for the physics of the furniture itself. Hundreds, if not thousands, of garments hung on racks, all in shades of sunset.
“You must wear this one. It is my favorite,” she declared, plucking a dress from the rail.
The gown shimmered with countless shades of gold and deep, smoky orange.
It had long sleeves and draped off the shoulders like molten magma.
Fitted tightly to the knees, it flared out dramatically below, layers of color overlapping to mimic a blazing fire.
The fabric was so delicate it felt like captured air, threaded with what had to be spun gold, catching the light with every movement.
It was far fancier than any dress I had ever worn, a garment fit for a queen. I could not say it was entirely my taste, but the gown itself was breathtaking. Already feeling so different from everyone here, I just wanted to fit in.
The size was slightly big and loose in places, and Calpurnia gathered the excess fabric between her fingers. With a subtle flick of
magic, she tailored it to hug my thin, sickly frame in a flattering way, giving the illusion of curves.
She styled my hair smooth and sleek, pinning it to one side so it cascaded over my right shoulder. She finished the look with comfortable black volcanic glass heels, matching earrings, smoky eye makeup, and a soft nude lip.
I stood before the large, gold framed floor mirror and barely recognized myself. I had not been so carefully done up since my wedding. The memory surfaced unbidden, and my chest ached. I missed Jared so much. The longer I stayed in this place, the farther away he seemed.
I rubbed my thumb over the faint indent where my wedding ring once sat, remembering having to remove it before surgery. I felt exposed, stripped of something essential. As I stared at my bare finger, a flicker of sadness crossed my face.
Calpurnia noticed the shift immediately. “Is everything all right, love?” she asked. “If the makeup is too dark, I can fix it.”
“No, it is lovely,” I said softly. “I just miss someone from before.” I lowered my gaze, the weight of it all pressing down on me as I fought back tears.
She looked at me with her kind, sparkling eyes and placed her hand over mine.
“The only thing that can travel through the realms is love,” she said gently.
“The fact that you carry memories from before is a true gift from the Guardians. It means you truly loved him, and he truly loved you. That is nothing to be sad about.”
I had no idea what she meant, and I was far too emotional to care. All I could think about was his voice, his face, his scent, his touch. I knew her words were meant to comfort me, and I appreciated the kindness behind them, but I could not process
anything beyond the deep, pounding ache in my soul for Jared.
She pulled me into a warm embrace and told me someone would arrive soon to escort me to dinner. I thanked her, and she left the room with a little less bounce in her step.