You can do this,I told myself, clenching my fists. But even as I tried to rally myself, my stomach twisted with dread.
A soft knock at the door broke through my thoughts. I shot up from the bed, instantly on alert. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end as I watched the door, half expecting The Shadow to burst through again, demanding I get ready for dinner.
But it didn’t open right away. There was another gentle knock, softer this time, as if whoever was on the other side was hesitant to disturb me. I swallowed hard and wiped my hands on my thighs.
I took a steadying breath, pushing down the wave of anxiety that had my heart racing. This was it. The Shadow had probably decided it was time for round two—maybe to assert his dominance or simply toy with me some more.
Bracing myself, I flung the door open, ready to unleash all the pent-up rage I hadn’t let myself fully express. But instead of coming face-to-face withhim, I found myself staring into the gentle, yet unnervingly sharp eyes of an older woman.
Her silvery hair was pulled back into a flawless chignon, her dark green robes embroidered with intricate silver threads. The fabric glimmered in the dim light, hinting at the magic woven into it. Her presence was both serene and commanding, a stark contrast to the chaos swirling inside my mind. She held a mug in one hand and a measuring tape in the other.
“Hello, dear,” she said with a soft, maternal smile. “I’ve been sent to get your measurements.” Without waiting for an invitation, she stepped into the room and closed the door.
I blinked, momentarily thrown off balance. This wasn’t what I had expected. “Measurements?” I said more harshly than I intended. The adrenaline still pumping through my veins made it hard to soften the edges.
“Yes,” she replied, completely unfazed. She held out the mug, the distinct scent of chamomile wafting up with the tendrils of steam. “And I brewed some tea for you. Thought it might help take the edge off.” Her lavender eyes glimmered with an otherworldly light that hinted at fae heritage.
I took the mug hesitantly, staring into its murky depths. “Does it have anything stronger in it? Because, honestly, it’sgoing to take a hell of a lot more than chamomile to settle my nerves,” I muttered as I brought the cup to my lips.
She let out a soft, melodic laugh. “No, just the herbs. But I assure you, they work wonders if you give them a chance.”
I took a reluctant sip, letting the warmth spread through me. She flung the measuring tape over her shoulders and took a step closer. “May I?” she asked, gesturing toward me.
I let out a sharp, bitter laugh. “Do I even have a choice?” I set the mug down on the ornate dresser, keeping my eyes on her. Despite the older woman’s calm demeanor, something about her made my instincts scream to stay on guard.
She nodded slowly, acknowledging the unspoken truth between us. “No, not really. It would be better without the towel, of course.” There was no malice in her tone, just a matter-of-fact acceptance of the world I now found myself in.
Grumbling under my breath, I dropped the towel to the floor.
She began to measure my waist, her touch surprisingly gentle, and the cool fabric of the tape brushed against my bare skin. It made me realize, with an unpleasant twist in my gut, just how exposed I was. I was naked, in front of a complete stranger, in this sick, decaying world that belonged to The Shadow.
“Who are you?” I asked, trying to break the uncomfortable silence. “I’m assuming you don’t take the measurements of The Shadow’s reluctant hostages for a living.”
She smiled slightly, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “My name is Eldora. I’ve worked for The Shadow and his family for many years.”
“You say that so calmly,” I muttered, watching her hands as she adjusted the tape around my hips. “Then you must be well aware of the monster he is. I suppose he’s already told you about his brilliant plans to force me into marriage?”
Eldora’s calm expression didn’t waver. She continued her work with a steady hand, moving the tape to measure myshoulders. “Yes, he told me,” she said simply, as if discussing the weather. “My advice to you, dear, would be to do as he says. Your life will be much easier if you comply.”
I stiffened, biting back the torrent of curses threatening to spill from my mouth. Her calm acceptance of the situation grated on me. “And you’re just okay with that?” I spat. “Him forcing someone into marriage, threatening my life, and using my friend as leverage? Are you really that dead inside?”
Eldora paused for a fraction of a second, her gaze flicking up to meet mine. There was something behind those lavender eyes—regret, or maybe just the ghosts of too many years spent in servitude.
“I’m not here to question his decisions,” she said softly. “I’m here to ensure his plans proceed smoothly. But understand this—resistance will only make things harder for you. Sometimes, survival is about choosing which battles to fight.”
“Spare me the wisdom,” I snapped, stepping back the moment she finished measuring my arms and covering myself with the towel again. “I don’t need life advice from someone who’s clearly given up fighting a long time ago.”
She met my harsh words with an unreadable expression, her face as serene as ever. “Believe what you will. But you are not the first to face impossible odds in this place, and you won’t be the last.”
Her words hung in the air, a subtle warning, or maybe it was pity. Either way, it only fueled the fire burning in my chest. I didn’t need her pity. I needed a way out.
Eldora folded her measuring tape and stepped back, her gaze softening just a fraction. “I’ll have our seamstress prepare some clothes for you, but I will send a dress for tonight’s dinner shortly. You’ll want to make a good impression.”
“Oh, I’m sure I’ll dazzle him with my sparkling personality,” I muttered sarcastically, crossing my arms over my chest.
She let out a quiet, knowing sigh. “Remember what I told you... Give him what he wants, and your time here may not be as unbearable as you imagine.” She turned to leave, pausing just at the door. “The guards will be here in half an hour to escort you. I suggest you prepare yourself.”
With that, she slipped out the door, leaving me alone once more. In her absence, the temperature felt colder, as if all the warmth had been sucked out of the room. The echoes of her advice rattled around in my mind.
