So she worked for Pharis then.
Which meant this must have beenhiscastle, the one he’d mentioned when my family was traveling with him. Storm-something, I couldn’t quite remember the name.
“Well I wouldn’t want to meet your former lord then,” I said.
She grinned. “No. You wouldn’t.”
Lowering her voice to a whisper, she said, “So you seem to be feeling much better.”
“I am. Still weak as a kitten, but the pain from movement is mostly gone.”
“Good. I’ve never seen injuries like yours,” she said. “I’m actually surprised you survived them.”
Though I couldn’t clearly remember sustaining the injuries, I’d obviously seen the multitude of bruises and marks on my torso as well as on my legs. Little by little they were growing lighter and disappearing.
“Your healer must be very talented,” I said.
“Oh she is,” my new friend said enthusiastically. “She used to serve the King.”
Her eyes got rounder. “I probably shouldn’t have said that either. You swear you won’t tell the Prince I’ve spoken to you?”
“I swear. It’s nice to meet you,” I added.
She bobbed in a quick curtsy. “It’s nice to meet you too. I’ve never met a half-Elf. And Prince Pharis has never brought any woman here before.”
The look on her face made me rush to clarify, waving my hands in front of my chest. “Oh, it’s not like that with us.”
The young woman gave me a quizzical glance but said nothing more about it.
“Would you like me to help you back to the bed before I go?” she asked once the bed was made.
I nodded, and she did, helping me to slide in between the luxurious fresh sheets and adjusting the down pillows behind me so I could sit up in bed comfortably.
She went to the door and turned back just before opening it. “I’ll tell him how much better you’re doing. Maybe soon you’ll be able to go outside and see the ocean.”
“Thank you. And thank you for all you’ve done for me,” I said. “You never told me your name.”
“It’s Kem. But don’t tell him you know that.”
Bringing my forefinger up against my mouth, I grinned and shook my head. “I won’t.”
“I’ll see you at supper,” Kem said and left.
When she returned that evening, she wasn’t carrying a tray of food but a beautiful gown in her arms. It was coral-colored with a tight strapless bodice and voluminous skirts.
“What’s this?” I asked.
Once she’d closed the door behind her, she answered.
“You’re to go downstairs tonight for your evening meal.”
She beamed. “The chef is very excited. So is the rest of the staff. Elanor and I are the only ones who’ve seen you besides the guards who brought you inside the night you arrived.”
“But they all know I’m here?” I asked, a bit surprised.
This was quite a different situation from my incarceration in Stellon’s suite at Seaspire. He’d kept me a secret from everyone, even his trusted sister and brother, in an effort to keep me safe from his father the King.
Kem nodded and gave me a sheepish grin. “The rumors about servants gossiping are quite true, I’m afraid. Everyone is very eager to meet you.”
