"I learnt my lesson from using that name. You don't listen to it. Now stop avoiding my questions," I bit out.
The prince leaned closer. "You are quite a grudge holder. Aren't you?" The prince smiled and when he saw no spark in my eyes from his humour, he slowly sobered up. I could tell from his demeanour that he did not want to be in this situation either. It had nearly made him lose his composure. And for him, that was a big deal.
"Those demons have a treaty of sorts with the king. They will not harm me or anyone in my company, well… perhaps they might toy with us. But they will not step a foot further than that." I took the prince’s words into consideration and clenched my fist.
"Then why do you call them your enemies?" My tone was hard; I was unsure if he would even answer. The prince frowned slightly and then wiped his face of any emotion. "Can't you also sense it? Given the goddess blessed power you have; can't you sense the entirety of the power they have? It makes my fae blood... feel...submissible. Anyone who dares to make me feel that way is my enemy, warrior."
The question spilled out of me before I could reign it in. "And I don't make you feel that way?" My shadows seemed to push against the surface of my skin. Nearly wanting the challenge.
"You dear, warrior, make me feel everything—all except that." The prince's hand moved to touch my cheek and my eyes fluttered until he straightened himself and backed away from me. I was not sure if I should take that as a compliment or not.
"The lord is approaching; we will speak more of this later. For now, just be a good little blood thirsty warrior andbehave."I bit my lips and could have sworn if the lord was not here, Iwould have stomped on his foot in anger for commanding me of such. I turned just in time to see the familiar face of the lord of Abdera. Plump and rounded belly. His red jewels around his neck complimented his dark skin, his hair was greyed, and he was smiling in surprise when he saw me.
"Your Highness, you delight us by visiting Abdera." The lord bowed, his eyes then rested on me. "Ah and the arena performer, Morana. Today must be my lucky day to have you both here, what a spectacle it will be!" He took my hand in his and placed a chaste kiss on it. I held in the urge to roll my eyes.
"I must say, I wouldn't have recognised you with that hair of yours, you usually wear adiok. You look very different." The lord observed and then scrutinized my hair more almost as if he was intrigued by it.
"Moranais an arena performer no longer. She is my bodyguard," the prince stepped closer to me then as if to show his ownership. I would have frowned if I had not been told to behave.
"My... that is news to me. And what a great honour it must be for you, Morana. Come. My maids will show you both to your chambers within my home. You both must be begging to be bathed and dressed in fresh clothes." The lord had no fear for the prince as he ushered us both to the maids that awaited us.
"We accept your generosity." The prince discarded his golden cloak and followed his pair of maids. I had half expected him to request a room next to mine or close to it, just like he had done in Litara. Only except he did not. And it made me all the more confused about why I wish he had. I followed my pair of maids that crossed the garden’s stoned stairs to make our way to the entrance of the castle, more lanterns were lit to usher away the darkness of the night. And as I followed the maids into the castle, I felt a heated gaze follow my every move. I didn't dare tolook back as I feared that I'd be frozen by those green eyes once again. I was to avoidthemat all costs. It was to be my mission.
***
The maids were too helpful to my liking. They refused to leave when I had reassured them that I could bathe on my own. They gave small smiles as they led me into the tub and scrubbed me from head to toe. They had bathed me as if I was as important as the prince. I wondered if his maids also bathed him, if they assisted in stripping him and also touched his skin.
My hair being yanked tightly dispersed those thoughts as the maid washed my hair thoroughly, making me wince. "Apologies, my lady. It was a knot," the maid said. I simply nodded, feeling too bare to answer. The other maid with curly hair made good work of scrubbing my skin raw. Once every bit of my body had been scrubbed to the point of my skin flaming and deemed me worthy of being clean, they released me from their onslaught and guided me to the dressing table. The decor was of different shades of red and rich brown wood.
"A gift was left at your door, malady," the maid with curly hair announced, holding a white delicate box with a black silked ribbon wrapped in a bow. I studied it as the other maid quickly brushed through my wet hair and began to make work of it. I sniffed and nearly scowled at the box. I could scent the demons on it. If I were to open this box, would I be opening up a curse to be laid upon me? A poisonous creature that was to strike at me? I unwrapped the box with hesitant delicate touches. My heart thudded. To my surprise, it was just... material, soft cotton and thin.
There was a card—I turned it over to read.
It's a pleasure to see you again, Morana. Now that I am here, let me provide a dress worthy of your dark beauty.
Your favourite dressmaker,
Lorian.
I concealed my surprise from the maids as I studied the dress. It was odd that he smelled like these demons. The material was a soft cotton black with red rose prints dotting across the dress. It was different. Unique.
Stunning.
And it made me wonder if there was anything Lorian could make that did not look good.
"My, that looks lovely, Miss. Let's help you into it." I let them, finding no use in arguing. The maid had braided my hair skilfully, wrapping the braid into a delicate tight bun. I stood up and let them help me into the dress even though it required no help whatsoever except for the long zip in the back. The zip made a quick swatted noise as it was swiped up my back, making an A shaped pattern on the top. The dress hugged my bodice and hips tight until it flowed right down my legs. I blushed when I smoothed my dress down my behind, it was slightly tight around the area to show off every prominent curve. The maid in front of me smudged red kohl under my eyes and dabbed rouge onto my cheeks, giving me a defined blush.
"Thank you," I said politely but not gratefully. My skin still felt sore from their picking and prodding. I let them leave the room as I began strapping weaponry onto me. There was no way on Terran that I'd be going down there weaponless.
I shoved the green jewel inside the mattress of my bed, hidden and kept away safely.
***
How good is the memory of a demon?A shadow in my mind mocked, laughter echoing down the depths. I grit my teeth and stoned my features.
"My lady. I am going to have to ask you to leave your weapons on the table here with the rest. They are forbidden from the gardens." An Abderan guard with a red cloak stood in front of me. I was already trembling with anxiety and annoyance. Anxiety from the demons and annoyance from the fool in front of me that was forbidding me from taking my weapons.
"I am the prince's bodyguard," I answered, hoping this would be enough reason for him to let me take it.
