I huffed a sigh of relief.
As long as I stayed at the castle, this early morning routine would be unavoidable. It wasn’t ideal, but it was my only choice. I just had to make sure I took it at exactly the same time every day.
I concealed the vial then placed it back inside the boot in the armoire. Dressing quickly into the nightgown hanging onthe back of the door, I returned to bed hoping to find a few more hours of sleep.
I curled my knees in towards my body. I tried closing my eyes, but I couldn’t escape the images from the nightmare. The flames licking my body, the angry shouts, the cruel faces of the mob—it had all felt so real.
Would that be my fate if I was exposed to be Mer? Surely not. From the little time I had spent with them, the mortals didn’t appear to be bloodthirsty. Still, I would need to be careful. If my true nature was discovered, there would be consequences. At the very least, my only chance to break the curse would go up in flames.
Starting today, I would do everything in my power to get things moving. I would not waver, and I most certainly would not be exposed.
The sound of waves crashed into my thoughts. While the rest of the world slept, the ocean called to me. I placed a pillow over my head and I ignored it.
Chapter 11
I woke to the sound of the door opening. I lifted one heavy eyelid enough to see the maid from the night before entering the chamber with a breakfast tray.
“Good morning, Miss,” she said. “I hope you slept well. I’ll return shortly to help you dress for the day.”
Before I had a chance to respond, she was already gone. Sitting up, I regarded the contents of the tray. I salivated at the fruit, toast, eggs and tea, but it was the unfamiliar item that I eyed warily.
Stabbing it with my fork, I inspected it distrustfully. Cylindrical in shape and dirt-brown in color, it certainly didn’t look appetizing. Still, I would embrace this land and all of its strange offerings. After a small, reluctant nibble, I was surprised to find I actually enjoyed the salty taste it left in my mouth. It was all the convincing I needed. Soon I was sampling everything, pleased that I wouldn’t have to spend the next few weeks forcing down flavorless gruel.
I had already cleaned my plate and was sipping my heavily sweetened tea by the time the maid returned with a pine green gown in her hand. Observing my empty plate she said, “It’s good to see your appetite has not been affected, if you don’t mind me saying, Miss. You’ve had quite an ordeal.”
“It would take more than a spot of wild weather and a brushwith death to rid me of my taste for eggs,” I said, the side of my mouth curling upwards.
She chuckled. “Very good, Miss. Shall I help you dress?”
I eyed the gown with its elaborate buttons and ribbons and nodded. “It looks complicated. I think it’s best I don’t attempt to navigate it on my own.” She chuckled again, not realizing that I wasn’t joking in the slightest. Still, she seemed friendly enough and she’d undoubtedly know everything that went on at the castle. The servants always did. “What’s your name?” I asked as I disrobed.
“Runa. I have been assigned to look after your needs during your time here.”
Runa looked to be about my age, although her head barely reached my shoulders. She had tawny eyes, cinnamon hair and a friendly, freckle-dusted face.
Once I stepped into the gown, she tightened the bodice with expert force. I sucked in a breath. “Damn me to confinement,” I swore. “I’ve never understood why women subject themselves to this torture.”
“Confinement?” she giggled. “I’ve never heard such a curse.”Shit.“Is the fashion much different in your land?” She continued to fasten the bodice, compressing my ribs with every pull.
My face heated. My clumsy mouth had let too much slip. Clearing my throat, I responded, “Not all that different, though perhaps not as intricate as the fashions here.” Notentirelya lie. In Vantillios we wore relaxed, flowing garments made from breathable fabrics, designed to be effortlessly removed as we transitioned from land to sea.
“Our fashions suit you well.” She took a step back to admire the gown. “Even if they aren’t what you are used to.”
The gown was far from comfortable, and it was horribly restrictive to move in. But if I was going to play the role of a mortal, I would have to dress like one.
Runa chatted idly while she brushed and styled my hair. I learned she was fairly new to the castle, having recently left her village to earn coin for her family. When she wasn’t assisting me, her duties extended to sewing and embroidering for the royal household. She was an easy-going, sweet-natured person who spoke with adoration for her family.
She and I could not be more different.
“Is it difficult for you to be away from your family?” I asked, genuinely intrigued by the concept of being fond of one’s relatives. Not that I didn’t love my grandmother, of course. But I doubted I’d yearn for her presence over the weeks to come. The idea was laughable.
“Oh, very much. I miss them every day, but I know that being here helps Ma and Pa put food on the table and buy new shoes for my brothers and sisters, so I get on with it and hope that Ingrid will grant me leave to visit them soon,” she said as she put the finishing touches on my hair.
“Is she likely to do so?” Ingrid didn’t seem like the sort of person who would approve of her staff requesting leave from their duties.
“Ingrid is strict, but fair. She has a kind heart under her stern exterior, and I have no doubt she will permit me time away from the castle once I have saved enough coin. All done, Miss Alara.”
When I peered at myself in the mirror, it was like staring at a stranger wearing my face. She had skillfully styled my hair into elaborate braids at the back of my head. Usually, I preferred to wear it unbound, but it looked undeniably sophisticated. Polished.
