“Well, this is interesting,” Ataiun says as his eyes flicker from Thylas to Ereon. “I knew you loved women, Ereon, but I didn’t know you gravitated towards men as well.”
Ereon throws his legs over the side of the bed while grabbing his silk pants and slides them over his legs. As he’s wrapping the matching black robe with gold embellishments over him, he walks around the bed and stands in front of Ataiun.
“Ambassador Thylas was reporting on the state of Princess Carnaxa. Why are you here, dog?” Ereon’s voice is filled with irritation.
“Careful, Prince. Your father has never let me dole out your punishments, but one day, he will. Just like he did with the little bird there.” He dips his head to me. My wrists ache at the reminder.
Ereon takes a step to his left, effectively blocking me from Ataiun’s view. “Does your visit have a reason or did you just miss me?”
“Not you, but I do miss her.” Ataiun's cold, heartless voice fills the room, before he continues. “Your father is waiting for you and the Princess in the throne room.”
Ereon’s jaw clenches before he turns to Thylas. “Thank you for your report, Ambassador. Please return to Princess Carnaxa and let her know of my father's request for her presence.”
“I’ve already been there, so there is no need. Kyaw is with her now, helping her prepare,” Ataiun states, a cruel smirk plastering his face.
My jaw clenches as I think of Kyaw. She always seemed kind, but she is preferred by Ataiun and King Atlas over the others. I remember once, when she spoke up against them. The consequence was having her jaw wired shut for three moons, and ever since, she only speaks when required.
Both Thylas and Ereon share a glance before Ereon returns his attention to Ataiun. “Very well. You’ve said what you needed to say, now carry on.”
Ataiun gives a mocking bow before turning on his heels and leaving the room. Without even glancing at me, Thylas and Ereon both turn to the doorway that leads to her room. They leave silently through the door. I sweep my legs from beneath the bedding, wondering how long I will call this my room. Will Ereon throw me into theyir supaalong with the other women who give the King comfort — willing or not? I don’t think he would be so cruel ... but when he finds out the truth … he might feel justified.
The flames beside me catch my attention as they spark and sputter and I try to call forth the magic inside of me. Longing to see home, I focus in an attempt to turn the flames into a mirror. A way to see my people, even if they don’t realize I’m doing it. If someone is near the flames I see through, I could speak to them,even for just a moment. The magic hums inside me, but is quickly gone. I don’t have enough to do what I need. I let out a frustrated sigh.
My itchy skin under this black bracelet is becoming unbearable. I look for some clothes I have stored here in Ereon’s room. The dark fabrics feel soft beneath my fingertips and I realize how much I’ve missed them while Ereon was gone. The King kept me in nothing or, if I was lucky, a ratty dress that barely covered anything.
My body still aches from what Atlas put me through. How his wretched smell covered me. It probably still does. I look around, making sure the men are still out of the room — I am going to take a bath. I walk to the balcony, covering my hands with thick fabrics. Pipes in the palace connect to an underground well to then distribute water to each room’s balcony. We have a constant supply of warm water as it is heated by the sun. I grab the large basin that’s already full and carry it back to the bathing chambers in Ereon’s suite. I’ll make this trip multiple times, the bath will be worth it.
eight
Carnaxa
Walking through the cold hallways lit with torches every few feet, makes me miss Antalis. My home was full of white marble, but here it’s even gloomier than the wooden hallways of Midaeliea. I recall from a trip when I was younger, Midaeliea was dark, but in a comforting and cozy way. There is an unwelcoming feeling that lingers here.
Prince Ereon and Ambassador Thylas entered my room without warning shortly after I was summoned to the throne room. Siphonie had to usher them out so I could continue gettingdressed, but I heard them talking through the opened door which connects my room with the Ereon’s. The whispers I couldn’t make out made me more uncomfortable. I wish they would speak openly with me. I know my memory may be lacking right now, but I know I should be privy to their conversations.
Siphonie walks beside me, her hand seemingly wanting to reach out and touch mine. I feel her featherlight touches as we walk, but I don’t want to appear any weaker than I already think I do. Surely being asleep when one enters the kingdom they are meant to rule — co-rule — isn’t the best first impression. I walk with my head held high — or as high as I can — readying for the unknown. Siphonie said she hasn’t met the King yet and is unsure about his demeanor. I can already guess he is the opposite of my father. From the stories I heard as a child, anyone who rules a kingdom where the women are not of the same social ranking as men, cannot be like my father.
We reach the end of a darkened hallway to be met by a giant door. The door has the Shaston sigil of a snake against a sun backdrop carved into the sandstone. I itch at my arms along the strange leather cuff wrapped there. I take my fingers and run them along the bracelets of my other arms — the bracelets my mother gave me. How I wish she was here right now.
“Just her,”ShacheAtaiun says, startling me, and walks quickly to get in front of us.
“I amBêlitSiphonie. My husband,BêlRhenor, will be joining us soon. I am Princess Carnaxa’s cousin, as well as her chaperone. Where she goes, I go.”
If the circumstances weren’t what they were, I would laugh. Siphonie has never been my chaperone. I don’t argue because I don’t want to enter the throne room without her at my side. Right now, the only ones I feel safe with are her and Rhenor.
Ataiun rolls his eyes before grabbing Siphonie above the elbow as she starts to walk past him. “The King does not care who you are,BêlitSiphonie. We may honor your title because of where you are from and will soon return to, but make no mistake, the only value you carry here is between your legs.”
Siphonie’s fist curls against her leg. Never would someone of Antalis speak to her like this. Ereon grumbles under his breath and I hear Thylas somewhere behind me make a statement as well, although I don’t catch what it is. I hear their steps coming from behind me as Ataiun just smirks down at Siphonie.
“I don’t care who you are, but if you talk to my wife like that again, I’ll make sure you have met your end with my blade. Sooner, rather than later.” Rhenor hastens over from the left corridor. He stands tall with his red-tinted hair shining against the flickering flames which light the hall. He’s wearing the blues of my house and it makes me smile to see something so familiar.
“BêlRhenor.” Ataiun bows. “Forgive me. I let myself get carried away. I was simply letting your wife know, here in Shaston, a woman’s word is the same as voices on the wind. Forgotten and unheard quickly. The King has requested for Princess Carnaxa and Prince Ereon only. The rest of you are to remain outside.”
“I am Ambassador to Antalis and I should be involved in any meeting Princess Carnaxa is called to,” Thylas says from behind me.
“While that may be true, the King is unsympathetic. You are to be included during discussions of Antalis. This is not one of them. Princess Carnaxa and Prince Ereon are the only ones permitted in at this time. I would not anger King Atlas after barely arriving, especially considering you were expected weeks ago.”
Ereon’s tall frame comes into my periphery. I had forgotten how tall he was. I didn’t notice when I stumbled into his room after I woke up. I remember the first time I saw him as he walked into my father’s throne room the day he arrived in Antalis. I was shaking so hard, my trembling hands gave my emotions away. When my father introduced me, I remember meeting his dark brown eyes and how warmth spread through me beneath his gaze. He was absolutely breathtaking, but I looked away, feeling guilty. For what, I don’t remember because there is a darkness in the memory, until I recall his eyes. I hear the faint words of “It’s nice to meet you, Princess Carnaxa” echoing through my mind.
