It’s strange being around so many humans again. There are no horned servants or winged nobles here, only regally dressed humans who pass me judgemental looks as they notice my dirty hair and gown.
It reminds me of Father’s palace, of the times I’d be returning to my bedchamber after a long day of riding. The nobles wouldn’t say anything, but I’d see the cruel words they wanted to say in their smirks, or I’d hear it in their laughter when I turned down a corridor. Only my sisters didn’t care how much mud was on my gown or if my face was sunburnt.
So why did I treat them like they did?
Gripping my skirts, I push the silly thought away. I don’t have time to reminisce. The only sister I should be thinking about right now is Tauren’s.
“Will you fetch my handmaid for me once I arrive?” I ask the guard by my side. “I want the girl who helped me in the inn. She was so kind to me.”
The guard eyes me as we walk down a marble hallway. “I’ll have servants sent to your room.” His tone makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and I can’t help but walk a little quicker.
As we pass under a gold archway, the shorter guard from the throne room shuffles towards us, keeping his gaze to the floor.
“Hey,” my escort calls out to him. “Is her room clear?”
He barely notices us.
“Hey! Matthew!” My guard grabs his arm, shaking him. “What’s wrong with you? Is it ready?”
Matthew just stumbles, slurring his words as if he’s had several glasses of wine. “Everything is fine,” he breathes. “It’s a beautiful day. Need a walk outside, I think.”
“Fucking weirdo,” the taller guard huffs before letting go of him. Eventually, we arrive at a pretty wooden door, and he opens it, gesturing for me to enter.
“Thank you,” I say, expecting him to bow and close the door behind me.
But the guard doesn’t bow. Instead, he follows me in, and the awful feeling that had been building on our walk here turns to a whimper in my throat.
“Are you really still a virgin?” He marches towards me. “Because Lady Urma has been saying some nasty shit about what she saw in that demon’s castle. About how he had you practically naked on his lap.”
I stumble away from him. A vase wobbles on a wooden dresser when my back crashes into it.
“Bet he just got tired of you and let you go. Little slut.” His hands slide up my waist. I want to reach for my hidden daggers, but my fingers feel like ice.
“Don’t touch me! Leave me alone,” I snarl.
“Not until I find out if you’re worth all the hassle you put my boss through.”
Bile rises up my throat. When he tries to kiss me, I yelp – but then the last voice I ever expected to hear cuts through my panic.
“It’s a nice day outside. You want to leave my sister alone and go for a walk.”
28
DAHLIA
The guard goes still. His hands drop from my waist, and a vacant look washes over his eyes.
“You want to go for a walk,” Blossom says again. “A nice walk outside would be lovely. Don’t you think?”
“Yes,” he slurs. “A walk would be lovely.” With that, his gaze drops to the floor as his legs carry him out of the room.
The second the door closes, I’m shocked by my own scream.
“It’s alright.” Blossom throws her arms around me. “I’ve got you. You’re safe.” I inhale the comforting scent of rose shampoo and perfume. It’s only when she steps back and I take in her curly black hair and pink gown that it hits me.
“What are you doing here?” I sob. “Howare you here? How did you make him leave? This can’t be real!”
“It is.” She squeezes my hands. “Stars, I’m so happy we found you.” She hugs me again. When I feel her tears on my shoulder, I can’t help but hug her back.
