“My lady, I am Nella and I am to be your lady-in-waiting. The King appointed me this morning. He sends his regards andapologizes for not being able to join you for breakfast. He has urgent matters to attend to.”
I scoff in disdain. As if I would ever want to share breakfast with that brute and exchange menial words and pleasantries. Why he is pretending to be a gentleman, and not the despicable creature I know him to be, is beyond my comprehension.
Nella seems to sense my apprehension and rubs her hands on the sides of her dress before she takes another step in my direction.
“Would you like to serve breakfast first, or would you prefer a chance to freshen up in the en-suite bathroom while I prepare you a change of clothes?”
I narrow my eyes at her servitude, and the easy-going smile she has plastered on her face. She’s a human, for fuck’s sake! How can she seem so at ease in this place, when her very life is at peril?
“You’re neither Fae nor vampire,” I say.
“Yes, my lady.”
“Why?”
She frowns slightly at my question. “Why am I human, my lady? I guess because I was born that way. My father was human, and so was my mother,” she says as if she has to explain to a small child how babies are brought into this world.
“No, not that,” I snort at her reply. “I mean, why are you here? How can you be working here, for them? Are you in danger? Is it a type of situation? Do you need help?”
Nella chuckles and shakes her head, her blonde locks swaying with the movement. “Of course not, my lady. I work here because I want to. We all do. I am safe here, as you are too, my lady.”
“Yeah, right,” I grumble under my breath. This poor woman is delusional. “Safe in the hands of the Vampire King, suuuuuure.”I’ve never heard of vampires having mind-control powers, but something like that must be what’s happening here.
“So, my lady, shower or food, what would you like?” Nella asks, changing the subject.
“A shower sounds nice,” I answer, rolling my shoulders to ease the tension that has gathered there.
“And please call me Aimee, Nella. None of that business.”
“Of course, my la… I mean, Aimee.” She gestures towards the door on the right side of the bed. “The bathroom is through there. I will be here preparing your attire for the day. Please let me know if you need anything else.”
I need to escape this gilded cage; that’s what I need. But it’s fairly obvious the woman won’t be of any help in that department, so I shake my head as I stand from the bed and move towards the bath chamber.
“That will be all, Nella. Thank you.”
After a long hot shower and a hearty breakfast later, I am sitting on a black settee in front of a tall mirror, while Nella is brushing my hair gently. I’m wearing a long, dark brown velvet dress with a sweetheart neckline and golden embroidery woven along the full length of the tight sleeves. It’s quite beautiful, I must admit, and it fits my body like a second skin. I’ve perused the various pieces of clothing that fill the armoire, and I’m speechless at the exquisite materials and designs. Long, flowy dresses made from the softest silks, warm capes and tight leather pants, as well as all sorts of heels, boots and slippers. It’s a wardrobe fit for a queen, and for the life of me, I don’t understand why Killianwould bother with such a thing for a prisoner. Maybe it’s a prettily wrapped bribe, meant to persuade me into lowering my guard and helping him get to my sister? As if! But I do like the clothes, if I’m being honest with myself.
“So, Aimee, what would you like to do today? Would you like to explore the castle? Would you be interested in visiting the library, maybe spending a few hours reading? Or some fresh air would be more to your liking? The gardens are quite splendid, this time of day,” Nella says from behind me, finishing pinning a few locks away from my face with pearl-adorned golden hair combs.
Exploring the castle is high on my list of priorities, but so is walking the grounds, so I can start crafting an escape. And the idea of fresh air, even cold air, brings a sharp thrill through my limbs.
“A walk in the gardens sounds lovely,” I answer her with a smile. I’ve decided Nella doesn’t deserve my contempt, even though she seems to be willingly serving the worst being in all Imiryion.
The petite human accompanies me through the castle towards the gardens, telling me about what each floor houses. I try to memorize all the details and store them for later use. Apparently, my room is on the last floor of the castle, which is the King’s floor, warded heavily against intruders. A floor below is the location of the library, several studies and the bedchambers of the other vampires residing at the vampire court. The ground level has several sitting chambers and waiting rooms, as well as an official ballroom for more formal affairs. Below that are the kitchens, while the servant’s quarters are in the east wing.
I am appalled to know that I am sleeping on the same floor as Killian himself. That complicates matters further for me, as I willhave to be extremely stealthy to disappear from right under his nose.
We reach a set of heavy metal double doors, and Nella stops walking.
“Here are the gardens, Aimee. Would you like me to accompany you on your walk, or would you prefer some alone time?”
“I’d like to be alone with my thoughts for a while.” I lie smoothly with a smile plastered on my face. “No need to wait for me. I can find my way back on my own when I’m done. Thank you, Nella.”
“As you wish. I will come to your chamber to bring you lunch later.” With that, she turns back the way we came, and disappears out of sight around a corner.
“Finally!” I whisper to myself as I slide open the doors and step out into the frigid air. The cold bites my cheeks, and I’m thankful that Nella insisted I wear the thickest, fur-lined cape, as well as warm gloves and sturdy boots.
The snow crunches under my feet as I walk forward, and I appraise the view with focused eyes. The gardens seem to spread in every direction, with a tall marble fountain sparkling in the winter sun more in front, as snow-covered trees line both sides of the walkway. Far in the distance, I can spot the impossibly tall stone walls, and I start walking, assessing my surroundings.
