“One of my friends. They usually kill them, but this time, he survived. I wonder if that means the guards outside are dead?”
I swallow hard and glance toward the window. The sound comes again. The glass panes vibrate. Chills spread down my spine. I’ve never heard any creature make a sound like that.
“Don’t worry, he won’t harm us. Sit, please.” She gestures to the table. “They brought the good wine. They must know it’s a night for celebration.”
I approach the table cautiously. Her plate of food is the same as mine and I realize that must be why I get such good rations. Whatever they prepare for her, they give to me as well. “What are we celebrating?”
“Death, my friend. Lots, and lots of death.”
Nineteen
Sabina
Washing quickly, I finish in the bath, then pull a robe around me before returning to my room. My ladies are gathered in a circle, whispering. I’m sure I know the topic of conversation and I do not want to join them.
There’s a wardrobe across from the bed and when I open it, I’m surprised to find dresses in a variety of colors. I pull a red dress from the collection and hold it out. “Did you see this?”
They stop talking and stare.
“Is this for me? Do you think Caiden…”
Genevieve joins me, then looks through the dresses. “These are all in the newest style. I’d say someone had them made recently.”
“He’s letting you wear color?” Charlotte says longingly.
“I guess.”
“Maybe he really does care for you,” Antonia says.
“He thinks he does,” I tell her. “But there’s a difference between someone caring for you like they own you. Like they’reentitled to you. And someone caring for you because they want what’s best for you.”
I pull out a sunshine yellow dress, holding it in my other hand while I carry the ruby red one. I toss it to Charlotte. “Here. This would look great on you.”
I hold up the ruby dress for Antonia. “Interested?”
She hesitates, then grabs it from me.
I head back to the wardrobe. “What do you think, Genevieve?” I pull out a violet dress with lace down the back. “This would look amazing on you.”
She gasps, then takes it from me, holding it against her chest. Then she pulls a blue dress out of the collection. “This is for you. It’s the same color as your eyes.”
I run my fingers along the silky fabric, then look at the remaining dresses. Half of them are this color. The color of my eyes. Something tightens in my stomach. Was it possible Caiden really did care? Was he even capable of caring?
“Go on, put it on.” She passes it to me. I can’t help the smile that spreads across my lips as I take it from her.
We all change, and suddenly my room feels alive. The colorful furniture and walls, the dresses, even the women look more vivid. Their cheeks naturally flushed, their eyes brighter.
“How did they ever give this up?” I spin in the dress, the skirt twirling around me. They had so much money, the ability to pay for the most vibrant colors, yet they chose to wash it all away.
“I forgot something so simple could bring so much joy,” Charlotte says. “I want to show Elliot. Do you think I could?”
“We should all go,” Genevieve says. “Maybe we’ll cross paths with the prince?”
“Good idea.”
“Not yet,” Antonia snaps.
We all turn to her.
