“I apologise on her behalf, Lord Aegir Hailin. I also apologise for not being present to oversee your stay myself. Unfortunately, I had to attend a Sand Cremation Ceremony for my brother’s passing. May Amfir accept his soul.”
“My condolences, Mr. Mounir.”
“Thank you, Prince Hailin. My second has informed me that you and your men arrived earlier than anticipated and so she had to accommodate and serve you with little preparation whatsoever. She assigned you this room, but if you’d like, I can move you down to the first floor, closer to your men. The rooms are freshly painted. And I am, of course, also here to discuss any changes that you’d like, to ensure that your stay is a pleasurable one.”
Oh, I should have kept my mouth shut. I shouldn’t have bargained with him, or at least I shouldn’t have bargained the way I did—greedily. Now I had to trust that he would keep his promise of secrecy.
“Delia! I decided that I want to hear Lord Hailin’s requests without an audience. Go wait with the others in the servants’ quarters. I’ll be there soon to let you know your new roles.”
I nodded and hurried to the door.
“Delia!” I froze. “You are impossible, you know. You were leaving without wishing good night to His Highness.”
“I had already wished him good night, right before you arrived,” I replied quietly.
I swear his mildly tanned skin reddened a shade or two.
“Get out of my sight,” Mounir barked.
“Goodbye, Lord Hailin.” My last words to him before closing the door.
Well, it seemed that I was fucked either way.
We were all lined up against the kitchen counter waiting for Mounir as if we were waiting for the executioner. The room falling eerily silent marked his arrival, as did his keys. Clara’s hands went behind her back, hiding their tremble.
“The promised servants will be starting with us tomorrow, three of them. Expect changes.”
Silence.
“Sabriela, starting tomorrow, you are assigned to take care of the Belzari twins. Lady Devora has decided that she would like the twins to attend the School of Dunes with the other noble children of Sharlam. You are to wake them, serve them breakfast, prepare their lunches, and take them to school. You are, of course, to do whatever else Lady Devora asks of you. Oh! And do not forget! You cannot take the twins beyond school territory without a family member or without their guard. You do not take them anywhere else other than to school and back, and you have to use the underground passage beneath the castle. Do you understand?”
“Of course, Mr. Mounir. I understand,” she replied, her voice calm and strong. I could tell that she was thrilled just from her posture, the rest of her face impassive. Good girl. She knew better than to show him any emotion. She’d quickly learned it would be used against us and adapted like a true survivor. Sabi loved the Belzari twins. She used to play with them when she first came here.
“While they’re at school, you are to return here immediately and serve tea on the first and second floors.”
“Mr. Mounir, do I have to serve the Fae males as well?” she asked quietly, her eyes dimming.
“Yes, obviously, Sabriela. School starts early in the morning, so you are dismissed. Go to bed, now.” He turned to Nadya. “Nadya, starting tomorrow, you are assigned to serve the three princesses of Lady Nadania for their morning and evening routines.” Nadya reached for the parchment. “Don’t lose it. It’s their weekly schedule. Oh, and Princess Yasmina’s birthday is next week. So tomorrow morning, you are to accompanyPrincess Maryam and Princess Eleanora to buy her a gift. Understood?”
Nadya nodded.
“You’re dismissed. Ralfe and Tomas, you are to serve the council members, clean their chambers, and continue working in the laundry room in between servings. The new servants will be assigned to Lord Hailin’s men. Dismissed.
“Clara, your kitchen duties remain, but only until noon. After that, you’re on laundry duty.” She only gave him a small nod, her eyes broken as always. She had barely taken a step. “Did you hear me dismiss you? Wait there.
“Delia, you are to remain serving Lord Hailin. The instant you are not doing that, I want you either down in the laundry room or in the servants’ kitchen, depending on what is needed for the day. Farah or myself will assign you accordingly.” His face remained impassive as he gave out the order.
How in gods’ names did he leave me assigned to him?I nodded and made to leave. He snatched my arm, yanking me back.
Two days—I spent only two days without a bruised arm.
“Don’t feel privileged that you’ll remain serving the prince. It’s only temporary, and do not even think about slacking off.” His hand pressed. “You are to attend to his needs, then leave his roomimmediately. Do you understand?” His malicious voice delivered the intended threat.
“Yes, Mr. Mounir.”
“Dismissed.”
CHAPTER 7
