ELORA
Ever since I turned a slave back at Alkarod, peace became impossible for me and my family. If I wasn’t beaten up, I was escaping beating and humiliation. Chaos was the order of the day and I expected it. I adapted to it and sought out seconds of quiet. Usually, I enjoyed being chained up in the cellars just because of the privilege to hear my thoughts and to remember the life I had before my father was labeled a traitor.
Our life before then had been filled with laughter as we were a close-knit family. Father would go out hunting and return with the fattest deer he had found and we would have a large feast while mother played skillfully on the pianoforte. She was usually happy as long as she followed her tight routine. We loved mother despite her living with her peculiarities understanding that that was how best she could express herself. Every evening we would sit together just outside our mansion, curled up under a blanket and listening to the chirping of birds. It was on those evenings that she taught me how to embroider.
Now, that was all a long time ago but I felt closer to it than I had in a very long while. It had been a week and four days since I was rescued from the old king and everything had been peaceful.
Although it had been quite a while since I had seen the king, I knew he usually visited the library but was always out before I got in. It seemed he was playing an elaborate game of hide and seek or avoiding me totally since I was the daughter of the man that had broken his law. Just the other day, I thought I saw him and his sister walking toward the library. I had heard their voices but when I turned in their direction again, they were nowhere to be found.
Many times, I didn’t have to worry about my siblings as they were in good hands. The twins helped around in the royal kitchen by washing dishes. It wasn’t taxing and they seemed to be enjoying it. They made new friends and their eyes were filled with laughter most of the time. One thing I was even more grateful for was Olivia. She was better now and she worked in the kitchen also helping Lucy with cleaning. She hadn’t been touched at the whore house, she was only beaten by some girls there who were bullies.
“I’m leaving now, Elora!” Someone called out, drawing me out of my reverie.
It was Mark, one of the royal help. A few shelves in the library needed attention so I called on him to help out.
I dropped the book I was holding and went out to the entrance of the library. “Alright. Thank you so much for your help, Mark.”
The lanky man bowed slightly.
“It was no problem. I can smell our dinner from here so I can’t chitchat for too long.” He laughed, brown eyes dancing with mirth.
“Oh, that’s alright then, bye,” I giggled.
“I don’t think I saw you at the party the other day.” He cocked his head.
“Um. I–I–”
“Never mind. I do know I will be seeing you around…” He bowed again and walked out of the library.
My face burned as images from the party, one that I wouldn’t have attended without Lucy flooded my head. Throughout the day, I tried as much as possible to push them out. The raw and loose way the staff moved around naked. It reminded me of the parties back at Alkarod but this was different, nobody was choking me against my will.
Either way, it was a way for the royal staff to loosen up after days of hard work. They were generally nice and kind people. I didn’t feel out of place here as they helped me ease into the system. With their help, I was able to send a message to Alma but I hadn’t received a response yet. I sincerely hoped she and my mother were fine.
As I found my way back to the reading tables, my reflection caught my attention. Back at Alkarod, I didn’t like looking into mirrors, as they reminded me of how worn out I looked. This time, I stopped and turned to the full-length mirror attached to one of the shelves.
My amber eyes were wide open, full of life. I wasn’t used to that so I took a step backward. All the wounds had healed up and I felt brighter and healthier than I had in a long time. My cheeks had more color and my hair felt fuller even though it was packed into a bun. At the last full moon, I almost shifted to my wolf but I had to control myself. I didn’t want to cause trouble and draw unnecessary attention to my family and me.
I sighed in contentment and went around the library. It was closing time soon. I put the books in place and then proceeded to the staff living quarters. I could indeed smell dinner and my stomach grumbled loudly.
I shut the library door behind me and locked it with my key. This evening seemed brighter as the sun wasn’t ready to retire. I put my hands into my pockets and proceeded.
“Hello, Elora!” Someone called. I was fast becoming popular.
I waved. “Hello!” I didn’t know the person but I gave a bright smile of my own.
“You bitch! You lowlife!” someone screamed from the opposite end of the hallway.
Whack! A slap sound followed.
“How many times are you going to be told what to do?”
Someone was in trouble. I followed the sound of the voice. It was coming from the royal living quarters.
“You, dumb bitch!” The voice rang louder.
Just in front of the living quarters was a lady. Her shoulder-length ginger hair swayed as the screamed at the top of her voice. Her white evening gown was studded with diamonds that attracted the sun’s rays. She was a Lycan. Royalty.
It didn’t make sense to me at first but then I remembered that the old king had a mistress as Lucy had informed me. She had three children and they were a cause for distress to the entire royal staff. They’d been described as rude, pompous, and ultimately spoilt brats. This had to be one of the three bastard children. My blood boiled.
A slave was crouched in front of her, whimpering. Her grey uniform was torn in the waist and her lips were bloodied. There was a cut from her lips to her chin.
The Lycan devil pulled the girl by her hair and dragged her on the concrete floor scratching her face with her nails. The girl screamed in agony.
I knew that voice from anywhere.
I inched closer and saw it was Lucy.