ELORA
My heart beat a frantic rhythm as the day’s activities caught up with me. How had everything gone bad so quickly?
Just when I was happy with my life, getting used to my work at the library and the beautiful nights I spent with Lucy and my siblings.
Deep down, I had not expected to have a normal life as the child of a man labeled a traitor but I didn’t think the problems I had escaped from in Alkarod would come back to sting me.
The king’s cold words rang in my ears as I followed to my new chambers in the Royal wing of the Castle. I had been very wrong to assume he would be different from all the other men I had experienced.
I gave a shaky breath as the King’s Advisor slowed his steps, willing my burning face to cool. My hands were clammy with sweat as fear of what the night would bring flooded me.
It seemed I had traded one prison for another.
“As the King’s new mistress, you will have to do all you can to please him.” Teriel’s voice came breaking the silence I had come to find comfortable as we stood in front of a door beside the king’s chambers.
I nodded looking confused at the ornately designed doors.
“And where will I be staying?”
“In here.” He answered leading me into the small tastefully furnished chamber. There was a small door on the wall that divided mine and the King’s chambers and I wondered if it was adjoined to his chambers. Teriel confirmed my thoughts when he saw me looking at it. “This place has been reserved for you and is adjoined to the King’s chambers.”
He pulled out a small key and unlocked the door, returning it into his pocket.
I nodded looking around the place that was to be my new home.
The room was painted in a soft pink adorned with gold filigree and borders on edges of furniture. Several oil paintings depicting sunsets and waterfalls hung in gold frames in one end of the wall. There was a full-length mirror facing the largest bed I had ever seen.
Deep pink silk bed covers frilled with gold lace and pillows in a lighter shade of pink made the room look like something out of a little girl’s fantasy. There was another door in the room leading to what I assumed was a closet and as we walked further into the room, my feet sank into soft white carpeting.
“This is where the king expects you to be at all times.” The man said turning to her pointing at a tea service that had been wheeled in with a small stack of books, “Food and whatever form of entertainment you need, will be delivered here.”
I nodded as I took in the room willing my fear not to show. The king’s expectations were piling up but I was determined to act accordingly. Perhaps if I pleased him, he would be willing to let only me bear the exile to the Blackfoot’s.
“No more orgies for you.”
The speed at which my head turned to Teriel should have broken my neck but by some miracle I was still alive to feel embarrassment as my face burned.
He knew!
Did he see me?
Oh, my!
Does that mean the King knows too?
My heart beat faster as the events of that night played again. I thought as hard as I could to remember if I saw Teriel. My face turned redder as it would have been embarrassing to have seen him.
It was a nude party for goodness sake!
I didn’t want to imagine naked Teriel.
Wait… Did that mean Teriel had seen me naked?
“You are no longer to work at the royal library but you can visit with the presence of a royal guard when permitted by the King. This is your only duty now.” He added, switching the topic as if he hadn’t ripped the carpets from right under me.
“Yes, sir.” I sighed letting my grief show. I would miss having the earthy smell of aged books around me.
“The King wanted to give you a gift to make your transition easier.” He said clapping his hands together.
“A gift?” I asked curious.
“Yes.” He answered as the doors opened, “He handpicked your lady’s maid yesterday. You two seem to be very good friends.”
Friends? Did that mean…?
“Thank you so much!” I cried forgetting myself and hugging the man tightly.
Oh, Lucy. I couldn’t imagine staying locked up here by myself or with a total stranger.
His cough had me regaining my senses.
“I’m sorry.” I apologized looking up to see him fighting a smile.
“That will be all for now, Mistress. You may take the time to familiarize yourself with your chambers. I will send your maid up later.”
With that, he walked out of the room.
I sighed walking over to the mirror staring at the girl in the fancy clothes and hairstyle and picturing how my life had changed so drastically in the last few weeks.
From a library keeper to a royal breeder.
Will I be able to do what this position requires from me?