ELORA
“You will be disguised as the king’s sex slave. Your job is the simple one of acting convincingly.” Skye eyed me. “Do you understand, Elora?”
I realized that I had been staring at her so I jumped. “Yes, Your Highness.”
“The beauticians will come up here in the wee hours of tomorrow. They will dress you up in your costume. You should expect to be dressed shabbily.” She explained placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.
This action promoted me to ask the question that had been burning in me.
Was it appropriate to ask Skye questions?
She did seem approachable and relaxed now with her loose breeches and leather jacket. There wasn’t any belt tying anything together or boots on her feet.
“Do you have something to say, Elora?” She asked, jolting me.
I guessed I was that transparent or Skye just had the knack for reading people.
“Well, yes. I was thinking that wouldn’t we be recognized? Most especially the king. He’s not the least bit…you know.” I rubbed my palms together anxiously waiting for her reply.
“Oh, no. Don’t worry about that. We have everything under control. Are you good?”
“Oh, yes I am. Thank you.”
“You just play your part and make it as believable as possible.”
“And…” I was afraid I was asking too many questions. “How will I do that? Act like a se-ex slave…” My cheeks burned.
Was I going to go in naked or strip or what?
“Now the fundamental thing about being a slave is ‘submission’ most especially as a sex slave. You want to stroke the male ego.” She rolled her eyes. “You know how pompous men are with their egos bigger than their brains? You just do what they say.”
I nodded.
“Don’t look them directly in the eyes. Worship the ground they walk on. Never speak until you’re asked to do so. Basically, act dumb and stupid.” Skye looked at me. “You can do that, right?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Good.” She gave a fraction of a smile. It was wiped away as fast as it appeared. “Another thing is that you will be a slave the king just bought. Alright? Those sick men will believe a man who bought slaves better than a rich man. Sick men…”
I understood Skye’s disgust.
The atrocities they committed were enough to desire their heads.
The short time I had spent at the auction house scarred me even.
“As much as they are despicable greedy bastards, they want to protect their business at all costs. This implies that you have to act the part properly. Execution must be perfect Elora or something could go wrong before planned. Do you get that?”
“Yes, Your Highness.” I bowed.
“Splendid!” She gestured to my bed. “Get some rest. You’ll need it.”
With that, she walked out of the room, shutting the door as if she hadn’t just dropped a huge weight in my stomach.
I plopped down in my bed and gave a deep sigh.
Everything was happening so fast that I needed to catch my breath. I was to act like a sex slave while the king was my master. It should not be that hard since I wasn’t to say or do anything. I closed my eyes, willing sleep to overwhelm me.
******
There was no way that I was going to be able to fall asleep so easily. Merely thinking about the journey brought up so many concerns.
What if I wasn’t good enough?
What if I slipped up and the slavers realized who I was?
What if they recognized the king?
There were a million and one ways this journey could go wrong and I didn’t want to be the reason that happened.
I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Skye had said I needed rest and that meant I really needed rest but my body had been frightened awake. I wasn’t sure how many hours had passed.
But what if the journey was successful and we were able to free the slaves?
Would that mean that I would be reunited with my family?
I knew that we were slaves by the king’s law but maybe he would have pity on us and free us?
The idea of my family being freed brought butterflies to my belly. Oh how I wished that was what would happen then we would get a small house by the waters of Bale.
Brian and Bennet would fish, mother would embroider, Olivia would entertain us by dancing and I would tell my family stories under the moonlight. I could imagine it so vividly that I didn’t know when I shut my eyes. Maybe miraculously, my father would appear. We would be the most perfect family in all of Bale.
I was thinking of what our dinner would be like when I heard a knock on my door.
Oh my!
Just when I was finally dozing off.
“I’m coming!” I called, managing to roll out of my bed and trudged to the door.
“Greetings, ma’am. We were sent by the king to dress you for your journey.” A tall woman said as I opened the door. The other woman beside her nodded.
The beauticians.
“Come in, please.” I opened the door wider and stood aside.
I led them to my dressing table and sat in the chair. Unlike the last makeover I had, there weren’t glamorous dresses or fascinating pomades. Everything they brought out was to hide my true self. Black lotions, black eyeliners, black clothes.
They ruffled my dark auburn hair and let it down. One of them worked with the hair while the other concentrated on my face. Slowly I couldn’t recognize the image in the mirror.
My dainty nose was brushed up with a glittery substance. My eyelids were layered with what looked like black paint and my eyelashes were lined with black eyeliner. My cheeks were dusted with a red powdery substance and my formerly small jaw was enunciated with some pomade.
This was magic.
I looked sultry and oh dear, enticing.
“Ma’am we would like you to wear the dress now.”
I stood up as one of them brought a black dress from one of their bags. It was plain with puffy sleeves and sequins on the neckline. The odd feature was that it stopped mid-thigh and my heart nearly gave out when I imagined how much skin I’d be showing. They helped me get into it then brought out a large cloak wrapping me in it.
I took one last look at myself.
My wild hair, red lips, black cloak.
“Let’s head out ma’am. We were instructed to escort you to the carriage outside.”
“Okay.”
It was still dark out and silent as a graveyard.
The usual hustle and bustle of the place was not absent as most of the castle was still asleep. We were guided by the dying embers of torches in the hallway as we made our way outside, although I could see clearly even in the absence of sufficient lighting.
Just as we stepped outside the castle gates, a carriage approached us. It was black with no added decorations or the usual filigree. It was definitely not a royal carriage. The horses were also black and neighing threateningly as they approached us.
“Princess Skye.” One of the stylists called.
I turned to see her emerge from the shadows opposite us.
She gave a small nod indicating the carriage was the right one and I was nudged forward as one of the footmen opened the door helping me into it.
The seats were a soft leather and very comfortable. The presence of a candle dimly illuminated the interior of the carriage. I dropped the book I had managed to hide underneath my cloak. It was one I hoped would keep me company but for now, the dim lighting wouldn’t let me enjoy it.
The air in the carriage seemed different and I could detect the familiar smell of wet wood and grass.
The king.
I had thought I was alone before and hadn’t noticed the large figure staring out the window. This was definitely the king with his familiar scent and sculptured jaw but his hair was different.
“Y-Your Majesty.” I had been staring hard. “Good day, sir,” I said to cover my embarrassment.
“Good day, Elora.” He looked away.