ELORA
~•~
I woke up to the melody of the birds chirping outside the window. I had been awake long before I opened my eyes, but that did not matter.
Turning to my right and meeting a space beside me, I closed my eyes while a weak sigh escaped my lips.
He was gone.
The king was gone.
I had not expected the king to remain in bed with me, yet…
I shook my head and pinned my hands to my sides. I needed to aid myself to sit up, as every bone in my body felt sore and heavy to move. I leaned against the headboard and stared outside the window.
Yet nothing, I finished the sentence I had cut short in my head.
Perhaps there had been a tiny part of me that expected things to change after last night. The way and manner the king had touched me, the method by which our bodies became one had led me to think that…that things would change for the better between us.
A bitter chuckle forced its way out of the back of my throat.
Who had I been fooling?
“Your highness,” A soft feminine chorus pulled me back to the present. My breath hitched for a second. I tilted my neck to look at the two maidens in front of me.
They must have been here for the King.
They stood with their hands locked in front of them, eyes fixed on the ground.
“Your bath water has been drawn, your highness.” The taller maiden spoke first. I parted my lips to speak, but I was cut short by the second.
“What would you love for breakfast, your highness? We can prepare your table immediately.”
I allowed my gaze to dance between both maidens.
They were the king’s, not mine. Had he been so generous to request that they take care of me?
Did it mean anything?
Silly girl!
I hissed and jabbed myself in my head.
I managed a curt smile amidst my wild range of thoughts.
“Oh! Thank you. But I shall be having breakfast with my siblings. I appreciate the bath as well.”
They said nothing, only bowed in courtesy and turned their backs toward me. I watched them leave and close the twin doors behind them.
Alone with my thoughts, I sank deeper into the bed and sighed.
It was bright already; I had outstayed my welcome.
I climbed down from the bed that will now hold memories for me and made my way to the door. I headed back to mine and got ready for the day.
My maidens had filled my tub with warm water, and beside the bath were all my essential oils. I was advised to take care of my skin to suit my new role. It was refreshing.
A sunset yellow dress and a matching corset were already laid out for me. I dressed myself that morning, there was no special occasion that required otherwise.
I stood in front of the mirror and examined myself one more time. While standing, my mind wandered to Gael, and last night.
He was yet to see me. I could only hope he has not been hurt while trying to help me.
I wondered where he was, and if I will get to see him anytime soon.
As my gaze danced absentmindedly to the antique clock above my door, I brushed my sweaty palms against my dress.
It was important for me to see my siblings. What had happened last night was unexpected. We were not safe here, and that was the truth. I had sworn to keep them safe and keep our family together, and I intended to keep my promise.
The servants’ quarters were as rowdy as always. I pushed past eager chefs, kitchen workers, and cleaners, making their way toward their point of duty.
I was cruelly reminded of mine; the king’s bosom.
While fighting to silence the voice in my head, I pushed a certain door open – where I knew I would find my siblings – and stepped into the room.
Olivia, Brian, and Bennett were seated in a circle on the bare ground. In their midst, a colored text lay flat against the cold ground.
All eyes rose to meet mine once I stepped into the room. As I gently closed the door, my three siblings hopped from the ground and ran toward me.
“Ellie!” They all cried simultaneously.
I had barely said a word when they all wrapped their arms around me. The joy and relief in their innocent eyes could neither be missed nor mistaken.
They had been worried sick, I could feel it.
“We were so scared, Ellie,” Brian mumbled against the silk of my dress.
“We thought they were going to hurt you.”
“We thought they’ll never let you see us again.” It was Olivia who raised her head to look at me.
I forced a smile and cupped her rosy cheeks with both my palms.
My beautiful, beautiful sister.
“You do not have to worry, none of you.” I fought hard to sound reassuring, it did not matter that my thoughts threatened to betray me.
“Never. It will never happen again, I promise. No one is ever going to hurt any one of you again. I shall give my life to keep you all safe, you know I will.”
“But we will have to be careful, all of us. We have to be mindful of the places we go, the rooms we enter, and the people we involve ourselves with. There are only a few people we can trust, but keep your ears open and your eyes sharp, okay?”
They nodded in agreement.
I propped my knee in a squat, so I could examine all their faces from a closer range.
“If anyone ever attacks you again, defend yourself. If you sense danger, run. Run as fast as you can and try to get to me, no matter what. I won’t always be allowed to come here, so I will need the three of you to be very strong for one another, and yourselves.”
Deep down, I knew I would not always be present with them. I needed to let them know the importance of being able to defend themselves, to fight to the last to keep one another safe.
We were all we had.
As I spoke, they exchanged short glances. Brian and Bennett eased their arms off my body and stood beside Olivia.
My sister placed her right hand in mine, my heart flustered at the touch.
They meant the world to me.
“We know, Ellie. We were more worried about you. They hurt you a lot.” I could hear her stifle her cry. She was trying so hard.
“You took most of the hit. Are you…are you okay?”
My eyes brightened. I allowed a reassuring smile spread across my cheeks.
“Of course.” I waved my right hand to dismiss her worries, moving past them and walking further into the room.
By the time I turned to look at them, there was a visible change of countenance from all three of them.
“You do not need to worry about me. I always heal very fast, remember? Those buggers can hit me all they want, but I’ll be back and strong enough to bite all their asses at the snap of my fingers.”
When they giggled at my silly joke, my smile turned from forced to genuine.
I would do anything to keep the smile on their faces forever.
“I still wish mother was here,” Brian started to speak. His smile had eluded his face, leaving a grim stare.
“You would not be beaten so much if mother was here.” He continued.
As he fell to the ground and settled his bottom on the cold floor, Bennett followed suit.
“Still, Ellie used to be beaten all the time when Mother was there. Remember? Ethan, Gary, Noah…”
“Now, now.” I cut in, going down a bit so I could look them in the eyes.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, shall we?” I pinched both their right cheeks, urging them to smile.
“Mother is safe and sound. I got word from a reliable source, and she is well. In no time, we would be a family again. I promise…” I raised my eyes to find Olivia who stood in silence, arms folded underneath her chest, behind us.
“We would be together soon, and free from all of this. I shall make everything right again…” I stole my right hand from Bennett’s cheek and placed it on my chest.
“I swear on it.”
I spread my arms wide and flashed a cheerful smile.
“Come on in, everybody. A big hug.”
They did scrub their feet against the ground, but immediately they were all wrapped around me, a sense of peace flooded my mind, and I prayed to the goddess that it was contagious.
I would always be at peace as long as we were together.
“Alright, everyone. Let’s go have breakfast, shall we?”
“Yay!” Bennett was the first to cry out with glee. He had always been the lover of food among us, I was only a close second.
They started to move before to the door before me. I followed them closely behind, smiling as I watched all their backs.
Once my siblings were out of the door, I stepped out as well and closed the door behind me. Just as we took a turn to the right, I found Lucy walking towards us.
She stopped in front of me and I paused my walk to speak to her.
“Elora,”
I knew what she sought to speak of, so I dissuaded her from continuing.
“It’s not your fault, Lucy. You couldn’t have known.” I cut in.
She heaved a sigh. I looked down at her hands and found her fingers trembling, even though she had locked them together.
I placed my right hand on her left and watched her turn still.
“Kano would be back soon.” She continued.
“He left with the others to search for my brother in Blackfoot. I begged him to. He’ll be back soon, and he’ll protect them. He’ll always protect them, Elora. I promise.”
I chuckled, genuinely.
I knew Kano, I knew he would.
But there was only so much he could do. It was left to me to vindicate my family’s name and save my mother. It was left to me to avenge my father’s death and make all those who caused us pain pay.
No one else could do it for me.
I squeezed her hand gently, still smiling.
“I know, Lucy. I know.”