Charades

Chapter 23

     Two days had passed by and Ronan and I were still stuck in our cells. We were fed once a day and we were stuck with nothing but our thoughts in the dingy jail rooms. Time seemed to be moving slowly and all I could do was worry. Worry abut the wedding and what would happen to Ronan.

     My eyes slid to Ronan who lay on the icy ground of his cell. He was asleep. It was early in the day and I couldn't go to sleep with my mind so muddled with worry, so I was wide awake as Ronan slept so often, I feared he was trying to sleep away reality.

     His body rose and fell with each breath he took, his eyes shut and his bruises fading. I wanted to hold him. To cradle him until someone pried him out of my broken hands.

     I jumped when the sound of thudding of footsteps banging against the staircase emerged. I stared into the darkness that hid the hallway from us and soon, Uncle Azad appeared out of the darkness, like a monster out of the woods. He walked towards my cell, his eyes lit with delight and his mouth a smirk as he held up a key.

     "Congrats, today you are free from your cell," Uncle Azad said.

     I blinked. Confused, I frowned as my uncle unlocked my cell and opened the door for me.

     "What's the catch?" I asked.

     "This is merely for a day," Uncle Azad said. "I want you to prepare for you wedding. We set it for this upcoming weekend."

     My heat dropped, falling into a bottomless pit. Uncle Azad stood there waiting for me, but I couldn't move.

     "Well, hurry up now," Uncle Azad said. "You need to see your gown."

     Slowly, I rose up, unsure of what to do. I wanted to resist. I wanted to snap and yell, but Uncle Azad always made me feel helpless. He always made me feel like the little, fragile girl I was when I met him.

     So walking to his side, he smiled as together, we strolled up the stairs and out of the cell room, and into the iridescent lights of the main hall. I squinted my eyes because the lights burned into me. After being stuck in the dark cells, it hurt to see the shiny gray walls, the bright lights that illuminated that castle and the touches of silver everywhere, making my castle grande.

     Uncle Azad grabbed my elbow and I winced as he dragged me to the silver staircase that spiralled up to the second floor. And together, we ascended them and then marched past the paintings of my ancestors, down the long hallways and soon, to the double doors that led to my room.

     We entered my room and I was hit with a wave of nostalgia. This room was where I grew up in; the red bedsheets were still there, the white mirror table and wardrobe still placed against the walls. The room was untouched, so spotless I yearned to crash into my bed to sleep my problems away.

     "Welcome back, your majesty," Zaha said.

    I flinched when she emerged out of the washroom connected to my room, a look of sorrow on her face. She motioned me to come towards her and Uncle Azad let go of me.

     "Go try on your dress," Uncle Azad, shoving me lightly. "We have to see if it still fits since you're more plump."

     I ignored him as I strode to Zaha and Uncle Azad left. I entered the washroom and Zaha shut the door behind me, and I collapsed onto the counter. Exhausted in every shape for form, I sulked as reality settled in.

     "You must try this dress," Zaha said, holding up a dress.

    My eyes went to the dress she held and I froze when I saw the red and gold outfit, so grande it must of cost an arm and leg. I gaped at it, remembering she once held the same dress.