Creatures of The Dark

Chapter II

The warmth of the kitchen and its brazen fires was a nice change from the cold depths of the castle. Before I had made it a step into the large kitchen, a plump fae female hurried over to me.

"Well don't just stand there, come in," she said with a smile though her manacles marked her as a slave. The brick oven was smoldering, releasing fumes of rosemary and spices. There were only two other people in the kitchen– a hunched young female bustling around with bushels of berries and an older male. By the gods, I was hungry. The kitchen smelled divine, pot and pans lined the wall, filled with the breakfast spread. She ushered me to a large wooden table with a pat on the back, "I am Elyia, the others just call me Cook. The guards told me about you. Ever work in a kitchen?"

The look I must have given her must have told her everything she needed to know. The fae hobbled forward, wiping her spice-ridden hands on her apron. Her white hair was pulled from her face, a few strands dipped down across her face.

"Well, you best be a quick learner..."

"Lucius."

"Lucius, an odd name," she inquired. She was lively for a slave; Cook was mortal, not weighed down by the draining cuffs. I wondered if the palace kitchen was all she knew.

"I'll do my best." She nodded absentmindedly, her focus already on the bubbling pots on the stove. Apparently, that was all the confirmation Cook needed to hear before she stalked off to pull a loaf of bread out of the oven. The others introduced themselves before Cook waved me over to the mountain of dishes. Good, something to focus on, something mindless. The bustling of the kitchen was endless. People rushed in and out, grabbing bushels and trays down the halls. Most did not give me a second glance, those who did only shined with pity, another slave to join their ranks. That was all I was now. A slave.

The rest of the day was long, impossibly endless. It was eight o'clock before Cook released me. I had spent most of the time with my hands in soapy dishwater, plotting an escape that would not lead them to Serana. Even if I were to make it back to my village, the whole town had heard of what I'd done. We wouldn't be safe in any of the surrounding villages either. I did not know if I had it in me to drag Serana away from the only home she had ever known and thrust her into the life of a runaway. But, I could not leave her alone, I wouldn't.

I was almost grateful for the cot waiting for me and my room. Only, I was ordered to the Dark Lord Chambers. What could he want from me? I wandered down the hall switching from a slow pace, to avoid the treachery waiting for me, then a fast one out of fear. The castle was humongous, nearly impossible to navigate. When I finally made it to the large set of doors leading to the Dark Lord's chambers, two guards were waiting for me. I had hoped for a moment to collect myself, but they waived me in immediately, telling me they had been expecting me.

Walking into the large bedroom, I felt somewhat embarrassed by my appearance: sweat and grime covered me from head to toe and stains littered my once white clothes. He was waiting, lounging on a couch, admiring the fire and seemingly deep in thought. For a moment I wished I had a knife, it seemed so easy to slit his throat. I was already a killer, my soul was already damned. Instead, I stood by the door and fidgeted.

"Lucius," he drawled from the other side of the room, turning over his shoulder towards me. He gave me a long once-over and smiled. "Come," he waved. I followed. I tried to hold as much disdain in my eyes as possible, anytime I looked upon the dark fae all the pain and suffering of my life seemed to bubble to the surface. I hated him. I hated how smug he was, lounging as the dark fae oppressed my people.

He chuckled, "You are quite filthy."

I ignored him, "Is there something you wanted?"

He frowned, looking upon the fire once more, "It seems you have come under the impression that I do not deserve respect, that I am not your overseer, that I am not you king." The Dark Lord stood to his full height. I moved to take a step back but his hand lashed out, attaching to my chin.