Merlot's Eyes

Chapter Three

I tossed and turned in bed all night long. Whimpering and grabbing at my hair, teetering on the edge of a nervous breakdown. I told myself I wasn't allowed to cry, and when I felt myself beginning to, I would dig my nails into the heels of my palms. I had cried enough when rooming with Uncle Azzaro. He was gone, yet he still had an impact on my daily life. He was the reason I was scarred. He was the reason I could barely let another human touch me. And I know that none of this had to do with working for King Dren, but the thought of living under the same roof with another male made me queasy.
     Sitting up, I balled my sleeves in my fists and pressed down on my eyes. No crying. No tears. Not for him.
     My room was dark and shadowed. I couldn't make anything out—only the stars shining through the ceiling window. Even the stars didn't calm me. My breathing hitched and became fast-paced. No, no, no. I couldn't panic. I couldn't give him the power. I was safe. I was safe. I was safe...
     But why did I not feel safe.
     Without thinking, I grabbed a knife and held it to my neck.
What are you doing.
     "I can't," I breathed, shaking my head at the voice in my head. "I can't go back."
You're away from that, Merlot.
     "Why do I feel like I'm still there..."
The body remembers. You survived. You're here. Don't give the memories power.
    "Don't give the memories power," I repeated, lowering the knife. "It's just a bad dream... just a bad dream is all."
Yes. When the sun rises tomorrow, you will still be here—safe. Now is not your time.
    Now is not my time. The voice was right. I had big things in store for me. Working for the king isn't an opportunity given often. Tomorrow couldn't come quickly enough, because I had made up my mind. I would serve King Dren and live safely in Heartland Castle. Nothing could harm me there... hopefully. No. I couldn't promise myself that. Danger was everywhere. It lurked in every corner and crevice. You couldn't escape danger, but you could outrun it and even plan over it. Danger wouldn't choose my story any longer. No longer.

                                    —

"What an exciting day it is!" Dren said, clapping his hands in my face. "You're jumpy! Come now, Merlot. There's nothing to fear when you're with me. My Gold Sentinels would never let a mere misquote draw blood from you."
     I gave the king a perk smile and nodded once, gazing out of the small window in the chariot we were riding in. Peasants and merchants bowed their respects at the chariot, some lifting their eyebrows when seeing me with the king. Has the king never had a female escort before? Did he not have a betrothed?
     "Don't mind the crowd," said Dren, nudging my shoulder with his arm. "I've never taken a female to Heartland Castle before. When we arrive, allow the tailors to measure you for new clothes. I will appoint you servants; rely on them. And—"
     "I don't need servants," I interrupted. "I don't like the thought of others working for me when I am quite capable of doing things myself."
     "Serving you is how they feed themselves and their children," said Dren. "Rely on them. You will be appointed head chef of the kitchens. I expect you to dine with me every other night. The tailors will also measure you for dresses."
     "I... I don't..." I couldn't find my words. "I apologize, Your Highness, but I don't think I'm fit to dine with you. Unless, that's a normal thing your staff does?"
     A hearty laugh boomed from Dren's mouth. "Ha! Silly girl. You're above my staff. What I want, I get. And I want you to dine with me every other day. Will that be a problem, Merlot Elfhallow?"
     I shook my head. "It sounds exquisite, Your Highness."
     "Cut the 'Your Highness' bullshit. Call me Dren." He stretched his hand out to me. "It's nice to officially meet you, Merlot."
     Shaking his hand, I gave him a confused look. "We met at the monastery," I pointed out.
     Dren stifled another laugh. "Careful with your mouth. Around here, words can kill. When around me in public, you must refrain from asking questions and making declarations. You're not my spouse, therefore, you're not equal to me. You're just my servant."
     My chest tightened and I felt anger welt. "A servant that is going to dine with you?" Regret had already settled in my stomach. If I was going to be treated like dirt by King Dren, I didn't want to serve him. That was one of the problems I had: I didn't have a lot of respect for people who abused the power they inherited. Most didn't work for their power or status—all they did was have a surname.
     "Don't be so spicy," Dren said with a funky smile. "I'm not going to treat you like a footstool, Merlot. I would've let you know that before I hired you." My face alone told him I didn't think he was funny. "Okay, okay," he said, shifting to face me entirely. "Isäntä Merlot of the Court—"
     "Isäntä?" I questioned. In the common tongue, it meant master or mistress. And I was anything but. "Clarify exactly what you want me to do for you, Your—Dren. Would you like me to cook for you or be your lady consort."
     "Cook for me." Dren took my hand. "Maybe one day, Isäntä?
     I took back my hand and shook my head. "No. I'll establish this boundary now: I'm not looking for a relationship. Especially with a man. I can't do that."
     Dren's face twisted in concern and his eyes flicked down to my wrist, which I quickly covered with my other hand. "Someone hurt you." His voice had dropped two octaves. Looking up at him, his face was stone-set, his golden eyes steeled. The look on his face scared me. I'd never seen a man so serious after... No, no, no. I can't think about that. "Who was it."
     "He's dead."
     "Who killed him."
     I paused. Another question I had to answer carefully. If Dren knew I had murdered my uncle, he might sentence me to death. Or worse—Banish me. Shaking off the memories, I stared out the window. "What's it to you? It's over. What's done is done. I'm striving through it. Everything is fine."
     Before Dren could ask again, the chariot stopped. I jumped out of it, inhaling fresh air and fisting my hands in my shirt to keep myself grounded. I was greeted by four maids and two men in stiff suits. One took my parcel of belongings and the other led the horses and chariot to the stalls on my right. Dren's hand rested on my shoulder. I jerked and slid to the side, shivering as his hand slipped off. Too soon. I couldn't have another man touching me. Too soon.
     "Welcome to Heartland Castle," the king said, gesturing to the large castle before me. I stared up at it in awe, forgetting the way my body felt.
     Twelve lean, squared towers formed a protective wall on two sides of the castle and were connected by high, heavy walls made of green stone. Elegant windows were scattered thinly across the walls in a seemingly random pattern, along with same-sized holes for archers and artillery.
     A huge gate with wide wooden doors, a regular bridge, various artillery and small moat gave the outer stronghold a safe feeling. The snowy mountains outside of Heartland Castle was lit up by strange bioluminescent creatures, their lights so bright that they were stark in the sunlight, which added to the baroque atmosphere of the castle. The castle was worn and old, but I could tell its inhabitants intended on making sure it stood the same way for ages to come.
     "This way," Dren said, gesturing towards two double doors with his hands. "The maids will show you to your quarters. Let the tailors measure you. I want you to look beautiful for tonight's dinner."
     "Am I not to cook?"
     "No, no. Enjoy your first night as royalty." With that, Dren turned on the heel of his polished boot and strode away and I was left with the four maids. Smiles painted their faces as they gently ushered me inside Heartland Castle.
     "H-hello," I stuttered to the maid on my right. "What is your name?"
     "We do not have names when in the presence of His Highness," the maid to my left chirped. "The only one who will have a name will be that of your personal staff. Her name is sacred. Do not speak it unless directly to her."
     My curiosity was definitely piqued. Silently, the maids brought me up stairs and down halls lit with torches and decorated with paintings and tapestries. They led me to a set of three wooden doors and opened the first. "Your quarters," one of the maids quipped. "Your käsi will greet you soon." All four maids dipped into beautiful curtsies and left me in the overlarge room.
     A large bed took up one corner of the room, luscious pillows and comforters draped aplenty on it. Walking up to it, I ran my hands over the maroon velvet. It was the softest thing I had ever felt... "Gods bless," I said to myself as I laid on the bed. I sank into the mattress, my soul leaving my body and floating up to the canopy above the bed. Twisting onto my stomach, I surveyed the rest of the room. A bathing room was over in the adjacent wall—black marble was laid for the floor, a large tub already filled with steaming water in the corner. I could smell the rosemary and lavender oils sprinkled in the water.
     "It's too early to sleep, my lady."
     I sat up swiftly and looked over at the door. A woman with brunette hair stood with her hands clasped behind her, right in the threshold. I had not heard the door open. I'd left myself open and vulnerable. Fool, I criticized myself.
     "Ma'am," I greeted, sliding off the bed and walking towards the woman. I stopped suddenly as I took in her appearance. The woman had slender features and a long face. Her ears were long and pointed, fangs glistening in her mouth, her eyes large and slanted in a high manner. Glistening golden orbs were placed within her sockets, exactly like Dren's. "What are you?" I asked, taking a step back. Whatever she was, it certainly wasn't human.
     "I am a nymph." The creature closed the door behind herself and fully entered my chambers. "The king himself is also of my kind. Only most trusted staff members are able to see him in his true form. Some staff are nymphs themselves to protect the identity of His Highness. You may call this nymph Nilou." She curtsied.
     "The king is a... nymph?" I asked.
     "Yes, ma'am."
     "And a nymph is...?"
     "We are spirits of nature," Nilou explained, walking over to the large armoire in the corner of the room. "Picture a mayfly or a locust. We are immature forms of insect spirits. In our past, we inhabited forests and rivers and meadows. Since the Straying, we have not had the luxury of being one with nature."
     "The Straying?"
     Nilou whipped her head towards me. Those golden orbs fixating on me. She blinked once and turned back to opening the armoire. "I will inform His Highness of your stupidity."
     "Hey!" I said, marching over to her and grabbing her shoulder. A short shriek emitted from Nilou's mouth and she shrunk away, dropping the article of fabric she held. I jumped back, my hand suddenly throbbing. It turned red and began to swell at an alarming rate. The nymph swiftly pressed her lips to my hand. The swelling stopped and my hand shortly returned to its original color. "Never touch a nymph, human," the creature hissed, a split tongue slithering from between her lips. "Without a healing touch, you could have been dead. The same thing goes for His Highness."
     "But he touched me earlier," I questioned, still jumpy.
     "His Highness uses dark magics..." Nilou said almost sadly. "He does not respect the power given to us nymphs by the Threefold. We are harmless creatures, yet others wish to harm us. Therefore, anyone who attempts to touch or harm us will die a painful and slow death."
     I gulped.
     "Take a bath and dress," Nilou sighed, laying a bundle of fabric on my bed. "His Highness expects you at dinner in an hour. Mind the time."