The Underworld Crown (Series)

Chapter 2

The next morning, I strained to open my eyes, which had since been glued shut with tears. I rolled over in my four-poster bed, hating the fact that it was the most comfortable mattress I'd ever laid on. The comfort, however, did not bring with it the power of sleep. Especially when I'd failed to draw my attention from yesterday's conversation.

After Persephone had left my room, I'd locked my door again and sunk into the bed. I'd ignored every single knock that came to my door – presumably from the servants. I'd even ignored their calls for lunch and dinner. I should have been starving because I hadn't had a good meal for over two days, but the thought of having any food brought nausea to the surface. In hunger's place, a persistent ache in my chest had me curled up into a tight ball under the cover of the sheets.

I was about to fall back into another slumber when the sound of keys jangling in the door lock made me sit upright. I pulled the blankets to my chest. A servant slid into the room, an apologetic smile on her face.

"Sorry for waking you, Miss. I did not want to disturb you, but Her Highness said you must eat some food," she said, sounding genuinely apologetic.

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes to look at her more clearly. I placed her as the servant yesterday who dropped her laundry at Persephone's feet.

"I didn't realise you had a key," I murmured.

"What? Oh," the servant blushed. "We have access to most rooms in the castle, but only enter into some of these rooms when we are ordered to."

"It's okay," I replied, unable to be upset any further. "Your name is Erica, isn't it? I saw you yesterday out in the hall."

She nodded. "I remember. I apologise for my clumsiness – I'm not normally in such a hurry, but recent times have demanded it." As if remembering why she'd come into my room in the first place, Erica turned to the door and pulled through a trolley full of fruits, breads and jams, and a steaming cup of coffee. Erica handed the cup to me, having the grace to ignore my matted hair and red eyes.

Erica gently pulled back the rich velvet curtains and a soft light entered the room. I had to hold back my moan. She then ducked into the bathroom and running water and a floral aroma filled the air. When Erica returned, I momentarily pictured that it was Raven coming towards me. I had to push away the feelings of guilt that came over me.

I'd only had four sips of my coffee – dark and bitter, much like Hell – when Erica was ushering me out from the bed and pushing me in the direction of the bathroom. My eyes rounded when the room revealed floor length mirrors on every wall. There was no way to ignore the way my cheekbones protruded unhealthily from my face, or the fact that my eyes were more sunken than ever before.

Erica guided me towards the gold bathtub, filled with all sorts of soaps and bubbles, which sat at the centre of the room. I was thankful she continued to ignore my appearance, which had seen much better days. Instead, her fingers worked gracefully at removing my clothes. I wasn't comfortable with the idea of her seeing me naked, but her care and attention made me trust her. So instead of ordering her out of the room, I let her finish undressing me and then gently hopped into the bath, the easy task soothing for my numb soul.

By the time I was finished in the bath and my hair was dripping water down my back, Erica had already replaced my sheets and made my bed. I frowned, my chance to crawl straight back into bed now obliterated.

"Her Highness said a walk around the castle would do you some good, to help you get acquainted," Erica explained. "I'll dry your hair while you eat some breakfast, then we will get you dressed and set off for a walk."

*****

Ninety-four bedrooms. The castle had ninety-four bedrooms. Twenty living spaces, multiple halls and eight kitchens. The number of bathrooms was so high that the figure jumped from my mind as soon as I'd heard it.