A Kiss Never Changed

Chapter 𝐼V

I wandered towards the main door, the massive wooden gates that led you into the castle. They looked massive anyway. Rain pattered against the windows, I couldn't tell if it was a storm or just a regular rain pour. 

Depending on the weather this night would be the worst or the calmest. I was hoping for the second option. 

The rain hit the grass hard, the sound almost sounded deafening. It hurt to hear. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me to the side of the castle. It took me a while but as I ran the water droplets from the rain hit my face, shoulders, and head. Everything felt heavy on me as I ran faster.

By the time I got to the fancy barn, way too lavish to be considered a regular horse barn. Hay beds that were barely hanging on we placed half hazard across the floor next to horses. People sometimes had to sleep in the stalls occupied by horses. People got crushed and killed sometimes, it was scary to think about. 

I had one in the corner, it was colder there but sometimes if I got lucky, I wouldn't see the sun peeking in through the cracks of the wood. The wind gushed through the crack in the door and underneath the wood. 

My hair was a mess, and my body felt filthy, no matter how much I wanted to scrub when it was my turn to wash up. Especially during more special events, we were pushed into a shower and told to wash as much as possible. We tried to scrub our colour the best we could, thinking maybe, just maybe, if we were lighter we'd have some sort of respect from the people around us. 

Nicholas was stationed close to me, though the men and the women were supposed to be far apart from each other. They never checked on us, why would they, we weren't important. Plus, if a wolf were to come through they would be putting themselves in danger. That was out of the question. However, if one of us were to get eaten or where be taken, we were easily replaceable. So no worries there of course. 

The rain hit hard against the tin roof of the barn, it kept me awake most of the night. I tossed and turned, the wooden floor was cold. I dragged my hand back to my body, giving myself a splinter. I hissed in pain, squinting hard to try and see if it went deep or if I could drag it out with my nails. I couldn't tell, but I could feel it. I let out an exasperated sigh, rolling my hands into fists while I forced myself asleep. 

The next morning was painful. The blister had stayed all night and the skin had healed slightly which made trying to pull it almost impossible. I would have to scratch at it all day to pick the skin off. I growled and got up, dusting my dirty "dress" off. Nicholas had already gotten up and was probably dusting the bookshelves. 

I walked through the wet grass that cleaned my feet. The windows that passed me looked directly into the huge dining room. The king was eating his breakfast with his wife. She seemed done with everything going on with her. I never knew why she even married him, I had a feeling it was because her father sold her to the king but I didn't want to accept it. It sounded too harsh, too evil. Though I knew that was exactly what it was. 

I made my daily sweep, watching as Nicholas and Demetri climed on shaky wooden ladders, aiming to light the main room so it would give off a sense of power.

Sunlight slowly poured in through the room length windows. The detail of the windows casted a shadow apon the wooden floor. No doubt beautiful to look at. I stared longer than I should've. I knew if I was caught I would've been punished, but the slow haze of the sun kept me calm.

I reached for the broom that was laid against the closet, Nicholas probably brought it out for me while be grabbed the ladder.

I grabbed the old stick and broomed, and broomed until the bottom of my feet were aching. My heels were cracked from the pressure of the weight on them.