Fated - Book 1 (Completed)

Chapter 6

Steamed water and the scents of rose and lavender forced my body to melt and sink deeper into the stone tub. The only noise rolling into the bathroom was the humming and muttering from Artemis as he slept peacefully.I was excited to slip into the bath but panicked as one of the maidens tried to bathe me. I scared her when I grabbed her wrist and threatened her life. After prying her wrist from my grip, the eldest of the lot shuffled the shaking girl away and left me to be.After profusely apologising, the maidens finally left me to bathe alone while they tended to their duties in the library. I needed to be left alone. I was struggling with the idea of having handmaids running around after me and tending to me constantly."I found you."Warm hands cupped the top of my head as warm lips fell to place a gentle kiss on my crown."Liana said you were tucked away in the bathroom, hiding from your maidens."His chuckle made me smile. I rolled my head back to look up at his bright blue eyes."I'm not used to them, and I apologised profusely for handling Amani like that."Warm fingers traced my throat, making me hum under the gentle touch. His eyes were glowing with what I could only assume to be tantalising thoughts."If I join you now,"He pondered his thoughts as his words hummed out of his lips."Neither of us would make it to our previous engagements."I nodded in a false agreement but couldn't help but push myself up slightly to catch his bottom lip between my teeth. A growl vibrated through him and into me. Excitement washed over me at the sensation. It has been a few hours since he last touched me, and I am hungry for more."I can't, my princess; I have to meet with the council."I pouted as he slipped in a quick, light kiss and pulled away from me before I could grab at him."Enjoy your bath, my princess; I'll be thinking about your wet body all day now."With that, he vanished back into the room, and a heavy silence washed over the room. I slipped back into the water and moaned at the warm sensation as it washed over me. The water washed over my shoulders as I slipped down further, and my mouth slowly slipped under the warm liquid.It was early morning, and he had a busy day ahead. From what I understood, he had a council meeting that could take up most of his day, then he had something else to tend to on behalf of his father. I felt jealousy wash over me when he listed his tasks for the day. All I had was an early tea with the queen and princess; I was dreading it.The scents mixed with the warm water washed over my bustling mind. Bedding my husband sounded more entertaining than boring tea; reading an old book from his library was more interesting than sitting around a table with my mother and sister-in-law, trying to make some form of communication."Oh, me, sorry, madam."The thick accent pulled me out of my annoying thoughts. I sat up and spun to see the maiden I attacked earlier. She stood in the doorway, bent forward slightly, with her eyes locked on the floor."No need to say sorry, Amani."She was a small girl, with thick brown hair and caramel skin; her eyes were what made her attractive—big, bright, and golden; with small black specs; she was a shifter. I still wasn't sure as to what species, to be exact."I called, but no answer."Her dragon tongue was broken, letting me know that she was raised in the East and learned the language when she was sent here to work. She scurried towards me and bowed once again, her eyes never locking with mine for more than a few seconds. I was frozen, unsure of what to do."May I, Milady?"She picked up a soft cloth and showed it to me; all I could do was nod. A small smile crossed her lips as a bright light washed over her eyes."Amani, I need to apologise. I'm not used to handmaidens, and I am not especially used to someone tending to me when I bathe."I watched as she strung the cloth in her hands. She stammered as she tried to gather her words."No apologies, no maiden at North?"She seemed happy to run the cloth over my body. I fought against her slightly but slowly gave into it and allowed her to tug at me and scrub at my body. She scrubbed me until my skin turned a light red."No, we don't have maidens in the North; we do everything ourselves, even on our hunts."She looked up at me with confusion scrawled over her brow."H-hunts?"I wasn't sure if she didn't understand the word or the actions behind it, so I flashed her a warm smile. Something subtle grew from my core; it slowly washed over me as I realised the excitement I had for hunting was similar to the excitement I had for my husband whenever he just looked at me."Back home, all of those that can join a group and go out hunting, we usually hunt buck or bears to feed the community, never for just one home like other villages and towns."Her eyes widened at my words; she stopped tugging at my toes with her fingers and looked at me with utter bewilderment."Woman, hunt?"I nodded with excitement. I forgot that the East, South, and West had odd traditions where the women stayed at home while the men went to hunt or tend to the fields, even in the black forest. My mother told me stories about how the witches had men tend to those duties while they would stay at their cottages, where they would cook, clean, and prepare gifts for the men who helped them for the week."Yes, women hunt; some women even go hunting without men."A giggle left her lips as she continued with her duties, and tugging at my toes, I gently pulled back when it tickled. I sat there and watched her work; somehow the smile on her face wasn't forced; she enjoyed following her tasks. I found it slightly upsetting.While she scrubbed at me, my thoughts wondered: Did my husband have a maid tend to him while he bathed? A pang of jealousy washed over me; the idea that someone could run their fingers over him without being scolded only seemed to make me more upset.After a thorough scrubbing, I crawled out of the tub and wrapped myself up in a soft cloth that smelled like the forest after a good rain. The stones under my bare feet were cool to the touch, sending a chill up my spine.Amani pointed me in the direction of the library, where the other maidens were waiting with broad grins on their faces. Between the mirrors was a gown, one with a thick skirt, a tight corset, and off-the-shoulder sleeves.Hands pushed against my lower back as I tried to turn around and escape the torture I was about to endure."Princess Aurora, for tea, you need to wear a dress."Liana, the eldest of the maidens and Artemis' handmaiden was assigned to me after I fought with them on my first day here. The woman reminded me of my mother when it came to the manners a princess had to follow."Liana, as we have discussed before, I can't stand dresses."Amani, despite her size, was strong enough to push me up the dress platform. A wave of sickness washed over me as my hands tugged at the cloth wrapped around me. Old eyes glared at me before I could open my mouth to fight back. Liana's eyes glowed slightly, sending a fear over me. She won the battle, as I gave in.I was tugged and pulled at for what felt like hours as the maidens finally slipped me into the dress. I stood there panting and huffing as the corset wrapped around me crushed the very life out of me."I prefer the dress off."My attention was drawn to a blazer in gold and red; the man's smile made me feel flustered, a sensation I couldn't handle while I was being choked by the thick clothing."Don't you dare."I growled at him. I was not planning to try and squeeze back into this death trap."The princess is right; hands off, my lord."Her voice cracked as she stood beside Artemis. She was almost as tall as the man and looked as deadly as she stood there. Liana was born in the South; her skin had a light tan to it, and her golden hair, as usual, was pulled back into a tight bun, exposing her light green eyes.Artemis placed a light kiss on her head before looking over me once more and vanishing back to our room."The queen and princess are waiting for you, Milady."I looked at Liana through the mirror and gave her a weak smile."Do I have to do tea in this thing?"I straightened up and pulled at the puffed skirt; the colour of the dress was a mix of green and blue, and it hugged me as tight as it hugged the dress doll it was stuck to earlier.My hair was brushed and tugged on, but my natural loose curls still clung to my brown locks. The length of my hair was perfect for a huntress; it was long enough to be tied, but not so long that it passed my shoulders.Once I found my balance in the torture vice, I slowly turned to face the elderly woman and nodded towards her. A weak smile crossed my lips as a chuckle followed suit."Breath, my dear, it's only the Queen and Princess Apollo."My body shook as I was reminded of who I was joining at the tea: the Queen and her daughter, my mother and sister-in-law. Two women were raised and trained to live among the royalties of Endora.The most I learned about the royal families were their names and how to say my title without gagging. I had to learn how to curtsy on the morning of my wedding."Do I have to?"I sounded weak as I spoke. The last time I felt this fear was during my first kill when a male bear charged at me. I froze on the spot as my short life washed over me. My father had to save me, and it was the last time I ever allowed it."Yes, my dear, the queen wishes to spend time with you and Princess Apollo."Her smile was warm as she dusted at my dress and twirled with a strand of my hair. I grumbled in response as she gently shuffled me towards the door and out towards hours of me being tormented.Our tea was being held in a small greenhouse that was at the centre of the stone castle. Instead of walls, it was surrounded by open hallways that webbed out into different wings of the old building.The frames that held up the glass ceiling were wrapped in tree veins that snaked everywhere. There were sets of multicoloured flowers filling up the spaces, along with thick leaves and small trees.Trying my best, I tried to identify the plants but struggled; there were a multitude of mixes. I had never seen so much greenery in one place; I grew up in snow and nothing else. I was mesmerised by the sight and smells.Liana and Amira had to guide me to my seat as my eyes danced around, trying to study all of the different colours. I was gently tugged and pushed towards a chair, and once I was placed in my seat, I was met by two large smiles.Queen Dione only had half of her black hair tied back; the rest flowed down her shoulders, like the previous night she was mesmerising to look at, and her daughter Princess Apollo was her spitting image; she was full of life as my eyes landed on her.I choked on my breath as I saw Artemis in the girls' face; they were twins after all and had some identical features, but most of all, they all had strikingly bright blue eyes."Oh, uhm, Queen, Princess, good afternoon."I pushed at my chair and stammered as I remembered I needed to curtsy, bow, or was it shake their hands or kiss their cheeks? The heavy chair under me made a terrible noise as its metal feet scraped at the stone floor.My body shook as I stammered in confusion and patted the chair in an attempt to make the inanimate object quiet."Oh no, my dear, no need for any of that."The Queen tried to calm me down as she reached out for my hand and gently tugged on me to take my seat. Apollo sat there with her hand over her lips, my cheeks flushed red as I finally took my seat.Tears formed as I felt sick to the core, and then a chuckle caught my attention. Both the queen and I snapped our eyes at the giggling princess."I'm sorry, Aurora; I mean Princess Aurora."She turned and spat out her laughter away from the queen; the sight made me feel at ease, and I couldn't help but laugh with her."Apollo, where are your manners?"The girl sat up and brushed over her dress as she bit down the rest of her laugh. Once the princess settled and the queen's anger cooled down, she turned her attention back to me, and a sweet smile sat on her lips."Welcome, my dear, I'm glad that you joined us."I looked at the queen and nodded as a sensation filled my mouth. My tongue felt dry and thick as I sat there."I-I'm happy to be here, Your Majesty."A small snort left Apollo's lips, catching the queen's attention and mine."My dear, there is no need for the formalities, and I am truly sorry for Apollo's table manners; she spends too much time with her brother and his men."The queen picked up a small cup and sipped at the hidden liquid. Without skipping a beat, the princess rolled her eyes at her mother. I sank into my seat as the proud woman glared back at her daughter."There is no need to say sorry on my behalf, mother; I can do it myself when I do something that offends Princess Aurora."Both sets of blue eyes landed on me as I picked up the small cup of black tea. I froze as the cup touched my lips. They both were looking at me for an answer to a silent question that neither planned to voice. I dropped the cup back into its small saucer with a heavy clang."Oh, I, uhm, haven't taken any offence—none, none at all."The princess turned to her mother and grinned at the woman, who brushed the other's smirk off and turned her full attention back to me."Tell me, my dear, has my son shown you around the castle yet?"I tried to take another sip but was stopped as the queen tried her utter best to ignore her daughter fighting with her light pink dress. I shook my head and placed my little cup down again."No, he hasn't, not yet; he promised to do it soon."I just lied to the queen, and my mind raced as to what the consequence could be."My, I'm amazed he made the promise, and here I thought that he planned to keep you both locked up and tussled between the sheets for the next month or so."The princess choked and gagged on her tea as her mother let those words slip out. Both of us sat there stunned at the woman's remarks. Before either of us could make a comment or a sound towards the queen, a sleek man slipped into my view."My apologies for the intrusion, my dear sister, but the young Princess Aurora is required for our council meeting."The Queen looked up at the stranger with a defeated frown and a sigh to match it."Oh, what a pity. Well, dear brother, if you must, take the sweet girl with you."The queen's brother, Lord Dante, whose appearance mirrored the queen's, had short hair and grey-blue eyes; he was as tall as Artemis and held a similar build, but he seemed sleeker.I looked up at the man with a frown. According to the dragon's laws, a woman couldn't sit on the court of council leaders, so here I was having tea at the queen's request."But she is a woman?"Apollo voiced my concern, catching the man's attention. He stood proudly beside his sister, with a hand lazily placed on her shoulder. He wore a neat grey dress suit that was buttoned up, hiding the markings that snaked slightly up his neck. He was a warrior, and the Freyda, my people, praised him. To show their love for him, they decorated him with our art."She is, but as per the agreement with King Toyger, upon their marriage, his daughter will be the representative for the Freyda."The man's thin lips curled into a warm smile, and my mind raced as I tried to place which family the queen and her brother fell under, as the words he muttered slowly filled my mind."I have to be the representative."He nodded in response, and before he made his way to my seat, he placed a light kiss on his niece's head. A thin smile sat on his lips as he stood beside me, his hand floating before me."Lucky you."Apollo's words followed as I pushed my seat out, forcing the legs of my seat to make their terrible noise. I froze at the cry and made a small bow towards the hostess of the tea."Thank you, Queen Dione and Princess Apollo, for the short tea. Surely, next time we will spend the whole morning together."Before the queen's brother led me out of the garden, I straightened up and gave them a friendly smile. The taller man guided me quietly down one of the halls. I wanted to thank him for saving me from a strange conversation with the queen and her daughter.As we approached large wooden doors, the quiet man tugged on my waist and pulled me away from them. We stood there in a cool silence. I rolled my head back to look up at the man, who was frowning as his eyes locked on the doors."Shouldn't we go in?"He narrowed his eyes and shook his head slightly."Not yet, my dear; they seem to be yelling at one another."I pursed my lips and turned my eyes back to the tightly shut doors. I tried my best but heard nothing. The only noise I could hear was the wind whizzing through the stone hallway and the lit lanterns that hung on the walls as they flickered under the gentle breeze.As my lips parted to query the unheard arguing, when the doors swung open and once again I was tugged on, he gently pulled me back as a large man bustled out of the room, yammering in a tongue I had never heard. Louder voices boomed out after him."Lord Gimpsh."The man holding me nodded towards the round man, who huffed and puffed past us. That man was from the west; I wasn't sure where exactly, but the musky scent that rolled off of him gave it away.The yelling from inside the room slowly faded as the puffing man re-entered the room. Soon after I was pushed forward and led into the bustling hall, I was hit by a heavy scent of body odour, stale beer, and burnt weeds.Pipes were lit and dangling from lips as the leaders puffed at them; others were chugging down their stale beer, while the rest glared at me as I entered."Here is your seat, my dear."The man who led me here tugged at a heavy wooden chair. The noise of the wood dragging on the stone floor filled the room now. All eyes and attention landed on me, and not a single voice could be heard as I took my seat at the very end of the long table that ran down the room.Once I took my seat, I was pushed closer to the table, and my eyes darted straight up as I felt a heavy stare on me. My chest pulled tight as I sat there, looking down at the table and into heavy, dark golden eyes. The man was slumped in his chair; he looked disinterested and bored, but his glare was intense as he watched me.Across the thick wooden table sat the Dragon King. Like his son, his hair was thick and held lazy curls; his hair was a mix of chocolate brown and strings of grey. His eyes were locked on me and my heavy breathing. His brows were twisted into a deep frown.I felt uneasy under the heavy stare, but then I saw them, bright blue eyes watching me as well. Artemis sat to the left of the king, and the sight of his small smile slowly put my whole body at ease, but my mind still ached and raced as I drank in the other mix of eyes on me.