Bent But Not Broken

Four

The bath was heavenly. That was the only way Nyxia could describe it. The water itself was perfect. It was warm. She would happily be able to stay in there for hours, But Christa was efficient. And quick.

She helped Nyxia scrub herself, her entire body. It felt odd, the scrub brush was soft, not the prickly stuff she was used to.

Her hair was a bit more annoying to deal with, since it was so long, and matted with dirt and dried blood. It took a few scrubbings to fully clean it.

After Nyxia reluctantly stepped out of the bath and donned a robe, Christa took one look at her and proclaimed that Nyxia needed a haircut.

There was space beneath the sink where haircutting supplies were, and Christa received a chair and ordered Nyxia to sit.

Mystified, She did as she was told, and Christa got to work, barking at her to sit still more than once.

After what seemed like a million years of Christa messing with her hair, she stepped back and said that she was done. Nyxia stood, dropping the towel that was placed around her neck, and ran her fingers through her shorter hair, which went to her shoulders now, not her ass.

It was so much lighter. "This feels much better." Nyxia admitted. "Thank you, Christa." 

Christa waved off her thanks, although she looked pleased. "No need to thank me, it's my job."

When they entered back into the room, a pile of clothes was laid on the bed for her. It was just a simple dress and cute shoes.

"This will do until we get more clothes for you." Christa said. "Do you need help putting on your clothes?"

Nyxia looked down at the things that would go on her feet. "For the shoes, yes. I think I can manage the dress."

It turns out she couldn't manage the dress. Nyxia ended up putting it on backwards, and Christa had to help put it on her the right way.

The dress was incredibly soft, it didn't drag roughly against her skin, her scars. It slid gently across them. What Christa called simple was incredibly luxurious to her.

"Your highness wants to dine with you, we need to hurry it along. Would you like your hair up?"

Nyxia was still getting used to how light it was now. She shook her head. "No thanks, I prefer it down for now."

Christa nodded. "Very well, let us be on our way."

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Nyxia saw the sun was rapidly sinking into the mountains as Christa led her down the hall and down the many, many stairs. She wondered how anyone could ever find their way around here, it was a maze.

Finally, Christa stopped at a door with ornate decorations carved into it. Two guards stood next to the door, eyeing her suspiciously but saying nothing.

Christa and Nyxia entered the room. More paintings and antiques were around, as well as a few heads of creatures she didn't recognize.

A large dining table was in the center of the room.

Even Nyxia could tell it was too large for just two people.

Despite that, she saw Kalix sitting at the other end of the table. Maybe they simply didn't have any other tables. Christa led her to the seat that was on the left hand side of the prince, and slid out her chair for Nyxia, who mumbled her thanks.

There was a plain white glass plate, which was utterly different than the plastic plates she always got. There wals a dull knife and a four pronged thing that looked like it would be good for stabbing. There was also a spoon. That, she knew of because it was harmless.

Nyxia picked it up and stared at it in wonder.

"Have you never seen forks before? Or butter knives?" Kalix asked. Nyxia jumped, startled. She hasn't realized he was watching her.

She shook her head, realizing she was waiting for a response. "No. I had to eat whatever he gave me with my hands. Probably scared that I'd take one of these and use it as a weapon, they look like they could do some damage."

"He's a prick, admittedly. I despise dealing with him." Kalix said, eyes flashing with anger and loathing.

"So why do you?"

"Because my father wants me to, and I have no choice in the matter."

"Why did you buy me?" Nyxia was startled at the question that came out of her mouth. Usually she would have been punished for her impertinence, but Kalix just looked at her with those unreadable eyes.

As if he was thinking of how he was going to answer.

"Because no one should be treated that horribly. I felt bad for you." He said finally.

"Ah, so you felt pity for me. Well, in any case. I thank you for what you did. I wouldn't have lasted much longer if you haven't intervened."

"So, Nyxia—" the prince was about to say, but maids scurried out of the side door that Nyxia didn't notice until now, carrying platters of rich smelling food.

Nyxia tensed, her stomach grumbling. She was so hungry. She wondered how her body would take finally being able to eat properly. She probably should eat slowly.

But after smelling all of the good food, Nyxia found her resolve slipping away.

Servants placed rich meats and vegetables and a glass of red liquid that looked like blood in front of Kalix, though it didn't smell like it.

Servants placed a bowl full of something liquid and hot in front of her. It was simple compared to Kalix's meal.

"You need to take it easy on your stomach until you get more used to food. I assume you haven't gotten much." Kalix explained. Nyxia nodded. The soup smelled delicious, at least.

Back there in the compound, soup consisted of sludge. It was nasty.

Hesitantly, Nyxia picked up the spoon and dipped it in the soup, bringing it up to her lips. She flinched at how hot it was but she ate the soup anyway. It was spicy, a bit salty, and very delicious. Her eyes sparkled.

And Kalix watched her the entire time she ate, a neutral expression on his face.

As if he was trying to keep himself from feeling too much.

Or at least showing it.

Nyxia was too focused on gulping down the soup to pay much attention to the prince.