Chapter Thirty
Kallean stood under the light of the moon in the center of the gardens. He looked around and saw that he was alone and the world was still and silent.
It had been a sort of shock when Viola had told him that he was not the only one trying to help the princesses, and that he had to find them and try to team up with them, and his life was in danger and he needed to wear a bunch of smelly herbs for protection. Viola had literally told him that he needed to get into the princess's rooms at night and he was positive that that was never going to happen. He had felt extremely awkward disturbing the Princess Mer on her balcony, by accident, but still. He had the cloak of invisibility that he wasn't sure that he wanted to use, and he was aware that he could get seriously hurt with that thing on. However, he knew that he needed to do at least some of the things that Viola had said, so that he might be able to help them. He had an instinct inside him that was telling him to trust these faeries. He needed to swallow his pride. He went the royal hothouses and found a rose that was blooming beautifully, among several others and he carefully cut it, and stripped the thorns from the stem. Might as well try out this cloak, and he fastened the chain taking the rose with him. He decided that it wouldn't be so bad to leave Mer a rose, as a token of apology just on the balcony, where only she would understand. The petals were soft, and fragrant, and he carefully cradled it while he climbed and then set it on the banister of the balcony, then swiftly clambered down to watch and see if she found the flower. As dawn was approaching he got his wish. Mer stepped out of her room and onto the balcony looking completely exhausted and nearly shriveled. She carefully glanced around her as if looking for any more intruders on her sanctuary before slowly letting her hair out and letting the wind toss it around. Kallean dutifully looked away from her moment of freedom, bliss, and privacy, and when he looked back he tried, but he couldn't look away, her hair was so long and beautiful, and he watched as she found the flower on the banister and then stepped back from the edge and braided her hair, and after she looked around and appeared to be searching for him, but when she did not find him she picked up the rose and sniffed it, and almost smiled! She then proceeded to brush the petals across her face and she closed her eyes as if she was somehow soothed. This was better than he could have hoped for. The effect that his simple rose had done was enormously heart warming and he felt good at having done it. He would off to sleep now and he dreamt of her pleasured face. He decided that it might be nice to see that on all the girls and resolved to get boquetes for them as soon as he was able. or at least small bunches.
Chapter Thirty One
None of the girls could leave their beds. Mer tried, yet failed. The flower that she had found so cleverly on the balcony she could only assume was from Kallean had boosted her spirits before she had gone to sleep, he did have a way of doing that. However, she had had the abusive dreams last night, and had woken with scratches that were half gashes on her arms and the other girls seemed to have bruises, which notified her that when she had an abusive dream, they all had an abusive dream, it was all or nothing with the Master. Sometimes he didn't want to leave them alone, even after the time to dance was done. Their fathers came in and tried to see what ailed them from right off of the bat, and they argued with each other about what must be done. So far the contest wasn't going anywhere. It was still the only idea that they had so they decided not to send the men home. At least not all of them, and no, they were not going to see them in their sickened state. They were as pale as ghosts. They would simply tell the Princes about the worsening of their illness and that the stakes were even higher for them to find the answer to their problem, a solution, a cure. Or even just what on earth was going on. Some of the fathers pleaded with their daughters for information but there was none that they could give. Their tongues were bound with promise, and silver. Tears streamed freely down several of the girl's cheeks. They just shook their heads. "I can't I can't." The whole thing was very emotional and Mer was glad that her father didn't even try, for she knew that he knew that she wouldn't tell him, and that she was stubborn, and tough, and he would never be able to get anything out of her.
"I'm sorry Daddy" she whispered to him. Her father teared up and hugged her tightly and she collapsed into him. "I love you"
"This can't be your fault, you are clearly a victim"
"Be that as it may, Daddy, I think it is."
"How?" Mer couldn't answer, and they just sat there for awhile.
"I can't" She tried and then began choking on her tongue. Her father quickly assured her that it was alright, and she stopped and the choking subsided leaving her gasping for air. She wasn't the only one who had tried to answer their questions. Every single girl tried, and had the same effect. Dying with the words from her mouth, until she swallowed them and tried no more. Rayne broke down and sobbed after hers, for she told her father everything and she couldn't tell him what he wanted most to hear. The thing that it would take to help her.
