The Awakening

Chapter Fifteen

Time blurred for Avelon. Days melded into one another as she and Brianne alternated between never-ending kitchen and stable duties. It was always, unfalteringly, and unpleasantly, the same. Either Brianne, or herself or both of them were scrubbing dishes. Sometimes Brianne had managed to grab them both a day in the stables. The latter being the more pleasant chore. To Avelon's surprise, she seldomly found an additional fae slave joining them. They always kept to themselves and ignored Avelon and Brianne as blatantly as possible.

With each passing day, Avelon's anxiety swelled. Each day that Balor or Elha did not seek her out was both a blessing and a curse. She knew the next experiment was coming, sure of it even- Especially when they were so inclined on testing out every element known in Vexar. Though, with each passing day, Avleon would find herself checking the corners for secret entrances in hopes of finding Fallon.

She had not been successful yet.

"So what will Today bring us- more disgustingly fermented food assortments or disgustingly fresh horse manure?" Avelon remarked sarcastically, rolling her shoulders and cracking her fingers. She wished, with all her might that she could climb into a bathing chamber and soak for an entire day.

Brianne chuckled, spooning the dreadful grey porridge she had scrounged up for them. It looked terrible, and unluckily, tasted even worse. She was appreciative of the fact that Brianne had ensured that they were able to eat albeit unappetizing grey sludge, though she wished for something of colour- every single day.

"Which do you prefer?" Brianne mocked, waggling her eyebrows. Avelon snorted, mustering enough courage to swallow an entire spoonful of porridge without lingering on the taste of the thick sludge.

"Fortunately, we'll be busy in the hall Today. The event is Tonight." Brianne mumbled and slurped, Avelon frowned in disgust at the sight.

"Pig." Avelon picked at Brianne, deepening her frown as Brianne slid her gaze toward Avelon. She playfully rolled her eyes and set the bowl down on her bedspread. The brown of the bowl had been painfully bright in comparison to the rest of the greyness in the room.

Brianne playfully pushed her nose up with a finger, mimicking a pig's snout, and Avelon burst into a fit of genuine laughter. Mornings and late evenings were the only times that Avelon and Brianne could fall into a semblance of themselves. They were playful, reckless and- normal- during these moments. The rest of their days would only consist of quick, knowing, glances and rushed discussions. They opted not to let their guards down the way they had the first time Brianne had taken Avelon to the stables. Avelon did not want to tempt the Gods by letting her guard down at all.

"What event is Balor hosting again?" Avelon squinted her eyes, trying to remember whether Brianne had mentioned the significance of the event. Her mind drew blank.

Brianne shrugged with a scowl, "Who knows, he has them frequently. Sometimes it's for fun and pleasure, and other times it's for pleasure and fun."

Avelon swallowed a snort. Her sixth sense drew its painfully intruding finger down Avelon's neck at the thought of the event. She shrugged uncomfortably on her bed, finishing her breakfast slowly.

"Balor uses us to ensure that his guests are kept refreshed and..." Brianne continued, but trailed off, swallowing hard.

"And?" Avelon pushed.

"He ensures we keep the guests entertained." Her hushed whisper had Avelon's stomach plummeting.

"What do you mean, entertained?" Avelon rushed, her anxiety skyrocketing so much that she almost leapt from the bed.

"He either demonstrates his abilities using us as an example, or he has the finest of us indulging his male counterparts." Bile rose in Avelon's throat, her breakfast threatening to escape.