Cressida's whole world is one frozen prison.
The land of Narnia was long ago plunged into eternal winter by the White Witch, Jadis Queen of Narnia. The powerful sorceress who stole Cressida from her home and her people. Cressida is little more than...
My fresh clothes are warm against my skin. Dressed in one of the many gowns Jadis supplies for my court appearances, I sit still as Ephemei pins my hair.
"You shouldn't rile her; you'd have far fewer scars, you know." She sighs as she fastens another diamond pin into my dark curls.
"Trust me, I know Ephe." I grumble back half-heartedly.
I look at Ephe's reflection in the mirror, her soft white hair is swept up in a neat bun, a few strands beginning to fall out of place from a day's work. Her ochre skin is ashen with cold. Ephemei is a wood nymph, a dryad, her features perfect, her figure lithe. She had told me once of where she came from, the beautiful chestnut grove she had called home before being indentured. Ephe had never seen summer, and in creatures who drew power from nature, the eternal winter of Jadis' rule showed clearly on their faces.
My once golden skin was now light and dull.
"What was it this time?"
"She thought I was lying to her, she believes I'm rebelling." I huff.
Ephe raises one of her perfectly shaped eyebrows. I grin wickedly, and Ephe drops the subject.
"Why do you think she wants you at court tonight?"
"Honestly, I don't know. Entertainment for her courtiers perhaps."
"She does love to show you off." Ephe mutters as she concentrates on the final pins in my hair.
"Have you noticed the gowns she gives me have been getting even more revealing recently?" I ask quietly.
Ephe's eyes meet mine in the mirror as she drops her hands from my hair, "Yes, she removed more of your old gowns just this morning when she had this one delivered."
I look down at the new gown as I stand.
The colour is blood-red, the bodice, made of intricate lace and boning, cuts low across my bust and the skirt that falls to the floor is made of satin. Sleek and elegant, with a split trailing dangerously high up my left leg.
"Do you think she'd ever make me..." I trail off, unable to finish my question.
Ephe grabs my hands and crouches in front of me.
"She's taken your freedom, yes, but everything she does is for a reason. She wants to show you off but wouldn't let just any animal have you." I look at Ephe doubtfully.
"She wouldn't Cressida, you're too important." She insists.
I nod slowly before taking a deep breath.
"I'm ready."
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I can see the entirety of the ballroom from my place on the dais. Propped on cushions, half sprawled across the foot of Jadis' throne, the courtiers are able to watch me. Some sneer, others whisper, and some look at me...hungrily.
