Scars of Blades

13

The house I've spent more than half my life in is beautiful, but it doesn't even come close to the beauty of this palace.

The room I'm directed to is massive.

In comparison to the King's chambers, where I have no doubt Conrad is staying, it's a tiny room but everything you have always looks small in comparison to something else.

I marvel at the small private bathroom which I fill to the brim with hot fuchsia colored water.

My hair and body are given the best rinse of their life.

It's pure luxury to let the dirt and grime come off me.

To let my tight muscles loosen against the burning water.

I spend at least an hour in the tub till the water runs cold before I put on a bathrobe, letting my hair fall wet on my shoulders.

To my surprise the closet has clothing in it.

Only after I put on a green dress with straps that cross over my shoulders and lower back, do I realize that this room just a day before most likely belonged to a handmaiden now evicted from her home in order for me to be here...

The thought leaves me feeling odd on the inside.

After I'm changed my stomach growls reminding me to eat.

I join a group of girls from one of Conrad's smaller outcroppings who I don't know for dinner.

We all eat plain chicken and salad.

Apparently we can all have nice rooms and clothing but we're still only Conrad's monkeys, and pets have to be kept on a chain.

After tomorrow what will happen to all of these people?

What will happen to the councilmen down in dungeons?

Who will me and Jax become after tomorrow?

I don't eat much at dinner, perturbed by my thoughts and am the first one to leave.

I can't wait to get back to my room in perfect solitude and sleep in that big fluffy bed.

Just as I round the corner of our hallway I'm stopped.

Jax is leaning against my door frame with his first few buttons undone lazily staring at me.

"What do you want?" My voice comes out too harsh.

Jax looks surprised,"I wanted too..." He trails off,"did I do something?"

"No." I snap, but it's a lie.

He tries to give me his warmest smile but all he gets is another glare.

"C'on Isha, tell me what I did so I can apologize."

I give him a sweet smile too,"I hope you had a fun time going out and getting drinks when you should have been here. But I'm glad you've had a fun few hours out on the town just doing whatever you like!"

I try to push past him but he throws out one arm.

"What the crap Isha," He actually looks angry now even though he has no right to get mad at me. "Do you really think I would just leave?" He lowers his voice, "I went to tell Quincy to go hide until tomorrow morning! I wasn't drinking! I wasn't out kissing random girls! I was helping! Because as shocking as it is, to you. I'm not just some jerk who has no moral compass!"

Embarrassment floods my cheeks at the real hurt in his eyes,"You just- I mean- Leela said you- I just was mad because we have important things to do and you just-"

He holds up a hand to stop me,"screw whatever the heck petty little Leela said! I just can't believe you think I'd leave you," his voice breaks,"after all I've done this week- I thought you trusted me."

"I'm sorry- but maybe you shouldn't have the type of reputation where I could believe something like that!"

He shakes his head, his blonde hair flopping into his eyes,"whatever, I'll see you tomorrow. Oh and," he turns, still looking hurt,"tomorrow after we kill Conrad, Quincy will bring Tay to the palace. I just thought you'd want to know what's happening."

He's gone before I can get a hold of my raging emotions.