The Marí

Part 26

"Under the moon's watchful eye,
This blood shall bind us, you and I.
As you drink deep from my crimson tide,
You'll be lost, forever in me tied.
My love, dark as night, flows in your veins,
And now, you'll live for me alone, in chains.
Awisss..." he murmured, his voice a chilling whisper that sent shivers down my spine. The sacred cup, swirling ominously with his blood, hovered just inches from my lips, the dark liquid gleaming in the dim light.
"Awisss..." I echoed, my voice barely audible, laced with the same unsettling dread. The moment the metallic fluid touched my tongue, a bitter chill spread through my veins, as if the darkness within him had seeped into me. A heavy veil of shadow seemed to cloak my vision, smothering the last remnants of light.
"Merald... Merald... if you can hear me open your eyes....." A distant voice called my name, dragging me back from the abyss. My eyelids fluttered open, revealing Dr. Liz standing over me. I groaned in frustration; my head felt heavy, as if it were dragging my neck down.
"Steady, steady," she said, her hands on my shoulders to keep me from tossing back and forth. The remnants of the dream clung to me like a second skin, unwilling to let go.
"Look at me, Merald," she instructed more demandingly. "How many fingers am I holding up?" She wavered a finger in front of my eyes.
"One?" I asked, unsure and more disoriented than usual. "Why are you spinning?" I frowned as the migraine hit me hard once more.
"Close your eyes," she whispered.
"No, Alithaliz" I responded. "You're about to do the wishy-washy stuff again." I groaned but reluctantly obeyed.She paused slightly before leaning forward. I felt her breath against my ear. "Effectum desiste, nunc et in perpetuum."
"Open your eyes, child," she instructed, squeezing my palms more tightly. I gently peeked open my eyes as she assisted me in sitting up on the bed. Avoiding her gaze, I took in my surroundings, The bed, draped in rich fabrics of gold and royal blue, features a tall, intricately carved velvet headboard and inviting pillows. Towering windows, framed by heavy drapes, let in warm sunlight that dances across the polished marble floor, adorned with an exquisite Persian rug. Across the room, a grand fireplace crackles softly, its marble façade highlighting the ornate ceiling frescoes. The walls are decorated with framed paintings, and a dark wood dresser holds delicate trinkets. A plush chaise longue beckons me to relax in its embrace. The air carries a soothing scent of lavender and sandalwood, while the silk bedspread glimmers with intricate embroidery.
"Just like home," I hummed in satisfaction. But this realization only deepened my confusion—I wasn't in the inn, and I certainly wasn't at home. If Dr. Liz was still here, then where the heck was I? Last night's events came crashing down on me. I smiled sheepishly at the thought of Morpheus holding my hand in such a compromising position. Then it hit me—I had to leave. I couldn't stay; I was finally free from Regina's grasp.
"Looks like someone isn't very happy to see me," Liz teased lightly, tugging at my covers. But even her voice couldn't chase away the dark fog clouding my thoughts.
I paused, locking eyes with her. The dreams were a concern, but my confused state was even more alarming.
"Where am I, Liz?" I asked, concerned.
"You're right where you chose to be, exactly where he wants you to be," she added, sounding disappointed as she dropped my palms and sighed in defeat.
"What do you mean?" I asked, even more confused.
"Your eyes... they're fading," she said abruptly, grabbing my face in her hands. I groaned, irritated. That information was no information at all—it was useless and unrelated.
"Alithaliz!" I chanted in frustration.
She chuckled, tossing me back onto the bed. I instinctively morphed her place with a pillow, but she caught it effortlessly, laughing harder.
"You had a dream, didn't you?" she asked.
I hesitated, unsure whether to respond.
"That's how you knew my full name was Alithaliz," she continued, curiosity hinged with a glint of sadness gleaming in her eyes. "You're slowly turning back, aren't you?" I stared at her, even more confused.
"I'll give you some time. Rest. I'm sure he'll send someone to tend to you." I groaned again, rolling my eyes. Why so many pronouns? Who was he? Morpheus? Simon? The Marí... whom I've never even met? As Liz turned to leave, she paused momentarily at the doorway, casting one last look my way before exiting. Still seething with frustration, I rose abruptly from the bed. Everything around me felt both oddly familiar and disturbingly out of place. I headed straight into the washroom. Without hesitation, I undressed from the clothes that clung to me like a second skin, sliding into the warm water of the pool-like bath. I let my body surrender to its embrace, sinking deep, holding my breath for what felt like an eternity. With my eyes closed, fragments of the dream rushed back, haunting me. The metallic taste filled my throat again, like I was still sipping from that cursed cup. Panic clawed at my chest as my air quickly depleted. I kicked toward the surface, gasping desperately as I broke through. It hit me—this place wasn't foreign. I knew the layout of the washroom instinctively. Shaking off the unsettling realization, I stepped out of the bath and wrapped myself in a robe hanging nearby. As I took in my surroundings more carefully, I tried to make sense of it all. The washroom was luxurious yet filled with a mystical charm that made it more than just a place of elegance. Polished marble floors gleamed under the soft glow of chandeliers, casting a golden light over the dark wood furniture. Velvet drapes framed tall windows, allowing beams of sunlight to filter in, giving the room a warm, ethereal glow. Along the walls, intricate ancient runes and symbols were etched into the stone, their presence subtle yet unmistakable. They pulsed faintly, as if alive with a forgotten magic. A grand vanity adorned with silver accents stretched across one wall, its surface reflecting not only the room's elegance but also the mysterious symbols that surrounded it. The washroom felt both like an opulent retreat and a sanctuary I stood before the vanity, unsure of my identity for the first time. Who was I? Princess Emerald Annabella Knight? Or was I... Erald? And what made Erald so adored? My thoughts wandered back to my father—were they even trying to find me? Did I still have a home, a family? Tears welled in my eyes, but I tried to silence them. I wasn't weak, yet I couldn't understand what was wrong with me. One moment, I wanted to escape; the next, I couldn't bring myself to leave.
"Mi lady, is everything alright?" A voice echoed from outside the washroom door, followed by a soft knock.
"I'll be out in a minute," I called back, my tone sharper than I intended. What was wrong with me? I was furious, but at what? Lena? The mere thought of her name sent a wave of rage through me. I turned back to the vanity, staring at my reflection. A sinister smile crept across my face as an image of Lena's body floating in a pool of blood flashed through my mind.
"I'm sorry, mi lady, but your presence is needed," the voice called again, more softly, followed by the entrance of a small, uncomfortable figure. She gently took my hand and led me back into the room. I stood by the vanity as she began to tend to my body.
"Mi lady," Claire began, her voice warm but slightly hesitant, "I realize I haven't properly introduced myself. I'm Claire, your personal maid during your stay here." She smiled sweetly, her blue eyes twinkling. My stay? What does she mean by my stay? I chuckled in annoyance before replying, "That won't be necessary, Claire. I won't be staying anyway." Claire massaged soothing oils into my skin, their scents of strawberries and wood filling the room—my favorite. I inhaled deeply, letting the fragrance calm the storm inside me, a grin spreading across my face. Her soft chuckle broke the silence. "I can see you're enjoying this, mi lady." Blushing slightly, I smiled. "I won't lie, I am."
"I'm glad," Claire replied, draping a robe over my shoulders before presenting me with a stunning black morning dress. It was modest yet elegant, with a sleek fit and a plunging v-neck, giving it an almost goddess-like quality.
"So, what do you think, Your Grace?" she asked nervously. I glanced at her, momentarily reminded of Regina. "It's beautiful. It will suffice," I said, feeling a pang of nostalgia. The dress fit perfectly, my big bottom was greatly emphasized by the gown. Claire moved on to my tangled mess of red hair, her hands gentle and skilled. As she massaged my scalp, I let out a satisfied groan. It felt just like home.
"You have beautiful hair, mi lady," Claire complimented as she worked out a few knots. "Perhaps it's best to leave it down today." I nodded in agreement as she fetched something from a drawer—a small, ornate box. She opened it carefully, revealing an array of fine jewelry. My eyes were immediately drawn to an emerald necklace. I reached out, mesmerized by the deep green hue, gripping it so tightly my palm stung.
"This," I murmured, holding it up.
"That emerald belonged to the late lady of the house. The Marí himself gave it to her on the night they wed. It was said to be forged with both their blood, and if you look closely, you can see it. You're ready now, mi lady," she added, her voice returning to its excited tone, clearly pleased with her work.
"Oh," I replied, not bothering to hide my disappointment as I gently laid the emerald necklace back. Claire silently placed the necklace in its box and selected a simpler piece—an oval-shaped diamond pendant hanging from a delicate chain. It wasn't as captivating as the emerald, but its subtle beauty was undeniable.I turned to the mirror, studying my reflection. Despite the simplicity of everything else, the dress elevated my appearance to something stunning. But it was my eyes that caught my attention—a light shade of aqua, just as Liz had earlier pointed out. Masking my surprise, I turned to Claire, feeling an unexpected wave of gratitude.
"Thank you, Claire. I love it," I said softly, turning to take in her features for the First time She looked younger than I expected, with striking blue eyes that seemed to shimmer in the soft light of the room. Her dark, curly hair framed her delicate face, adding to her natural beauty.
"You know, the lady of the house used to love wearing her hair down too," Claire remarked, breaking the silence again. My expression soured. First, it was "Erald," and now, "the former lady of the house." Who would it be next?
"I'll show you to the dining area now, mi lady," Claire said, gesturing toward the door.
"After you," she added, taking a deep breath as I followed her, hoping everything would go smoothly from here. Now all I needed was to find the Lord of the manor, or the Marí himself, explain everything, and be done with this place.