Crown of Serpents (Book 1 of the Serpent Bloodline Trilogy)

Chapter 7

His gaze drifts to mine, those inky dark eyes clashing with mine, he looks down, his eyes narrowing at the cut on my cheek for a second before he looks at my father, his psychotic smile turning into a sneer. My father returns the sentiment. I can hear the splatter of blood on the floor, and the clicking of his shoes as he walks towards the King.

"Son," his voice is cold, and his gaze is calculating. "I didn't realize you'd be back so soon." I see his jaw clench, he's unhappy about it. Xavier draws a sword out and lets it clatter to the ground, staining the white tile a scarlet red. His gaze drawls from the ground to his eyes, "Must you always make such a mess?"

"Must you always care?" He retorts, his hands curling into a fist.

The King sighs, "They were just heading to their rooms after we can discuss this matter." he snaps his fingers, and immediately servants file it, ushering me out of the throne room. They take my father somewhere else. Their hands push me from my back, through halls and rooms so fast until they stop in front of a magnificent ivy-green door, with gold details on the handles and the frame. I can tell they are nervous as one opens the door with shaky fingers.

I have to force my jaw not to drop. It's a beautiful room, candles already lit and a magnificent bed covered in gossamer sits near the window, carpets covered in wool, and lush paintings cover the walls. The curtains have wonderful stitches with stories, and there's another door that I'm guessing leads to the washroom.

"I hope this is okay," one of the servants interjects, "we wanted you to have a wonderful room—"

"It's beautiful, I'm Rae, by the way."

"Valerie." Her smile is warm, but her eyes suggest differently. Then I realize, they all hate me. Our Kingdom has been at war with them for centuries. I hope I don't find anything different.

"You can leave now, "I snap, suddenly angry. Her entire demeanor changes, her fingers clenching and her shoulders stiffening.

"Of course, come on girls." They shuffle out of the room, not so softly shutting the door behind them.

Sighing, I enter the washroom and stare in the mirror. My hair is rumpled, half of the braid I put in yesterday already falling out, and dark bruises hang under my eyes. The swelling on my cheek has gone down, but redness still coats my cheek. I do know it's time to redress them, but that crap hurts.

I'll bathe, and then change them.

***

I had Valerie bring in hot buckets of water, ignoring her glares and mutters. The tub was soon filled with steaming water, and bubbles sloshing around on the tile. Rosemary and thyme scents filled the washroom and I breathed it in deeply. It's been a long while since I've had a bath like this.

Stripping myself of my clothes, and undoing the wrap on my shoulder, I stepped into the tub. The heat of the water on my legs making me take in a sharp breath, —it especially hurt when I got my shoulder in— eventually I got used to it. It's nice having peace and quiet after years of screaming in my brain. Maybe I can think of this more as a vacation instead of my duty? I shake my head, this will be more of a prison than home ever will be. Father had instructed I act like the princess my step-mother taught me to be, reading last nights book. But, when Lukius welcomed us, I had forgotten all about it.

It's odd, how similar they are to us, and yet how different we actually are.

One of the different rules is that here women are allowed to start the conversation, but that only really begins when you turn eighteen, and I, have not followed that rule personally.

They also have an odd tradition, one where they host a ball for all of Kharid to join, no matter if you are peasant or prince. They make beautiful gowns that hardly hide the skin on your body, it's supposed to celebrate what we are. It has giant cakes and tarts, with music filling the background.