The next morning the cold once again seeped into my bones. I was so exhausted from last night that I passed out before we had gotten to my chamber.
Kael moved me from my previous cell in the dungeon rand thought it was a good idea. There were no windows and the door was locked only on my side So I couldn't open it. I tried already.
The chamber was like any normal room there was a bed, a small white desk in the corner of the room, a fire place in front of the bed. A small painting of the ocean on top of the fireplace. And of course a restroom. The door was locked on my end so I couldn't open it.
I guess they forgot to turn the heater on last night. Or they just particularly didn't care. After I kept running away so much. I sat up once again combing down my amber hair and started to recall everything that was told to me last night. And I was honestly crashing out.
Like what do you mean i'm half witch half fae? Where am I still no clue? What actually happened to my parents. Does Beatrice know about this? Is she a witch or a fae? What is going on? Is the King going to kill me. No matter of fact is Kael going to kill me? I asked myself anxiously biting my nails as I was struggling to make sense of what was going on. And right on cue Kael walks in.
"Comfortable?" Kael said as he stood in the doorway smirking.
I glared at him. "What do you want, finally decide to let me go?" I asked sarcastically.
Kael's lips twitched but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "No, i'm here to get you ready to meet my father, the king remember?"
"Prepare me?" I asked crossing my arms in disappointment. "What does he even want with me you haven't even told me what's going on or where am I?"
He tilted his head studying me as if I was a puzzle he needed to solve. "You'll find out soon enough."
"That's not an awnser either." I snapped at him.
"First you hunt me down like i'm some animal and now i'm supposed to stand before your king without knowing why. What kind of game are you playing at release me at once I have animals that need to get fed."
Kaels expression darkened but he steppped closer withing whispering distance. So close that I could smell his musk that was almost intoxicating as if I was being poisoned. "This isn't a game princess. It's survival— for the both of us."
This just makes me wonder about so many other things. My chest tightened at the thought of never seeing aunt bea or the farm again. "Survival from what?"
He didn't awnser. Instead he festered towards the door. "The maids will be here shortly to prepare you. Cooperate or don't. Either way you're meeting him."
I stared at his back as he was about to leave. "You're just as much as a pawn in his game as I am." I said.
But he didn't say anything. His jaw tightened and with one last look at me he turned around and left, slamming the door behind him.
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Shortly after Kael had left the maids and servants came rushing in through the door with bundles of fabric, brushes, and many many jeweles.
" What is all this?" I said staring at the trays of jewels on the desk.
"We have been instructed to make you presentable." One of the maid said, her voice was soft but firm.
"I'm not your doll." I said backing away from them.
The eldest maid stepped forward meeting my gaze, her hair grey her eyes stern. "You don't have a choice miss. The kings orders are absolute."
I clenched my fists and pinched my palms in the process to not snap at her. It wasent her fault this was happening to me, she was just doing her job. And as soon as I calmed myself down I let them proceed.
They worked their way quickly washing, drying brushing my body. As if I was some prized pig. But they thankfully worked in silence the only noises were that coming from hands clatter at the different materials.
They dressed me a pale blue silvery fabric that almost looked translucent. It almost resembled the colors of the moon and down the back of an intricate boarder of a pattern that I have never seen before yet it looked familiar to me.
" You look beautiful." One of them said. And they all stared and gawked at me like I was going to win a competition.
"This feels wrong. This doesn't feel like me." I said and sighed.
"Why don't you take a look first." The previous maid said and stepped away from blocking the mirror.
The girl staring back at me looked regal and poised nothing like how I felt. My amber hair was splayed in a series of braids that leaded down my back leaving only the slightest of hairs to frame my face. My ears stuck out. And they were slightly pointed. I was at a loss for words I didn't want to say anything. But I guess what Kael said is true.
My gown was probably the most elegant thing I had ever worn in my life. I took another sigh knowing that this was all for the Fae King and not for myself.
"This isn't me". I muttered to myself once again.
When they finished packing up all the goods the maids stepped back and bowed before leaving the room. The eldest maid paused at the door softening her gaze for a brief moment. "Be careful Ember." She whispered before closing the door behind her.
I wish they knew my name was Lola.
YOU ARE READING
The Shattered Crown BOOK 1: CROWN OF ASH AND GOLD
FantasyEmber Valen has spent her life believing she was an ordinary young woman named Lola, she was raised by Beatrice, a quiet family friend with a mysterious past. But on her 21st birthday, Ember's world unravels. Strange magic erupts within her during a...
