The Blood in Our Veins

Chapter Thirty Three - Preparations

I opened my eyes slowly, not accustomed to the the bright light streaming through the windows. I lay in my four-poster canopied bed. I had spent thousands of nights in the very same room, but now it seemed alien and dangerous. I sat up and slid out from under the covers, feeling hungry. As soon as I heard the clanking of chains, I sighed. Looking down, I saw a thick metal band locked around my right ankle. As expected, my dagger was missing. I walked further away from the bed, testing my limits. I was able to walk around the entire perimeter of the room and just barely onto my balcony.

I was wearing a white, girlish nightgown, and shuddered when I thought about some stranger changing me. At least I hope it was a stranger... A strip of soft linen wrapped around a portion of my head as a bandage for my wound. A glance at my reflection in my full-size mirror showed that blood had seeped through the cloth.   

There was a knock on the door. "What?" I barked. The portal swung open, revealing a medium-height, thin girl with a tray of food. She walked into the room and set it on my vanity. The meal looked delicious, and the smell made it even more tempting, but I couldn't eat it. Who knew what they had put in there? I couldn't starve, though... I had gone a week without food or water once. It shouldn't be too hard to keep from eating all the amazing food they presented me with. I hope. I told Kian that I would be back in that amount of time. Oh. I don't think I thought that one through. It won't work too well unless, by some miracle, she can read. Don't blame me! I was panicking!

"I am Marylin. From this point forward, I will serve you." she informed me. She curtsied deeply and I rolled my eyes.

"Cut the shit. I spent a year in the Dark Forest. The last thing I need is to waste time with common formalities." I said. I plastered a smile on my face and gave Marylin my best adorable look. "Since you're my servant, you have to do everything I say, correct?"

"Yes."

"Then unlock this stupid thing." I said, gesturing to the chain that bound my foot.

"I'm afraid I can't. King Gallahein's orders over-rule yours." I groaned and sat down on my bed. I put my head in my hands. "Just so you know, your fitting is later this evening." I looked up at the girl.

"What fitting?" I asked, worried. Marylin seemed confused.

"For your dress, of course. The wedding is on Monday." she laughed. I had completely forgotten. Gallahein had mentioned it yesterday. I had until the day after tomorrow to escape. I laid back onto the comforter. "What? Aren't you excited?"

I sat up again. "Excited?" I asked, horrified. "You think that being forced to marry a self-centered, evil boy who plots to murder everyone I love is exciting?!" Marylin was shocked.

"You're not bonding to Lord Mason willingly?" This time it was I who was confused.

"No! That idiot has done far too many things to ruin my life. I won't kill him, but that doesn't mean hate is out of the question." I sprang from the bed and walked over to my balcony, pulling open both doors. I needed to signal the others. My chain didn't allow me more than a single step outside, but it was enough.

I raised my palms to the sky and called forth a storm. Pleasure rippled through me as I felt the electricity of lightning, the power of thunder. I avoided rain, as tempting as it was. Today wasn't that kind of day. I didn't want anyone in Vernia to suspect something unnatural. The deep rumble shook me to my core and a flash momentarily blinded me. I felt the singular bolt of lightning harbored in the dark clouds I had summoned and had it strike the ground not far from where the Resistance Camp was located. Someone had to notice it. If not, I'm going to have to marry Lord Mason. They better see it.

I walked back inside and let the clouds disperse. Marylin seemed impressed. There was another loud knock on the door. I glanced at it. My maid raised an eyebrow. I sighed in submission. Might as well play the part. I waved my hand at the door. Marylin smiled encouragingly and went to answer it.

She opened the door, revealing a short, rather large man. Sweat covered his brow, and I wondered whether it  had formed because of nervousness or if he was always like that. "Princess Sindri." he said in greeting, nodding in my direction. He placed a small stool in front of my mirror and handed me a folded article of clothing. "Go change behind the screen. I'll fix the dress when you're finished."

I walked over to the paneled screen in the corner. I didn't step behind it. Instead, I unfolded the fabric and stared at the gown. The silk bright red, with small golden suns embroidered around the waist and hem. Ribbon of the same color lined the end of the three-quarter sleeves. 

I shook my head. "No. I'm not wearing that." I stated. Both Marylin and the tailor looked at me as if I was a lunatic.  

"Yes, you are. King Gallahein approved only this design, and it took me a year to sew it." the man said. I laughed.

"I don't think so. He isn't a king. I applaud you for all the time you took to make this, but the cause is wrong. Unfortunately, if I have my way, this dress will be a pile of ashes by nightfall." I told them. The tailor's face became as red as the gown I was supposed to wear.

"I am not permitted to use my powers toward royalty without proper reason. Going against the wishes of my king is righteous enough. Don't force my hand, Your Highness. Put it on." he said, obviously trying to contain his anger. I smiled.

"All of you must think me a fool." I laughed. "If any power is used upon royalty when not in battle, the one who dared raise a hand against them shall be dealt the Penalty of Death." The other two present seemed surprised I remembered the law. What can I say? I spent the later half of my life memorising all of Arkenon's laws and their meanings. The other half was wasted in ettiquette teachings, but I'd rather not think about those.

"All lesser beings must follow the orders of higher species or social class." the tailor retorted. I raised an eyebrow.

"That's a new one." I noted. I'm really going to have to change that when I'm High Queen. I thought of another law to counter his. "All followers of any throne, dead or alive, have the right to dress as they please." Both Marylin and the tailor seemed confused. Then the tailor laughed.

"The Four Laws of Freedom were eliminated over a year ago. You have no choice. You're wearing it." he said smugly. I was shocked. Eliminated? No freedom of dress, freedom of religion, freedom to work... Not cool, Gallahein. Not cool. I looked back down at the discusting piece of clothing. The golden suns glimmered in the light streaming through the windows. His emblem. How could my uncle have turned a shining beacon of hope into a signal meant to instill fear? Then there was the red. The exact shade of fresh blood. 

I sighed, walking behind the screen, drawing comfort from the fact that I would never again wear it, if all went to plan. I stripped to my underclothes and tugged the horrid scarlet dress over my head. It was a bit too big. I hesitantly stepped out from behind the screen. Marylin waved me over to them.

"Stand on the stool." she directed. I did. I looked at my reflection, worried. There were black, criss-crossed laces from my waist down on the left side. They were backed by the same red silk. The square neckline was trimmed with gold ribbon, as the sleeves were. I stood still while the tailor worked to touch up my wedding dress. Doing nothing to resist the wishes of King Gallahein.

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I wonder if any of you guys caught that. That was the first time she actually called her uncle a king without silently adding 'of the Asses'. Well, in my mind anyway. Do any of you wonderful readers think I should expand my vocabulary? I feel like I keep using the same words over and over again. I guess I do, but you can't blame me. I'm a freaking SEVENTH GRADER! Half of the stories I read on here are written by high-schoolers and people in college! Anyway, last night was weird. I actually slept on the floor. I carried a pillow and blanket down there and went to sleep. Then when I woke up I screamed, because the Hoops and Yo-Yo calendar on the wall scared the crap out of me. It's just one of those days, you know? Probably not. It's just me. LOONEY BIN, HERE I COME!!

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