Hope

Chapter Seventeen

Kathryn's POV

I expect to be covered in bandages when I wake up, but my skin looks the same except for the fading scars I had obtained in the forest.

I didn't expect to live through that, I didn't want to. I knew that when-if- I woke up Harry would be long gone, leaving me with nothing but a dark empty hole where my heart used to be.

I open my eyes to a gold chandelier hanging from a beige ceiling. I slowly sit up; my blood feels like lead in my veins.

I'm busy considering throwing one of the lamps through the window, just to make a great first impression, when the door opens and a woman steps through.

I almost gasp; she looks like my father-like Jeff- with black hair and the same green eyes like celery- my eyes. Her presence demands your attention and she's aware of that.

She walks to the edge of the large bed, her velvet dress trailing behind. “Hello Kathryn.” Her voice is strong yet feminine, the type of voice you bow down to.

This is her. This has to be Magnolia. “Magnolia?” My voice sounds hoarse and small compared to hers.

“Yes. I am your father's sister and the ruler of this country.” She smiles at me. You can tell it's not something she does often.

“What country?” I look for the windows but they are covered by large satin curtains. I feel like I'm in the eighteenth century.

“Prasinis.” She sits down on the edge of the bed and trails her fingers on the soft fabric. “You were in Acutus land. You're now in Pacceaus land; your land.”

“My land?” This keeps getting crazier.

“Yes. You're my niece; daughter of Joseph and Annabelle Pacceaus, the pair that led our world to peace.” She looks at me, her green eyes emotionless. “I'm sure you're very confused. Get cleaned up and I'll ask Robert to escort you to my office. I'll explain better there.”

I look down at my torn dirty clothes. “What about my clothes?”

“Your closet is full of clothes.” She stands up. “See you then.”

When she moved, she looked even more poised and regal. The length of her skirt swirled around her feet, making it look like she floated rather than walked. When the door closes behind her I scramble off the large bed to look for the bathroom.

After opening numerous doors in the massive bedroom I finally found the bathroom.

I take my time, washing every part of my body, watching the filth go down the drain. Perfect metaphor for my life. I notice that the bite marks don't look as menacing anymore; they are just two blue marks now.

When I walk out of the shower wrapped in a towel, I'm surprised to find a girl about my age with long straight dark hair sitting on the small couch next to the door. She is pretty; with full red lips and big, friendly green eyes.

“Hi!” she exclaims, standing up.

“Uh... hi. Are you Robert?” I raise an eyebrow.

“No, silly. I'm Melissa.” She walks up to me and holds out her hand.

I shake it but immediately let go.

“And you're Kathryn.” She smiles at me.

I blink. “Yes. Last time I checked.”

She grins and gestures to the bed. “I pulled out a pair of jeans and a tank top; I figured you'd be comfortable in that. But the jeans could be just a bit big, you're very... petite.”