The Princess and the Warlock

Chapitre Six

I was awoken the following morning by the sound of birds chirping. 

It jolted me awake, mostly because I couldn't remember the last time I'd woken up to the sounds of birds singing. Usually it's maids rousing me, fingers ready and tearing through my hair, by body being forced toward a bath of water.

But today, no one came for me. I sat in the bed, blankets warm and bundling me comfortably, just listening. The sunlight was peeking through where the curtains had been parted, and there was a faint, beautiful glow casting around the bedroom.

For the first time in a long time, I was content.

But it didn't take long for my stomach to growl. I didn't know what time it was, nor what time Kaius was going to serve breakfast. And there was no way I wanted to miss food. I pealed back the covers, swinging my legs out and planting my feet on the floor. My braid was still somewhat intact from last night, though my dress was terribly crumpled. It was still the purple and pink dress I'd worn from the palace; I hadn't changed it last night, mostly because my mind was merely racing.

I opened the drawer to the dresser, peering inside to find nothing.

"Master Kaius is waiting for you, miss."

I jerked at the sound of her voice, smacking my hands against the drawer in surprise. "Aimee!"

She was standing near the doorway, hands folded in front of her. "Miss?"

"You startled me!" I pressed a hand underneath my ribcage, exhaling slowly.

"I'm sorry, miss." Her face was unapologetic. "Master Kaius has had breakfast prepared."

Slowly, I shut the drawer. "I can't wear this again. It's old. It's dirty."

Aimee moved closer to me, opening the drawer I had previously closed. Though her fingertips were slightly transparent, just like last night, her fingers grabbed the object physically, pulling. Now, a simple red day gown was folded inside the drawer, the color of a fine wine. "Will this one do?"

I reached inside and picked up the red fabric, touching the lace and beading on the front. "I believe so. Can you tell Kaius that I'll be there in a moment, Aimee?"

"Yes, miss."

I had to find my own way downstairs, since Aimee disappeared just after I dismissed her. She never returned, leaving me to toe down the hallway. I picked heading downstairs first, since my window was from the second story.

From the mouth of the staircase, I saw him. It opened out to a grand room, with an even grander table set at it. The china was impeccably placed, white and shiny and new.

And at the head of the table was Kaius.

He was wearing a navy buttoned shirt, rolled at the sleeves. His mass of white hair was pulled back out of his face today, though loose locks were catching at his eyes. But those alluring eyes were red-rimmed with the signs of insomnia, gaze slightly weakened and lids weighed.

When he saw me, though, he quickly rose to his feet. "Good morning," he greeted without a smile, eyes tracing my face. "I hope you slept well."

"I did."

He glanced down at my dress. "That's a lovely color on you."

His words, though simply put, made my lips twitch. "Thank you. Did you pick it out?" I couldn't imagine it would magically appear in my drawer without some thought.

"Aimee's talent, I'm afraid. My fashion sense, according to her, is sub-par."

I took in his navy shirt and brown trousers. "You didn't do so bad today."

This time, his lips twitched. Kaius quickly gestured to the end of the table to where the other set was placed. "Please, sit." Unceremoniously, I sat. Kaius did as well. "Forgive me for not giving you a proper tour last night. I was feeling a little worn out after the day's events."

I gave him a polite smile. "You can make it up to me this afternoon. Aimee's tour was cut a little short last night." I picked up my napkin and draped it across my lap. It felt weird, to be conversing with this boy who was technically my abductor. But everything about him seemed to comforting, so easy, that I couldn't help but feel relaxed. I glanced at the shiny plate, then to him. "How many days has it been since you took me?"

Kaius said, "Today is the third day. You were asleep for the entirety of the first."

Strange, that I lost a whole day. "Does magic have that sort of effect on all humans?"

"Transportation spells are heavy and draining," he said. "As are cloaking spells. I used both." Kaius raised one slim hand from the table into the air, level with his shoulder, and snapped his fingers. I felt a sudden electricity echo through the air, like a soundwave pushing backwards, rolling over my skin. When I glanced back down at my plate, it was filled to the brim with meats and chicken's eggs, fresh bread and potatoes. The sudden sight of it made my mouth water. "You'll find, the longer that you stay here, that the magic's effects won't wear you down so much. Thankfully. I can't have my new friend fainting each time we walk outside."

I desperately wanted to pick up my fork and tear into the food, but somehow I restrained myself. "Is this some sort of spelled food?" I asked, entirely unsettled by the aroma and sight of it. "If I eat it, will I be stuck here forever?"

Kaius tilted his head slightly, taking me in from a new angle. "I can assure you, nothing keeps you here except your own volition. You are merely my guest, Amora. You can stop second guessing my motives; they aren't as malicious as the motives of the palace."

I bit at my lip, trying to hear any sort of deception in his words. I had gotten quite good at it over the years, and now I was coming up empty. "I simply don't know you, I'm afraid," I told him cautiously. "Your motives are as foreign to me as the seas in the west."

He raised an eyebrow at me. "You're princess over this entire kingdom. You're trying to tell me that you haven't seen the ocean in the west?"

"Nor the east, but I hear that the west is much prettier."

As Kaius looked on at me from across the table, white and blue eyes churning with some sort of thought, I realized that his silence was born from the desire to keep things in his head. Because right then, I could see from his eyes that he was wanting to say something—his lips were practically twitching at the idea of speaking—but he was keeping himself quiet. And I had no idea why, but I desperately wanted to. "You should eat your food," he said instead, picking up his fork with nimble fingers. Those eyes looked away from me, and I felt my heart fall in disappointment. "Before it gets any colder."

I picked up my fork, knowing that whatever thought was running around in his head was now sealed from this conversation.