The Reluctant Queen

Chapter 12

My hands would not stop touching my neck. Now that I saw the mark, it was as if it was burning, refusing to be ignored. I was pacing the room. Just moments before I was pacified by its beauty, all of the furniture and paintings alluring, but now it felt nothing more than a beautiful cage.

Without thinking I was playing with my hands again. I had to get out of here. 

I opened the door, peaking out. Huh. He said there would be a guard, but there wasn't anyone outside. Really? After all of those 'lessons,' he didn't think to have me supervised? I closed the door again. But what did it matter, anyway? If I was going to leave, I wasn't going to just do it on a whim, I needed a plan. If I tired to leave the castle now he would definitely find me and bring me back. I paused, my hand still on the door handle. But still...What harm could it be to take a stroll around the castle? 

An idea suddenly popped in my head. The book! I was so shocked at his behavior that I had forgotten that he had given me the gold book from the library. The last time I had it was in the dinning hall. That was on the other side of the castle, but I would just get it and come back. He wouldn't even know I had left my room. Besides, he told me I could have it, so he couldn't fault me for going back to get it. There was something about it, almost like a pull. Whatever the book was about, it was important, I was sure of it. 

I opened the door again before checking my surroundings. All clear. As I made my way down the East wing there was a feeling, a nagging feeling. I couldn't let it go. While I was in my room I was so confident, but now that I was obviously wondering about my anxiety was through the roof. It was like my heart was jolting with every breath. The castle was dark and gloomy inside, not nearly as charming as the garden seemed, or even the den Adrian gave me. It was so cold, the stone walls and lush blood red carpet catching my eye more than the decorations placed around them. I swallowed, continuing on. Just like my room, even with all of these expensive, extravagant things, there was something so off about the palace. Even without Adrian around badgering me, I felt uneasy.  

So far there wasn't a sound I heard but my own, and I couldn't believe how lucky I was that I hadn't run into any maids. I couldn't remember where the dinning room was, so I decided to take a detour. It was a silly move, but I felt like I should go this way. Eventually I became lost in all of the twists and turns, and was basically trapped, unable to even guess how to get back to my room. I was feeling more foolish by the moment. At this point someone would notice I was gone. I took another turn, hitting another dead end. "God, really?" I turned back around and picked another path. Eventually I came upon stairs that seemed to lead to a basement. A basement? I walked down the steps slowly, being careful not to make a noise. Lanterns were hung up, making the path clear, and making me suspect someone to be waiting down the stairs. My stomach was already aching again with anxiety, but I couldn't help myself. It was as if there was a magnet down the stairs, tugging me along.

It felt like I needed to be here. 

 As I walked down, it was clear that someone was currently down there, and they were not alone. I held my breath, trying to hear what they were talking about. 

"...is secured in the cell, I assure you," said a voice, slightly muffled. "The bars are sealed with magic even he couldn't undo." 

"Good. Just make sure he doesn't get into any trouble. She is still unstable, and if she so much as hears his name you will answer to me. I will come back in the morning." That voice...Adrian? My heart quickened. What was he talking about? In the last few steps, I could see him, talking to what looked like a guard. They were standing in front of a small wooden door with a tiny window.

I turned slowly, trying to be unnoticed as I made my escape. I was only a few steps up when I heard, "Sophia?"

I turned around instantly, my face burning. What was he going to do to me this time? "Sophia it is you. What are you doing here?" I couldn't tell if he was angry or not. But he seemed urgent, it wasn't like him.