Black Crown

VI

Once Eli is satisfied, he tells me to go back to my room and he'll be there shortly to bring me to my new one. I grab my clothes from under my bed to take with me as a reminder of where I belong.

Shortly after, there is a knock at my door and I open it to reveal a guard.

"Prince Elijah asked me to take you to your knew quarters," he says, eyeing the bundle of clothes I have in my arms. I nod at him and step out of the room, closing the door behind me. I follow the guard until we reach our destination. The door to the room we're about to enter is more extravagant than the whole room I was in before. When he opens it and I step in, I'm shocked.

White walls, a dark wooden floor, and a bed larger than anything I've ever seen before. There's a TV on one wall and an empty bookshelf on the one next to it. In the back of the room, there's french doors that lead to a balcony, but they have a padlock on them.

I'm pulled out of my admiration of the room by the sound of the door closing. I jump a little and turn back to see that the guard is gone and Eli is standing next to the door.

"What do you think?" He asks, gesturing to the room. I smile at him.

"It's fantastic, thank you. I wasn't expecting this treatment after-" I stop myself before I can expose the fact I still remember what happened earlier.

"After what, Hope?" Eli questions, stepping closer to me.

"After being kidnapped," I cover myself and relief flashes over his face. That was too close, I need to be more careful.

"Of course. Well, it we're going to keep you trapped here, might as well keep you comfortable. My room is in the next hall, when I need to feed I'll come to you so you should have no reason to leave this room. There is a bathroom through that door over there and the wardrobe should have some more suitable outfit choices than that god awful gown. I can have someone bring in a few books for you, and the TV has a couple of different channels on it," he tells me and I nod enthusiastically.

"Why are you being so kind?" I ask and Eli's face drops a little. He has no reason to be treating me like this and I need to be cautious what I accept from him.

"As I said, if you're stuck here, there's no harm in giving you a few luxuries. And whether you believe it or not, I want to help you, Hope. I know Alexander has been less than kind, but he's worried about the trouble you could cause for all of Roris. It's better if we keep you locked up for now. For all we know, your normal life may not have been safe for much longer," he says. Many thoughts fill my mind, none of them giving me the answers I wanted.

"What do you mean-"

"I've already said too much. Someone will be in shortly with your dinner and some books. Try not to cause anymore trouble," and with that, he leaves the room. The door locks behind him and I sigh. At least now I have something to waste my days with.

While I'm waiting for my dinner, I explore my new room. The bathroom is larger than my bedroom at home and holds a gold bathtub. I don't even want to know if it's real gold. My next stop is the closet and at this point I'm not even surprised it's a walk-in. This room was certainly not meant for someone with me.

The room is filled with gowns more extravagant than any I've seen before. They're different colors and patterns, and the shoes that accompany them are just as gorgeous. Most of them are heels which is slightly intimidating, but my mom taught me how to walk in heels long ago. I wonder if the heels are to discourage me from another get away attempt.

Soon there is a knock on my door followed by a middle aged woman coming in with a cart. It's filled with a plate of dinner and at least a dozen books. I thank her and she gives me a small nod before leaving and locking the door behind her.