Silver and Evergreen

Chapter 11

Once again I am at his mercy when he winks at me. Of course he thought of Raven. Clever King. I turn away for a moment to hide my face.

Maude sighs loudly. "I guess we can work something out. We had to let go of Iden so you can work alongside me for the time being." She gives us a thin smile then steps towards the door. "I'll set something aside for you to eat Raven and you come down too before it gets cold Your Highness."

She stops at the threshold and turns back looking at me. "You can start tomorrow bright and early then. Show her to the servants quarters while you're down there Sebastian."

"Yes, Maude. Thank you for understanding." He says to her back.

There is no way to repay them for what they have done. She truly has no idea how much she has helped to agreeing in letting me stay here. I will show my gratitude by working hard for them, earning my keep. "Thank you Maude."

As she walks down the hall she waves her hand without looking back.

I'm glad she let me stay here. Now I don't have to worry about Drakon finding me somewhere on the streets. I was lucky to get away from him today... I hold myself as I think of where I could be right now if he did capture me. Yes, luck was definitely in my favour since I left that estate.

"Are you okay?" Sebastian asks as he walks past me to close the door.

I shake my head rubbing my eyes. "No, still a little tired. But I'll be better tomorrow." After I eat and rest, I should be fine. Even with the little magic I am using, it's still leeching at my energy.

He sighs taking a step towards me. "You don't have to worry about Drakon here. He will not find you as long as you stay in the castle, unless he is invited."

My eyes widen. Why would he invite him here?

"Sorry," He rubs his arm with a grimace, "I meant that he will never step foot in this castle without me knowing of it first. Actually when you regain your strength you should show me what he looks like. So we can identify him if I, or my guards, ever come across him."

"Yeah I can do that." I say with a nod. Over these last few days I've tried to forget his face but I can do this for Sebastian. If he knows what he looks like then he can stop him trying to get to me. At least that part is comforting. With a lick of my lips, I step over to my bag that is sitting on the floor and grab Elyse's necklace.

She told me to wear it. Now that I don't need to shift, I won't lose it so I pull it over my head and let it sit on my chest. For some reason it feels heavier than it looks, the crystal shines deeply in the flickering fire light.

"What's that?"

"It was given to me by a friend..."

"The one that helped you escape?"

"Yes."

"What happened to her?"

"Well..." I try to say my next words but they stop in my throat and there's tears building up. She died in my arms, my best friend was killed by a ruthless bandit. Elyse was my best and only friend, without her help I wouldn't be here today. I could almost call her a mother if I knew her longer, she took care of me and told me stories. Without her I wouldn't be alive, wouldn't be here today... I can't help the water falling from my eyes. I miss her so.

"Oh... I'm sorry." He says with a soft apology.

My head shakes as I turn away because I can't utter a word. Nothing I can do in this world will bring me back to her. All I can do is honour her wishes, by coming here. And wearing this necklace that she kept on her always.