The room was beautiful, just like I’d expected after seeing the outside of the building. The walls were painted a faint shade of blue, embellished with an ivory crown molding. The birchwood wardrobe in the corner was accompanied by a matching bed frame, centered on the wall adjacent. My attention snagged on a desk sitting beside a set of windows, which would surely get a lot of use once I got my hands on some writing supplies. Surrounding the windows were a pair of beige curtains, long enough to skim the top of the wooden floor boards. In addition there was a cushioned armchair seated in the corner, along with a plush area rug at the foot of the bed. The appeal of the room somewhat aided in softening the blow of the news I'd received today.
“The king would like to finish his discussion with you tomorrow,” the soldier said, interrupting my exploration.
I turned to him and nodded, swallowing the instant floodof anxiety that overcame me at his words. The idea that I would have to face the king again so soon after my outburst was slightly terrifying.
“Someone will collect you in the morning to show you to his study,” he stated, then turned and exited the room in one swift motion.
I sighed in relief at the sound of the lock clicking—finally alone.
I pulled my rucksack off my shoulders and tossed it to the side, kicking my boots off as well. My bare feet brushed over the rug as I made for the windows, where I took in the view just beyond the glass.
Everything was quiet for the first time in what felt like forever. I took a few deep breaths, at last allowing myself to process everything that had happened since Jewel-Light.
No logic could explain why the one goddess who was known for never blessing a mortal chose me to be her first. I was bitter that I was robbed of one last goodbye from my family, also furious that my life was now at the mercy of the king. Despite all of that, I couldn't deny that there was a minuscule part of me eager to discover what my magic was. And Ihatedthat I felt that way.
Admitting that tiny bit of excitement tore me in half.
My fists clenched involuntarily and beads of sweat slid down my forehead. All of the feelings that I'd been suppressing attacked me at once and my stomach audibly gurgled as a powerful wave of nausea overcame me.
“Oh fuck.” I inhaled deeply and clenched my mouth closed. My hand slammed over my lips as I ran for the slim doorway by my wardrobe, which I really hoped was a washroom.
After I’d finished emptyingthe contents of my stomach last night, I laid down on my new bed and fell asleep within minutes. I had woken up in the late evening and showered, but dozed off again right after, still wrapped in my towel and not waking up again until the next morning, when the sound of a heavy knock filled my room.
Still half asleep, I sat up and stretched, taking note of the brightness that cascaded through my window. It must have already been midday. The fact that I slept for that long didn't surprise me—not after the shock I endured yesterday.
Another knock palpated my door.
“I'm coming,” I groaned and removed myself from the warmth of my silk sheets. I pulled on a pair of lounge pants and a baggy cotton shirt then shuffled my feet to the door.
With a yawn, I pulled the handle towards me, expecting to see the same soldier who escorted me here yesterday. To my surprise and slight disappointment, it was the female soldier who was present during my breakdown in the throne room. Her skin was a warm beige and her hair hung to the top of her shoulders in a deep shade of twisted auburn coils. Her teeth shined white as she greeted me with a smile.
I knew why she was here, and I couldn't stop the groan of annoyance that climbed out of my throat over it.
She stepped a few paces into my room. “Hi, there! I'm here to escort you to King Hawthorne,” she exclaimed much too enthusiastically.
I didn't bother trying to argue my way out. The king always got what he wanted. Instead I faked a smile, hoping it would mask my irritation. “Okay. Just let me put my boots on.”
Still trying to fully wake up, I stumbled across the carpet to where I left my boots, then tied them loosely around my ankles. On my way out the door I stopped to turn my lamp off, but before I could flick the switch, the light dimmed to nothing.
My eyes widened, then rolled to meet the woman in my doorway, who flashed me the topaz on her palm.
“Jesper?” I asked in confirmation of who gifted her, though her ability to manipulate light was a dead giveaway.
She nodded.
I had never really been exposed to magic, except for witnessing a few poor wielding attempts at Jewel-Light. “Woah,” was all I managed to say.
The soldier smirked. “My name is Jocelyn, I'm one of the king's head soldiers as I'm sure you've pieced together.” She chuckled softly.
I raised the corner of my lips ever so slightly in another attempt to show a smile, but I didn't have it in me to make it convincing.
Jocelyn sighed, and I could sense the sympathy in the air. “I know you don't want to be here, and I know that your whole life just got upturned.”
I shifted my head to the side, removing our eye contact.
“I just want to let you know that I understand how you feel. I know everyone seems so happy to be here, but some of us aren't.”
My eyebrow raised. “You didn't want this, either?” Her peppy attitude could have convinced me otherwise.
