“The fresh air and some company will make you feel better.”
I could not help the panicked expression on my face when I glanced up at Sally.
“But first, dear, finish up your medicine. Like that. Yes. Good girl.” Lady Corliss took the empty glass from my hand, and carefully moved a lock of hair off my face.
Shortly after she was gone, Sally started preparing my gown. I watched her from my bed with my hands clenching the covers.
“I’ll be there with you. If you feel worse, I’ll bring you back, and I don’t care what happens to me.” Sally hurried through the room with a freshly pressed gown in her hands.
“You are so good to me. Thank you,” I said but the maid only shook her head.
“You shouldn’t thank me,” she said quietly.
“Why not?”
“I’m not helping youthatmuch.”
“What are you talking about? You stay with me at allhours, holding my hand while I sleep, cleaning me up when I can’t get out of bed. I’m sure this is not the best job in the palace and for all your hard work, I thank you.”
“I can’t explain everything to you. But please do not thank me,” she responded.
When I was finally dressed in a light silk dress with creamy lace on the bodice and sleeves. Sally ushered me to sit by the mirror and lifted up my hair, exposing my neck. She managed to curl a couple of locks of my hair that framed my face. I looked in the mirror, taking in the sharp, thin features of my face, and could not help a light gasp from escaping my lips. I was not prepared to see my reflection. I barely even recognized the girl with huge brown eyes and pale, lifeless skin.
“There. You look lovely.” Sally finished and took a step back.
With her help, I got up and walked toward the door.
“Just remember, if you feel like you’re going to be sick, give me a signal and I’ll take you back at once,” Sally reminded me.
I said nothing, watching her open the door for me.
In the corridor, stood the man from the garden, with dark, shoulder length hair and striking eyes. He was leaning against the wall, but as soon as he saw us, his posture changed, and he straightened. I stilled in the doorway, hypnotized by the expression of his eyes.
Through a thick fog, a remembrance of something fluttered deep inside my chest. A whisper, a flicker of anemotion, a strange sensation. I felt as if I had lost something very important, and enough time had passed for me to completely forget what it was. I bit my lip, unable to concentrate on this new feeling or even recognize what it was.
“Milady.” He bowed his head.
“Please help Lady Alina into the summer parlor,” Sally ordered, and the man stepped toward me offering me his arm.
I stepped forward, and closed the distance between us. My hand landed on his arm and we slowly moved down the corridor.
I turned to look at Sally but she had returned to the room.
We walked in complete silence, but it was not awkward in any way. On the contrary, for the first time in a long time, I felt completely at ease, as if I was in the comfort of my warm bed watching the soft morning light seeping through the light beige curtains.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
The man who led me down the stairs did not respond right away, but when he did, his low, sensual voice felt like silk over my nerves.
“Kent,” he said.
“And your first name?”
“Rolan.”
A wave of overwhelming disappointment crashed into me, and I could not comprehend all the feelings thatfollowed. I paused, trying to collect my thoughts, but was unable to do so.
“Are you from Ulfare?” I asked, trying hard to remember everything I knew about the capital of the blue clan.
