“If you ever need a trustworthy servant who can travel with you, and be a familiar face in a new city, please think of me, milady.” She hesitated by the bed before starting to work on the gown.
“Of course,” I said.
And just like that, a new idea entered my mind.
Why was I going along with all their plans for me?
I needed to concentrate on something more important. I needed to get out and think it through. But I had to get safely away from the court, Corliss, and Lord Adger, then get out of the city.I only had a couple of days before the wedding, and I did not know if I would have any more chances after that. I needed to escape the palace as soon as possible.
Why did I have to choose between bad and terrible when in fact, I did not have to partake in any of it?
The engagement was being forced on me. They lied to me, fed me poison for months. Many things happened after I stopped taking the concoction, and pieces and bits of my past found their way back to me, and while the memories were not completely defined in my head, the clear realization that I was taken from my home, against my will, was undeniable.
As soon as the thought took root in my mind, I felt anenormous relief. I did not have to play their game when the rules were only for me to follow. There is no value in playing at all if you are playing with a swindler.
This new plan, this new resolve, calmed my nerves, and instead of feeling down and sorry for myself, I started plotting how to make it happen.
Sally continued talking, but I was thinking about a travel bag and a set of clothes, some food and the most important thing, I needed to plan where I could go.
“Sally, have you ever been to the capital of the white clan?” I asked.
“No, milady.”
“I would really like to read more about it. Could you bring me some books?” I tilted my head, trying hard to look calm.
“I will check the library right away, milady.”
“Thank you.”
I did not care at all about the capital of the white clan, since I never planned to visit it, but I was hoping to get information on the layout of Talman. Maybe some maps, directions. Later I could formulate a better plan, but I was not going to be rushed into anything, I still had time.
The rest of the day passed with me first waiting for Sally to deliver the books to my room and next reading as much as I could find. I went through a couple of faded maps that I discovered in one of the books. My hands were shaking as I read the same paragraphs over and over.
The Fall. I needed to find the mysterious Fall, and I had absolutely no idea how to travel through it. There was nothing useful in the history books Sally brought. I pressed my lips tightly together when Sally returned to the room.
“It’s time, milady,” she announced, heading straight to the closet.
I closed my book, erasing every sign of annoyance off my face.
“This gown really is a work of art, milady,” Sally exclaimed as she laid out the silk in the color of light lilac on top of the bed cover.
“It’s really beautiful,” I said, noting the delicate stitching and the gemstones that adorned the top of the dress.
While Sally curled and decorated my hair, I thought about my escape. Tonight. It has to happen tonight. It would be reckless to wait till the last moment. I had to leave the palace as soon as I had a chance. I already went through the closet and saved some of my food from breakfast and lunch. Stacks of bread and cheese and five butter cookies were wrapped into a thin muslin scarf and stashed under the bed. I also found a suede riding skirt and a matching jacket in my closet, but was careful not to pack it yet. I planned to be gone before sunrise, and fly all night if I had to.
The books mentioned the herds of the undead behind the city lines, and a new feeling flourished in my chest. I was scared to face the monsters, but staying was not an option.
“You look so lovely. But maybe a little pale.” Sally picked up a lip cream and lightly patted my cheeks and lips.
I shifted my eyes back to the mirror. I could not deny that the dress looked amazing, but the delight of wearing something so exquisite was quickly lost in a wave of anxiety.
“It’s normal to be a little nervous,” Sally said, as if reading my mind.
When I was fully dressed, Corliss entered the room. She carefully scrutinized the outfit, and my hair. She appeared to be pleased when she unexpectedly took both of my hands into hers.
“I was wrong about Lord Dayton. You will be much happier with someone who is closer to your age,” she murmured.
All I could think was that she was happy to sell me to the highest bidder. I was sure that Rutherford came to some sort of an agreement with her.
