“I see you feel better,” Corliss said in a deceptively calm voice.
“Yes, thank you,” I responded.
“It came to my attention that you have stopped taking your medicine.”
My lips parted, my gaze flickered back to Sally who only bowed her head lower.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” the maid repeated.
“What did you do with it?” Corliss asked.
“I don’t know what you're talking about.” I tightened the blanket around my chest painfully aware of my nakedness.
“Sally, help her get dressed,” Corliss commanded, and the poor girl lurched to the closet, eager to do anything to be forgiven.
Corliss was still watching the maid, as she brought a gown over and helped me get into my undergarments.
“Who is he?” Corliss asked.
I pressed my lips together, unwilling to say anything. She had no right to demand answers from me. I did not belong to her. Not after the bond between me and Tynan had snapped in place.
I recalled almost everything that happened before my confinement in the capital. I knew that they brought me to Talman by force, that they waited to move me. I remembered that they had first locked me inside the Devil’s Cave. But in my new reality, Tynan never rescued me, and for some unknown reason, they wanted me in the capital.
I ignored her question, and her nostrils flared wide. In one step she was by the edge of the bed. I did not react fast enough, and she slapped me hard across my face. The next moment, my cheek was on the mattress, my vision went blurry, my ears were ringing, and I could feel the salty taste of copper in my mouth.
“Do you think you are special because you have royal blood in you? It’s all just a big lie. You are not needed. No one would notice if you simply disappeared from the palace.”
“Why did you bring me here then?” I asked.
She paused looking at me, as if unsure if she wanted to answer.
“Because some members of the council are superstitious fools who believe in old wives tales.” She hissed, getting closer to me.
“Should I do the hair, milady?” Sally asked in a weak voice.
“Shut your damn mouth!” Corliss snapped, and the girl lowered her head, too stunned to move.
“Escort her to the queen’s apartments.” Corliss ordered the sentries.
Without ceremony, two men stepped to either side of me, and grabbed both of my arms.
“You too, Sally.” Corliss added.
“No, please, please spare me. I have a family.”
“Shut up!”
While I was dragged up the stairs, the strands of my loose hair fell to my face and my skirt tangled around my ankles. I tripped and was steadied by rough hands that bruised my arms.
Sally kept begging Corliss to let her go as her voice broke and bounced off the stone walls. Black shadows danced in the halls, as we moved to the upper levels that did not appear to look as refined and regal with its uncured rock and lack of furniture. The cold, paralyzing grip of fear got a hold of my heart, and squeezed.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
TYNAN
The sun was just about to appear on the horizon, when I lowered myself from the window and quickly descended down the wall. The air appeared thicker, fuller with scents and early morning sounds. I could hear the sleepy shuffles of feet on the walls, the guards were changing shifts. I only had an hour or so before my absence would be noticed.
I climbed the wall and entered the city. Swiftly, I passed through the massive labyrinth of apartments and tiny storefronts. In the alleyways were half legal businesses operated by people that moved through the shadows to avoid the greedy eyes of city officials, and the deepest, darkest dens that harboured all types of various vices knownto men. I crossed the busy street, avoiding the prostitutes, drug addicts and drunks, and arrived at the familiar corner with the crooked building.
