“Just let me know how we can make this room the most comfortable for you, and I’ll get anything you request right away,” Eddie said.
I already knew exactly what I wanted. “Eddie, I’m going to give you a long list of things I need, but you’ve got to get them with no questions asked, all right?”
“My lips are sealed,” Eddie promised.
Good, because I didn’t want anyone to know what I had planned for this room. This safe room was built for me and my wife.
And I was going to make it our sanctuary.
Chapter Four
AVA-MARIE
Charlie had a role to play here in Ilamanthe, and so did I. As Ilamanthe’s princess, the Elves were looking for me to guide them. I planned to fulfill that role to the best of my ability.
An Elvish woman led me down the hallway. A servant offered to push my chair, but I refused, preferring to move myself. These people needed to see I could be a capable leader, not a precious little thing who expected everyone to wait on her.
“My name is Elrye. I am in charge of the monarchy’s daily operations, as I have been for the past three-hundred years,” the woman at the head of the group told me. She was tall and beautiful, with long silver hair and a staunch expression. “If you need to organize an event, summon members of the royal court for meetings, or are simply confused on what your duties may be, call for me, and I will be able to point you in the right direction. I have served many Elvish royals, and assure you, I am the best at my job.”
I didn’t doubt it. This lady was over three centuries old. I bet she saw me as nothing more than a child.
“As you’ve been told, the first item of duty is to decide your personal court. A princess needs allies and friends, and your court will be loyal to you alone,” Elrye said.
She pushed open a door to a beautiful parlor room, one with an open balcony and flowers blooming along the walls. Elvish servants puttered around the room, taking care of the flowers and arranging the space.
Kallie was there, along with Opal. They were both dressed in lovely gowns, and were having tea by an open window. Opal gave me a nervous wave as she chewed on a pastry, while Kallie lounged against the chemise couch, indulging in the lap of luxury.
“I have summoned a few of your friends to help you with this task,” Elrye noted. “Choosing a court is no small task, and your lady-in-waiting is the most important position.”
“I thought Kallie would be my lady-in-waiting,” I replied.
“The Grand Duchess is a princess in her own right, and will have other duties here in Ilamanthe working for the King of the Arcanea, serving as a fae diplomat on his behalf,” Elrye said. “It wouldn’t be proper of her station to be your lady.”
“My brother needs me to do work here, as much as I’d like to always be at your side,” Kallie said, and she slowly sat up. “But I can help you choose a valuable court. I have experience with this kind of thing.”
“It’s your decision on how large or how small you wish your court to be,” Elrye noted.
“I think it’s best to keep it small,” I said. More ladies meant more people to watch, and I had more important things to do than keep an eye on potential traitors who’d stab me in the back.
“Very well. At the minimum, you will need a handmaiden to help you with daily tasks. This includes bathing, dressing, and getting ready for the day, as well as someone who can bring you food, who helps keep your quarters clean and fetches anythingyou may ask for. There are servants to help you with these kinds of tasks, but your handmaiden will be your own personal maid, in your service only,” Elrye said.
It felt a little uncomfortable to have someone waiting on me so heavily, but I supposed that it was required— not to mention having a helping hand would really be beneficial now that I was a wheelchair-user. Charlie had to help me out a lot at the Institute, but he’d be busy with other obligations now, so I was glad someone else would be stepping in.
“I would like my handmaiden to be someone I personally know,” I said. I wasn’t comfortable with strangers touching my body, and if this person was going to help me bathe, I’d at least like to be able to hold a polite conversation when I was buck-ass nude. “I request Opal, if she’s okay with it.”
“I’d be happy to be your handmaiden,” Opal said, in a voice so quiet I barely heard her. “I don’t have a job here to do in Ilamanthe, and I think it would keep me busy.”
A happy squeal erupted from the other room. A young girl with aquamarine hair in pigtails toddled in, running circles around Elrye before she tripped over her multiple skirts. She pushed herself up, and rushed to Opal with arms out wide.
“This must be your daughter,” I said as I smiled at the child. She gave a wide grin back.
“Yes. Your parents brought her here,” Opal said, and she lifted Marina onto her lap. “Unfortunately, the foster family who took her in died during an attack on Atlantis. The Elves worked together with the Toaqua to find her and bring her back to Ilamanthe. I’m very grateful.”
I understood. Opal cared about me, and she wanted to help. But being close to me meant she and Marina could be in danger, because I was the princess, and therefore always a target.
But that also meant I had plenty of guards around to protect them at all times. I needed to keep them close.
“Excellent. Elves love children. We find, after living for so long, that they bring a sort of youthful energy to the room,” Elrye replied. “You will also need a personal guard, princess. We have many to choose from.”
