“I shall be at the stake at first light,” Sainte replied in crisp High Wynter.
“I look forward to it.”
Without a thought, I whirled, yanking my hand from Anderz’s grip. Sainte stepped between me and my brother—a wall of protection. Rage trembled through me as I glared. His gaze remained cool, unmoved by my silent command for him to move his arse before I handed it to him.
“This way, Princess.”
I clenched my fists so tightly my fingernails bit into my palms. Sainte held my stare, urging me to regain composure and act with dignity.
Curse that.
I spun and grabbed Anderz’s arm, glaring at the man. “Please hurry, I’m quite tired,” I growled.
I needed out—away from the stares, the brightness, the gaudiness. It was all too much. And I wanted to hurt someone.
Preferably my vile brother.
Anderz seemed to understand my urgency and led me through the sea of people. Gowns of silk and satin, woven with gold and silver threads, bodies adorned in jewels that made the room gleam. Every one of them parted, clearing a path.
Whispers and hushed voices followed as we hurried through the crowded doorway. Sainte stayed close to my heels, his presence a soothing balm to my rage. Anderz guided us deeper into the belly of the castle, and as we passed, servants paused their duties to steal glances at me. Their expressions shifted from curiosity to horror when they saw my disheveled state, then bustled off to resume their tasks.
The castle was a maze of passages I should’ve known like the back of my hand, but instead I relied on some old man to guide me. I kept pace with his surprisingly quick gait, only shaking my boot once when a pebble rolled under my foot. He moved through a towering corridor, its vaulted ceilings lending an air of grandeur. Though spotless, the space exuded a chilly darkness, illuminated by sparse lanterns along the walls. Portraits adorned rich tapestries, predominantly of royalty, their features reminiscent of my heritage—dark hair and piercing peridot eyes.
“This is your wing, Princess.”
My brow furrowed as I surveyed the space, empty save for the flurry of servants darting about. Their hurried movements and wary glances our way spoke of their unease.
“It has been empty since your disappearance,” Anderz said, slowing our pace a margin. “Please forgive the maids as they freshen your rooms.”
“Anything is more welcome than a saddle on horseback,” I muttered.
The women chatted in hushed whispers, darting in and out of the room at the end of the hall. More carrying armfuls of blankets appeared through a thin door tucked away behind a massive tapestry—a servant’s passage. I remember them magically appearing as a child, not knowing where they came from or where they went.
Anderz cleared his throat. “I imagine a bath is in order.”
I shrugged, watching an older woman with silver hair and a stern face glide down the corridor. She moved with her back straight, and chin raised high, as if she were royalty herself.
“Your Highness,” she greeted. She sank into a deep bow before rising to peer down her nose at me. At Sainte, her eyes narrowed into a squint, as if we somehow disappointed her.
“Princess Elspeth, this is Master Servant Bernita. She will see to it that every need and desire you have are met,” Anderz said, coming to a stop in front of the woman.
I lifted my chin and matched her stare.
“The hearth has just been lit, my lady. It will take time to warm the rooms. We readied them as quickly as we were able. If, perchance, a messenger had been sent, we would have been ready to receive you.”
Clearly, she wasn’t among those who were pleased to see I was alive. I bristled and opened my mouth to speak, but Anderz beat me to it yet again.
“They were traveling with all haste, Bernita. You will prepare a hot bath and send for a healer to tend your princess.”
I noted the care he used with his words, rebuking her but, at the same time, being gentle. Her sharp gaze settled on me once more and, sniffing in distaste, she turned, disappearing into the room. We waited while she chased all the maids out, each trying their best not to ogle me, their long-lost princess, and each failing miserably.
When we had her nod of approval, Anderz stepped forward and held out his arm in a gallant gesture toward the door. I took a steadying breath and rounded the corner to look into the rooms that would now be my home.
I stopped in my tracks, both horrified and awestruck.
The room gleamed in hues of gold and green, adorned with intricate tapestries depicting vibrant spring scenes—a golden sun casting its warm rays over blooming trees and dancing girls. Thick doeskin hides covered the stone floor,offering warmth and comfort underfoot. Lanterns, brighter than any I had seen in Landing’s End, lined the walls with an inviting glow reminiscent of a sunny day, a full contrast to the snowy scene outside.
This had to be the receiving area, featuring an ornate table and six carved chairs placed opposite the roaring fire in the hearth. Beyond, I noticed a doorway leading to another brightly lit space. A bed, larger than most fishing vessels, caught my eye from within.
