The faintly familiar sound of drumming continues. I frown and slowly push myself to sit up in the lush bed.
Behind the large, high, paneled window on the right wall, grey stretches as far as my eyes can see.
No way.
Swiftly, I toss the heavy blanket off myself and roll out of bed. The hardwood floors are cold under my naked feet as I pad closer to the window.
I can’t believe it. It’s…raining.
It rarely ever rains here in Ekios. I can count on my fingers how many times it happened in my lifetime.
Dread settles over me. It’s a bad sign.
“Oh, good. You’re feeling better.” The voice from behind me makes me jump.
I whirl to find that same elderly fae with golden hair standing in the entryway. She closes the door behind her and goes to sit in the armchair.
I remain by the window. “Who are you?”
“Mathilde,” she says, picking up a ball of yarn and wood needles from the nightstand.
“Where am I?”
She doesn’t even look up from her knitting. “Somewhere safe.”
I swallow.
We’re on a remote estate, not in Jaakii. Last time, I was in Reizei’s torture dungeon. If Nix had found me…she’d be here herself, not some old, strange fae.
“Where’s Reizei?”
Mathilde looks up. “Waiting for you, miss.” My fingers spasm. “You woke up right in time for dinner.”
I pinch my thigh.
I must be dreaming. Why else would Reizei torture me and then bring me here to a golden cage with a personal maid?
Maybe it’s just another form of torture.
Maybe this is another one of his games to break me.
My breathing grows quick and shallow as panic seizes me.
I failed. I should have cut deeper when I had the chance.
When Mathilde stares at me with a raised brow I realize she was speaking to me.
“What?”
“I said your clothes are in the wardrobe. You need assistance bathing?”
I blink at her. She waits for my answer. Slowly, I shake my head
“Good. Dinner’s in thirty minutes, miss.”
She gestures to the door on the left and returns to her knitting.
I force myself to go get washed up. It’s been so long since I had a proper bath.
