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She’d had impressive handmaids in her time, but even Kerrigan could admit that she looked beautiful and important under their skilled hands. But somehow also like a porcelain doll, prepared to break at the slightest provocation. She had always dressed for strength. This was the opposite of her in every way.
“There,” the first woman said. “Matron Flavia will see you now.”
Kerrigan stepped out of the bathhouse and into the main room of His Lady’s Ruby. A hush went over the room at her entrance. Kerrigan stilled. She’d brought audiences to a hush, but not usually for her … appearance.
“This way, ma’am.”
The two women had trailed her into the room and directed her across the quiet tavern up a set of curved stairs. The conversations didn’t start again until she was gone.
“What … what was that about?” she gasped.
“Not used to seeing a Doma appearing in Eivreen.”
“You look just like them,” the second woman said. She knocked twice on the first door.
“Come in,” Flavia called out.
The door was pulled open, and Kerrigan stepped inside. Even Flavia stilled for a minute before relaxing at the sight of her.
“Well, you will do nicely, won’t you?”
Kerrigan said nothing.
“Come along,” Flavia said, jumping to her feet. “Why don’t we go enjoy the city?”
“What is your plan here, Flavia?”
“Don’t look at me like that. I’m doing you a favor.”
“A favor!” Kerrigan said with a snort. “Right. That’s exactly what this is.”
“Before you had me, you were in some black rags with nothing in your stomach. Now, I have you dressed in priceless metals with a full belly. We can make this work between us.”
“You kidnapped me and had me in a cage for the last three days.”
Flavia waved her hand. “I thought you might try to escape. You’ve proven to be very intelligent. That’s good for us. What are your skills, darling? Music? Dancing? Singing?”
“No,” Kerrigan said icily.
“Ah, we’ll figure it out in time. Now, I was going to say we should walk, but I think more people will get a good look at you from the carriage.” She waved at Felix, who immediately disappeared.
Kerrigan wanted to reach out and strangle Flavia right then and there. She was acting like she was Kerrigan’s savior instead of her captor. The only reason Kerrigan hadn’t yet fled was because there had been no means of escape. If Flavia wanted to show her around the city to help her with her own plan, then by all means.
“You want to show me off?” Kerrigan asked.
“Well, yes, of course. I need word to spread. And anyway, I have a place for the other girl. I’ll even let you say good-bye if you come along.”
Then, Flavia pushed her way out of the room with her head held high.
Nella. She was going to sell Nella. And Kerrigan would never see her again if she didn’t go along. She ground her teeth together and hurried after Flavia. She’d give her credit; she was a master manipulator.
Nella was seated in the rear of a wagon when Kerrigan and Flavia appeared at the back entrance of the inn. The wagon was a much nicer quality compared to the cage they’d been escorted in. Felix had the horses hitched up, and there was one prominent seat for him at the front and then a two-seater behind that connected to the wagon, which usually held goods. Though, apparently, Flavia’s goods were … people.
Kerrigan went to get in the back, but Flavia cleared her throat.
“Up here with me, darling.”
Kerrigan looked from Flavia to Nella and back. “I’ll sit with her.”
“No. You’ll sit at my side with your chin up and do as you’re told. I don’t want to have to make you, but I can,” she threatened. A flicker of light appeared at her hands.
Under normal circumstances, Kerrigan would have laughed. Flavia’s magic was so slight, not even a threat. But it wasn’t a laughing matter when she had no magic of her own anymore. That gnawing, gaping hole opened in the pit of her stomach, and she thought for a second she might be sick. No magic. There was no magic.
She closed her eyes and counted backward from ten. She wasn’t going to lose her mind. She had to get through this. Even if Flavia could control her with so little magic, she would come out on top. Finally, she opened her eyes and nodded, climbing into the front of the wagon. Flavia took the seat next to her, and Felix set off at a sedate pace through the streets of Eivreen.
It was immediately apparent why Flavia had wanted Kerrigan to be visible. People gaped at her on the street. Now that the days of muck was off her skin and she was clothed in this much fancier garment, everyone wanted to get a look at her. Many went running, whispers following in their wake. Flavia smiled triumphantly.
