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I wrapped a plush towel around me, stepping from the sanctuary that had already become my new favorite place. Walking over to the mirror, I froze, gently touching my cheek where a bruise had been just a few hours ago the night before.
“What in the wannabe magic is this?” I uttered.
Whatever that ointment was would sell for a fortune. It had in fact cleared my bruise. As if it had never been there at all.
I ran my fingers through my hair, staring at the place where my bruise should have been a few more times. Shaking my head, I picked up the brush next to the jar of ointment and ran it through my damp hair. I toweled it once more, shrugging at myself in the mirror. There was no hair dryer here, obviously, so wet and damp would be what I had to work with. I exited the bathroom and threw open the doors to the wardrobe in the bedroom.
Dress to impress. I silently let my hands run over the items, wondering what my best option was to make a good first impression. After all, my escape would come down to my ability to get something. And if I set my mind to it, I’d figure out a way to make it happen. In this case, I would have to win over this prince enough to help me. I’d serve like I had to, and then get my ticket home.
I shivered at the feeding thought again, then tried to calm myself by pressing my shoulders back. It was coming whether I was ready or not. I’d prefer I was strong and ready for it.
I stared at the different options. A good impression was key, but I also didn’t want to stand out. My foot tapped rapidly on the ground, a nervous habit, as I eyed each perfectly pressed article hanging there. Finally, I decided on one of the pristine outfits, grabbing it from its hanger, and quickly threw it on over my head.
I walked toward the mirror, barely recognizing my reflection. The baggy-clothed streetwise girl I was used to seeing was nowhere to be found. Though plain, the dress was flattering clinging to my hips and then falling loosely, almost down to the floor. The arms flared slightly, making the rest of my body appear tiny yet shapely. My hair fell down on one shoulder. I pulled it back but then thought twice. Perhaps I’d leave it down.
My lips twitched, a smile almost breaking through at the sight, but before I could get used to my new look, I heard the key in the lock, and Ms. Trapsbury opened my door. She was quiet and entered so smoothly, I barely heard her.
“Good morning,” she said. Her stern gaze from last night lingered, but her quick appraisal of me alleviated the crease marks slightly.
It was enough to make me think I’d succeeded in looking somewhat presentable in her eyes.
“I’m shocked too,” I said, trying to relieve the growing nerves at what her presence meant. “I clean up nicer than I’m sure either of us suspected.”
She tsked and cocked her thin eyebrow at me. I swear she was trying to suppress a smile, and I saved that for later knowledge, the possibility of winning over Ms. Trapsbury herself.
“It’s time to meet the prince,” Ms. Trapsbury said. “You’ll be spending most of your time with him after this, so is there anything else you need here?”
I shook my head. My throat tingled with the threat of bile. I knew this had been coming, and yet that did nothing to quash the sickening feeling.
Instead, I repeated positive things in my head over and over. You’ll win him over. You won’t be killed. Getting your blood drained for food isn’t gross. Plenty of gurus had made millions selling the power of positive thinking after all, right?
Ms. Trapsbury hadn’t waited for me in the least. In fact she was halfway down the hall outside when I finally forced my feet to move and follow her. I shut my bedroom door, and fell in step behind her as we made our way from the attractive hall to downright extravagant. Ms. Trapsbury stood up even straighter, which didn’t seem possible, as we rounded the corner, pushing through a blue and gold tapestry. I blinked a few times, processing that this servant area was hidden only by a heavy drape.
When we made it out on the other side, it was as if I was in a different place altogether. There were glittering decorations in gold almost everywhere I looked. The smell of fresh flowers hit me as if I’d stepped into a garden instead of a main thoroughfare of a castle.
A few others scuttled about, dressed similarly in drab clothes. I couldn’t help gaping at the ridiculously tall paintings taking up full walls, the marble-topped stands holding trinkets, and the sound of faint, albeit fake, laughter breezing through the palace like it was some sort of recording to make people feel welcome. We crossed the room and moved through another doorway, leading to a just-as-fabulously rich room.
This one was occupied. A few women sat giggling with china cups in hand and wearing beautiful dresses. All of their clothing were soft pastel colors, making them practically blend in with the airy, whimsical feel of the castle. They didn’t look up as we passed.
A marble staircase with open swirling gold handrails beckoned from the middle of the larger room we came across next. It was so elegant I wanted to run my hands along it. I found myself clenching them into fists at my side instead. I’d never been one for showy or over-the-top princess stuff, but walking through this small part of the palace had its appeal, no doubt.
Behind the large staircase was a set of double doors. A strange symbol marked each. When Ms. Trapsbury pushed open the doors, I had to stumble back from the shock.
Inside was a paradise I could have only ever dreamed of.
A library beyond my wildest dreams.
Filled with books. The window at the far side let in the light as it sparkled off the gold adorning the shelves and added to the dream I must have stumbled into.
There were shelves and shelves of books. As we entered the room, a wall-high casing to my right, complete with a ladder like it was straight out of Beauty and the freaking Beast, drew all of my attention.
I heard a noise beside me but couldn’t concentrate on it. In my mind, I was home. And I could go anywhere here.
“Ms. Fray.” A pinch at my elbow jerked my attention to the side. I stared at Ms. Trapsbury for a moment, until I saw that we weren’t alone.
Closer to me than Ms. Trapsbury, leaning haphazardly against one of the gold-rimmed bookshelves, red leather book in hand, was a tall, rather obnoxiously handsome gentleman.
I plastered a small smile on my face, waiting for Ms. Trapsbury to ask him where this prince was. This stoic stranger must be his guard or something.
