Amia's POV
"Get out of the carriage," the elder ordered, his tone cold and impatient. He moved his hand in a slow, practiced motion, and a faint, dim light bloomed in his palm. The carriage door creaked, then swung open on its own.
It was my first time witnessing magic up close. Even with everything I'd been told, seeing it was different—it was subtle yet powerful, the kind of thing that could make you forget to breathe. But my awe didn't last. That wasn't my main concern right now.
I hesitated, my fingers curling tightly around the edge of the seat, but I did as he said. To my surprise, he didn't follow. He remained seated, his expression unreadable, as if whatever came next was not his responsibility.
I stepped down onto the ground and drew in a sharp breath. The place was… otherworldly. The air felt heavier, carrying the scent of damp earth and something metallic, faint but sharp enough to make my tongue taste it. A thin mist curled low over the ground. Wrapping itself around the roots of dark, towering trees. Their bark was nearly black, and their leaves caught the light in strange flashes of silver before sinking back into the shadow.
Ahead, the Lord's carriage was parked a short distance away from mine, but he hadn't stepped out yet. Instead, there was a line of male serpents waiting for him—six on each side, their bodies forming a perfect corridor leading toward the palace.
Their upper bodies were all man, strong, solid, and shirtless; their chests and shoulders glistened faintly in the misty air. Thick black markings, shaped like some ancient script, curled around their biceps in perfect circles. But from the waist down, they weren't human at all—each one had a powerful serpent's tail, covered in scales that shimmered in different colors. No two tails were alike—some were deep emerald, others obsidian black, and one a pale gold that caught the light.
Between them stretched a golden carpet, rolled out from the carriage door all the way to the palace steps. The warriors stood just beside it, not on it, their sharp eyes fixed forward. It was clear this display was for the lord and me alone.
There was no carpet for me. Instead, I noticed two female serpents waiting off to the side, their cold stares locked on me. They were beautiful in a way that made me feel inferior. Their long, black silk hair flowed over their bare shoulders perfectly, and their breasts were covered by jeweled cloth that left their stomachs bare. Below the waist, they too had serpent tails, but unlike the men, there were no markings on their arms. Instead, a red flame-shaped symbol glowed faintly on their foreheads.
They moved toward me with a grace that was almost hypnotic—their tails gliding over the stone in smooth, effortless sways.
Before I could speak, they each took one of my arms, their grip deceptively strong.
"Wait—" I started, but they paid no attention.
My wolf tried pushing forward, furious. At the way I was being handled, she wanted to snarl, to fight back, but I shoved her back. Not here. Not now. Anything I did here could reach my father, and then Cassidy… I couldn't risk her safety because of my pride.
So, I let them drag me.
The palace I was being dragged to was tall, its black stone walls veined with streaks of gold. Two massive serpent statues guarded the entrance, their jeweled eyes watching as we passed.
The golden doors opened without a sound, revealing a warm golden glow inside. The air shifted, carrying the faint scent of sandalwood. I caught glimpses as we moved—walls lined with polished black marble, their surfaces reflecting the light like mirrors. A chandelier of pure gold hung from the high ceiling, each arm tipped with a diamond that threw soft rainbows across the room. Other decorations sparkled in the corners, hints of luxury tucked into the shadows.
I didn't have long to take it in.
The serpents pulled me into a side chamber where a huge pool of steaming water filled the center. Before I could react, they shoved me forward. My feet slipped, and I fell in with a splash. Warm water closed over my head, and I came up coughing, wiping my wet hair from my face.
They laughed—a soft, mocking sound. One of them flicked her tail, and a small tray of glass bottles slid across the water toward me.
"Bathe," one of them said with a smirk.
The other added, "You'll need it," before both of them glided toward the door.
The scent of the oils drifted toward me—rich, floral, and unfamiliar. I didn't know what they used here, but it was nothing like the rough soap from my pack.
When they left, I sat in the water for a moment, catching my breath. Being looked down on was nothing new. I'd had years of it, enough to build a quiet shield around myself. So, I didn't waste my energy on their cruelty.
The water was warm and soothing to my skin. I took my time, letting the heat ease the tension in my shoulders. My clothes clung heavily and wet against me, so I stripped them off, placing them on the edge of the pool. I poured some of the scented oil into my hands and rubbed it over my skin until it left a faint sheen, the scent clinging to me.
By the time I was done, I felt cleaner and calmer. I was just about to step out when the door slammed open.
The two female serpents were back.
Before I could grab my clothes, they were on either side of me again, their tails curling against my arms to hold me still.
"Wait—let me—" I began, but they ignored me completely.
They dragged me out of the water, naked, my wet hair sticking to my skin. I twisted, trying to reach for the nearest towel, but their grip was unyielding.
"Please," I pleaded, "let me cover up!"
They didn't even look at me. My cheeks burned, and my eyes stung, but I bit back the urge to let my wolf loose. Not for me. For Cassidy.
Tears slid down my face as they hauled me through the hall, my bare feet slipping on the polished marble. Servants and guards passed by, their expressions unreadable. No one stopped them.
They dragged me into another room, further from the first. This one had a tall mirror framed in gold and a long table covered in silks and jewels.
One of them pushed me into the seat in front of the mirror, while the other began laying out clothes—thin fabrics in deep colors, embroidered with gold thread.
I sat stiffly as they dressed me, their hands tugging and pulling, fitting me into layers I didn't ask for. Every movement felt like a reminder that I was nothing here.
I swallowed the anger, the shame, the hurt, forcing my face into stillness. My wolf paced inside me, restless, but I held her back.