You're being rash.
This is all of a sudden.
You haven't even scoured the place yet.
What if the door doesn't open? All you've done is observe it for a few hours in one day.
What happens when you get caught?
Mica took a deep breath as though about to plunge into the sea and dunked her head into the bucket of cold water. The rush of it muffled the voices which assailed her mind.
She resurfaced with a gasp, shivering as droplets fell on her bare skin. Reaching for the soap she scrubbed her skin raw until it turned red and tipped the bucket over herself, rinsing off the soap.
"I can do this." She muttered, running a hand down her face to swipe off the water. Her teeth chattered in the silence of the bathroom as she wiped herself with the threadbare towel and wore the only clothes she had; the tunic given to her by the King.
It was impulsive, the thought of escaping. Ludicrous even considering she had no other set of clothes for the nights out in the cold, much less food to eat.
Whatever little she had managed to stash from the dining had been nibbled on whilst she paced up and down her room anxiously going through the simple escape plan.
"I'm going to do it." She said out loud, pinching color into her cheeks while staring at her indecisive reflection. "I can do it."
Besides, it wasn't like the King would notice my absence.
The thought of Him was a compulsive reflex that triggered a subtle shift in her mind—
A dull throb behind her eye.
No.
Instinctively she turned, ready to reach for something, anything, already suspecting what was going to happen yet having no way to fight it off.
No. No. N—
Her vision went black as though a blanket had fallen over her eyes.
The lycanthrope stood the distance of an arrow shot from her.
… Mica…
Its eyes were no longer a bright red but dimmed to that of something mellow and searching, its voice luring her close yet her feet remained rooted to the ground.
… You're avoiding me…
She blinked and opened her mouth to speak, remembering that she had given up her duties to another for the night. Suddenly her thoughts turned in panic; could he see her plan for escaping?!
Had she thought them out loud?
"I'm sick." She said, and considered faking a cough but his presence was enough to frighten all pretense away.
… Come to me…
"I'm contagious," her voice cracked, she cleared her throat. "Wouldn't wanna contaminate the King and all…"
The lycanthrope did not rise from its position; hind feet lowered to the ground. Even while sitting it surpassed her height and then some. Its mouth was not moving when she heard its voice echoing around the dark cavern.
… Come to me…
And perhaps it was the fear that rimmed her eyes from sleepless nights and haunting sights of blood and visions, for the sound of His voice dropped to that of comfort– like a hand against her back gently nudging her forward.
… I will not harm you, my little lamb…
Something off was happening to her body. She was leaning forward with the push of his desire yet her feet refused to cooperate, as though half her body had rebelled against the words.
The King must have noticed for his eyes dropped to her legs– the barest of flickers– then rose to a spot over her shoulder.
Suddenly all warmth seeped from his eyes and the predator was laid bare. Its muzzle drew back exposing canines nearly the length of her forearms with ropes of saliva dripping to the floor.
… you dare–
Mica gasped as the light returned sharp on her eyes. She whirled around fast, searching, but found only the bathroom.
This lingering hand of cold receded from her nape as she stumbled out of the bathroom nearly knocking into passing servants.
The servant whirled with the start of a snarl as he said, "Watch it–" but she was already turning the corner and ducking into her bedroom, slamming the door shut behind her.
Her eyes were hurting and she had no doubt bleeding too. But that was a situation easily remedied with a few wipes of a rag.
Edging towards the window, Mica looked out at the vast garden below. Multiple tables had been set in a manner that faced the main table at the very end where the King would sit beside his queen.
Little lights sat atop each table and others hung along the bushes and trees making it look like a thousand city lights from above. The tables were adorned with the finest of plates and crystal cups.
People began to appear according to ranks across the guest list from the advisors, counselors, commanders and finally the princesses.
It was a kaleidoscope of rich colors and fine materials sweeping across the dark yard. Some sparkled while others glowed as though they had lights beneath their own skin.
They all sat, some leaning into each other as though drawn by their beauty, others fixed on the sight of the queen's slow walk to the head of the table.
She wore an onyx stained dress that flowed like gossamer over her body. Her head was tilted towards the princesses, pausing each time to smile at them and offer a warm greeting and accompaniment.
Mica remembered the words of the servants;
But the queen will not be all too pleased.
She knew her place was only temporary.
Unable to draw her gaze from the back of her head, she watched as the queen stopped by the princess she had seen earlier in the hallway – Reguel– with the fiery red hair, and smile slow.
The air materialized suddenly around the queen's shoulders.
It took the shape of a python only she could see, and it was staring directly at the princess. When the queen leaned down to speak discretely to the princess, the python curved slightly around her, peering deeply at Reguel.
The whole interaction was brief. The python turned its head from the princess and stared at the queen.
It shook its head.
The movement was so infinitesimal that Mica blinked hard and leaned forward until her breath fogged the window.
What was she doi–
… Mica…
"No—stop—stop—" she pressed her fingers deeper into her ears. "I can't— I can't hear you—"
Pushing off the window she grabbed the only item she had in her name; the flimsy blanket she slept with at night.
As predicted the hallways were empty, everyone concentrated at the garden. Mica took the longest turns edging towards the opposite end of the castle. She paused at the kitchen's exit and peered outside on either end, waiting as a wolf drifted past with the guard.
Carefully she slipped out onto the grass barefooted and broke out into a light job whilst looking over her shoulder to see if anyone had caught sight of her.
No one.
Her speed increased into a run, breath wheezing out in cold short bursts as the palace walls came into view and grew nearer with every desperate step.
Once at the wall she took a left and ducked low, jogging in the direction of the door where guards slipped in and out.
What time was their next rotation?
She ducked behind a thick bush with her knees pressed against the small barrel of her chest feeling her heartbeat hammer about wildly. Peering through the small leaves, she waited.
In the distance an orchestra was playing, entertaining the people as they ate and drank. But the King had not yet arrived.
Mica rubbed her hands together trying to gather heat and blew into the cup of them. Her body was beginning to hurt from staying in one position, her back straining.
Just then she heard distant voices and saw one guard approach from the other end, the door.
Her muscles grew taut not from the cold.
The door opened then and another guard stepped out while stifling a yawn, the other hand rubbing at his face then jaw.
"... long shit.."
They exchanged a few words to which she could not focus on with the distance between but once they grunted and turned their own ways, Mica dashed out of the bushes and made for the door right before it could close behind him.
Her heart was in her mouth.
She reached out and grabbed the handle milliseconds before it could click shut and gently drew it open, pausing at the entrance as the heels of the guard disappeared up the steps which led to the top of the wall.
Quietly she stepped in the quiet of the latch sealing her fate.