Ember
I got dressed in a hurry, my hands shaking as I pulled on the fresh tunic Sarah had left. My head was spinning. A Queen. Of course he was getting a Queen. Why did I think for a second that those moments in the bath meant anything? He was probably just bored.
"Your so foolish, ember," I cursed myself.
I waited until I heard Evander's boots thudding out of the room, then I slipped out , into the servant's hall. I just wanted to get to the kitchen and hide in the steam for a while.
"So, the little mouse has claws," a voice drawled.
I froze. Isadora , she was leaning against the stone wall, her arms crossed over her chest. She looked different without Evander in the room. Sharper and meaner.
"My Lady," I said, keeping my head down. She walked over to me. "I'm sorry for earlier. I was just—"
"Just what?? …she cut me off, before I could complete my sentence.
"Trying to help his majesty," I replied. My legs began to shake, and I couldn't stop grabbing the edge of my silk dress, trying to find some courage.
"I know exactly what you were doing," she said, stepping in front of me. She scented like rose and strawberry, her presence screamed class and elegance. "You're the little 'healer' they talk about. The one the King brought like a prize hog at the market."
She reached out and flicked a strand of my hair. "Listen to me, girl. You might be fun for him to play with right now, but a King needs a crown, not a kitchen stray. When I'm Queen, you'll be lucky if I let you scrub the kennels. Stay in your place, or I'll make sure your place is six feet under."
"Am sorry my lady, it won't happen again," I replied. Trying to walk pass her, but she grabbed my arm with force , then pulled me back. Her fingers began to pierce through my skin—as she kept gripping my arm.
I felt heat rise in my chest. My fear just evaporated. I looked up, meeting those green eyes of hers with everything I had.
"You're hurting me," I snapped, stepping closer until our noses were almost touching. I saw her blink in surprise. "You talk a lot for someone who had to be forced on him by a bunch of old men. If you were actually what he wanted, you wouldn't be standing in a here threatening a 'kitchen stray' just to feel powerful."I fired her back . Hitting where I knew would hurt her.
Isadora's face twisted into a snarl. "You dare—"
"I dare a lot of things," I said, my voice as steady as a heartbeat. "I've survived the woods, the guards, and your future husband's temper. You don't scare me. You're just a girl in a fancy dress waiting for a man who doesn't even want to look at you. Good luck with that."
I pushed past her, making sure my shoulder hit hers hard. I didn't look back as I walked away, but I could feel her eyes burning into my back.
"You're nothing but a bastard," she cursed but I didn't want to escalate the situation so I ignored.
I was halfway down the hall when the floor beneath my feet started to vibrate. A low, hollow sound echoed through the castle, followed by a scream that sounded way too human to be a wolf.
"What was that?" I asked myself with my hand placed on my chest trying to stop my heart from pounding.
"That didn't come from the Council chamber. It came from the dungeons," my wolf said.