The safe was, of course, guarded with a spell, so I couldn’t open it, but since the opening was too small for me to fit through, I knew it couldn’t contain a hidden passageway to escape. Most likely, it held jewels or ledgers that needed protecting, which wouldn’t help me in the least.
My stomach was howling in hunger by the time I conceded defeat. It didn’t help that my throat also itched with a vengeance as Vorl’s magic began to fade. Within a few days his magic would dissipate completely, although the bruises would be long gone by then—as they always were whenever Vorl purposefully hurt me and hid it.
My physical discomfort only amplified my situation, so I kicked the wall in frustration. That, however, only led to a stubbed toe, but dammit, there was no way out of here, not unless I could fly out of the courtyard, which the bastard prince knew I couldn’t, and that would only be if a domed ward didn’t encapsulate the courtyard’s air.
Depressingly, this chamber was too warded for someone such as myself to breach, which meant that unless the prince set me free or I could convince one of the servants to help me, I was stuck here for the foreseeable future.
Only the forlorn nature of the plants in the garden had pricked any interest in me. The prince had been right in that aspect. Even though I’d stated it was asinine of him to think I would want to tend to them, I did.
It was cold and dark by the time I slipped out through the glass doors. At least it’d stopped snowing, but a new inch of fresh powder covered the ground. Dropping to my knees, I let my fingertips touch the soil as I searched for a pulse or hum that orem existed within the garden. Dry, frozen dirt greeted me. I pushed harder, forcing my fingers into our Mother’s depths.
Nothing.
My brow puckered as I tried to comprehend the absence of magic. Even though some territories on our continent were more naturally blessed in orem than others, they all held our land’s magic to some degree. But here, within these walls, I didn’t detect an inkling of it.
“How odd,” I whispered to the frozen shrubs, vines, and plants. “No wonder you’re all dead. You poor things.”
I went to each one, carefully removing the snow and ice from the leaves until my hands were so cold I could barely bend my fingertips.
Blowing on them to warm them, I surveyed what I’d accomplished. It wasn’t much considering how vast the garden was, but I’d managed to clear off at least a third of the neglected plant stalks.
“My lady?” a voice called from inside the chamber, barely carrying through the crack I’d left in the glass doors.
I peered inside.
A female fairy, still young at around fifty winters, waited in the chamber as she surveyed the area, obviously searching for me.
“I’m here.” I slipped through the door, and she gave a surprised “Oh” when she turned to survey me, then immediately dipped into a curtsy.
“How do you do, Ilara Seary, daughter of Mervalee Territory? My name is Daiseeum Wheatvale, daughter of Prinavee Territory. I’m to be your lady’s servant during your time at the Court of Winter, and I’ve been sent to help you bathe and dress before you retire for the night.”
I took in her angular features and hair tied in a severe bun at the nape of her neck. Like Milis, her wings were tiny, but unlike the Liss Lodge owner, Daiseeum’s wings were rounded at the edges and were a soft-black color. Given how delicate Daiseeum’s wings appeared, they were pretty much the exact opposite of the prince’s huge leathery, talon-tipped wings.
My stomach gave another growl, and Daiseeum’s hand flew to her mouth. “Mother Below, have you not eaten yet?”
“Oh no, I did when I got here,” I replied sheepishly as I slapped a hand to my stomach.
Her lips puckered. “But that was hours ago.”
I stared dumbly at her as I tried to understand why she looked so aghast. After all, I was being held prisoner inside a chamber in the king’s castle, nobody was to know I was here, and I wasn’t allowed anywhere near the kitchen. How in all the realms was I supposed to get myself food?
I crossed my arms. “I was told I couldn’t leave these chambers, and I’m afraid no food or drink was left behind when Balbus departed.”
Well, besides the alcohol at the bar. I’d been tempted more than once during the afternoon to partake in it, but I figured stumbling around drunk wouldn’t help me if I managed to find an exit from this warded chamber.
Daiseeum’s frown grew. “Did Balbus not show you the cord near your bed? All you need to do is ring it, and we would be most happy to assist you. Oh my, oh my.” She shook her head. “The prince will be most displeased when he learns that we failed to keep you contented.”
“No, Balbus did show me.” I hurried to correct her, not wanting anyone in trouble on my account. “He mentioned the cord, but I didn’t realize I was to use it for food too. I thought it was for—I don’t know—emergencies or something.” Such as if I stumbled and fell into a drunken state and gashed my head open. At the rate my captivity was going, I imagined that scenario was inevitable, especially if I partook in the overly bright-green leminai.
“Mother, no,” Daiseeum replied. “It’s to be pulled for anything you need, anything at all. I shall ring it right now. Tell me, what does your heart desire?”
I raised my shoulders. “I suppose whatever the kitchen has on hand.”
Daiseeum’s lips pursed again. Apparently, that was the wrong answer. “I shall also have them provide a menu so you don’t have to wonder what’s available. Of course, anything you would like can be made, anything at all. All you need to do is ask, my dear.”
“All right, thank you,” I managed to reply as my forehead furrowed.
My time here was getting stranger and stranger. So not only was I staying in a chamber fit for a princess, but apparently, I was going to be treated like one too—only I was to be kept under lock and key.
Daiseeum proceeded to pull the cord. Following that, she insisted that she help me undress and bathe before my meal arrived. It was a bit like the serving girl’s help at Liss Lodge—entirely unnecessary—but I didn’t want to turn her away if it meant she got in trouble with the prince.
“Daiseeum?” I said cautiously to her as she pulled out fresh nightclothes for me after I’d washed in the large tub. “Do you by chance know what happened to a guard that was injured earlier today? He was fighting with another guard when I arrived, and he was on the verge of dying when the prince whisked us away.”
“Oh, yes, t’was a most unfortunate incident. The entire castle is talking about it.” Daiseeum smoothed my top, then held out the soft cottonum pants. “He’s still alive, gravely injured, but Murl—the castle’s head healer—believes he shall live. Although, he shall have to remain in the infirmary for at least three days’ time.”
My shoulders sank in relief. “And the other guard? Is he to be punished, or what’s to become of him?”
Her lips pursed again. “Well, if it were up to Lord Crimsonale, he’d be sent to the Death Master for execution.”
My eyes bulged.
“But never you mind about all of that,” she said in a hurry. “He shall answer to his commander as all the guards do when aggressive events occur.”