Page 62 of Hidden Kingdoms

I got the feeling that nothing Kaius had told me would be news to them. A seed of anger planted itself inside me as I wondered how much I had been kept in the dark.

I studied the people closer, searching for any signs of magik or any other confirmation of what I had learned yesterday, anything extra I could add to my secret notebook.

For as long as I looked, there had been no overtly magikal displays—no balls of fire or flash floods. Not even some sparkles. I thought I had seen a few of them push magik into a flower here and there but nothing I could be certain of.

Other than the four elements, there were other affinities, too. Prophecy, Death and Animalia, Kaius had said. I had no idea what a display of magik from any of them would look like. Would grim reapers start stalking the grounds in their hooded cloaks? And what the fuck was Animalia?

Am I supposed to belong to one of these kingdoms?

I pushed the thought aside along with the little voice that was telling me which kingdom it would most likely be.

I wondered if the tall lady would even be back this morning after my outburst yesterday or if they would just let me starve in here?

Fuck, I hope that creeper isn’t coming back.

Anxiety gnawed at me as the minutes dragged on, and I couldn’t decide what would be worse—having no food or having food brought by him. I wouldn’t be eating anything he handed to me.

I swallowed down my dread as the knock finally came. Clenching Kaius’ rose in my fist, the sharp thorns cut into my palm as I made my way to the door. The cup of water I had dropped last night had been put back on the table.

There was no way of knowing who was behind the door before I pressed my hand on the handle and let it swing open. My breath came out with a whoosh as the tall woman stood in front of me, tray in hand and smile on face. I sagged slightly in relief and stood back to let her in, glancing out into the corridor.

There was no longer a guard face down on the floor, his replacement stoic in his inspection of the wall.

The tray was already on the table as I turned back to the room, finding myself unsure on what to say or do. I relaxed my hold on the golden rose, feeling the wetness of my blood smeared in my fist. She looked down at my hand with a small frown before reaching out to grasp my wrist, bringing it up between us. Unclenching my fist, I swapped the rose to my other hand. I fought the desire to hide it behind my back as her eyes landed on the necklace resting against my chest, recognition widening them before they softened.

Turning her attention to the tears in my skin, she hovered a blackened nail over them, a trail of light following in its wake. I winced as her magik sunk into me, pulling the skin back together until all that was left were the streaks of blood, but it didn’t race through me like Kaius’ had last night.

There was an aura about her, something innately spiritual that made no sense yet all the sense in the world. Up close, I could see the black beads that wrapped around her were actually small, rough rocks threaded together, and her clothes did indeed spark with her movements.

“Thank you.” Clearing my throat, I avoided eye contact—and any contact with her smouldering dress—as she smiled before collecting my empty trays and leaving without another word.

More clothes were folded on the table, this time black. Sitting down, I pulled breakfast towards me ready to appease my empty stomach with the warm golden pastries covered in flaky almonds that sat next to a bowl of cut fruit.

For a prisoner, I wasn’t doing bad on the food front. It was certainly a million steps from gruel and mouldy bread.

I laid the rose on the table while I ate, staring into the layers of petals and wondering if I could make something as beautiful. It would be a poor imitation of the magik that had created it, but my fingers itched with the need to create. To fold sheets of gold until they mimicked what was in my mind.

Chewing on the last piece of fruit and wishing it had taken longer to eat, I stood and stretched. Plucking the rose from the table, I put it into the cup of water with the white peony, brushing my fingers over the white flower that was as perfect as yesterday.

My dirty clothes had conveniently disappeared, and I unfolded the new ones, running my hands over the soft material. Pulling the bundle apart they were pretty much the same as yesterday’s except in a thick black, tightly-woven wool. The cropped jumper was covered in little black gems and as I rubbed my fingers over them, magik skipped across my hand, and I knew on instinct they were onyx.

Tiny scraps of lace were on the table that I was sure were too small to be of any actual use, and I hoped they had a bit of stretch to them.

Pink. I looked over at the flowers on the dresser—pink and gold.

Maybe if Kaius came tonight, I could show him them on?

For fuck sakes, Elodie, no!

You’re supposed to be finding a way home. Not trying to sleep with your kidnapper.

Mybeautifulkidnapper who holds me when I have nightmares and remembers my favourite colours.

Dismissing the thought, I took the clothes into the bathroom, squealing with joy at the hairbrush, toothbrush, and toothpaste that had appeared.

What luxuries I was allowed.

My hair would take some time to detangle, which was fine because I had nothing but time. Arms aching by the time I had worked the knots from the long strands, I couldn’t help but laugh at the complete mess that looked back at me from the mirror.

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