Page 109 of Cages and Crowns
“That is called love, Elaenor.”
“I don’t love you!” His head snaps back as if I struck him. “You couldn’t have expected me to say anything different.”
“Because you love Tobias.”
“No! Not everything has to do with him!”
“Yes, it does, Elaenor! You base every decision, every interaction off of ones you’ve had with him. And I can’t blame you. You’ve been through so much and gods I am so sorry for what you’ve been through, but you need to grow up.”
“Excuse me?” I step back, my lips parting in shock.
“You need to grow up and realize that life isn’t easy and it’s going to suck, but for people like us, it stays that way. We don’t get happy endings and the sooner you realize that the sooner you can begin to live.”
“Get out.”
“This is my room too.”
“Get out!” I yell as I step towards him. He steps out of the way of my hands.
“No! You don’t want to stay in here with me? Fine.Youcan leave. I’m done catering to you.” My hands ball into fists and I push past him, heading towards the door. “Elaenor.” He says softly, but I ignore him, slamming the door behind me.
Chapter Fifty-Four
The Caged
The palace is silent as I creep down the halls. All of the doors are closed, only a few torches lit. I must have slept the entire day away.
I wrap my arms around myself, cursing the fact that I am wearing a short nightgown. I descend the stairs quietly. The entry door is shut, a single guard standing in front of it. He nods in acknowledgment and then averts his eyes. I stroll past him down a hall I haven’t been before. The smell of fresh bread awakens my senses as I reach an archway.
The archway opens up to a huge kitchen, steaming pots are on the wood burning stove. Loaves and loaves of crusty bread sit on a shelf. Right below it, pastries of every kind sit, dusted with chocolate or powdered sugar.
I step into the room, my feet protesting the warm wood. I glance around but don’t see anyone. I walk in further, heading towards the bread. I inhale deeply, the scent of sourdough enveloping my senses. I reach for the loaf when the clearing of a throat makes me squeal. I spin around, my hand on my chest, to see a short woman. Wrinkles line her tan, freckled skin. She looks angry, as if she’sconstantly frowning. She reminds me of Estelle. Her gray hair is tied in a knot on her head, a bonnet secured around it the same color as her loose dress.
“I am so sorry.” I whisper, unsure of what to say.
“Why on earth are you in here wearing bed clothes, girl?” She snaps, her voice thick with an accent I can’t place.
“I was hungry, and I smelled bread.” I admit quietly.
“Which one of them boys dragged you into the palace without givin’ you a proper meal?” She rolls her eyes and I realize she thinks I’m some random girl someone brought to the palace.
“Nero.” I whisper in panic, and she shakes her head. If I said Nithe, word would get around that the king consort has a mistress.
“That boy.” She shakes her head and walks over to me, plucking a loaf of bread off the shelf. She gestures for a barstool, and I sit. “Jam and butter?” She asks.
“Yes, please.” I respond softly, tracking her every movement. She pulls on a rope connected to the wall before she cuts the bread. She sets a plate in front of me with butter and various jams and then another plate with steaming slices of bread. I look up at her and smile. The wrinkles set in her face remind me so much of what a grandmother would look like. Maybe it is what my grandmother looks like.
“Eat.” She orders and I dig in, dipping the bread in a pinkish jam. Strawberries and something floral hits my tongue and I groan. I can’t remember my last meal. She glances at my arm, at the slight shimmer of a tattoo in the torch light and lifts an eyebrow. “Kids these days.” I smile at her, and she returns it, showing a mouth full of yellowing teeth. “Where did he find you?”
“Noterra.”
“Gods, what a beautiful country. Shame it’s run by the devil.” She snorts and I don’t attempt to hide the smile this time.
“I can’t imagine a worse king than Tobias.” I say as I take another bite.
“Ain’t that the truth.” Nero’s voice startles me as I look behind thewoman. “You rang, Mama Collette?” He says as he walks over and kisses the top of her head. She shoos him off, but I don’t miss the blush crossing her cheeks.
“Rang?” I ask and she points at a wall of bells with numbers.
