Page 51 of Cages and Crowns
Erik.
I push off the ground and run, barreling into his chest and nearly taking him out. His arms wrap around me, and his head buries in my hair. I can feel his body shaking as he holds on tight. He’s warm, and whole, andalive.
“I am so sorry, Elaenor.” He cries as he squeezes me tighter. I shake my head, emotions flooding through me like a tidal wave.
Everything has changed. Everything.
The walk to the palace is quick, as we stride hand in hand through the stone wall. Armed guards are running about, making sure everything is safe. I’m assuming Nithe or Enzo alerted them that Tobias might attack in order to retrieve me, but I don’t think he actually will.
Why would he?
The grounds are filled with lush grass and wildflowers of every color. Nothing is dull, or drab. Everything is bright, welcoming. It reminds me of my mother somehow. Noterra wasn’t drab by any means, but it was just green. Here,flowers of species I didn’t know existed bloom freely. Wisteria trees press up against the palace walls, vines attaching themselves to the stone.
It's beautiful. A place I wouldn’t be opposed to calling home if the circumstances were different.
Everyone stares as we near the open double doors, the pale wood bright in the sunlight. Scarlett’s hand tightens in mine as Laenie lets go, stepping back to walk with Erik.
Confusion and surprise echo around the open halls as servants and guards catch sight of me, of the mess I am. They all bow and whisper as we step inside. I have no doubt my inky tendrils are caked with dirt and blood and a mess only a hairbrush and scissors can fix. Not to mention that I was naked aside from a cloak.
Scarlett leads me to a staircase, pulling me up it and down a thin hall. We move slowly as pain radiates down my leg and exhaustion pulls at me. Doors line either side, and an open archway shows a small library with plush couches and settees around a fireplace. We walk in silence as she guides me to a door that is slightly ajar. She squeezes my hand before pushing it open.
The room isn’t grand by any means, the same size as my room in Chatis. Pale wooden walls are covered in torches and wildflower paintings. A plush bed sits on one side, gray and green blankets and wools draped over the thick mattress. A sitting room sits on one side, with a settee and sofa. The fireplace is lit, the flames warming the room almost too much for the season.
The back wall is covered in floor-to-ceiling windows, one of which is open, leading to a balcony. Another door sits off the room, leading to what I assume is the bathing chamber.
“This is your room. Emery and I have made sure it remained ready for you.” Scarlett says softly. I take a step forward, my hand sliding from hers as I reach for the gray wool on the bed. My fingers slip through the fur, which is soft like silk.
“I don’t understand any of this.” I whisper.
“There is a lot you don’t know.” Enzo pipes up from behind me and I spin around. He’s leaning against the doorway, his hands gripping the top of the frame. Laenie and Erik have slipped away, leaving me with Scarlett. Scarlett looks over at him, her eyes darkening as she rolls her lips. I’ve seen that look before.
“You two?” I ask, my voice cracking. Her eyes widen and she bites her bottom lip as she looks back at me.
“It’s complicated.” Enzo responds, sparing Scarlett the embarrassment. I take a slow deep breath, confused by the feelings whipping through my mind. I just nod.
“I would like to bathe and then I would like someone to explain what the hell is going on.” I don’t wait for a response as I walk over to the closed door, thankfully opening it up to reveal a large bathing room with a tub big enough to fit four, and closing it behind me.
Three separate women came in, assisting me in the bath. The water turned a cloudy shade of brown as all of the grime and blood was washed from my skin. My leg burned as the hot water washed over the mottled flesh. They kept sending glances to one another as they found cuts and bruises and scar after scar. They didn’t speak, but I could tell they were concerned.
My hair was gently shampooed, and I nearly fell asleep at the feel of it, but my eyes stayed open, fixed on the wall across from me. I could tell they had to be careful to work around the crown. I almost asked them to remove it, but maybe it would be better done by a master or a mender.
I can feel exhaustion ravaging through my bones, but I can’t sleep. Not yet. Not until I know it’s safe. Adrenaline pumps steadily through my veins, keeping me awake, keeping me coherent. But it will soon run out and a dreamless sleep will be soon to follow.
The women dabbed a thick white cream onto my leg before wrapping itin a white cloth. They applied the same cream to my neck and feet, wrapping them as well. While they seemed to know what they were doing, I was still convinced I needed proper medical care. I had to ask for the master, they have to have one in the palace somewhere.
I was grateful when I was given a tunic and a pair of leggings, wanting nothing less than to be in a dress. I slipped the soft cotton on quickly before turning to the mirror to assess my appearance.
A strangled cry escapes my throat as I take an unsteady step back. The hair that I expected to be dark and coiled, was anything but. Icy locks that are soaked and dripping water down my back greet me instead. The color reminds me of the moon, of the white sand at the beach. Not a single black hair falls from my head, it is all just white. My eyes are bloodshot, the blue too bright for what I was used to. My skin is sallow and gaunt, my cheekbones looking too high and too sharp for the thin face that is staring back at me. The silver of the crown seems dull in comparison to the hair I didn’t expect.
I don’t understand.
I walk up to the mirror, my hand shakily reaching up to touch the strands that resembled my mother’s the day she died. When did this happen? Why did this happen?
“It was white when we found you.” I jump and whirl around to see Nithe standing in the doorway. His black hair is wet, flopping into his eyes. He changed into a gray tunic and a fresh pair of pants. His arms are crossed in front of his chest as he watches me. I can see dark ink wrapped around his forearms, disappearing into his sleeves. Swirls and scales of different sizes inked into his flesh. I tear my eyes away from them and meet his purple gaze.
“I don’t know how.” I respond, my voice weak, exhausted.
“I am under the assumption that it happened when your magic finally revealed itself.”
