Page 9 of A Blaze of Fire
After leavingthe throne room on shaking legs, Alec escorted me on a tour around the castle. I couldn’t believe my eyes. As we walked the perimeter of the castle, hugging the expansive windows that looked out onto the grounds, I was amazed by the sheer volume of rose gardens. Some were manicured, some were left wild and unruly, but all were filled with red roses. Most of the exterior doors were open to allow a gentle breeze to waft into the castle and ruffle the tapestries pinned along the walls. I smelled the briny scent of ocean breezes, but when I looked past the rose gardens, all I saw was darkness.
“Is there water out there?” I asked Alec, pointing out the balcony as we walked along a curved walkway.
He nodded. “An ocean separates the Seelie and Unseelie Courts.” Alec suddenly stopped walking and grabbed my wrist, pulling me to a stop. He peered around the hall furtively to make sure no one was around before speaking. “Look, Violet, we passed the first step, which was getting the King to allow you to stay as his guest and not his prisoner. But we can’t let our guard down. I know everything is new and fascinating to you, but just so you know, outside these walls and inside that ocean there are literally thousands of creatures who would delight in nothing more than killing you. Not all fae are like me. You need to be careful.”
Maybe I was excited by seeing this new world and feeling careless, but I wasn’t stupid. I didn’t plan on jumping in the ocean or running through the grounds with a target on my back.
“I know, Alec.” I ripped my wrist from his grip. “You might not think so, but I’m alert. I’m paying attention.”
He eyed me for a moment, doubting the sincerity of my words, but nodded. “Your room is up ahead. You’ll have your own bathroom, and I believe you’ll be getting a handmaiden. I’ll make sure it’s someone trustworthy. I’m sure Kazimir will place me in a room nearby, so if you need anything, just give a shout. I’ll have some clothes sent to your room shortly.”
When he opened the double doors to my new bedroom, I couldn’t stop the audible gasp that escaped me. This was definitely a step up from the postage stamp-sized basement bedroom Alec had sequestered me in for the past few days.
My new room washuge. A four-poster bed large enough to sleep a football team, a separate dressing and vanity area, and a dark wood dresser were the largest pieces of furniture. To the left of the room was a balcony with four French doors and dark crimson sheer curtains that pooled at the floor, and to the right was the bathroom. I could only imagine how opulent it would be.
“Is that a Persian rug?” I pointed to the floor.
Alec shrugged. “Probably. They bring a lot of useless stuff here from the human realm.”
My mouth fell open. “Trust me, it’snotuseless.”
Alec chuckled. “Well, enjoy it while it lasts. The tides are ever changing around here,” he warned. With a smirk, he closed the door to my room and left me alone for the first time in weeks.
Not quite sure what to do with myself, I took a running leap and flung myself on the bed, upsetting a delicate mountain of fluffy pillows. I bounced a few times, feeling like I was on cloud nine. I sighed, feeling content for the first time I could remember in a long time. Then I bolted upright, scanning the room for an intruder.
No, don’t get comfortable, I chided myself.We’re in enemy territory. I fell back on the bed and exhaled a groan. This was very complicated.
Ensconced in the velvety softness of the most comfortable bed imaginable, it wasn’t long before I dozed off into a much-needed nap, trying to make up for being woken up so early that morning. I was snuggled in deep, surrounded by piles of downy pillows when I was stirred awake by a tiny hand.
“Lady Violet?” a small voice murmured. “Lady Violet, wake up.”
I groaned. “Huh?” I turned and came face-to-face with a young girl. At least I thought she was a young girl.
She had bright pink hair, large round eyes that were too big for her head and flickered like a doll as she watched me, and those damn pointed ears that told me she was fae.
“Lady Violet?” she repeated.
“Uh … yes?” I slowly sat up on the bed. “Who are you?”
She straightened and a bright smile spread across her face. “Oh! I’m Rosemary! Your handmaiden.”
“My … handmaiden? What is this, the sixteen-hundreds?” I went to slide off the bed, which was harder than it looked, considering I had to scoot out of the middle and hop down. “It’s nice to meet you, Rosemary.” I gave a little finger wave and inched as far away from her as possible, unsure if she would bite.
“I’m here to dress you for tonight’s gathering.” She motioned to the clothes that now filled the opened dresser.
“Tonight’s gathering? What’s going on tonight? It’s already nighttime; shouldn’t everyone be getting ready for bed?” I asked stupidly.
Rosemary giggled and covered her mouth with her hand. “No, silly! The night is just getting started! The King wants to celebrate your arrival.” She cautiously glanced back at the door to make sure it was closed and then looked back at me, leaning forward. “Don’t worry,” she whispered conspiratorially. “Alec sent me.”
While that did relieve some of my stress, I wasn’t the least bit comfortable with the idea of going to some party with a bunch of people I didn’t know. Actually, let me correct myself, a bunch offaeI didn’t know. Besides the fact they were strangers, I didn’t know their customs or laws and was certain I’d screw something up.
My handmaiden saw the panic clawing up my throat. “Have no fear, Lady Violet.” Rosemary smiled warmly. “Alec and I will be with you every step of the way. You won’t be alone.”
Little did she know that without Ansel, I felt more alone than ever.
5
VIOLET
