VeilBound

Chapter 3

My room door closes with a soft click. I instantly reached under the pillow to be sure the map was still there. My breath escaped my mouth in relief as I touched the map and brought it out. Smoothing the edges like a precious piece of paper. It might just be a piece of paper, but what it represents is everything: freedom, Autonomy.

I remembered what my mother used to say a bird is never meant to live in a cage:

I keep repeating

The mantra in my head is like a lifeline. In a way, it's an anchor for me, and it stops me from spiraling, which is precisely what I feel like after realizing that leaving after my 18th birthday will be so much harder with a new tutor living in my house, especially one with such magnetic energy. I count to ten slowly, taking deep breaths in and out, exactly as Abby taught me when I started to panic shortly after my father took his first business trip, leaving me alone with the workers and, of course, Abby. I get my heartbeat slowly under control, and my head starts spinning with how much I have to do to make sure my plan is successful. The first thing is to move up my departure date to my birthday. In the chaos and revelry, I can sneak out. This gives me exactly 6 weeks to finish the map, hide more canned food away, and figure out my father's combination to his safe so I can get my mother’s rubies. I'm definitely not leaving without them. I can't help but pace as I try to figure out how I'd be able to do all these, considering I've been trying for a year, and all I've got to show for it is a half-finished map and some meager stolen food.

I feel my frustrations mounting, and I reel myself back in.

“Anas, you can do it,” I say to myself. Now that I have a plan, I need to execute it.

But first dinner. I have just 20 minutes to get ready so that I won't be late for dinner. Father would not let me off easy, especially since he already let me off with Bastian earlier. I quickly dashed into my dressing room to pick out a dress. I'll be going with something more formal.

We have a new guest, and with all the lessons I've had in being a proper lady. Choosing an appropriate outfit for each dinner or activity is as important as showing up on time. I let my fingers slowly glide through all my dresses, and my hand lands on the softest, shimmering blue lace with gold threadings glinting in the evening sun. This is the one. I can feel it. I carefully bring it down and take a moment to admire the delicate design. It's a dress made with shimmering blue lace, a V-shaped neckline threaded with the most vibrant gold, and shimmering blue shells on the bodice, with puffy net-like sleeves that cover my shoulders. The length of the gown would fall below my knees, and I can't wait to see how beautiful it'll be, especially after my hair has been woven in with these silver hair clasps that accompany the dress. I carefully set it down on my bed, undressed with the speed of light, and took the fastest shower in record time.

Got into my dress and paired it with silver strappy sandals.

Just as I was getting into my sandals, I heard a soft knock on my door, and that knock instantly made my hackles rise. No one ever comes to my room anymore.

I abandoned the sandals, padding softly to the door, opening it only to see Abby, slightly fidgeting, with a warm smile on her face. She looked up, and her eyes immediately lost that faraway look they’ve been getting these past few weeks.

Can I come in? She softly asked. I wanted to help you with your hair. I know how her voice slowly trails away as she takes in my dress.

You look so much like your mother, her voice cracking at the end.

Simply beautiful, she continued in a whisper-like voice as she came into my room properly. I stepped into my room and sat down on the chair facing my vanity table.

Hold still, my girl,” she murmured, twisting my hair into a loose braid. I felt her pause for a moment, as though lost in thought, before she reached into the small pocket that’s stitched into her trousers.

When her hand came back up, she held something I’d never seen before..a silver clasp, slender and delicately carved. At first glance, it looked like a simple ornament, but when the light caught it, I noticed an intricate engraving of a veiled bird, its wings outstretched as if about to take flight.

“It was your mother’s,” Abby said quietly, fastening it at the end of my braid. “She wore it on her first unveiling. Said it brought her luck.

There’s that word again, “ unveiling but before I could ask any more questions, I noticed how cool the metal was against my neck.

“It’s beautiful,” I couldn’t help whispering

Her fingers lingered a second too long on the clasp. “It’s more than that,” she murmured, almost to herself. “This one… was made for those who must learn to fly before their wings are ready.”

I frowned, but before I could ask what she meant, she smiled that warm, practiced smile that always ended my questions. “Go on now, supper will get cold.” I quickly shoved my feet into my sandals and did the straps.

As I turned to leave, the last rays of evening caught the clasp again, and for the briefest moment, I could’ve sworn the bird’s silver eye glinted like it was watching me.