Unknown Visitor
1256 Words
The drums were still going when the carriage slowed. Yvaine was already awake, her face pressed to the cold glass, watching the crowd below celebrate in the torchlight.
Her fingers tightened in her lap. It was colder here. And for a moment, she wished she were back home, under her quilt, with familiar people instead of this unknown.
She released her fingers and pressed her palm to the window, as if to ground herself. Her eyes widened as the carriage passed beneath the towering gates.
'This is… real. I’m really here.'
Her breath slowed. She stared out, watching the people. They passed soldiers standing at guard in dark armour. Their faces were still. At their side, dark banners swayed in the night wind. But strangely, her chest didn’t tighten, at least, not yet.
The carriage stopped. The soldiers dismounted. Children ran towards them. The men and women of the kingdom began singing.
The man she had married dismounted from his horse, offering his hand to her, and for the first time since they had left Mambila, he spoke to her.
“My lady."
She hesitated before placing her hand into his. His hand was still warm even after being exposed to the cold.
Hers trembled.
She stepped down, forcing her spine straight, lifting her chin. If she looked fragile, they would devour her with pity, she thought.
Their eyes were bright with curiosity, awe, devotion. But to her, it felt suffocating.
"I'll address everyone later. For now, treat her with the same respect you would give me.” The man said.
Yvaine looked at the crowd as they murmured. Their eyes flicked between her and the man she had married. A few of them lowered their heads. Then, one voice rose hesitantly and another joined until their words finally burst forth.
"Hail to our queen!" They chanted.
The sound made Yvaine’s heart skip with confusion. Queen. Her lips twitched as she forced a nod.
When the chanting died down, the man she married turned to two women in the crowd.
“Maelis. Rina. She is yours now.”
Maelis stepped forward. Tall and mature, with eyes that showed so much experience, she gave a deep bow. Rina followed, nearly bouncing with eagerness; she looked nervous with her grin.
“Welcome, my lady,” Maelis said.
“We’ll help you settle in,” Rina added quickly, her hands clasped as though restraining herself from fidgeting.
Yvaine looked at them. Something about the girl's barely contained excitement made her chest ease. She gave a small smile.
"I'll see you tonight." The man she married said and before she could respond, he walked into the crowds as they hailed him.
...
Yvaine followed the two maids down the hallways of the castle. The environment was warm and the air there was filled with the scent of burning incense.
The two maids led her through a smaller hall. They passed servants who bowed without being told to, guards who straightened as Maelis led her through. A group of children peered around a doorway and then disappeared giggling when she looked at them. She hadn't expected children. She hadn't expected any of this to feel so ordinary.
They continued walking up a carved stone staircase, through corridors filled with torchlight, and finally into a lit chamber that awed her.
The chamber was like her mother’s room, having soft furs, heavy curtains, and a long mirror, but hers was richer. The windows were taller, the ceiling high and a bed that was fit for a queen.
“This is where you’ll stay, my lady,” Maelis voice pulled her from her thoughts. Her gaze slid to the floor as she spoke, though her posture remained unbent.
“Thank you,” Yvaine murmured. Her voice sounded small against her wish.
“I’ll prepare your bath,” Rina chimed, already skipping into the side chamber.
Yvaine nodded and walked toward the mirror. She stared at her reflection, noticing how helpless she looked. She touched her hair and smoothed her dress.
“Rest for a while, My Lady,” Maelis said.
Yvaine nodded.
...
"It's ready, My Lady," Rina's voice came through after a while.
Yvaine nodded and was led into a private courtyard. The bath steamed, scented herbs floated lazily on the surface. She lowered herself slowly into the bath, the heat pulling the tension from her bones. For the first time since crossing the gates, she exhaled a full breath.
When she finally relaxed in the pool, a faint glow appeared in the water for a millisecond. The petals swirled unnaturally, and the candles flickered.
Maelis' eyes narrowed, but Rina gasped beside her, her eyes widening.
“Did you see that?” she whispered.
Maelis’s gaze hardened. “No.”
“But it—”
“It was your imagination, you didn't see anything." Maelis cut her off, her voice flat.
"Is that so?" Rina asked in disbelief, sure of what she saw.
"Wash her hair," Maelis instructed, ignoring the confused Rina.
Rina nodded and walked closer to where Yvaine was. She knelt beside the water and began washing her hair.
"Your hair... It's beautiful, My Lady." She said, laughter cracking in her throat. “I wish mine looked like this.”
Before Yvaine could respond, Maelis snapped at Rina. “Focus. Rina."
Yvaine felt Rina pause for a second, then continued. She closed her eyes, ignoring their talks, letting the water lap against her shoulders.
For just a moment, the water was warmer than it should have been. She opened her eyes briefly, glanced at the surface, and saw nothing unusual. Then, she closed them again.
After the bath, the two maids helped her into a dark robe. Maelis applied scented oils onto her wrists, neck, elbows and ankles. Yvaine watched her. Her movements were deliberate and precise.
“His Highness will be with you tonight, My Lady,” Maelis said after she was done. Then bowed and stepped back.
Yvaine's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't thought of him that way. She didn't want to think of him that way but her body betrayed her. She could feel warmth rushing through her veins that had no business stirring.
Maelis and Rina bowed and left, leaving her alone in the silent room. She gradually lowered herself into the bed. She remained still, staring at the ceiling, listening attentively to every sound.
Finally, her eyes closed but sleep would not come. She thought of different ways to plead with him to give her time to adjust. She thought of her family and her father's kingdom. Anything, just to distract her mind from Maelis's words.
At last, when sleep wouldn't come, she slipped from the bed and walked to the window, barefoot. She threw the curtains aside and peered into the night sky.
The stars tonight were bright. She hadn't noticed it when they rode in. She pressed her hand against the glass, the cold steadying her pulse.
She was still looking at the stars when she heard a soft click of the door.
Her head snapped toward the door. Someone was at the door.
Her heart raced and the hairs on her arms rose. She stood still, looking at the door even as every instinct screamed at her to hide. She waited for whatever or whoever was at the door to come in.
The door clicked again then creaked open.
This time around, she hid herself against the wall. Almost pressing herself into it, eyes wide, straining to see in the dim light.
- Writer
