BLOODBOUND: Fated To The Beast

She Has Returned

Yvaine silently closed the door and let out a deep breath she hadn't realised she was holding. Her palm was damp. She rubbed them against her gown and began walking through the hallway.

Kael’s last words still echoed in her head even though she didn't understand what he meant.

Don't test me, Yvaine?

She felt her stomach curl, and she hated what his voice was doing to her. Hated that his words lingered in her memory. Hated him. Hated this place.

She needed to breathe. To think of ways to survive in this strange land. To get as far from him as possible.

The morning air in the hallway was cool and the burning herbs that always lingered calmed her nerves.

“My lady.”

The soft voice startled her. She turned quickly to see Maelis a few steps behind her. As usual, Maelis’s expression was calm and unreadable. Her long dark gown was barely rustling as she walked.

“Were you following me?” Yvaine asked, taken aback at how she couldn’t detect Maelis’s presence.

Maelis bowed her head slightly. “It is my duty, My Lady.”

Yvaine raised her brows at that, exhaled hard, and resumed walking. Maelis followed behind, keeping a few paces back.

“You shouldn’t have left the dining room like that,” Maelis said after a long silence.

Yvaine halted mid-step and turned her gaze toward her. “Why not? I was finished eating.”

"In Noctris, leaving before the king gives permission is seen as a sign of disrespect." Maelis began. "You broke the rule, My Lady. You embarrassed him."

Yvaine blinked at her, thrown. “But… he didn’t say anything. He didn’t seem that embarrassed."

Maelis' voice lowered. "He was. He probably pardoned you this once because you're new to our ways. Next time, he may not be so forgiving."

"I'm his wife, he can't punish me," Yvaine said.

"He may not punish you directly, My Lady. But he will punish us. Your handmaids. Because we fail in our duties." Her eyes flicked briefly to Yvaine’s then she lowered her head again.

Yvaine's breath hitched as she stared at Maelis. The thoughts that her actions could bring harm to others made her realise it wasn’t just about her.

"Interesting," she murmured, shrugging like it didn't matter. "I'll remember that." She started walking again, this time at a slower pace.

The two walked in silence for a few moments until they reached the outer edge of the castle, sunlight streaming through the open high arches.

The training grounds lay ahead. She could hear the clang of steel and the shouting of men at drill.

She paused, glancing toward the open courtyard just ahead. She watched the soldiers spar before she resumed walking.

Just then, Nolan came out from the corners. His dark hair was tied back loosely and dust clung to his tunic.

She noticed him and stopped walking.

Nolan had a smile on his face as he saw them. He walked towards them and gave a slight bow to Yvaine.

“My Lady,” His voice made Yvaine's stomach twist.

She straightened and squared her shoulders, looking into his eyes without returning his smile.

"Mmm," she raised her chin and walked past him. Maelis followed. She could feel Nolan's gaze on her before she turned to the corners.

"I don't like him," Yvaine muttered.

"That's Lord Nolan," Maelis said without hesitation. "He's His Highness' most trusted man. They grew up together. Lord Nolan commands the armies and he serves as His Highness's eyes and ears beyond these walls. There are a few His Highness trusts more."

"That didn't answer what I said," Yvaine replied in a low voice. “It didn't explain why I don't like him."

"You're not the first to say that," Maelis said after a long moment. "But many here would swear by his loyalty. As long as His Highness trusts him, it doesn't matter."

She scoffed under her breath. "Well, I trust my gut and this time around, I hope I'm wrong."

Maelis didn't say anything but Yvaine could hear the unspoken words in her silence.

The clang of steel grew faintly as they walked away from the training yard. But her mind stayed fixed on Nolan. There was something off about him when he greeted her but before she could grasp it, it was gone, replaced with his perfect composure.

They stopped again as they reached her chamber door.

Maelis opened it, then turned to her. "You need to rest now, My Lady. Rina and I will come to prepare you for the public introduction tonight."

She stepped inside, then paused, glancing back. "And if I don’t want to go?"

Maelis tilted her head. "I wouldn't advise that, My Lady. That'll be a public embarrassment for His Highness and he wouldn't take it lightly."

Before she could say anything else, Maelis lowered her head and continued. "With time, I'll show you around the castle and the kingdom. And also teach you the rules of the palace."

"Thank you, Maelis," she said, genuinely grateful.

"It's my duty, My Lady," Maelis said.

Before she could reply, Maelis bowed and pulled the door shut behind her.

...

The grand doors of the hall swung open and the people, on seeing Kael and Yvaine, erupted into a chant.

“Long live the king!"

"Long live His Highness!”

Hundreds of eyes turned toward Yvaine as Kael led her to the twin thrones at the end of the feast hall. He helped her settle into the queen's seat before taking his seat on the throne.

At the flick of his fingers, the feast began and the hall came alive with music.

Dancers swirled across the floor in colored silk, performers juggled enchanted blades, laughter echoed, and goblets clinked in rhythm.

Yvaine tried to keep up, following the rhythm and the rituals. She smiled when she was supposed to, nodded politely when spoken to and sipped her drink carefully.

It was magnificent. Terrifyingly so.

When the music died down, Kael stood. He offered a greeting to the people and the crowd answered by erupting in cheers and chants again.

Then he turned to Yvaine.

"My beloved people of Noctris," he said in a smooth and commanding voice. "I present my wife, Yvaine.”

A murmur swept through the hall in an instant. Some were surprised, some were curious and some were angry. But despite that, applause began and then, cheers.

"Long live Her Highness!"

"Long live her!"

Yvaine lifted her chin, letting her gaze sweep over the crowd. Some faces smiled warmly at her while others watched her with distaste.

Nobles stood, raising goblets. But one noble lady rose slowly, her dress gleaming with rubies.

At the same time, Maelis noticed the smirk on the noble lady’s face and her back straightened. Her gaze drifted between Yvaine and the noble lady.

The noble lady lifted her goblet high. With a perfect smile and a clear voice, she toasted.

"To the new bride," she started with a tone that's sugar-sweet but sharpened like a dagger. “May her blood be as noble as her beauty.”

The hall froze. Cups paused mid-air. Even those whispering stopped, their eyes on Yvaine.

Yvaine froze.

Then slowly, she raised her own goblet. She looked at the noble lady in the eyes, her lips curved into a smug smile.

“Then you may rest easy, My Lady,” she replied, her voice smooth, almost amused. “For noble blood has run through my veins since the day I was born."

Gasps echoed in the hall. The noble lady’s lips thinned and her hand tightened around her cup.

Kael's gaze darkened. He was still for exactly one second. Then he raised his goblet, and with a voice like thunder, he said, “And may every one in this hall and beyond remember that. If you dishonour her, you dishonour me, your king, and I won't spare you."

The hall went utterly still. No one dared move. Everyone's eyes dropped to their cups, pretending to drink, to breathe, to exist unnoticed.

Yvaine's eyes darted toward him and she blinked in confusion. However, she lowered her eyes, hiding the dangerous smile that tugged at her mouth.

She sat straighter, her fingers brushing the stem of her goblet as the toast was made.

He drank.

She drank.

Everyone drank.

The noblewoman did the same, her hand trembling just enough to betray her.

The feast resumed, music, wine, dancing and laughter. Yvaine tried to keep up with their energy but with each movement, she felt like she was moving in someone else's skin.

A sudden gust swept through the hall, snuffing one of the smaller candles near her table. Yvaine blinked, glancing at it, but no one else seemed to notice. The music carried on.

Finally, she excused herself. Her head was spinning, not from the wine but from everything. It all felt foreign to her so she returned to her chamber.

Maelis and Rina escorted her.

When they reached her chambers, Rina helped her loosen her gown while Maelis dimmed the candles and tucked the curtains.

"Goodnight, My Lady," Rina said.

“Rest now, My Lady,” Maelis said softly and closed the door behind them.

Yvaine lay in the bed, staring at the ceiling, while waiting for sleep to creep in. The bed was barely dented under her weight.

But as the night deepened, she had yet to fall asleep. She tossed, turned and then stilled.

Someone was in the shadows.

She quickly sat up, strained her eyes towards the window, but didn't see anyone; only the soft sound of the wind was all she heard.

"Who's there?" She asked in a low voice.

Silence.

She let out a shaky laugh. “You’re imagining things, Yvaine,” she told herself.

Finally, she exhaled, lay down and closed her eyes. She tried to tell herself a bedtime story and soon, sleep began to creep in on her.

But then, someone whispered close to her ear or maybe in her dreams. The voice was soft and neither male nor female.

“She has returned."

Yvaine’s eyes snapped open and she sat up again. “…Who?” she whispered, heart hammering. Every drop of blood in her body seemed to still.

Silence answered her.

She threw off the covers, leapt from the bed and stumbled to the door, wrenching it open. The hallway was empty and no receding footsteps. No shadow. No sound.

Yet, she felt heat on her spine and was sure that something or someone was there.

With a trembling hand on the latch, she closed the door, pressing her back to it.

The candle flickered and for a moment, she thought she saw a shadow in the corner shifting toward her.