Snow and Silk: Sacrificed to the God’s

Bad News

{Arabella’s POV}

I woke up the next day, stiff and sore, after Theluun and Shitari left, I got washed up and dressed. Feryn brought me some food, and we spent the rest of the day in my room.

This morning though, with my body aching I stood, and walked to the bathroom getting ready for the day. I took a bath, and soon Feryn was in my room with a tray of breakfast foods. Bacon, eggs, toast, sausage, I smiled down at the food and then back at her. “This looks incredible, come eat some with me!” I said, handing her a piece of bacon.

“Thank you!” She smiled, sitting down beside me. Her normal cheery personality was replaced with something, she seemed upset, or worried. I watched as she ate a piece of bacon, and looked anywhere but at me.

“What is it Feryn?” I asked, looking over her.

She shook her head. “Nothing, nothing, everything is fine!” She said, trying to act normal.

I grabbed her hand in mine, “Please, something is bothering you.” I said. “What’s wrong Feryn?” I asked, scooting closer.

She let out a long sigh, before shaking her head. “It’s nothing good Arabella..” she said, standing and walking to my vanity. “It’s.. it’s Arcanum..” she said.

My heart felt as though it stopped, I gripped my chest as my breath quickened. “W-What about him?” I asked.

“He’s throwing a ball for the upcoming solstice.. the four kings are required to go.. and..” she took in a sharp breath. “He’s demanded the attendance of the sacrifice..” she said, gripping my vanity until her knuckles turned white.

“Oh..” was all I could muster. “How long do I have?” I asked, looking to the ground.

“It’s tonight..” she muttered, punching the mirror of my vanity and shattering it. “That bas****! He can’t do this, he said you’re to stay with us until the solstice! It’s still months away! He can’t change his mind now!” She shrieked.

I walked to her, looking to her knuckles that were now bleeding. I grabbed her hand softly and walked with her down the hall, and into Shitari’s office. I knocked, and soon his footsteps came towards the door, opening it up. He looked down at me, an unexplainable look on his face. “Oh.. Arabella.. how can I help you?” He asked.

I stepped in past him, pulling Feryn behind me. “Feryn hurt her hand.. can you heal it Shitari?” I asked trying to keep my eyes on the floor.

He smiled softly, before turning his back to us. “Of course..” he said, grabbing some poultice from the jar and beginning to work on it.

I nodded, walking to the door. “Where are you going Arabella?” Feryn asked, looking over her shoulder to me.

“I’m going to go pick out the perfect dress for the ball. I want to look my best for my four kings, and the god who invited me.” I said, smiling softly. “I’ll do my best.. to make sure tonight goes smoothly.” I finished, turning and leaving the room. I ran back to my room, running headfirst into Andromedus’ chest.

“Hey, watch where you’re!” He started. “Oh, it’s you.” He muttered.

“Don’t worry your highness, soon you won’t have to worry about running into me.” I snapped, shoving past him and towards my room.

He gripped my wrist, turning me to face him. “What do you mean by that?” He asked glaring down at me.

“Do you think that Arcanum invited me to the ball as a pet for the other fae to gawk at?” I sneered. “Don’t forget your majesty, I know why I’m here, I’ve already accepted it!” I whimpered, tears beginning to spill from my eyes.

“Then why are you crying?” He asked, his hand gently cupping my face, his thumb wiping away my tears.

I stared up at him, a choked sob leaving my throat. “I don’t want to die..” I whispered, moving away from him and wiping my face. “But I know that I don’t have a choice, so I’ll endure it.” I finished, walking past him and stopping, looking over his shoulder. “What is Arcanum’s least favorite color?” I asked.

A small smirk spread across his face. “Red, especially red, black, and gold. He thinks that red and black taint the precious gold.” He said.

“Thank you, I’ll make sure I dress for the occasion.” I said, walking back into my room. I closed the door, rushing to the bathroom and running my bath full. I quickly washed off and walked back into my room, no longer caring who saw me, who saw my scars. I was going to die tonight anyways, so I might as well go out with a bang.

I grabbed a dress from my closet, it was perfect, a deep red, with black and gold accents. It was long sleeve, black lace, over a red gown, with golden trim across a deep v neckline, and across the bottom of the dress. It fluffed out around the bottom, a true ball gown, and the bodice was fitted. It was perfect. I looked over the dress, and walked to the vanity, looking down at all of the jewels. I pulled out a golden tiara with rubies engraved in it, along with a gold and ruby necklace with matching earrings. I got dressed, and did my hair in a long, loose braid all the way down my back. I left some curls out on each side of my face to frame it, and topped my head with the tiara, pulling on the rest of the jewelry set. I quickly did my makeup with red and black, doing a Smokey eye, and finishing off the look with a deep red lipstick. I looked at myself in the mirror, not even finding myself recognizable.

Feryn walked into my room, looking over to me, her eyes going wide. “I’m ready Feryn.” I said, smiling to her.

“B-But.. Arcanum.. he hates..” she began, but I only smiled.

“I know he does, that’s the point, I’m going to make sure he knows that ending me isn’t going to be as easy as he hoped, and that I’m not going down without biting him first.” I smirked. “How do I look?” I asked, giving a little spin.

“You look absolutely beautiful, but I also think you’re missing something..” she said, walking to the door and pulling something in. “You may need this.” She smirked back, handing me the violin that I had been playing since I got here. “His majesty hates surprises, but loves music, so let’s give him reasons to love and hate you.” She smiled.