Slaying the Blood King

♤•Chapter 6•♤

The chamber remains quiet for a long time-so long that the awkward silence causes me to fidget. It was my turn to be held under the unbearable weight of noiselessness. Finally, Lord Antonius sighs.

"I don't know if we can make that happen, at least not yet. Let me discuss this with the Commander of the Fey Guard. He will determine if you would make a good addition to his army," he says. "Until then, is there anything else you would like? You want so much for your people, but what of yourself, Miss Lunar?"

What did I want? I pondered. I wasn't hungry. There wasn't anything I needed that they didn't already provide for their people. I think to what I'm missing when a thought hits me. Angela...

"My lord, if there is anything great you can do for me, I would like your informant to give a letter to my closest friend, Angela. She had been left behind," I say. I watch as Antonius raises an eyebrow.

"Well, the only way we can make that happen is the full moon, which isn't until a month from now, and because of your disappearance, your father is sure to be scouring the castle for informants. It would put both your friend and my informants at risk if either parties were caught."

His words made my head lower in sadness. Of anybody in that castle, Angela made it feel like home. She never hurt me. She was like the sister I never had. Antonius clears his throat. "-but, we may be able to pull it off. Give me some time and I will get back to you on the matter. You are dismissed."

With a shooing of his hand and a final bow from me, I walk across the chamber floor to it's opening.

"Lunar?" Antonius calls. I turn and gaze at him. A small smile spreads across his face. "Wear something beautiful tonight. You will be my guest of honor at our full moon dance this evening." I give him a nod, before walking out and back down the long vine.

When I arrive at my chamber, Liona and Embrance are waiting for me.

"We are here to get you ready for the dance tonight!" Embrance sqeaks. Liona rolls her eyes beside her daughter.

"Let us not be late, Em, for if you sqeak any louder, the poor girl's ears will pop off," Liona says, but a small smile plays at her lips.

"First," she says, strolling up and taking my hand. "We need to bathe you. Embrance, I'll leave you to get her dress together." With a 'Yes, mother," from Em, Liona leads me down the vine once more.

Stepping outside, she leads me away from the village, and behind the tree. In the short distance I can see with the aid of the glowing mushrooms, I see a wooden enclosure. More of the glowing vines decorate the outside and snake in through a nearby window. When we go inside, I find that the structure was created around a hot spring, but water from a nearby stream is filtered in as well.

"Undress and get in. I will be back shortly with your dress," Liona says, before making her exit. When the door is shut firmly behind her, I peel off the now-wrinkled gown. I tip a toe in, expecting the water to be scorching. No. It is just the right amount of heat to cleanse my body, but not hot enough to boil me.

I ease my body in, finding the water to be unlike anything I've bathed in before. A milky substance flows through, making the water feel like silk and smell of flowers. Closing my eyes, I dunk my head beneath the surface.

I remain for a few moments, letting my face get used to the water's temperature, before breaking the surface.

"Not planning on drowning yourself, are you?" Albesks voice echoes in. I whirl around and find him leaning against the doorframe of the bathhouse. A wicked smile crosses his features. When I look down, I find the top of my breasts have breached the surface. With disgust, I cover them.

"You know," I start. "It is awfully rude to invade when a woman is cleansing herself," I say in annoyance. Albesk laughs, making me glare at him. "Maybe, but the lord said you wanted to kill your father. I am here to inspect you for training." It hits me then. "You're the Commander?" I ask. He nods once, his mischievous smile never faltering. "Now, if you'd be so kind," he says, moving his hand as a command to rise.

Slowly, I stand, letting the water drip from my skin. I stare him dead in the eyes, watching him take in every inch of my bare skin. His look isn't hungry-which surprises me. He is just taking me in as if I were another soldier. He twirls his finger, motioning for me to do the same. With a huff, I do so. When a few moments pass, I face him again, a hot flush spreading across my body. He smirks.

"Okay," he says finally. "You may go back into the water. I will give you a definite answer tonight at the dance," Albesk says, before bowing his head and exiting. A sigh of relief escapes me. He's gonna get on my nerves real quick, I think inwardly.

I take my time with the rest of the bath, scrubbing every remnant of home off of my skin. I love the way the water feels. It must be over an hour until Liona finally comes back in, followed by Embrance.

"Sorry I'm late," Liona says. "Got held up." I shrug it off. Liona helps me out of the bath, drying me off with what looks like deer hide.

"Time for your dress," Embrace says. When I see the dress, I fall in love with it instantly. The gown is made of red silk, with black lace decorating it's full-length skirt. Black sequins decorate it's bodice. When they slip it over my head and tie the ribbons at the back, I find that this dress hugs my body frame like the other one. My large breasts pop out a little, and I know that if I didn't grab everyone's attention earlier, I certainly would now.