Beauty In Darkness

12

“There’s one more thing,” he said, his voice turning dark and commanding. “You are to never leave the castle alone, and must never step foot outside at night. Do you understand?”

I blinked at him. “Why?”

“It’s not safe for you.” He took a step forward, until he towered over me. “Promise me you’ll stay inside after sundown.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but held my tongue at the last moment. Raith must be worried I was in danger from people in Ilidan who might want to punish me for everything my kingdom had done. There would be many who couldn’t believe we were at peace now, or wouldn’t want to accept it. Was that why there were so few guards? Had he removed any that he didn’t feel could be trusted completely?

“I’ll stay inside,” I said. “Until it’s safe.”

He gave me a hard stare that never seemed to end, before he finally turned on his heel and walked away without another word. I watched him disappear, the door banging shut behind him, and sighed. So much for my grand wedding night.

Oren led me down more overly illuminated corridors, and our footsteps were the only sounds echoing throughout the eerily empty castle. The few servants we did see dropped to a hasty bow, then spoke in hushed whispers as soon as we’d passed them by. The guards ignored us completely, their eyes watching the shadows while their armor gleamed under the firelight.

“You certainly keep this place aglow,” I said to Oren as we climbed a stone staircase and turned down another bright hallway.

He nodded solemnly. “To keep the shadows away,.”

“Of course,” I said, as if I knew what he meant, though I wasn’t sure why that was so important. Perhaps it was a normal custom in Ilidan? Further proof I had a lot to learn about my new home. If only I’d had more time before the wedding and our departure, I could have studied up on Ilidan instead of arriving in my new home feeling lost and ignorant. Something I would have to rectify tomorrow.

Oren nodded to a heavy door as we passed by it. “This is the monarch’s chambers, though King Raith spends little time inside them. He can usually be found in his study.”

He continued to the next door and opened it with a key. We entered a sitting room decorated in dark red and black brocade, with tall arched ceilings and huge windows on one side. The hearth was going strong to combat the night’s chill, although compared to Talador it was quite warm here. No shadows touched the room thanks to the candles covering nearly every surface. Like the rest of Varlock Castle, someone had gone to a lot of trouble making sure this room was brightly lit.

“These are the royal consort’s chambers,” Oren said as we stepped inside. “They haven’t been used in some time, not since the King’s father passed about six years ago, but we have aired them out and prepared them for your arrival as best we could on such short notice.”

“I appreciate that. This has happened rather quickly for all of us.”

“Indeed. King Raith only informed us of your marriage this afternoon when he brought over some of your belongings. It was certainly a…surprise.”

“For Raith and I as well,” I said, with a wry smile.

He gestured to the room. “As royal consort, you have your own personal sitting room, washroom, and bedroom. I’m sure you’ll want to update them to your own style, of course.”

“Did Raith’s wife not stay here?”

He stiffened up, his face going blank. “Lady Silena passed before he became king. They lived in another part of the castle.” He moved to the door and bowed again. “Please let me know if there is anything else you need.”

“Thank you, Oren.” He seemed hesitant to speak at all about the lost princess, which I supposed was understandable, especially if she was well-loved. But I doubted Raith would tell me anything about her, so I had to get information wherever I could.

As soon as he left, a girl about my age entered and dropped into a deep curtsy. She wore a plain blue dress and had blond hair tied back tightly. “Your majesty, I am Loura and it is a great honor to serve you as your lady’s maid.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Loura. Please, call me Rose.” I hadn’t been allowed a single lady’s maid to accompany me to Ilidan, which still stung. But no matter. Though I was completely cut off from my home, I would do what I could to form new bonds here.

“Yes, Queen Rose,” she said, her cheeks flushed.

I gave her a kind smile. “Just Rose is fine. I’m still getting used to the new title, and it’s all a bit overwhelming.”

Loura looked worried at the suggestion she could speak to me without formality, but nodded. “Of course, your...” She swallowed back the word and nodded again.

After taking another look at the sitting room, I moved into the bedroom. It was decorated similarly, with a large canopied bed and an ornate wooden wardrobe, along with a locked door on one side.

“Where does this go?” I asked, flicking open the lock.

“That connects to the King’s chambers,” Loura said.

“Ahh,” I said, with heat rising to my cheeks at the thought of Raith walking through the door later tonight. I left it unlocked. “I suppose I should get ready for him.”

Loura moved to the wardrobe. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve already put away all your things. I can order up a bath for you as well, if you’d like.”

“That would be lovely, thank you.”

After she left the room, I found myself alone for the first time that day. I took a long, deep breath as I sat on the edge of my new bed. In my new room. In my new home. In my new role as wife and queen.