In the Shadows

Chapter Five

 The bright sunrise filtered through the windows, waking Iselora. Her chest and throat were sore from the previous night’s events. As she moved to sit up she noticed something was holding her hand. Looking over she saw that it was the man who helped her to bed the night before. Her cheeks blushed realizing that this man had seen her naked. Did he sleep here all night? Iselora’s face reddened even more at the thought. His sleeping face was handsome, there was something animalistic about him that Iselora could not place. His breath came evenly. Iselora took this time to look at the room that she was in. The sunlight allowed her to see the land that spread out below her room. The mountainside was breathtaking. The vibrant colors blended and weaved within each other. The glow of the sun offered a warmth to the room that had not existed before. Iselora felt as if she had come home. 

Iselora wanted to explore the room but did not want to disturb the sleeping man. Iselora tried to gently pull her right hand free, realizing that her other hand was bandaged in a way that supported her wrist. She did not remember this happening but it must have happened last night when she fell asleep. Iselora had barely nudged her hand free when the man lifted his head on full alert but there was still a sleepiness that clouded his eyes. Iselora jumped from the sudden movement, catching the man’s gaze and saw relief wash through his body like a wave. The man stood slowly and stretched, displaying his full height and the muscled body that hid in his previously hunched figure. After collecting himself, the man bowed and left Iselora’s room without a word. Before the door shut Svila fluttered in to tend to Iselora’s needs. “Thank you Cerberus!” Svila called over her shoulder as the door closed softly. 

Svila came to the side of the bed and wrapped Iselora in a tight hug. Iselora hugged back, thankful for the friendly contact. Svila released Iselora and stood quickly. “I will go get your dress, please wait here”. Before Iselora could respond Svila had sprinted into the closet to retrieve the red dress that Iselora had worn the day before. Iselora hesitantly stood from the bed, using the frame for support. Svila cautiously approached her and helped her into the dress. As the last clasp was fastened, Iselora’s stomach growled in protest. Svila giggled and took Iselora’s non-bandaged hand, “Time for breakfast.” 

On their way to the dining hall, they crossed paths with Cerberus, he was carrying a tray of delicious smelling food. Iselora smiled at him in greeting. “Hello Cerberus!” Svila beamed at the sight of him. Cerberus smiled wide like a puppy whose owner just walked in the door. After a giggle Svila whispered, “You better get going, His Majesty is waiting”. Svila giggled a little harder at his fallen expression. Svila reached a delicate hand towards Cerberus’ face. Cerberus leaned to meet her hand and received a peck on the cheek. If Cerberus had a tail, it would have been vibrating from happiness.After their encounter with Cerberus, the two women giggled as they went to have something to eat. Iselora learned that Cerberus was one of a set of werewolf triplets. Svila glowed as she talked about Cerberus, making it clear that she was smitten by him. The picture of their height contrast in terms of being a couple made Iselora giggle even harder. 

The dining hall was monstrous in size and delicately ornate. The heavy oak table was so long that eight centerpieces were placed in strategic places. Iselora’s place  was in between the second and third centerpiece, the only chair with a placeset positioned in front of it. The chair was solid and heavy but Svila maneuvered it without a problem. Iselora had just been seated when the doors connecting the kitchen burst open and two butlers entered with silver trays in hand. One had an assortment of liquids while the other food. The smell of coffee and home cooked breakfast excited a feeding frenzy inside of Iselora’s stomach. The trays were set on either side of where Iselora sat. Both butlers watched her expectantly, waiting on her to list the items she wanted. Iselora looked behind her towards Svila who was standing where handmaids traditionally did when their ladies occupied a public space. Svila offered an encouraging smile “Why are you not eating with me?” Iselora asked, confused. Svila bowed her head briefly, “My lady, I am not high enough rank to sit at the table. Besides, I have already eaten.” Svila had a reassuring tone in her voice but Iselora felt that she was leaving something out. Iselora accepted Svila’s answer and turned to choose her breakfast. Iselora gravitated towards the fresh coffee with a complementary array of foods. It felt weird to be watched as she ate. She would have liked for Svila to join her but understood why she could not. A sudden feeling of loneliness began to creep into Iselora. After her breakfast was finished, Iselora turned to Svila and decided to finally get some answers as to what was going on.

“Svila, I have some questions and I want the truth. Where are we? Who is his majesty? Why am I here? The Minders said he bought me, for what reason? Why me?” Iselora rambled off all the questions that had attached themselves to her brain. Svila was taken aback by the bombardment of the questions. After all the questions had left Iselora, Svila began to ponder what would be the best course of action. Finally, Svila spoke up,”I think His Majesty should be the one to answer your questions. I will set up an audience with him as soon as I can.” Svila’s previous smile was replaced by a half-hearted one as if she was afraid for Iselora. “Yes, I guess that would be best.” Iselora agreed “Then I guess I should look my best, I think the green dress would be better suited than this one.” Iselora glanced down at her body trying to imagine the emerald green against her skin. Svila curtsied before exiting. 

Iselora took this opportunity to explore the room. The high ceiling was painted in a series of different scenes that seemed to somehow connect with each other. There were a variety of styles, some looked foreign, prompting Iselora to wonder how they got there. These sections decorated the long room. All were decorated but a few close to the end of the hall were blank. It was odd, it seemed like it was an unfinished story. It obviously took a lot of work that went into creating the skyward masterpiece, why leave those blank? Before Iselora could ponder the possibilities, Svila had reappeared. “He will see you as soon as you are ready.” Svila’s words had a grim undertone. “Then we had better not keep him waiting.” Iselora declared, using all of her strength to sound confident. “Did you still want to change dresses?” Svila asked. Iselora thought for a second, “This dress will do, I do not want to keep His Majesty waiting on me.” With a curtsy, Svila began to lead Iselora to the throne room.

The walk was not a long one but with each step Iselora questioned what she was doing. Maybe she should have changed. Svila had said that the other dress complimented her better than the red one she wore. The women stopped in front of a set of double doors that seemed to reach the sky. Stationed in front of the doors were two looming guards in full, gleaming armor. The only thing visible were the red beady eyes that followed Iselora’s every movement. Iselora could feel her heart begin to race from panic. Svila stepped forward to address the monsters. “Lady Iselora Cyrras to keep her appointment with His Majesty Asmodeus Set”. Svila spoke with an authority strong enough that Iselora would have thought she was the noble instead of herself. Except one thing, Iselora was not a noble. Her blood was muddied, the Minders had told her so. The two guards nodded their heads before turning to push the doors open. The doors required enormous effort due to their sheer size as shown from the guard’s straining bodies. Svila wrapped her arm around Iselora’s waist to escort her through the massive archway.

The room opened up to a towering ceiling in a similar style to that in the dining hall, but there were more blank spaces. A carpet runner sprawled forth in front of the women. The runner brought attention to two high backed chairs that projected power. Stained glass windows lined the walls on the left and right allowing filtered light to fill the room. The images on the windows were generic, so as not to draw attention off the throne. The chandeliers above were dripping in crystals, but there was no need for them to be lit. There was a mustiness in the air as if the room was rarely used. No one in the room besides Svila and Iselora. King Asmodeus had not arrived yet. The women made their way towards the throne eventually stopping just shy of the short staircase that separated them from the magnificent chairs fit for any king, or even any god.

A door opened to their left and Iselora’s eyes widened at the man that walked in. He was beautiful. His facial features were masculine with a touch of androgyny. He was neatly shaven and dressed in a suit perfectly tailored to every measurement and moved with his body. The way this man walked was enchanting, he was smooth and graceful. The man raised his eyes to meet Iselora’s. Iselora had never seen a color like his. His eyes held a color comparable to the pink of a rose. Iselora felt the air fill her lungs as she inhaled his intoxicating scent of fresh pine and summer. Every sense of Iselora’s body was honed in on this man that radiated authority.

Iselora had not realized that Svila had knelt beside her until she felt a slight tug on her arm. Iselora looked down and quickly imitated her friend. The only sound that could be heard was the echo of footsteps. The man stopped in front of Iselora. “Svila, you may go.” His tone was curt. Iselora wanted to melt into the floor, the sound of his voice still resonating in her mind. Svila silently stood, bowed and left. There was a heaviness in the air as the couple waited to be alone. The heavy doors shut with a thundering solidness. The man sighed and bent down. Iselora chose not to lift her head, for fear of offending His Majesty. After a moment Iselora felt a hand slid under her chin and began to gently pull it up. Iselora obliged, tingles spreading from the contact his skin made with hers. His face was only a few inches from hers. If Iselora was not already kneeling, her knees would have been shaking. The man dropped his hand, seemingly taking in her appearance with a blank expression. Iselora felt uneasy with his appraising gaze. “My name is Asmodeus Set. I hope you will enjoy your life here.” His voice was smooth and alluring. A small smile spread Iselora’s face, “everything here is so beautiful, I have been taken well care of.” Iselora found herself losing herself in his eyes. They seemed to be wrapping themselves around Iselora, calling her closer. Asmodeus went to reach for Iselora’s hands but frowned at the sight of the bandages. “Who did this?” Asmodeus asked, anger leaking in his tone. “The Minders, I tried to escape, but they…” Iselora did not know how to finish her sentence, she did not need to. “First your beautiful hair. Now this?” The voice that spoke now was angry and dark.