CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
BETH
My entourage had brought me straight to a suite in a different part of the palace.
I’d be hard pressed to find my way back to the main courtyard after traversing one corridor after another, then going up a flight of stairs and down two flights of stairs. I didn’t even know which level of the building I was on.
There were no windows here, but it didn’t feel oppressive because of its spaciousness. The commander opened the door, and I entered a large room with two doors on either side.
He informed me the king would see me later in the afternoon, and that I’d be provided with suitable clothing and refreshments. After he left, two Fae women entered, carrying a large bag between them. They were older and better dressed than the two girls who’d looked after us at the Olwen’s tavern.
Both women curtsied and remained near the door with their eyes lowered. Their dresses were lovely. Fabric panels in pink, beige, and pastel blue, wrapped like petals around their slender bodies, giving them the appearance of spring flowers.
They were about my height but seemed fragile and insubstantial compared to me. Their eyes were bright silver and their pointy ears clearly visible through their fine white-blonde hair.
I didn’t know what to say to them. After a good minute, the silence grew so awkward, I wanted to walk away and pretend they didn’t exist. Thankfully, they exchanged glances and decided to take the initiative.
The older one said, “My name is Margiad, and this is Delyth. We will look after you, milady.”
As she spoke, she avoided my gaze, as did her friend. It made me feel weird—maybe I had to get used to being waited on, but enough with this deferential bullshit. Especially since I looked like something the cat dragged in, compared to these two exquisite Fae women.
I painted a bright smile on my face and said, “Thank you. Would you be able to get me some new clothes? I really need to get out of these.”
Pulling the fabric away from my arm, I exaggerated a grimace to lighten the mood. “I’ve been in these dirty rags for far too long. By the way, you can call me Beth.”
Delyth’s hand flew to her mouth to stifle a gasp. She stammered, “I… That is not appropriate, milady.”
Oh, for goodness’ sake. “Look. I grew up in the human world. We don’t do the bowing and scraping. I’m not comfortable treating you like I’m better than you.”
Judging by the shock on their faces, I wasn’t getting through to them. Not that I’d expected it, anyway. Women hadn’t managed to break the patriarchy in our own world. Why did I think I’d break centuries of caste structures with one short conversation?
“So, did you bring me some clothes?”
Margiad curtsied. “Yes, milady Beth.”
Small steps. I waited while she opened the bag and pulled out a dress. She held it up, and I inhaled sharply, overcome with the need to own this thing. The fabric was as silky and light as the dresses Margiad and Delyth wore. The difference was in the color.
Theirs were soft and light like spring. This dress was dark-blue, like a midnight sky, studded with precious gems across the tight bodice. The hem was embroidered with silver thread. Night flowers grew from the bottom, filigrane tendrils reaching all the way to the deep neckline.
I forgot to breathe as I took in all the details, the silver fabric peeking from slitted sleeves, the train attached to the shoulders, flowing down the back. The color was perfect for me, setting off my pale skin and reddish hair. The dress would shimmer across every curve of my body, making me look like a queen.
While I was entranced in the garment, Delyth had opened the door to the next room. “Come, milady. We will draw you a bath first before you get dressed.”
I lit up at the suggestion. I’d thought I’d have to scrape myself down with a cloth and limited water. The idea of sinking into a hot tub and soaking away the dirt from between my toes and other bits was enough to give me raptures.
“Oh, my God. Yes, please.”
Margiad carried the dress and placed it reverently over a chair. Then she followed Delyth to help her while I finally got a chance to take in my surroundings.
There was another door, and when I opened it, I found myself in an opulent bedroom with a king-sized bed, piled high with silk and woolen blankets.
The sheets were made of fabric with a higher thread count than was possible in the human world. The blankets draped across the bed were so soft, I couldn’t even begin to guess which animal the wool had come from. The walls were made of stone, their roughness contrasting with the silk tapestry depicting flower scenes. The floor was smooth marble, but not cold underfoot, as I’d expected.
Everything seemed enhanced. The fabrics were finer and softer. The metalwork was more filigrain than any human artisan would be able to produce. I wished Bleddyn was here so I could ask him if this was a Fae glamor, or if they used magic to produce such opulence.
I toyed with the idea of throwing myself onto the bed, but I really needed to have a bath first. My hair was greasy, and I knew my feet were black with dirt and sand. The rough sandals Bleddyn had bought for me in the market hadn’t kept the grime off the skin.
I pursed my mouth in disgust. Out there, in the tavern, I hadn’t realized how disgusting I’d become. It had only taken me a few days to get used to it. But here, in these incredible surroundings, I stuck out like a very dirty thumb.
Delyth appeared in the doorway and called out to me. “Come, milady. Your bath is ready.”
I followed her across the entry room to the other side. I’d expected a tub similar to what I’d bathed in at the tavern, but I gasped in surprise when I saw what was in the other room. How was this even possible?
An actual pool, maybe ten by ten feet, was filled to the rim with hot, turquoise water. The women must have added something, because it smelled deliciously of spring, and the milky sheen promised my skin would be soft and smooth after the bath.
I was about to take off my dirty rags when I realized that the two women still stood by the entrance, watching me. Turning with my top pulled up to my chin, I said, “Is there anything else you need?”
I was trying to be polite, but they looked at each other in confusion, with no intention of letting me bathe by myself.
I tried again. “I’m sorry, but in the human world, we bathe by ourselves.”
Margiad wrung her hands, and Delyth looked supremely uncomfortable. Clearly, I was missing something. Finally, Delyth said, “We were given an order to stay with you at all times.”
Margiad added hastily, “This is for your protection, milady. The prince would be devastated if you had an accident in the bath.”
So the order to keep me supervised came from the prince. I wasn’t surprised, but it gave me another piece of the puzzle. To test my theory, I asked, “So if I didn’t want to clean up and rather take a walk around the palace, would you come with me?”
Delyth looked scandalized. “No, milady. You are not allowed to leave this room. There are guards outside.”
I nodded, resigning myself to my situation. Clearly, the prince had no intention of letting me escape. No, I was staying here where he had full control over me.
I was also getting angry with the two women, even though I knew it wasn’t their fault. They’d be in big trouble if they didn’t follow the prince’s orders. I’d only just arrived here. They owed me no loyalty.
Throwing my embarrassment to the wind, I turned my back and quickly stripped out of the disgusting rags, dropping them where I stood. Then I jumped into the hot water to cover myself as quickly as possible.
I felt a little guilty that strangers would have to deal with my dirty laundry. But then again, why should I? They were supposed to take care of me, didn’t they?
While closing my eyes and keeping my head underwater, I revelled in the sensation of the warm water enveloping my body. When I ran out of air, I surfaced, still keeping my eyes closed. I wasn’t ready to return to reality just yet.
Somebody’s fingers touched my scalp and began massaging a sticky substance into my hair. Gloriously, strong fingertips rubbed the skin and moved across my scalp. It felt so soporific, it took me a moment to realize one of the women must have joined me in the pool.