From Slave To Queen (Athena and Michael) novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14

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He simply gives a small nod of his chin. The events don’t invite me to remain here, and the orange hues beginning to streak the sky warn me that Cassian will soon summon me to the dining hall. Even though the sunlight poses no problem for him, he seems to refuse to live beneath it.

I glance over my shoulder more than once, afraid someone might try to attack me again. I don’t trust this being the only attempt from Mavka. I climb the stairs, making sure my shoes don’t make noise, and walk down the east wing’s hallway to my chambers. The guards don’t even flinch at my presence–I can’t say the same.

I sit at the vanity and examine the pink marks around my neck. I still feel the warmth of her hands, and the touch of my cold fingers makes me wince. Some scratches sting.

“Miss Elara!”

Clarissa gasps as she walks heavily toward the vanity. Naida closes the door behind her. Clarissa’s hands, wrinkled with age, sweep the hair from my face and lift it into an improvised bun. Naida joins her and lifts my chin as she inspects the severity of the wounds.

“It’s nothing,” I try to reassure them.

“Nothing?” Clarissa exclaims, upset. “I can’t believe Miss Mavka did this.”

I’m not surprised,” Naida shrugs. “It’s obvious she feels threatened–she sees her position as favorite at risk.”

“Threatened? By me?” I laugh incredulously. “Cassian hates me, he doesn’t even look at me. She’s the sun while I’m just frost. Please, it’s ridiculous.”

“Frost is beautiful–remember it shines like hundreds of crystals, even diamonds.”

Clarissa begins to run her fingers through my hair, undoing some knots before grabbing the brush, while I see Naida open the double wardrobe doors and take out a deep purple dress.

“You forget that frost melts when the sun comes out.”

We fall silent while they work on my appearance. My hair falls straight down my back and only a bit of powder is applied to my cheeks. Out of the corner of my eye, I glance at the little bell next to my bed, which still hasn’t rung despite my nearly week–long stay in the castle. The relief I feel each day will only make the panic greater when it does ring. Without a doubt, Cassian’s hatred for me is something I’ll feel the moment he

summons me.

A look of understanding and affection softens Clarissa’s eyes as she ties a black velvet ribbon around my neck and puts on the ruby earrings–pure provocation. The dress is such a dark purple it could be mistaken for night. The skirts hide my flat shoes, and the sleeves reach the floor. I still haven’t gotten used to these loose dresses, lacking petticoats or corsets. The fabric clings so much to my skin it feels as if I’m wearing nothing at all.

“How did you know what happened?” I ask. “Do news really travel that fast in the castle?”

“Drystan summoned us,” Naida answers, and seeing I don’t recognize the name, she continues, “The Pure who accompanies you on your daytime walks, Cassian’s right hand.”

“Oh, great, so I’m under total surveillance by his henchmen.”

I press my lips together as I finish examining my appearance. Every night my two maids–apparently the only two people who like me, though it may just be out of duty–work magic on me. They transform my wilted appearance into something somewhat presentable.

“Drystan is a good ma…” Naida turns toward me but quickly clears her throat and corrects herself, “He’s kind.”

Was she going to say he’s a good man? Can one even say he’s a good man when he rips out throats, buys us like cattle, and takes away our freedom? Though I suppose the little history they share makes her think that way of him.

They both stay in the room when I leave for my daily meeting with Cassian.

“I love that you think of our dinners as a date.”

I freeze in the middle of the hallway, which earns me a look from one of the guards. I project all my hatred as I keep walking and descend the steps one by one. His deep laugh melodically echoes in my head. I hold my breath.

“Though our big date hasn’t happened yet.”

1 growl before the double doors of the great hall. The guards open them for me, surely thinking I’ve completely lost my mind.

The dim candlelight hanging above makes the place seem warm, despite housing death within its walls. Cassian greets me with legs sheathed in leather riding pants, boots gleaming as if freshly polished, and his shirt with the top buttons undone. His posture is relaxed, one leg slung over the armrest of his seat and one hand lazily holding a goblet that threatens to spill.

The blinding brightness of his blue eyes is amused, he almost looks intoxicated. When he sees me enter the dining hall, an insincere smile pulls at his lips, revealing the white of his teeth and the length of his fangs, ready to strike at any moment.

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Chapter 14

“How is the little beast of this castle?”

My chair is pulled out, and I sit. I go with the strategy of ignoring him. For six nights I’ve endured this torture: being under his scrutiny, listening to his spiteful comments about me, and watching him feed with a churning stomach.

He snaps his fingers, and the servants immediately place dishes on the table, while from a door behin the

him, enters a radiant Mavka. She wears a

kind of veil over her eyes. Even so, I know she must be glaring at me. I try to ignore her as she drops into Cassian’s lap and runs her fingers affectionately through his black hair.

“What’s wrong, Mavka?” Cassian asks in a honeyed voice. “Your choice of outfit surprises me.”

“Forgive me, sir, today I don’t look my best,” she apologizes. I can hear the falseness in her voice, though she tries to sound pitiful. “I wouldn’t want to displease you with my appearance.”

I try to hold back a retort to her idiotic remarks and focus on the meal in front of me. I take a bite and

y eyes meet Cassian’s cerulean ones. Something in the way he looks at me, that brief glance at the ribbon on my neck… he knows. And a wolfish smile crosses his face as the realization

hits.

I expected nothing less. Did I think he would defend me? I’d swear he made a bet with her to see how mine are twins.

long I’d

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