From Slave To Queen (Athena and Michael) novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20

+15.

I walk two steps behind them, and as we go, I realize their rooms must be in a completely different hallway than mine. I thought we were all in the same one, but apparently I was wrong–and as we go further, I confirm it. This hallway of the castle has much more life and movement than mine. Along the way, I see several double doors wide open where girls are chatting. They look up when they see me and fall silent until I’m out of earshot. And so it goes, door after door, until we reach one in particular.

This room is very similar to mine. Same furniture, same style, except for the colors, which here are more vivid and loud. Near the balcony, which is just as shut as mine, there’s a tea table filled with every imaginable delicacy. Around it are two more girls who look at me with curious expressions.

Girls, this is Elara,” the girl with golden hair introduces me. “You know, the latest addition.”

“Nice to meet you.” I open and close my fists, nervous.

“Oh, how careless of me.” She brings a hand to her forehead, giving herself a little slap. “I’m Dorothy.”

I don’t bother remembering her name. My mind has already dubbed her Goldilocks. The others introduce themselves, though I don’t register any of their names. Quickly, each one takes a seat around the table. It’s rather uncomfortable. Goldilocks sits to my left.

“Well, now we’re all here,” she says. “Do you take milk in your tea?”

No milk, thank you.”

With perfect movements, she fills my cup without ever letting go of her smile.

“Where did you live before coming here?” asks the girl who came with Goldilocks, before taking a sip of her tea.

“Ravag.”

“Is that one of the port towns? I’ve heard it’s almost a replica of the Southern Territories.”

“Yes, it’s a port town and, honestly, I have no idea if it resembles the Southern Territories. I don’t know what they’re like and I’ve never been.”

“To get there, we’d have to cross the Twisted Forest,” notes Goldilocks as she serves me pastries on a plate. “And now that we belong to Cassian, we’ll never set foot on those lands!”

I’m astonished by how easily the words leave her mouth. She seems to have fully accepted that we’re mere possessions. I force myself not to say anything, clenching my teeth so hard I fear I’ll break them.

“No doubt, none of you would want to cross the Twisted Forest,” asserts one of the girls, turning in her seat to look directly at me. “My village is almost at the border, and at night, the sounds we heard were chilling. And when a group of men dared to cross it…”

The ending is clear to us all. It ends in death.

“Let’s talk about less frightening things,” suggests Goldilocks. “I heard that at the auction, Cassian paid a scandalous amount for you.”

In the end, every conversation leads to the same place. Yes, he indeed paid much more than expected, but I thought this wouldn’t be the first time a man like him splurged. As he said, when you have so much, what’s the harm in wasting a little? His wealth won’t be much diminished.

“Rumor has it it’s because of your supposed chastity,” says one of them with narrowed eyes.

“There’s nothing supposed about it. I am chaste,” I say, annoyed at such a thing being questioned. “And I don’t think that’s the reason. I can’t be the only one in the same situation.”

“Oh, of course not. I am, and so are all of us here.” She lets out a giggle. “I was just trying to rile you up.”

“I’ve heard Cassian likes to be our first,” says another, speaking for the first time.

And what a thing to say. Just imagining myself in that situation drains the color from my face. That he would be the first and only–especially since I’ll never leave his side unless I die first–is devastating.

“Mavka said he did it with her,” Goldilocks murmurs, “and that they repeat it every night.”

Everyone’s cheeks turn scarlet.

“Putting that aside. Clearly, there’s something special about you. Maybe your scent is delicious.”

“She’s right, maybe that’s it.”

They move on to other things that honestly don’t interest me much, though I’m grateful not to be the main topic anymore. They talk about a new herbal tea they’re being made to drink to enrich their blood and keep them strong; apparently, every two days one of them gives a significant

amount of blood. They’ve never been touched by Cassian, and that reassures me a little–maybe his aversion to humans is actually convenient.

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12:19 PM

Chapter 20

“The only one who’s been touched by those attractive lips is Mavka…”

“Do you envy her?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

I can’t believe it.

“We’re doomed to stay here as long as we live, so why not hope for a little affection?”

“What are you saying? You can’t be serious!”

The blood roars in my ears, drowning out everything around me. I can’t believe this–have they all been brainwashed? Mavka’s attitude was enough, but apparently, she’s not an isolated case. They all long for something from Cassian.

“Let it go, Elara. Don’t try to understand it,” whispers the girl beside me.

After this, a silence as thick as syrup descends. We all shift uncomfortably in our seats, sneaking sidelong glances at break the silence, and it won’t be me.

“What do you think happened to Mavka?”

I lift my eyes from my lap, curious.

What happened to her?”

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