Page 94 of Of Blood and Smoke

I took a step closer to her. “Do not fear; they’ll sense it, and it will give them more power. You can survive this because you know I’m coming for you. Do not be afraid.”

A tremble ran through her, shaking her knees. “I can do that, I think,” she said quietly, her voice faltering. “Be quiet and agreeable and wait for you,” she said, nodding.

I glanced at the blankets on her bed. Somehow none of the flower poison had transferred. Her room may have been more spelled than I thought. “Get back in the bed.”

Della shuffled to the side of the mattress and climbed in. “How long? Do you know?”

“Time flows differently here,” I replied, not having an answer for her.

Visions of storming the grounds and destroying the compound flashed through my mind, tempting me to rain down hell. It never should’ve come to this; I should’ve killed them all during the Selection Ritual.

“Don’t eat any of the meat unless you don’t mind consuming human flesh. And don’t drink the water.” Water was an ideal system for poison and curse delivery. “Unless it comes in a bottle,” I clarified. She wouldn’t survive without water.

“I think you told me about the water before,” she mused. “I wanted to see your home, I just didn’t imagine this…that this would be how. I really thought I was doing the right thing.”

A tear ran down her cheek and I would’ve given anything to wipe it from her face and keep it. “Della don’t fear. I’ll come for you. They fooled you and that’s not your fault.”

FORTY-FOUR

Della

When Josiah left, he disappeared as if he were a plume of smoke or an apparition. My head felt fuzzy, and it was as if I were in a dream, still sleeping. The things that were happening to me, I’d spent my whole life thinking they only happen in the movies.

It seemed as if I’d laid there for hours. When I got tired of rotting in bed, I got up and began to explore the room. The ensuite bathroom was a luxurious mass of marble, suitable for a castle or penthouse with a sunken tub, dual wash basins, and a doorless shower with rainfall showerheads. There was an entire wall of mirrors, heated towel racks, and cabinet after cabinet of gorgeous bath products, makeup, and other toiletries.

The bedroom was more like living quarters, with couches and a table, separated by a wall from the sleeping area. A large wooden wardrobe contained all sorts of clothing, as well as a dresser with lounge and sleeping wear, and an extensive assortment of undergarments.

The fabrics were exquisite, all satin, silk, soft cotton, and other fine materials that felt like butter against my skin. I chose leggings and a tunic-style shirt and brought them intothe bathroom. Josiah had said not to drink the water, so I had some reservations about climbing into a basin full of potentially suspect liquid. I felt gross, and I didn’t know what else to do. As long as I didn’t drink my own bath water, I figured I should be all right.

After unscrewing and flipping countless bottle caps, I found an oil I wanted to scent the water with. There was no identifying script to tell me what the fragrance was, but I picked one I liked, filled the tub, and got in.

The script on the bottle was in English, but it didn’t tell me anything about the perfume and I couldn’t have described it if I tried. I leaned back in the tub, buoyed in the huge bin and surrounded by beautiful scents and soothing steam and shut my eyes.

“There you are, beautiful.”

My eyes snapped open, and water sloshed against the sides of the tub. Ezra stood, looming over me and wearing what looked like ceremonial robes. Politely, he kept his eyes on my face.

“You scared me,” I muttered, although I’m sure it was obvious to him.

Ezra snagged a fluffy towel from the wall and held it open. “You must get dressed for dinner. I trust you approve of your choices?”

Hesitating a moment, I stepped out, trying to shield my breasts with one arm and my lower body with the other. He stepped forward, trying to wrap the fabric around me but I grabbed it and tucked it around me. “Thank you, yes they’re pretty.”

The man didn’t even try to hide it when he suddenly looked me up and down slowly. It was all I could do to hide my revulsion. Finally, he said, “I will send someone to escort you at the appropriate hour. Do you have any dietary restrictions?”

The question felt like a test, after some of the things Josiah had said earlier about food and water. “No, I don’t. Thank you for asking.”

“I’ll give you space,” Ezra said. I gave him a small smile and he turned and left.

Based upon Ezra’s seemingly formal clothing, I changed what I’d picked out to wear to a dress—a long, black gown that fit me like a glove with shoes to match. I put on some of the provided makeup, concealing the circles below before painting on dark, smoky eyes. It occurred to me that I may be placing hidden enchantments on my skin if the makeup was infused with magicand I didn’t want tohelp these people do whatever it was they were trying to do to me. At this point, I didn’t have much choice; I was in completely foreign territory and the cosmetics were already on my skin.

Remaining stagnant wouldn’t help me, either. If I was going to stay alive, I needed to play my part and behave normally, take charge of whatever I could. People who were invited to dinner didn’t show up looking like they’d been dragged off a couch, they dressed up and made themselves presentable.

Sure enough, there was a knock on my door a little while later. Opening the door, I was greeted by a man in a uniform that looked faintly military style with its crisp collar and sharp edges. He escorted me from my room and down the hall before we crossed the entry area I’d been brought through when I’d arrived. Curious gazes skated over my skin, and I felt every single one. I could almost sense their questions.

Trying to take everything in, my gaze darted around, meeting stares and attempting to familiarize myself with the palace’s layout. My heels click-clacked against the stone flooring, the sound nearly lost beneath the murmuring, soft laughter, chit chat and electronic beeping of doors and devices. I marveled at the dichotomy of my surroundings.

Lucite computer screens with colors streaming up and down contrasted with the battle-axes, shields, and swords mounted on the walls. It was both futuristic, and not, though the differences weren’t uncomfortable. Somehow, it all flowed together when it shouldn’t have.

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