Page 24 of The Umbra King

Bellina fumbled the garment she was holding before she burst out laughing. “I knew I was going to like you. Take that dress off so we can measure your pajamas. You can either wear a two-piece flannel set or a shift.”

Rory stared at the offending fabric in the seamstress’ hand. “A shift? I’m not two-thousand years old.” She tended to run hot in her sleep and knew she would sooner sleep naked than in the flannel. Sighing, she pointed at the white fabric. “The shift.”

Bellina smirked. “You get credits for ten items of clothes, five sets of undergarments, and two pairs of shoes a month to spend in town. The clothes there are normal.”

“We’re allowed to leave?” Rory asked, surprised. “And we get credits?”

Bellina nodded. “You also get credits to spend on extra non-necessity items like beer, pastries, and games. This realm is nothing like the nightmare we were told. In some ways, it’s better than Erdikoa.” She paused. “Except for the no sunlight thing.”

According to Rory’s history classes in school, Vincula’s days were the equivalent of dusk in Erdikoa, and the nights were pitch black with no stars or moon except once a month when the moon was full in Erdikoa. When this happened, in Vincula, the moon and stars made an appearance for the inmates to enjoy. It was called the Plenilune. She tried not to slump at the knowledge that she wouldn’t feel sunshine on her face for a very long time.

On her mother’s good days, they would sometimes meet her father at the park for a walk or picnic, something she would never do again.

Tears pricked her eyes, and she turned away. She could only hope Dume and her father would make sure her mother was taken care of.

The enforcers would have notified her father of her incarceration. At least she hoped they did. She knew he would never leave her mother alone, but sometimes it hurt Lenora to see her ex-husband on her good days. It would be better if Dume lived with her instead.

Pain squeezed her chest at the thought of never seeing her again. By the time her contract was over, her mother would be long dead, as would her father and her friends.

A finger tapped her forehead. “I know that look,” Bellina said softly. “Get out of your head. If I had my abilities down here, I would help, but you’ll have to calm down on your own.”

The shift fell over her shoulders, and Rory looked down. The straps were small, the front met in a V just above her bust, and the bottom hit about mid-thigh. It was made of a soft, white silk and was basically a nightie instead of the dreadful smock she was expecting.

“How long are you here for?” Rory asked.

Bellina motioned for her to turn and began adding more pins. “One-hundred years. I’ve been here for two.”

“That isn’t so bad. There’s still a chance you can see your wife again.” Rory peeked at Bellina over her shoulder, and theVisitant’seyes met hers.

“That is what keeps me going. Lexa was only twenty-nine and aFey.”

Rory nodded in understanding.Fey’slives were on the longer end of the spectrum.

“We’re done,” Bellina announced and motioned for Rory to remove the garment. “What is your shoe size?”

“Twenty-four and a half,” Rory responded, wondering what type of shoes she had to wear while working.

Bellina packed away her supplies as she spoke. “Your new clothes will be here by this evening.”

“That fast?” Rory thought sewing took longer, but then again, she’d never sewn a day in her life.

The woman nodded as she gathered the dresses. “There should already be uniforms and shifts in your size. If not, it doesn’t take long to resize them.”

“How many seamstresses are there?” Rory inquired as she wondered if the Vincula palace was as large as the Erdikoa one.

Bellina opened the door and as she left, called over her shoulder, “A lot. Welcome to Vincula.”

8

Later that night,Rory stepped out of the shower and slipped her shift over her head. When they delivered her new clothes, they took her old ones to wash. She’d have to wait until they brought them back before she ventured into town.

She found a comb and other toiletry items under the sink and began working the knots from her hair when someone knocked on her door. Before she could cross the room, the door opened, and Samyaza stood on the other side, looking imposing as ever.

“Caius has summoned you,” he said robotically.

Rory glanced from her shift to the mountain in front of her. “Now?”

He said nothing and stepped aside for her to exit into the hallway.

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