Page 33 of The Book of Legends
“No.”
“Then why are you helping me right now?”
“Like I said, you are no good to me if you’re dead.” He licks the blood from his bottom lip. “I assure you, it’s not an act of kindness.”
“What happened to Lox?”
He angles his head, his expression turning sinister. “I killed him.”
I look away as tears prick my eyes. “You’re a monster.”
A dangerous grin spreads across his lips. “You’re catching on, Selene.”
My eyes peel open at the sound of thunder and then, BOOM!
I sit up on the bed, my hands fumbling over the soft sheets, so different from the scratchy cotton of my dorm room. I blink rapidly, the room swimming in and out of focus until my fingers graze the cool metal frame of my glasses. I slide them on, and the room sharpens. The dark stone walls loom, the flames from the hearth snuffed out.
The hint of dawn filters through the small window, basking the room in twilight. A gust of wind slips through the open window, carrying with it the scent of sulfur. My nose wrinkles.
“What is that smell?”
I push off the bed, my bare feet meeting the cold floor. Every step is a reminder this isn’t a dream. After Kainen took care of my cuts, he sent me back to my room with Nieve in tow and a tray of food. I was relieved he didn’t have my hands shackled.After Nieve left with my tray, no one came back. I must have fallen asleep.
After freshening up, I rummage through the wardrobe, my fingers brushing over soft silks, delicate laces, and leathers. My leggings and sweater are crumpled in the corner, still thoroughly stained and smelling of ash and earth beyond salvation.
Blowing on a puff of air, I pull on a suede dress that hits mid-thigh, its color muted like autumn leaves, the leather sandals cool against my skin. The dress is too short, the cut too revealing, but I have no other choice.
I catch a glimpse of myself in the large square piece of metal hanging on the wall by the wardrobe. Big glasses, tired eyes, and a dress that makes me look like I want more than to go back home. I swallow the rising fear and open the door.
My steps are silent against the stone. The corridor is dimly lit once I make it to the last step. The sconces flicker, shadows slinking along the walls. The air is charged with mystery. The castle shifts as if the stones are alive, my hand on the wall for balance as it trembles, bits of stone and dust falling above. I gasp when the ground shakes again; a low guttural roar reverberates through the stone.
My stomach twists. “What the fuck was
that?”I follow the echo of voices that leads to a corridor. Giggles, soft and sharp, are followed by the thud of a closing door. I step back, pressing myself against the wall as two petite figures emerge with barely anything on before catching sight of two more topless on the bed.
Nymphs.
Their pointed ears peek through glossy hair, their gossamer dresses floating around their ankles, skin luminescent in the dim light.
When the door shuts, a blonde with pale silky hair and a white dress pauses and gives me a smile. They’re both gorgeous. Petite, with skin so perfect you would think it was porcelain. Flawless.
The Nymph next to her gives her a glance, and then they both burst into a fit of giggles. I’m stupid not to think they are laughing at me because of my glasses. I’ve been subjected to it often enough.
“You must be Selene,” the blonde Nymph says.
“Yes, I’m sure you’ve heard about me.”
“My name is Vel.” She then points to the dark-haired Nymph. “This is Angeline.”
Angeline waves at me.
“If you go through there…” Vel gestures to the corridor I came through last night, leading to the dining room. “You will find breakfast. Prince Kainen requested it be ready before you woke up.”
“Where is he?” I ask.I want to explore the castle. See if I can find a way back home.
“Oh, he left us earlier.” I glance at the double doors they both exited through.
“And that’s…”
