Page 5 of Caress of Fire
“Is that what this is?” Marielle looked at the deep yellow flesh, and nodded. She’d heard of those, knew they were seldom sold at the human market in the capital, imported from the lush valleys where rich Delradon farmers grew such luxuries. Humans could never afford them. “It’s very good. I never tasted them before.”
“I was told they’re excellent.” The girl’s eyes slid to the fruit. “I never had a chance to taste one myself.”
Marielle frowned, then turned around and picked another peach from the plate before turning back to face the girl. “Here you go, then.” She extended her hand to the servant girl.
“Oh, no, Lady Marielle.” The girl stepped back, shaking her head vigorously. “Lady Isobel would never allow servants to eat her peaches. She sent them here foryou.” The girl insisted on the last word.
“Who’s this Lady Isobel?” Marielle didn’t take the peach back but put her hand down.
“She’s Lord Aymond’s sister, and the Lady of the castle.” The girl swallowed, then looked around, like she was afraid to speak. “She sent me to get you. You are to be taken to the throne room to meet the High Lord.”
Marielle squinted at the servant girl. She had an inkling that whoever this Lady Isobel was, she wasn’t going to like her.
“I’m not going anywhere until you eat this peach.” Marielle cocked her head sideways and gave the girl a grin. “You can always tell Lady Isobel I made you do it. You know, humans can be so stubborn sometimes.”
The girl’s eyes widened and she bit her lower lip, then her gaze trailed to the peach in Marielle’s hand. Marielle took a step forward and extended her hand again. This time, the girl smiled and took the fruit, then bit into it with gusto.
A small chuckle escaped the girl’s mouth as juice escaped her lips, and Marielle joined her, biting into her own piece of fruit again. They both ate in silence, savoring the expensive treat while rolling their eyes in delight. When they were finally finished, they both wiped peach juice from their chins and giggled like schoolgirls.
“That was worth it!” the girl said, finally shedding some of her shyness. “It’s the best thing I’ve ever tasted!”
“Definitely!” Marielle agreed, then stared at the beautiful, round features of the Delradon servant. She would need friends, allies in this castle if she was going to survive. “What is your name?”
“I’m Salma.” The girl smiled, her golden eyes shining with humor.
“It’s nice to meet you, Salma,” Marielle answered truthfully. “I could use a friend in this place.”
Salma stared at Marielle, her face suddenly serious, nothing of the giddy girl from a few seconds ago remaining. She looked at Marielle carefully, then nodded, once.
“I will be your friend, Lady Marielle.” Salma backed up to the door, then opened it, revealing two men dressed in the unmistakable red uniforms of the Haals’ personal guard. “You will need one in Aalstad,” she whispered. With one last look at Marielle, Salma slid out the door and left.
Soon, Marielle followed, the guards close at her back. The heavy burden of what her future held descended on her again as she walked the dark, cool hallways of the castle.
Marielle hugged herself close, her mind full of the knowledge that the dangers ahead were nothing compared to the dangers she would face once she gave birth to the Draekon baby.
Because she would not leave her baby behind to be raised by some kind of cold, remote tyrant to become just as cruel as Lord Aymond had always been to humans. No.
Marielle was going to escape once she got the money to pay Ignio Marula, and she was going to take the baby with her to some far corner of this Earth where no one would ever find them. Just her, Devan and the baby.
If I survive that long.
Finally, after many twists and turns, Salma and the guards stood outside a large, ornately carved double door. Marielle stared at it, a queasy feeling blossoming in her stomach, the taste of the peach turning sour on her tongue. In the center of each door was the sigil of House Haal, a single dragon blasting a ring of fire around him in the sky. All around the dragon, flames—like the beasts themselves—scorched the heavens.
A deep, long shiver traveled up her spine, and Marielle hugged herself tighter.
What was waiting for her on the other side of those hideous doors? Would Lord Aymond be kind and comforting, or would he be like the beast he seemed to hold so close to his heart?
Tears came to her eyes and she blinked them back, knowing the guards and Salma were behind her. She had made her choice, and now she had to face it. Her feelings didn’t matter anymore.
Marielle glanced over her shoulder and met Salma’s eyes. The Delradon girl smiled at her and gave her an encouraging nod. Gathering her courage into a tight little ball at the center of her chest, Marielle turned back and pushed the heavy doors open.
She stepped into the throne room. The door made a dull sound as the panels closed behind her, and she made her way inside. The dimensions of the space were dizzying, the ceiling high, the stone carved and adorned with wooden beams, making an ostentatious statement as to the power of those who owned those walls, that ceiling, the entire mountainside and the view as far as the eye could see—and farther.
Everything in this room was designed to make her understand that she, too, belonged to the man who owned this castle.
“Hello?” Marielle walked all the way to the steps leading to the throne. It was so high, all she could see was the bottom of the massive stone chair. “Is someone here?”
What is this? Some sick joke?
