Page 23 of Deadwood
With my father’s reaction to Bowen’s appearance in the meeting room the other day, their dislike for each other was clear. I wasn’t sure where it stemmed from, and I shouldn’t be curious. It was none of my business.
But being locked behind these castle walls my entire life, boredom was an all too close friend of mine, and this new tension piqued my interest.
With my departure in a few days, I was sure I’d get no information out of subtle snooping and light eavesdropping, so for now, I’d let it go. Bowen would be gone by the time I was back anyway.
Might as well forget about the issue altogether.
CHAPTER 9
Istartled as I woke to a dress hanging in the open window of my room. The breeze ruffled the fabric, making my tired mind believe it was a person at first glance rather than a gown. Once I realized it was only a piece of clothing, I groaned and covered my face with the sheets. Through the thin fabric, the sound of the door to my room opening caused me to peek an eye out.
“Oh, good. You’re awake,” Katie said, floating across the room in her usual drab attire.
“Unfortunately,” I muttered, but then she grabbed the sheets and yanked them back. “Hey!”
She ignored my protests, moving to the hanging dress. The brisk morning chill wafting through the window ate at my bare legs.
“What could possibly be so important that I have to wear that?” The dress was pure silk, silver lace covering the top half of the garnet outfit.
“You’re going to the city, Auria.”
I froze in my movements to get out of bed. “I’m going where?”
“Silicate. You’ve heard of it.”
“Of course I have,” I said, exasperated. Was this actually happening?
“Oh, Auria,” my maid began, a look of understanding on her face as she regarded me. “Do not be scared.”
“I’m not scared, I’m…in shock.”
That had to be an acceptable reaction for someone who had never been to the city that was only a thirty-minute ride away on horseback. Would I get to ride a horse? Talk to the people who live in the city? Visit Taylin where she grew up?
“But excited, right?”
“Yes,” I answered, finally getting up from the bed. The cold stone seeped through the rug beside my bed, biting into my exposed toes.
“You’ll enjoy your time there, I’m sure. I don’t visit often, but try not to judge it at first appearance. Not everyone is as well-off as your father. Not every place looks like”—her eyes roamed the room—“this.” Her hand ran down the side of the dress, as if her mind was somewhere else as she spoke.
I didn’t expect the town to be lavish and sparkling. Just seeing different scenery than the same stone walls and long hallways would be enough for me.
“The guards will keep you safe, as I’m sure Lander will as well,” she continued, holding the dress out to me.
I froze at the word. “Safe?” Was it dangerous there?
She eyed me hesitantly, like she was debating how much to tell. “You need to be careful outside the chasm, Auria. There could be things—” She stopped herself.
“What things?” I pressed.
She shook her head, pushing the dress closer to me. “I’ve said too much.”
I slowly took it from her, the soft fabric running through my fingers as her warning rang through my head.
“You’re the king’s daughter, Auria. People may not treat you the same as you are treated here.” But the way she said it, it seemed it wasn’t only the people she was trying to warn me about. “Just stay close to them, okay?”
I’d never seen such concern in her eyes, let alone hear it in her voice. Katie was more a mother figure to me than Heidi had ever been, regardless of her title as my maid.
“I will,” I assured her, dropping it. She said I’d be kept safe, and I didn’t doubt that. I couldn’t hold too much fear in this, knowing I was finally getting what I wanted—to leave. “Will I visit the cellars before we depart?”
