Page 18 of Kingdom of Flames & Flowers
So much expense. For whom?
“Come. It is time for your inspection,” she intoned, gesturing at us to fall into line like a bunch of children. Which we did. Freesia’s nose lifted in the air with superiority, gloating over the fact she’d been correct about what would happen next.
The queen clapped her hands twice and grinned, the two remaining fireguards opening the heavy doors for us. I hoped Zariah had gotten away ok and didn’t get into any trouble because of me.
And another girl was dead. Not just another girl. Ivy. She had a name.
Would the rest of us make it out of here alive? It didn’t seem so. Then again, why kill us if we could be useful as wives to other nobles? Something about this entire premise didn’t sit well with me, but I couldn’t put my finger on what it was. Not yet.
The queen didn’t speak as she led us down the corridor, down a set of spiral stone steps, and through another hallway, taking lefts and rights that left me completely turned around. There’s no way we’d be able to get back to our rooms without help.
Finally, we descended the final staircase. Here, the white marble gave way to a dark, foreboding stone. The air was musty and wet, and the light faded. It was dark, and getting harder to see. Slimy growths crawled along the stone walls and under our feet.
“Watch your footing. Wouldn’t want to start the day with a snapped neck.”
Every girl slowed their steps. No one wanted to see a second death today. Well,Ididn’t. The fireguards probably thought it was all entertaining.
The bottom of the steps opened up into what I could only describe as a dungeon. It was a large room with a raised platform in the middle. It was made of wood, but on top was a smooth, flat stone. Standing next to it was a man in stiff white robes, as well as a prima in her flowing purple. The prima looked as unflappable and expressionless as the others had in the bathing chamber. For a moment I thought the man had black hair like me, but as I stared, I realized that wasn’t quite right—it was just a dark brown like Heather and Hyacinthe’s. Regardless, it was oily, and tied back in a knot behind his head. He also had hair on his chin like the king had. He and the prima didn’t look any happier to be there than we were.
Surely, they were joking. With the excess of fur and fabrics upstairs, they couldn’t at least put something down between us and the cold stone slab?
No, this wasn’t a coincidence. This was a power play by the queen to remind us of our place, and to make us afraid.
The queen gave us a sickening smile. “Come now. Don’t waste the day. The prima and my noble will inspect you to ensure you are free of diseases and worthy of my son.” She pointed at Leilani. “You, dear. Go on.”
**Trigger warning begins here.**
I cringed for my friend and reached out to give her hand a squeeze as she walked by. Slowly, she climbed up onto the platform, and the man and woman moved to stand in front of her.
“Lie down,” the prima commanded. “Noble Vession is here to ensure we do a proper inspection. He speaks for the nobles and makes most of the matches.”
The girls straightened up at this, and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I was more concerned for Leilani, whose fear was palpable as the prima reached for the bottom of her dress the moment she laid down.
Leilani let out a small gasp as the prima unapologetically hiked her dress up past her hips, baring her naked bottom before all of us. Then she was laying down.
That was bad enough. Then the prima put her hands on Leilani’s bare knees and wrenched them apart, her most private areas on full display for the two strangers standing over her.
At least we couldn’t see that part, though it must be little comfort. I refused to look away, as did the others. It was awful, but we needed to know what we were going to face. We were next.
It wasn’t hard to deduce what was going on by the pained expression on Leilani’s face as tears leaked from the corners of her eyes. She bore it bravely, her fingers gripping the edges of the stone so hard the white of her knuckles shone. Was this sacrifice still worth the reward? Would all the girls in the quarters be as eager to come to the Seat if they knew what inner horrors awaited them? Probably. My mother would always be bitter her chance had been taken from her; it didn’t matter what she would have had to endure. A moment of discomfort was well worth a guaranteed lifetime of food and shelter.
Freesia swallowed heavily next to me. “My father said the exam was only cursory and limited to our outside skin.”
The queen’s eyes snapped to her with vicious delight. “Oh, but surely you realized we must takeextracare of those vying for my son’s hand? The royal line is at stake after all.”
Freesia had nothing to say to that, nor did I.
Apparently Azalea did, though. “Is it true that sometimes your … yourpuritybreaks doing other things? I heard a girl say it can happen, and you’d never know.”
The queen’s smile didn’t budge. “For ladies of proper breeding, this won’t be an issue.” Her silver gaze flashed to me, and the corner of her lip upturned in a smirk.
Oh, that bitch. She was counting on the fact I’d lived a hard life to disqualify me. And then what? Kill me? Feed me to the dragon? Send me off to wed some other noble? And, I didn’t even really understand what they were talking about. Our purity? What the hell was that and how could we unknowingly break it? My mind sped to last night with Zariah, and panic flared through my veins. My rational brain fought for control.How would you know any of that took place from looking between my legs?
I looked away, unable to take the grimace of pain on Leilani’s face.
Finally, the prima declared her ‘pure’ and allowed Leilani to roll off the platform. She walked back to us with silent tears streaming down her face.
The queen gleefully pointed at Azalea, and the process continued.
