Chapter twenty-eight: Healing and Instructions
Each step toward the mansion was miserable and irritating – to say the least. The chill in the air and the lack of proper sleep left me shivering. A few times, I attempted to rub my arms, but my body heat was nonexistent.
After the initial barking of orders, neither of the guards spoke to me. One walked a few feet ahead, while the other walked close behind me. I’m surprised they didn’t bind me this time. If I had shoes on – and I had no idea when I lost them – I wouldn’t have thought twice about trying to run off.
After what felt like several hours, we reached the back of the building. The guard ahead pulled open a servant's door, tossed a look over his shoulder to see if I was still following, and stepped inside.
I hesitated, looking out the corners of my eye. I could try running – shoes or no shoes. With one of them inside, I could potentially get away. No. Probably not. The only gate I knew of was on the other side of the building. Not only that, but I was still aching all over.
“What are you doing?” The guard snapped, pushing me forward. “Get a move on.”
Why don’t you just screw off? I rolled my eyes and walked into the building. How much do they get paid to be pricks?
The moment I stepped inside, a soft warmth enveloped my body. I didn’t have long to consider the sensation before the guard nudged me forward again. Irritated, I shuffled forward – following behind the man ahead.
We wound through the long corridors, up a flight of stairs, and came to a stop outside a room I hadn’t been in before. The guard didn’t knock, he just opened it and motioned me forward. What’s going on?
I took a step – apparently not fast enough – and got pushed inside by the handsy one. I staggered forward, barely managing to keep myself up right.
“Wait here.” The first guard said, closing the door between us.
“Yeah. Okay. I don’t have much choice do I?” I grumbled when the lock clicked in place.
I sighed and quickly scanned the room. It was on the small side – relatively– anyway. A soft white sofa sat in the center, with a white polished wood table before it. Along the walls different paintings of sunrises and sunsets lay nestled against the cream colored paint. Oddly enough, there wasn’t a single window in the room – which was probably on purpose. They couldn’t have me trying to escape out of it.
It’s kind of cute, in a weird way. I walked toward the sofa and sank into the seat, happy to finally get some kind of furniture to rest on.
I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. Would it be bad if I fall asleep here? Probably.
I had no idea what I was summoned for and I didn’t trust the Duke not to march in and start swinging. In the distance I could hear the faint sound of movement and muffled voices.
I guess some of the people are starting their day late.
How long I waited, I had no idea. After a while, I started to slip into that half-awake state where I could hear everything, but my mind was drifting through fog.
The click of a key turning in the lock lulled me back to consciousness. I opened my eyes slowly and looked toward the door. It swung open revealing a tall man around my age clothed in pure white robes. A gentle smile was on his lips before pity reached his eyes – when he saw the state of my face.
I must look horrible. I thought, shifting into an upright position. If a priest can’t even manage to keep up his ‘godly’ facade.
“Good morning, Lady Kyla.” The Priest bowed low – buzzed hair shining in the light. “My name is Caerin. I am here to heal you.”
Really? What’s the Duke playing at?
“I see.” I shrugged when he looked up.
“It won’t take long.” He chuckled, stepping forward, raising a hand. “May I touch your person?”
“Aren’t you going to regardless of what I say?” I said under my breath.
“What was that?” He tilted his head.
“Yes. Proceed.”
“Thank you.” He gently touched my forehead with the tips of his fingers. He closed his eyes and began to chant quietly.
A faint smell of fresh sun-kissed air, swirled around us – tickling my nose. A soft warm light glowed from his fingers and washed over me. Different sensations – all pleasant – began to wind through my body. The feeling was impossible to describe as it was something I never felt before. It reminded me of a blanket, fresh out of the dryer, settling over my entire body.
As quickly as the healing had begun, it was over. The priest stepped back, taking the warmth with him.
“Better than new.” He smiled, his face flushed pink. “I was sorry to hear that you were attacked on a stroll through the city.”
“Oh? Was that what happened?” I asked, sitting back and crossing my legs.
“What ever do you mean?” Caerin’s brow wrinkled. “Was it not thugs who wounded you?”
“Must be.” I shrugged, waving a hand toward the door. “If you’re finished, please leave.”
Caerin hesitated for a moment, looked toward the door and pitched his voice low.
“If you are in trouble, my lady, you can tell me.”
I stared at him for a long time – trying to keep a bitter smile off my face. Had I been in my own world, and someone such as him asked for help, maybe then I would have said something. Maybe. What he was offering wasn’t actually assistance. The novel made it painfully obvious how corrupt the church was and how deep their relationship went with nobility.
If I dared to tell him that the Duke was the culprit – I knew what would happen. He would most likely report the abuse to the higherups, who in turn, would bury it – but not before telling the Duke. That would just result in a bigger problem than it was worth.
“I’m fine.” I said, voice cold. “You may leave now.”
Caerin’s eyes scanned my face for a few seconds before he tore his eyes away.
“Blessings be upon you.” He bowed and shuffled toward the door.
I’ve been nothing but cursed since I got here. I thought, shoulders relaxing only when the door closed between us.
Moments later, the door opened once again. A butler I hadn’t seen before, entered the room bristling. He cleared his throat, adjusted his glasses, and glared down at me.
“Now that you are presentable,” The butler said, tone bored and haughty. “You will be moved to a different location. Madam Poshlyn will be arriving shortly to have you fitted for new dresses.”
“Oh?” I clapped my hands together, smirking. “To what do I owe this honor of receiving something new for once?”
“You will not speak unless spoken to in her presence.” The butler continued as if I hadn’t spoken. “The fitting should not take long.” He reached into his pocket, pulling out an envelope. “A message from the Duke.” He tossed the paper at me.
It fluttered down, landing on the cushion beside me. Satisfied, the butler turned around and left the room, closing and locking the door behind him.
I reached down and pulled open the letter, suppressing the urge to burn it when I saw the contents.
Kyla. Your fiance has requested an outing with you in a week's time. Do not cause problems with Madam Poshlyn. You have been warned.
“That explains the dresses.” I grumbled tossing the ‘letter’ on the table. It landed on the surface with a soft tap.
I was nothing more than a prized mare to the Duke.
Maybe on the outing, I could find the chance to slip off and run away.
Yeah right. I thought bitterly. The plot doesn’t seem to want to let me go.