Page 32 of Blackwarden

Rosalin

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No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t remember how I’d gotten here, or where I’d come from.

I couldn’t remember anything, to be honest. The first thing I could remember was being carried from a room full of swirling shadows that seemed to weave around me and cling to my soul.

There had been something so secure about them.

Like they numbed the panic that started to creep into my throat.

I hadn’t wanted to leave. They slowly disintegrated, oozing into the floor, leaving me cold and lonely.

Someone helped a man to his feet. At least I thought he was a man, but when he stood, I could see his massive bat wings tucked against his back and two obsidian horns that swept away from his face.

A face I didn’t get a chance to see before I was picked up from the floor and taken to a small dark room, my head swimming with nausea.

I was laid out on a low mattress, desperately trying to focus on the face of whoever it was that had brought me there.

But his face was obscured by an armored mask, and I looked away quickly, my heart racing.

Thick exhaustion dragged me down until I was on the edge of consciousness.

A strange girl who was half my height and the color of new fallen snow came and woke me with a gentle shake.

“Her majesty is impatient to meet you,” she said.

Not a girl, a full-grown female if I were to judge her by the maturity of her voice. She led me to another room, one that was brightly lit and cheerful compared to the halls we’d just wandered through. I was pulled toward a steaming bath, nervousness prickling the hairs on the back of my neck.

“Into the tub, sweet one,” she said as she pulled on the skirt of my dress. “Quickly now, we must have you ready for her majesty.”

She started unlacing my overdress before I could stop her, my cheeks growing hot as she had me step out.

Before I could stop her, she lifted my chemise over my head.

I wrapped my arms around my nakedness, unsure why I felt so much shame.

Everything was so confusing. Why was I here?

I didn’t think I was supposed to be, but I couldn’t remember where else I was meant to be.

The tiny Fae led me to a steaming tub and after a moment of coaxing, I stepped into the bath.

I was immediately rewarded with the most delicious hot water.

The smell of lavender and honey permeated everything.

I sank into the warmth, completely submerged with nothing but my face above the surface.

The heat of the water soaked into my bones, and I was left to float for a few blissful moments, confusion swirling in my cloudy mind.

I couldn’t isolate any single thought, so instead, I pushed them all away and tried to focus on the heat of the water that hugged me.

“Up with you.” The tiny female wasn’t rude, just firm, and I was compelled to do as she said.

She scrubbed my back before using her lanky fingers to wash and comb through my hair, all while humming a strange otherworldly tune.

When she was finished, she helped me step from the tub, then dried me off and dressed me in a silk slip.

I didn’t feel like it covered enough. The slinky fabric on my skin was buttery and distracting.

Looking down my front I could see the rise of my breasts from the low neckline too well for my taste.

I folded my arms over my chest, wishing I could make myself smaller.

“What’s this? Are you Fate Marked?” The Fae pointed to a dark mark where my neck met my shoulder.

I leaned forward to get a better look in the mirror. Sure enough, I had what looked like a tiny serpent tattoo, spun into a twisted knot. I brushed my fingers over it, but it didn’t change. A shiver writhed up my spine, blooming goosebumps over my arms.

“I don’t know. I don’t...remember.”

She shook her head looking at the mark with concern before she turned to a shelf with various vials and jars.

What was a Fate Mark and why was it a problem?

I was too scared to ask, and before I could, she returned with a small bottle full of some kind of viscous gold substance.

With gentle fingers she dabbed a small amount of the cream to the area and rubbed it over the mark until it vanished from sight.

“This should hide it for a few days,” she said, nodding her approval before she scurried toward the door. “This way.”

She pulled me down another hall, this one had a much lower ceiling giving it an intimate feel.

There were several doors lining each side but we didn’t seem to be going to any of these.

My mouth grew dryer the further we went from the room with the comforting shadows.

At the end of the hall, we ducked through a curtain of silk and twinkling gems into a massive space which was not as brightly lit.

This room was draped with elegant fabrics and strands of beads in gold and silver.

The braziers along the walls were decorated with crystals, which cast rainbows across the soft fabrics and smooth stone surfaces.

Low futons were scattered across the room, where several other girls lounged in outfits similar to mine—simple silk frocks, some with plunging necklines, others slit high enough to bare their thighs. The women varied in skin tone and ranged in age from around mine to much older .

“Your newest sister,” the minuscule female said, leading me to the middle of the room, where she left me to stand in front of several pairs of critical eyes.

For the first time since waking on the floor, I was terrified. Why was I here? I couldn’t remember anything, but I knew in my heart this wasn’t where I was supposed to be. The way some of these women were looking at me didn’t help.

“A bit thin, this one,” a rather busty maiden commented. Her auburn hair hung in gorgeous curls around her creamy shoulders; she had deep brown eyes that pierced through any bravery I may have had left.

“She’s perfect,” another said as she stepped forward and took my hands. She had a friendly smile and piercing blue eyes beset with adorable freckles. Her hair was like spun gold, and I had the vague sense she was familiar. “I’m Nessa. Welcome to Queen Bevgyah’s harem.”

Before anyone else could say a word, a door on the other side of the room was thrown wide as a beautiful Fae female with shimmering pale lavender skin stepped through, two guards followed close behind.

She was dressed in an elaborate gown, dripping with gems and pearls that jingled as she walked.

A crown made of crystals that looked like shards of ice was cradled by braided teal hair, adorned with more gems and charms.

Every maiden curtsied low and held in perfect coordination. I was slow to do the same, my cheeks heating as I realized I’d missed what was likely an important cue.

“My precious Maidens.” We were released from our groveling, her singsong voice gripping my insides in a way that made me want to run the other direction as fast as I could.

“We shall have a revel tonight to celebrate the return of my beloved Blackwarden and your newest sister, Tesanna. Make her feel welcome and help her select something appropriate to wear. Our guests expect a luxurious display, as always. ”

I could only assume she was the queen. She smiled brightly at us, her gaze falling and holding onto me for longer than I liked. Then she turned and swept from the room, taking her finery with her and leaving the maidens in a buzz of low murmurs.

I let the name the queen used to introduce me roll around in my head. It didn’t feel right—but then, I had no idea what my name was supposed to be. I just knew that one wasn’t it.

I couldn’t afford to dwell on it.

Suddenly, every eye in the harem was on me. Some women looked at me with hunger, others barely masked their judgment.

It took every shred of courage I had not to bolt under the weight of their scrutiny.

“Tesanna is such a beautiful name,” Nessa said with a brilliant smile. “Come, let’s choose our dresses together.” She ran her fingers through my damp hair without asking.

Again, I got the feeling I should feel shame or be uncomfortable with the closeness Nessa showed, but I refused to let anything destroy the smile written across her beautiful face.

She seemed so happy. Besides, my current dress made me feel exposed and the thought of finding something less revealing was beyond appealing.

I was wrong. Nessa hadn’t chosen something less revealing.

In fact, none of the dresses shown to me could have been considered less revealing.

They all seemed like half a dress. Some only had strips of fabric concealing private places.

Others had plunging necklines and daring slits.

I finally gave up after the sixth one was held up to me and asked Nessa to choose for me.

“They’re all so...revealing.”

“The queen loves for her guests to see what they might enjoy,” Nessa said while helping me into a silky black dress that revealed my midriff but thankfully covered my breasts with a high neckline.

The skirt, slit up both sides, was full and flowing, made of soft, gauzy layers that brushed the ground.

I couldn’t stop running my fingers over the delicate fabric .

Nessa braided my hair, leaving pieces loose around my ears and neck before she asked if I wanted to paint my face.

I shook my head vehemently. I might not be able to remember my past, but the thought of painting my face seemed completely wrong.

She shrugged and applied a generous color to her eyelids and lips.

“The queen always has a revel when her consort returns. He’s the Gatekeeper to the human world and spends a lot of his time at his Gatehouse. The queen misses him dreadfully when he’s away.” She nervously folded and unfolded her hands. “He’s...different.”

“Different?”