Page 3 of Twisted Souls (Twisted Souls #1)

Zara

“Rise!” The guard at the dining hall door bellowed as the heavy walnut doors creaked open, revealing the King of Velra, Helion Davinshire. Though of average height, his presence dominated the room. Hard, weathered lines carved his face, a perpetual scowl settling into his expression. His close-shaven raven hair barely hid the jagged pink scar, running from the center of his scalp down to his neck. Tanned skin stood out starkly against the crisp white of his regal uniform, the fabric adorned with gleaming war medals that clinked softly with his every step, catching the warm flicker of candlelight.

He strode toward the long table where his inner court gathered, taking his seat at the head. I sat to his left, with Winnie positioned on his right. With a playful wink in my direction, he gestured for everyone to be seated.

The moment everyone sat down, the room erupted into conversation.

There was no real order to the table seating—my father didn’t care. It was generally whoever showed up first, with the spots at the head of the table reserved for the royal family.

Unfortunately for me, the seat beside mine had been claimed by none other than Patricia, Duke Wellington’s wife. She always reeked of lavender and mothballs, a scent as overpowering as the outrageously puffy-shouldered dresses she favored. Tonight’s dress was no exception: ruffled, blindingly pink, and so voluminous that her puffed shoulders nearly brushed my chair.

I briefly considered having her moved, but decided it wasn’t worth the effort. Not yet, anyway.

On her other side sat her husband, Duke Wellington. His wiry mustache was the only feature I could make out through the curtain of Patricia’s absurd sleeves. Together, they oversaw the castle village, which also gave them the honor of living at the castle full time.

The other dukes and duchesses occupied the rest of the table from neighboring villages: Duke Thadeous and his wife Theresa, Duchess Katerina and her husband Bernard, Duchess Evangeline, and Duke Atticus.

They each managed their respective villages throughout the kingdom and had traveled here for the upcoming ball. They’d stay at the castle until the ball, now less than two weeks away, and leave once the festivities were over.

A flash of blonde at the far end of the table caught my eye. That must be the new captain of the royal guard. The one my father, for some unknown reason, replaced Vincent with.

I leaned forward, trying to get a better look, but Patricia’s ridiculous sleeves made it impossible. With a sigh of defeat, I gave up and turned my attention back to my father.

Leaning over, my father placed a light kiss on Winnie’s cheek, causing her to blush. Her full, rosy lips parted slightly as she gazed at him. Elegant swirls of her long, blonde hair, pinned atop her head, highlighted the graceful curve of her slender face. She wore a corseted dress the color of molten gold, perfectly complementing her striking yellow eyes. My dress mirrored hers in style, though its deep, rich blue was chosen to match the hue of my own eyes.

Dinner had become the only time I got to see my father these days. He was either stuck in meetings or off-traveling to the other villages to check on his armies.

“So, Zara, I heard you have been joining the guards in their training in the morning.” My father looked at me with one eyebrow raised.

“So, what if I have?” I raised an eyebrow back. He chuckled as we both took a sip from our wine glasses. “It has been years since I last trained. I needed the exercise.” I shrugged, swirling the wine nervously in my glass. He wouldn’t disapprove of my training, but I was doing it early in the morning with the guard recruits—aka non-princess-approved men.

“It's not a bad thing,” he said, setting down his glass. “I just wished you would have told me so that I could get you a suitable trainer.”

He glanced at Winnie, who was talking to the head healer, Spencer, to her right. His greasy, slick black hair and pointed, rat-like face made him look more sinister than necessary. He was grinning at my mother and talking in hushed whispers, and my father seemed to frown at them.

“So, as you aren’t scolding me, I take it I can continue to train?” I mused, hopefully.

His pale blue eyes searched my face, and then he looked down the table for someone. I eyed him suspiciously, my gut twisting. “Captain! Come join us on this end for a moment,” King Helion bellowed into the room.

My stomach dropped. “Father,” I snapped.

He glanced at me, amused. “Don't be nervous. Jeremy was the one who told me about your early morning training.”

My face got hot. He what? I began to object, “I'm not—”

“Ah, Jeremy, sorry for pulling you away from your dinner.”

The new captain strode toward the end of our table. He was clad in dark, fitted trousers that melded seamlessly into his sturdy, black leather boots. His tunic was a crisp, white fabric tucked neatly beneath a richly crimson-red jacket draped elegantly over his shoulders. Intricate gold embroidery adorned the jacket, shimmering in the light as it twisted across the fabric in ornate patterns. Unlike the standard issue for the guards, his jacket bore the sigil of the letter “C” embroidered prominently on the front of his left breast.

The captain’s golden eyes flicked briefly toward me before shifting their focus to my father. His footsteps seemed to resonate through the room, cutting through the hum of conversation at the table.

He wasn’t unattractive; in fact, he was quite striking. A black ribbon secured his slicked-back, shoulder-length blonde hair at the base of his neck. His tanned, lean muscles were visible beneath his tight shirt, and it was clear why there had been so much chatter among the other ladies.

“It is no bother at all, Your Majesty; how can I be of assistance?” Jeremy said, giving a low bow. He now stood next to me on my left, and I had the urge to look up at him, but kept my gaze on my father.

“I’m not sure if you two have been officially introduced yet, but this is my daughter Zara,” my father said, gesturing toward me. “And Zara, this is our new captain, Jeremy.”

I had no choice but to turn and face the new captain. His golden eyes locked onto mine so intensely that warmth instantly spread through me.

“Captain,” I greeted curtly, finishing the wine in my glass.

“Lovely to make your acquaintance, Princess,” Jeremy replied, offering a courteous bow. I nodded in response, then turned back to my father with a sense of unease.

“Zara was just telling me how she wishes to continue training with the guard recruits in the mornings,” my father said, leaning back in his chair. “I don’t think it’s suitable for her to be around so many—” he paused, trying to find the right word. “—untrained men, if you will. I was wondering if you would take over her training? I know you have been busy getting acquainted, but maybe in the evenings after your rotations?”

Jeremy went to reply, but I cut him off, flexing my fingers under the table. “That won’t be necessary, Father. I’m quite content with my routine as it is. I’m sure the captain has more pressing matters to attend to than training me,” I said, offering a polite but strained smile.

My father raised an eyebrow and turned his gaze to Jeremy.

“Of course, Your Majesty. If morning is her preferred time, I can rearrange my schedule to accommodate it,” Jeremy replied, and my father beamed.

It was as if I hadn’t spoken. My blood began to boil.

“Wonderful, then it's settled.” My father’s blue eyes found mine, letting me know it was not up for discussion.

I held my strained smile and turned to the captain, meeting his gaze again. “Thank you, Captain, that’s very kind of you,” I said through half-clenched teeth.

“I’ve seen you train with Vincent; you’re a natural fighter,” the captain said, a hint of amusement in his tone, and his comment only made my father grin further.

“I’ll see you in the morning then, Captain. Your dinner must be getting cold,” I said, trying to restrain my anger.

Something sparked in his eyes at my dismissal, and Jeremy smirked at me before turning back to my parents. “Your Majesties.” He took one last bow before stalking back down the table to his seat.

I shot my father a withering look, but he was already glaring back. “Don’t even start, Zara. It’s for your safety.”

I scoffed. “My safety? You barely know this man. Vincent has been training me every morning, not some random guard. You trusted him before this man arrived, and now, suddenly, he’s untrained and not deemed safe?” I demanded hotly.

“It’s not Vincent I don’t trust, but the other men,” my father said, leaning forward and hissing. “Vincent now oversees their training and can’t do that if he’s distracted by training you instead.” He huffed, frustration evident in his voice. “You need protection. You’re a princess, Zara—sometimes I feel like you forget that.”

“And you forget I am not a child anymore,” I snapped back.

“And you forget who you’re talking to in a room full of people,” he barked, his face flushed with anger.

I glanced down the table to find many eyes pointedly fixed on their dinners, the lively chatter from moments before now subdued. The only person looking our way was the captain, who looked like he was enjoying our interaction. I glared at him down the table before turning back to my father. His gaze, sharp with annoyance, made me look away.

Leaning forward, I refilled my glass with wine and cut into the steak on my plate with more force than necessary, my father doing the same.

The rest of the meal passed in silence, at least on our end of the table, and we didn’t attempt any further conversations.

When dinner concluded, we were all escorted to the parlor for after-dinner drinks.

The parlor was a somber room, at least in my opinion. Thick, dark tapestries hung from the walls, their vibrant colors long faded, embroidered with scenes of battles now forgotten. The heavy scent of polished wood and old leather lingered in the air, mixing with the unmistakable odor of mothballs. The Wellingtons favored this room, and it seems it was now permanently tainted with their ghastly scent, as if it were now soaked into the stone itself.

Dark crimson velvet curtains covered the narrow windows, and heavy armchairs and settees upholstered in matching rich fabric stood around low wooden tables scattered across the room. Large rugs covered the polished dark floors in a similar deep red, making the room appear even darker than it should have been.

A grand fireplace dominated one wall, its stonework imposing, with a large gilded mirror hanging above it. The frame was twisted with vines of gold, reflecting the flickering light of candles and sconces placed throughout the room, their flames casting long shadows on the walls.

As everyone filtered into the room, I lingered at the edge, waiting for my parents to be distracted before slipping quietly out and back into the hall. I had enough of tonight and just wanted to go back to my room.

As I walked down the hall, my heels clicked against the bare stone floor, the sound echoing off the limestone walls.

Carpets, paintings, and vibrant life richly adorned the castle's rooms and studies. The hallways, on the other hand, were as dull as a blunt knife. Their only decorations were the simple light sconces and matching Velra crest tapestries hanging from the tall ceiling. The tapestries were a deep blood red, tapering to a point, and bordered with a delicate line of gold thread. In the center, a crown and sword were embroidered, the crown forming a V at its center with the sword hilt rising through it.

“You’re not very observant of your surroundings.” A deep voice cut through my thoughts, making me jump. I spun around, coming face-to-face with the captain. His lips curled into a faint smirk as he watched my reaction. I narrowed my eyes at him. What was he doing following me? Guards rarely trailed me inside the castle—mainly because they were stationed at nearly every corner. My father only ever instructed them to follow my mother.

“Tell me, Captain, do you make a habit of sneaking up on unsuspecting women in dark hallways?” I retorted, my heart still racing from the unexpected encounter.

“I didn't sneak up, Princess. I was merely standing here when you made your escape from the parlor. You simply didn’t notice me,” he replied, a hint of a smile dancing on his lips as he ran a hand through his now loose, tousled blonde hair. “We should work on your stealth skills during training,” he added with a wink, earning a glare from me in return.

“Right. About that,” I interjected, “I appreciate the offer, but I don't require your assistance.” With a terse smile, I turned and continued to walk down the hallway, away from him.

“Have I offended you somehow?” he remarked, falling into step beside me. His hands clasped behind his back as he walked.

“I am perfectly fine with my current trainer, Captain,” I shot back, frustration bubbling up with each step I took. I didn’t bother hiding the edge in my voice.

“Jeremy,” he corrected, his voice softening slightly as he looked at me.

“Was that a sneeze?” I asked dryly, glancing at him as we climbed the stairs.

He chuckled, though the sound was rough, as if it wasn’t something he did often. “My name,” he said, a glint in his eyes. “Your father’s concern is always about your safety, Princess.”

“My safety?” I scoffed incredulously, halting abruptly on the stairs and facing him with a raised eyebrow. “What do you know of my life at the castle, Captain? Does it seem unsafe to you?” I challenged, meeting his gaze head-on.

If one more person mentioned my safety, I’d gladly show them just how unsafe it was to be around me.

“I've observed recruits eyeing you during your training and not in a respectful manner,” he replied, his golden eyes narrowing with genuine concern. “Vincent should have noticed.”

“And why were you watching me?” I demanded, searching his expression for answers.

His expression grew serious as his eyes fixed on me with a steely resolve. “It’s my duty to ensure the safety of everyone in the castle, including you. Some of those recruits, who are past criminals, are not the sort of men you should be around. Your father shares this concern.”

“So, it wasn’t my father who suggested you train me; it was you?” I laughed dryly. “Do you often decide what’s best for others without consulting them first?” My voice was sharp, and I saw him flinch at my words. I turned on my heel and continued up the steps, but a firm hand grasped my elbow, spinning me back around.

His jaw tightened, and his lips pressed into a thin line. “I do what I believe is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in this castle. It is my job to do so.” Jeremy's response lingered, his words cutting through my frustration. His dedication to his duty was admirable, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of being manipulated.

He continued, his tone softening again as he spoke and his gaze was intent and unwavering, “Your father trusts me to keep you and everyone in this castle safe. That responsibility is something I take seriously.

“I don’t like being tricked, Captain. I especially don’t appreciate men making decisions about my life without my input.” Noticing he was still holding my arm, I wrenched it free from his grasp.

He let go and stepped beside me on the stairs, his presence unyielding. “I promise you, I was only doing my job, and I don’t regret bringing it to your father’s attention,” he said, raising his hand to stop me from talking over him. “However, I do regret upsetting you. In the future, I’ll consult you before making any changes that affect your routines.” He lowered his hand and arched an eyebrow, awaiting my response.

“Very well then, Captain,” I said, my tone edged with frustration.

“Jeremy,” he replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

“Very well then, Captain,” I repeated, a hint of defiance in my voice, which only widened his smile.

I stepped onto the landing and turned sharply, walking away without a second glance, leaving Jeremy standing on the stairs. His gaze lingered on me, tracking my every move until I vanished down the hall.

When I returned to my room, I found three emerald green vials and a note neatly placed on my nightstand. A maid must have delivered them while I was at dinner. I picked up the note and read.

*

Take half a vial before bed for a dreamless sleep.

-Spencer, Head Healer

*

It didn’t look particularly inviting. When I twisted open the vial, a pungent odor immediately wafted out, making me almost gag from the sudden unpleasant scent. The liquid inside moved sluggishly, and I scrunched my face in disgust at its contents. I sighed, recapping the vial and setting it back on my nightstand. If it worked as my mother claimed, perhaps it would knock me out so thoroughly that it would nullify whatever magic kept dragging me to unknown places.

I decided I would try it at least once and see if it helped. It couldn’t hurt.

I crossed the room and began to peel off my dress, the fabric tight as I worked the sleeves down over my arms. Normally, a maid would help me, but I’d snuck away early, seeking solitude for a reason. It was difficult, but not impossible.

Once my arms were free, I tugged at the laces of the corset, fumbling for the ends behind my back. My fingers ached from the tension of the laces, but after a few attempts, I managed to loosen the knots. The pressure around my ribs eased, and I was able to take in a full breath.

Carefully, I slid the corset off, its boning scraping lightly against my skin as it released its grip. The gown followed, pooling at my feet in a heap of layers. I was left in nothing, but a delicate lace pair of underwear and a thin lace garment draped over my breasts, barely offering any coverage.

I kicked the dress aside and stalked toward the bathing chamber, the cool air against my skin a welcome reprieve.

The moment my hand touched the doorknob, a sharp twisting sensation churned in my stomach. I realized what was about to happen, and my eyes widened in panic.

In nothing but my lacey black underwear, I vanished.