Page 81 of Death of a Mortal

“We’ve arranged your first appearance at sunset today,” the king said. “I will address the city and announce your alliance with and support of the crown. You will read the speech given to you, and you’ll smile and wave. If your performance is satisfactory, I will have your sister brought to your cell afterward. Do not forget my promise.”

I said nothing because I felt nothing. Nothing for myself, or the humiliation I would feel. I kept reminding myself that this was keeping Nella alive and safe.

“The guards will escort you to a private bathing room where handmaidens will get you presentable. Do you have any questions?”

“I want to see Nella before, not after. I won’t do it unless I knowshe’s safe.” My voice came out hoarse and shaky after so many days without use.

The king studied me for a moment. “Fine. Guards, take her to the maidens. Get this filth out of my sight and have the sister brought to the bathing chamber. One more thing, Naci. You will be searched thoroughly before returning to your cell. Don’t even think about removing anything from that chamber.” Every word this evil male spoke was ominous and laced with danger.

The guards lifted me by the elbows, hands still cuffed in front of me, and marched me out of the dining room and into a smaller wing where the private bathing room was located.

Once they had pushed me into the room, removed my cuffs, and closed the door behind them, I saw the two maidens waiting for me.

Mortals.

I looked around and found I was in a similar chamber to the one I had shared with Nella and the other laundry ladies, except that it was much smaller, intended for only one person at a time.

The shorter, younger girl motioned toward the already full tub while the taller, older one pointed at my dress. It was odd, but I assumed they weren’t allowed to speak to me.

I turned around to let her untie the lace securing the bodice and faced my reflection in a mirror on the wall.

It was startling. My face was filthy, covered in dirt and dungeon grime, hair completely matted and tangled. But my eyes were the worst part. They were empty and hollow, purple circles underneath. I looked like a girl carved out of grief, a painting crafted with only colors of despair and hopelessness.

The maiden removed the ruined dress and sleeves and then helped me into the tub, where the young girl joined us on the other side. I felt only slightly embarrassed at being naked in front of these ladies, but I couldn’t find it in me to care about much of anything except Nella anymore.

They scrubbed, brushed, lathered, and rinsed, having to emptythe tub twice to get the dirty water out before I was fully clean. And they never said a word while they worked, to me or to each other.

“Are you not allowed to talk to me?”

The younger one looked to the older one, who just shook her head, the corners of her mouth turning down. She pointed to her mouth and then made a motion across her throat with her hand.

“Oh, you can’t talk?”

She shook her head and opened her mouth.

“Gods…” She had no tongue. “I…I’m sorry.” I didn’t know what else to say, so I stayed silent as they helped me out of the tub, brushed my hair, and drew kohl across my eyes and rouge on my lips and cheeks. I watched in the mirror as they turned me into a girl I’d never seen before, never been before. We didn’t have makeup back home. Cassius refused to spend the coin, so I’d never worn any.

I let Noxie know that I’d be making my appearance beside Caedryn, the weight of the king’s orders sitting heavily on my shoulders.

The older maiden placed a bony hand on my shoulder and smiled at me, much the way I’d seen Nella smile at me in the mirror the night of the dinner.

I’d be seeing her soon if the king kept his word. My heart lifted slightly at the thought as the maidens helped me into a new dress. This one was long and plain, dark green with gold trim at the wrists and bottom hem.

Ashenholt’s colors.

A shiver ran through my body at the realization.

But then the door to the room opened, and Nella walked in, flanked by the same two guards that I vowed every day to kill when we got out of here.

“Five minutes,” the dumb-sounding one said.

I ran to her and wrapped her in my arms immediately. “Oh, Nella, let me look at you. Are you okay? Did they hurt you at all?” I pulled back from our embrace to see the bruising on her eye stillthere, the cut on her forehead scabbed and healing, and noted no fresh injuries.

She just smiled sadly at me. “I’m fine, what about you?”

“I’ll be okay as long as you are, little lamb.”

“They told me the king would kill you if I tried to escape the castle…” My heart sank. “What is he making you do?” she asked nervously, glancing at the guards standing by the door.