Chapter Three - A Dinner for Two

The dining hall was decorated with beautiful flowers, like the ones I had seen in the garden. Beautiful bouquets of foreign flowers arranged in hue starting from red to vibrant pink, to a dull and pale pink, and ending with white were placed throughout the room. Candles were lit meticulously throughout the room creating an intimate atmosphere in the area. The table was small, meant for two people, and wore a deep red tablecloth with a white table runner down the center.

The scene made me grow increasingly more uneasy. The man who constantly harassed me, abused me, and terrified me for years suddenly wants to get on my good side? Why is he setting up such a wonderful dinner?

What the hell is he thinking? I thought as I followed the guards to the small round table. My heart started to race faster and my palms started to sweat as we grew closer to the table.

My eyes fell on Silas. He was a small man, maybe an inch shorter than me. He was on the skinny side, bordering frail, with piercing green eyes. To me, he appeared to be nervous with a creepy smirk resting on his lips. He was not physically attractive to me, but I did feel a little twinge of something when I looked at him. That something I felt wasn’t fear either, which startled me.

Once I was sitting in my chair, Silas started. “So how are you doing?” His voice was deeper than I would have thought, with coolness to it. I sensed he was sincere about his question as if he was genuinely concerned about me.

I didn’t respond at first, I felt nauseated. I was more interested in playing with the food on my plate, sweeping it back and forth with my fork, than discussing anything with Silas. My eye glanced at the room. I noticed Asher was standing off to the side, behind Silas.

This dinner felt odd and out of character. I did not want to be here. This guy destroyed my life, hell more than just this one, and now expects me to be obedient and responsive with him. No chance.

I glance up at him and quickly look back down at my food. Silas started growing a little agitated. “Is the food not to your liking?” Aggravation painted his voice.

I didn’t respond. Not only was it not to my liking, but I also had no idea what it was! It looked like some form of pasta with sauce, but I didn’t quite trust it. I was scraping it around the plate, trying to figure out if it was edible, or maybe if it was poisoned? As I remained sitting there the tense silence increasing, staring cynically at my food, I could tell Silas was growing impatient.

“It is rude not to talk to someone who is being more than hospitable to you.” He responded with a bit of annoyance.

“I never asked to be here!” I suddenly burst as rage started to fill within me. “You forced me here against my will! You have done horrible things to me my entire life; throughout multiple lives!” I continued candidly. “Not only have you abducted me, but you also took my best friend!” Tears started to fill my eyes as I grew angrier and saddened. “I haven’t seen her; I don’t even know if she is still alive!” I pushed the plate away from me as I stood up, allowing my anger to consume me, willing it to give me strength. Silas sunk down in his chair as if being scolded by a parent. “Hell, I don’t know if Rory is still alive all because of you!”

At the mention of Rory Silas’s posture and attitude changed. He now looked like the disgusting, manipulative snake that I imagined. Silas’s face contorted into something indescribable as he stood up to meet my burning gaze. Through grit teeth he began, “Do not speak to me about your friend or Rory. I do not give a damn about either one!” I started to back down, slowly resting back onto my seat. “I gave you EVERY opportunity to come to me without harming your precious friend or him.” He continued through disgust. “You are the one who forced my hand. Only you are the one to blame for that.”

I scoffed. “Sure, blame me for your actions. You had other choices!”

“You could have saved Ruth, but you listened to Rory.” He said his name with such revulsion. “In turn, you also had the opportunity to come to me before I sent my people to catch you, saving him and his friend.”

Silas’s reaction to Rory’s name made me feel offended. Defeated, I glanced back at Asher, who wore an agitated face. His eyes pleading for me to stop acting this way. There was no point in arguing with anyone from this realm, I thought to myself.

A crooked sneer displayed on Silas’ face before he lowered himself back in his chair in satisfaction. “No, there isn’t.”

My emotions were heightened. I didn’t know what to do as I looked around the room taking in everything that is happening. Asher was trying to avoid eye contact. I let out a deep sigh to calm myself, try to obstruct my ‘open mind’ from Silas. And then Asher’s words came to me from the night before, “You need to gain his trust to roam the castle freely.”

I force myself to relax and try to make myself enjoy the rest of the night, no matter how unpleasant it is going to be. I begin by trying to make some small talk, after clearing my throat of the splintering ball which threatened sobs underneath it. “So… What exactly do you want with me?”

Silas smiled. “That’s better.” He remarked. “You are going to help me get this realm in order.”

“I know nothing about ruling over people,” I remarked solemnly, playing with my food again while refusing to look at Silas.

“I’m not talking about ruling people. I’m talking about your untapped power.” He said as he shoveled some food into his mouth. “You are the only person who has the power to make me the true ruler over the entire realm.”

My heart sank. “The entire realm?” I paused, forcing myself to look at him questioningly as I became frightened.

“Yes.” He stated. “I can’t kill all of the people who won’t accept me as their king. But with you by my side, I can close off all other realms to this world, or we could rule over all the realms.” Silas smiled at me, giving me longing eyes.

I glared at Silas with annoyance as I started to grow more disturbed. “So this dinner, the intimate scene, was all a ploy to get closer to me because you want to seduce me?” I started insultingly. “I don’t buy it. You spent years haunting my dreams, frightening me, all to show that you have a thing for me?” I questioned incredulously.

He ignores my statement and begins, “Do you know what the purpose of the amulet is?”

I roll my eyes, feeling more heated by Silas’s intent to disregard my question. “No.” My voice filled with attitude.

“It allows you to have better control over your power. See, normally you would walk around hearing everyone’s thoughts, feeling their urges and intent.” Silas started with a bit of excitement in his voice. “When you wear this amulet, you do not have to worry about any of that. You control what you hear and feel. In turn, this also means you need to learn how to use it to communicate with others; mainly me, and to focus on what you want to listen in on.”

“And you are going to teach me that?” I asked baffled, excited that I would be able to learn something useful to help me get away from this place.

“Why would I do that?” Silas questioned insulted. “I don’t need you to do something so trivial. No, I need you to learn how to do more… important things.”

I stared at him with horror. “What exactly do you intend for me to do?” I was scared to ask this question; afraid to know what the answer could be.

Silas wore a mischievous smirk. “You’ll see.”

That simple statement sent chills down my spine.

It was very late in the evening by the time I was escorted back to my room. Walking in, I saw Eleanor standing by the bed. She was patiently waiting for me to return from dinner and had her hands clasped in front of her.

“Lord Silas must’ve had a lot to discuss with you.” Eleanor started as she walked toward me. “Here, let me help you out of your dress so you can be comfortable.”

I was relieved that I could finally take the dress off. It was beautiful but very uncomfortable. “Silas sure likes to talk…” I replied mindlessly, trying to process everything.

“So what did he want to discuss with you?” She questioned, shuffling me into the bathroom for a bath.

“Mostly it was about my necklace and his plans for me,” I replied, staring off into the distance as Eleanor started undoing the dress while the tub filled with water.

“There wasn’t anything else?” Eleanor questioned.

Her sudden interest in Silas’s plans took me by surprise. I studied her for a moment. “Do you have a thing for Silas?” A grotesque chill shot down my spine.

“Oh, ew, no!” Eleanor responded offensively. She looked at the closed door before whispering. “I’m curious because I really want to see him burn. He has ruined the life of many people and destroying this land. I want to see him destroyed.”

I was shocked to learn the servant felt this way while Eleanor took my hair down.

“My family and friends are either dead or have been taken away. I cannot take this miserable existence any longer.” She paused trying to compose herself. “I have watched you come into this realm for many of your lifetimes and fail. You cannot fail again.” She continued pleadingly.

“Talk about pressure…” I responded sarcastically. Her words truly did place a tremendous amount of weight on my shoulders.

Eleanor chuckles a little as she helped me into the tub, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be unloading all of this on you. It isn’t fair.”

The door opens and Asher walks in. Eleanor glances at me suspiciously as I fall under the water, trying to hide my nude body. I could hear Eleanor’s muffled voice scolding Asher’s intrusion.

After Eleanor coaxed me out of the water, which felt wonderful on my aching muscles and my head, she continued her “duties” of washing me. Which was so awkward for me, here I was naked, being scrubbed by a stranger. When I was finished, Eleanor helped me get dressed into a nightgown, then brushed my hair.

“Is there anything else you may need?” She questions, standing at the bathroom door.

“No, thank you,” I replied as Eleanor walked quickly into the bedroom before hurrying out the other door to escape this room. Asher was waiting for me, sitting on my bed. “Doesn’t anyone know how to knock around here?” I started, embarrassed.

Asher glared at me in response, slightly blushing.

Letting out a sigh, I continued, “Now what do you want?” I asked with aggravation as I continued staring at Asher.

“I want to know what the hell you were thinking shouting at Silas like that!” He begins in dismay. “What did I tell you last night?”

“I’m sorry, okay? I just got a little bent out of shape,” I explained, wishing Asher would just leave.

“Well, you need to keep your emotions in check.” He stated bluntly.

I let out another irritated sigh. “I tried.” I began as I rubbed my forehead. My headache was starting to come back. “But what exactly was with the whole candlelit dinner?” I asked. “What does he think is going to happen?”

Asher smiles as amusement filled his voice, “He believes you are his soulmate.”

I was taken aback by Asher’s words. “That’s not possible,” I replied dismissing his explanation.

Asher gave me an all-knowing smile as I walked toward the window to look at my beautiful garden. “It’s true, Sarai. He told me that himself.”

I stared at him, looking for some clue from his mannerism that he was joking. Nothing. “Nope. No. Nu-uh. No way. I cannot be two people’s soulmates.” I responded defiantly. “And I definitely am not that monster's soulmate!” I started to grow loud before making myself calm down. “From everything Rory has told me, that is just not possible.”

“It is true that throughout history, there has only been one true soulmate for us in Shanaledge. But you aren’t from this realm.” Asher explained. “Well, you were once, but that was a very long time ago. But the point is, as far as I can tell, you could either be one of their soulmates or both.”

Surely Silas and Asher were the ones being dishonest to me. These two are not exactly truthful to me. Of course, Silas will say and do anything to get what he wants while Asher is only concerned for Ruth. His smile made my rage burn hotter.

“And why would I believe you?” I started angrily. “I know Silas will say and do anything to get what he wants! His vision is so important to him that it doesn’t matter what he has to do to accomplish it!” My voice became louder and louder. Asher rushed across the room, placing his hand over my face.

“Sarai, calm down! They can’t know I’m discussing things in here with you!”

“And you!” I scoffed, slapping his hand away, silencing my voice a little. “All you care about is yourself and your tactics! You don’t care who you hurt or betray just as long as it works into your plans because you believe it is the right thing to do, whether it is or isn’t!” I was shaking with anger by the time I had finished my rant.

Asher stood there appearing slightly wounded by my words, even more so by what I thought about him. He looked down at his feet. “Look, I understand why you feel that way about me. I realize my actions haven’t exactly instilled your confidence in me but I am not going to apologize for anything I have done.” Asher begins to explain as he walked across the room. “Because of everything I have done, we are closer to Ruth. I can keep her company, let her know everything will be alright, and allow her to have a little comfort in her knowing that her soulmate is there every step of the way. She also knows you are here, doing what needs to be done to rescue her.” He looks down for a second before looking me in the eyes. “You are the only one who can save her at this point.”

I rolled my eyes at this statement. Why is everything always left up to me? Why does Ruth get to take comfort in Asher being here when I couldn’t have Rory?...Again…Selfish.

“Don’t make that face, Sarai. This is serious…” Asher continued, “Which is why you need to remain on Silas’s good side. He cannot suspect that you are up to anything. He cannot even know I am in your room talking to you about all of this.”

I exhaled. “I wish I knew how the amulet works…” Stating defeated, as I sit on the bed. “I need to talk to Rory somehow…”

“I know…” Asher replied heartedly. “I wish I could help you. But Silas is the only one who could help you with this.” He stroked the necklace which rests on my chest.

“Oh, and he is just going to willingly teach me how to communicate with others in different realms?” I responded with a bite.

“No. But he will teach you how to do other things with it, which will ultimately lead you to figure out how to talk to Rory.”