Chapter 12 TWELVE
I awoke slowly, my head throbbing as I fought against the last remnants of sleep, it was harder to wake up than I thought it would be. So different from usual.
I wanted to fade right back into the darkness where I was safe, where no one could hurt me.
Where there was no pain.
But I’m not a coward, or at least, I like to think that I’m not.
I sat up on the floor, the thin, tattered mattress beneath me doing nothing to keep out the cold as I pulled a small blanket from the corner of the bed, wrapping it around my shoulders. It was covered in small holes, but it was better than nothing.
The room I had been placed in was petite and bare, the only light coming from a small torch than hung from the wall nearest to the door; I sucked in a breath, fearful of what would happen now.
I had passed out after I attacked Berus, just straight up let myself faint like a wimp. They’re going to think I’m a coward, or that I am weak.
What they don’t know is how much strength it actually takes to do something like that. It’s exhausting, and clearly my body couldn’t take anymore. It needed to rest, and it forced itself to do just that.
It’s not like I chose to pass the fuck out.
I shivered, the cobwebbed room smaller than what I was used to, the single mattress on the floor freezing and unwelcoming. Surely with the amount of money the prince has he could give better blankets and beds for his slaves.
Maybe he does it on purpose, maybe he wants us to freeze to death or beg for more blankets.
I won’t beg, I’d much rather die of hypothermia.
How long had I been asleep?
I had never used that amount of power before, not all at once, I barely even knew how I had done it to begin with, it was like the power too over my body. It consumed me from the inside out and burst from me like an explosion.
I wouldn’t be able to recreate it even if I wanted to.
I stood, stumbling towards the door, I just hoped that it was open, that I could get somewhere warmer than this.
Just as I reached for the handle, it opened, causing me to jump and recoil back, trembling in fear. I expected Berus, or the prince, but instead a petite form appeared in the doorway, staring me down with soft sapphire eyes; her darkening hair pulled back into a tight bun on the top of her head.
Maybe this was another witch, she looked mortal, like me, and her skin wasn’t deathly pale, maybe I was looking at Berus’ apprentice Blanche. Maybe she had come to get me so that we could begin training. The prince mentioned that I had a lot to learn.
She seemed warm and welcoming, but I couldn’t be sure, looks could be deceiving, she not much larger than myself; she couldn’t be taller than five-foot-three, with a small button nose and high cheek bones.
She wore a simple black tunic and trousers, something you would have seen maybe one hundred years before this time; but I knew that for most witches that was only the beginning of their life.
“Here.” She smiled, handing me a plain blue gown, with a high neckline and long sleeves. “I need you to change. We can't have you running around in those clothes all day.”
I nodded, silently taking the dress from her before turning around and removing my pj’s, I suppose that she was right, I couldn’t go around castle Vasuvius dressed as I am now.
I changed as quickly as I could, aware that she turned away, giving me a small amount of privacy.
It was rare to be given such a kindness and I decided that I liked her already.
When I had finished, I turned back to face the witch, the gown burying my petite frame and making me look smaller than I was, though I wasn’t exactly tall or proportioned to begin with.
I sighed slightly, staring down at the oversized material as Blanche turned to look back at me, a small smile etched across her face.
“Ah. I see that I have chosen the wrong size. No matter, I will get you another in a day or so.” She promised, taking the dirty clothes from my hands.
I said nothing, not exactly sure what I could and couldn’t say; this was Berus’ apprentice, I couldn’t allow myself to say anything that would get back to him or the prince.
I might like her, but I didn’t know how far her loyalty goes, not yet, and I wasn’t risking my life.
I lowered my eyes towards the dusty ground, remaining completely still as I awaited an order, I waited for her to tell me what my boundaries were, and what I could do.
“You can speak freely when it is just us, no one will hear who isn’t supposed to.” She smiled once more, her eyes increasingly more welcoming than before.
I swear she was in my mind. It’s like she just read my thoughts.
That’s creepy.
But I’m grateful.
“Thank you.” Was all I said, my eyes still lowered towards the ground.
I couldn’t trust her enough to speak freely, not yet.