Chapter 14 Tryst no one.
CATHERINE
Walking back to my room, my fingers brushed over the crumpled note in my pocket.
“It’s not too late to run.” The words sat heavy on my mind, making me all the more nervous.
When I stepped inside, Mia was already waiting for my evening clean up. Her hands were folded neatly and she had a soft, worried look clouding her gaze.
Without a word, she led me toward the wash basin and her hands were gentle as she started to undo the pins in my hair.
I kept silent for a moment, letting her work. The only sound in the room was the soft splash of water.
Then I decided to ask her about Kane.
"Mia," I began carefully, watching her expression in the mirror, "has he had other mates before me?"
"By 'he', who do you mean, my lady?"
"I meant Kane. Did he have other mates before me?"
Her hands stilled, just for a heartbeat.
I felt the slight tremor in her fingers before she resumed what she was doing with a blank expression on her face.
“My lady, you should be resting. Tonight has been tiring enough.”
"That’s not an answer, Mia." I turned to face her. "If there were others before me, I deserve to know."
Mia avoided my gaze, her hands now busily folding a towel that didn’t need folding.
"It's not my place to speak of the King's past, my lady."
"And what about mine?" I pressed, feeling a flicker of impatience mingle with a strange sense of fear. "Do I not have the right to understand what I’m stepping into? If there were others, Mia, if dangerous things happened, I should know."
She looked away, her fingers twisting in the fabric of her apron.
"Lady Catherine," she whispered, so softly I had to lean in to catch her words, "if you want to save yourself, you need to leave."
The words sent a chill up my spine.
"Leave? Mia, what are you talking about?"
But she only shook her head, her lips pressing into a thin line. I could see the strain in her eyes, the reluctance, and for a moment, I reached out, taking her hand.
"Please, Mia. I need to understand."
Mia pulled her hand free, looking over her shoulder as though someone might overhear. She leaned in close, her voice barely more than a breath.
"He’s not ordinary, my lady. Not in the way you might think. I’ve served here long enough to know. To see things."
"What things?" I demanded, but she shook her head fiercely, refusing to meet my gaze.
"My lady, I’ve already said too much." She took a step back, bowing her head. "Please, do not ask me again."
Frustration built inside me, mingling with a deeper, gnawing fear.
"Mia," I said quietly, "if you don’t tell me the truth, how can I make any choice for myself? You’re asking me to run without telling me why."
She pressed her lips together, looking like she might break, but after a long pause, she only gave a small, helpless shake of her head.
"I’m sorry, Lady Catherine. I can’t say more. But please, just consider leaving. While you still can."
Silence hung between us. I looked at her, seeing the fear and the genuine concern in her eyes. But the lack of answers was maddening.
She was holding something back, something that felt like the final piece of a puzzle I didn’t understand.
"Mia," I murmured, "you’re asking me to trust you without telling me why. That’s not an easy thing to ask."
Mia’s gaze softened, her hand briefly reaching out as though she wanted to touch my arm but then falling away.
"I know, my lady. I only ask because I care."
With that, she bowed once more, gathering the linens and towels before retreating silently from the room, leaving me alone with my questions.
After taking my bath, I stepped out.
The night air was cool. I had hoped a walk might bring some calm, some clarity, but it seemed only to deepen the unease that had wrapped itself around me like a shroud.
As I turned the corner by the east wing, I paused, catching sight of two figures in the shadows.
At first, I couldn't recognize whose figures they were. But on a closer look, I recognized them.
They were no other than Damon and Zelda. I took a few steps closer to them, and I heard them speaking in low, hush voices.
What were they talking about in that manner? I couldn't help but think about it. After all, Zelda was the Queen nother and had much authority.
They stopped the moment they saw me, and Zelda stepped back looking at me sharply, before she turned and slipped away down the corridor, disappearing into the darkness.
Damon lingered, his gaze narrowing as he took a step closer.
“What are you doing out here at this hour?” His voice was calm, yet I caught the slightest edge in his tone.
I lifted my chin, refusing to be intimidated.
“I could ask you the same question, Damon.” I gestured to the hall behind him. “If I’m not mistaken, that’s the entrance to the royal harem. I have every right to be here, but you... I'm not so sure.”
He looked angey, but he didn’t look away.
"But I hardly see what good it does, wandering the halls alone in the dead of night.”
The way he looked at me, as if he knew something I didn’t, sent a shiver down my spine.
“I couldn’t sleep,” I replied nonchalantly. “Though I doubt you care to know why.”
He gave a half-shrug, his eyes never leaving mine.
“You’re right, actually. I don’t. But I would still advise you to stay out of places that hold more danger than comfort.”
“Danger?” I couldn’t hold back the scoff. “Are you insinuating I’m not safe within these walls? Or is that something I should be worried about?”
Damon’s expression darkened, but he said nothing. His silence was louder than any words could have been.
“And Zelda?” I pressed. “Why was she here with you?”
“That,” he uttered, “is none of your concern.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but he held up a hand, his gaze softening, though his stance remained rigid.
“Look, Lady Catherine, you’re still learning the ways of this place. I would advise that you be cautious of where you wander, and whom you trust.”
“And who should I trust, then? You?”
A slow smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth, though it didn’t reach his eyes.
“Trust no one, my lady. Not even yourself.”