Beast's Lair (Exclusive)

Rose Elken

My heart kept its fast pace as I sank into a wooden chair, shivering slightly despite the fire burning in front of me. What was I going to do now? I had no choice, but to follow orders.

“I still cannot believe what you did, Rose. Of all people to mouth off to, you chose the King. Now look at what you have gotten yourself into.”

My sister’s chiding fell on deaf ears as she placed our shawls on the nail. I expected to be thrown into the dungeons for my insolence against the King, but he just gestured his men to tie the wolf’s legs together. I screamed at him to let it go, but he told me he wanted to see if my healing skills were all that the villagers said they were. He wanted me to go to the castle and stay there till I healed the wolf. If it lived, I would become a Royal Healer... if it died, I would be thrown in the dungeons. I stood there, frozen in the forest, as he rode away with his guards... my freedom riding away with him on the back of a horse.

My sister knelt before me, taking my shivering hands into hers. I looked up to see her eyes shining with tears.

“You have to go to the castle.”

She held me steady as I shook my head again and again. I didn’t want to go there, I might not be able to come back if I didn’t heal the wolf... I might never be able to see Jessamine again.

“Promise me you will behave, Rose. Just keep your head down and do as your told. You are all I have left, I cannot afford to lose you."

"Our father had died during the war, his death meant that our only means of putting food on the table was gone too. My mother took up the task of bringing home the money, working day and night as a healer. The stress of losing her husband, raising two daughters and being the only one bringing money finally caught up to her. She passed three summers ago, leaving Jessamine and I to care for ourselves. Jessamine was good with her needlework, and many ladies brought dresses and cloths to her in exchange for money. I, on the other hand, after forcing myself to learn to read one of my mother’s books, decided to collect herbs and flowers with certain properties and sell them to the villagers. As time went by, I began to learn how to mix poultices as well as the techniques to mend injuries. The money we brought in did not bring us a life of excess, but it was enough for the both of us.

I silently nodded, she gave me a small smile before pulling away from me.

We spent the right of the evening packing away the things I would need for my stay in the castle. Jessamine did most of the packing while I stared at the wooden walls of our home, this had been my home for nineteen years and this day might be the last I see of it. My hand traced against the pattern of the wood, smiling as I felt every scratch and chip. A sob caused me to turn around, Jessamine was standing over our bed, holding one of my dresses as she cried. Tears slid down my face as I walked to hold her, both of us now sobbing.

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The carriage shook as we traveled over the bumpy cobblestone, the rocking slowly making me nauseous. The King’s Head Commander had come personally to pick me up, at first light, along with a few of his soldiers. I hardly saw the need for such an escort, but did not voice that out as I remembered my sister’s words.

“You are quiet, today. What happened to your smart mouth?”

Sir Maxwell’s words were insulting, but his tone was good-natured. He had been staring at me intently ever since I set foot in the carriage, I had tried my best not to make any eye contact. He was amused by my silence, one side of his mouth quirked up in a playful smile.

“My sister told me not to speak out of turn, Sir.”

“You are not a prisoner here, Rose and I am not Xander. You can speak freely to me.”

My eyebrows rose when he addressed the King by his name as if they were friends... I could not fathom the King being able to be friendly with anyone besides his sword.

“Well since I have your permission. I truly feel like your prisoner, your King gave me an ultimatum that keeps me in the castle where I cannot see Jessamine, and if I fail... I will be thrown into the dungeon.”

“We were planning to come to your house anyway, Rose. Xander had just relieved the Royal Healer of his post, and grew interested in how highly the villagers spoke of your practice. Many of the healers grew up within the castle, learning only through books. You have been practicing your craft, learning on your own and have done well. The only reason Xander pushed this on you, is because you spoke your mind about him, which people rarely do.”

I spend the whole night crying with my sister over my possibility of not returning, when I was going to have to go to the castle one way or another. Our tears were the result of his temper tantrum. Sir Maxwell could see the many thoughts running through my head and started to laugh. I was going to ask more about my stay when the carriage halted... we are here.

Sir Maxwell helped me down as I took in the sight of the black monster in front of me. The castle was huge with tall towers, it stood strong with black stone as well as gold accents. I turned to see the drawbridge closing behind me... separating me from the rest of the world. We were now in the courtyard, various servants bustled around us like bees, stopping only to bow before Sir Maxwell. A few servants hurried to the carriage to help with my bags while Sir Maxwell took me into the castle itself. Inside, there were even more servants, ladies dressed in silk finery were busy being fussed at by their handmaidens. I kept my head down and followed till we stopped before a large door.

“This is the castle library, Rose. You can entertain yourself here, your handmaiden will be here shortly to take you to your quarters.”

He turned to leave. Now I was alone in this huge room filled to the brim with books, I strolled past the numerous shelves stopping to pick up books about plants. I continued to explore this labyrinth of knowledge before I realised that I was not alone. There was a man in front of a large window, staring at the view of the village as his hands moved to capture its beauty. His black hair matched the stonewalls, his clothes spoke of the same finery as the ladies of the court, he had to be noble. He must have sense my presence as he turned around, and I was greeted by the eyes as blue as the sea... his gaze was cold as he looked upon me.

“The King is not here, and before you ask, I know not where he is.”

With that he turned back to his masterpiece.

“I am here at the King’s request, but I am not looking forward to the time we meet.”

That seem to garner his attention as he put his book aside, turning his body fully to me. He had a much leaner build as compared to the King and Sir Maxwell, but he carried himself as regally as they did. His eyes seemed curious, after my confession, as they gazed at me.

“Is that so? Well, aren’t you an oddity? Most women can’t wait to meet the King, and you sound like you cannot wait to leave the castle?”

“To be honest, if I had a choice, I would not have stepped foot into this place. I am here on the King’s orders.”

He silently pondered my words. My curiosity got the best of me and I walked towards him to pick up the book at his side, sitting beside him to take a look at his work. Each picture was breathtakingly beautiful, there was life in each stroke and every detail of the world had been captured by his hand. I wanted to see more before he snatched it away from my hands, putting it behind his back.

“I am aware my work is paltry, there is no need to mock me.”

“Mock you? Your work is truly magnificent, you have a gift. So much beauty captured in a few strokes.”

“Do not lie to me.”

“I swear that I am not lying. I am jealous, actually. I always wished I had the talent to paint or draw, but I think my calling lies elsewhere.”

He sat up straighter at my words, the pride visible on his face. I wonder why he thought lowly of his work, such artwork could fetch high prices in the town square. I was then aware of the fact that I had been speaking to this man without even knowing his name.

“Forgive my manners, I forgot to introduce myself. Rose Elken.”

He nodded to acknowledge my name before taking my hand, bringing it softly to his lips.

“Pleasure to make your acquaintance, my lady. I look forward to seeing you around this place, I could show you more of my work... look at my rambling, I have not introduced myself. My name is Stephen Blackwood.”