Chapter 9 WHISPERS
“You react differently toward her," Draven observed, his gaze lingering on Haven who was having a chat with Amelyn and Nerisa. “Maybe she's the one the fire has chosen."
Auren shot him a glare and he shrugged. “The fire will be making a huge mistake."
“Maybe they already have," Draven observed. “I'm not blind, Auren. I can see the extra mark on her neck and the way it glows slightly when you are around. The fire has chosen her."
“The fire does not get to decide. You know why she's here."
Draven sighed and nodded. “So what next? She's not gonna sit around and look pretty all day. I can tell it'd drive her crazy."
“Get Imogen." Auren ordered. “Tell him that I want his services instantly. He's going to educate my bride on actually being my queen.”
Draven nodded unsure. “Imove
Draven nodded a second time and stepped away.
Auren turned and found Nerisa and Amelyn leading her upstairs. He mindlinked Amelyn, “Take her to my bedroom."
\~~~
Haven followed Amelyn and Nerisa through the long corridors of Emberlight Castle, the sound of her slippers barely audible against the black marble floors. The deeper they went, the warmer the air became—heat radiated from the very walls, as though the castle itself breathed dragonfire.
They stopped before two towering doors, carved with ancient sigils and dragons coiled in eternal flight. The doors opened on their own, revealing a chamber bathed in gold light and shadows.
“This…” Haven breathed, taking a hesitant step inside. “This is not where I spent last night.”
Amelyn inclined her head slightly. “The King requested that you wait here, my lady.”
“What?”
“Yes." The woman’s amber eyes flickered with a trace of amusement. “You will be safe. The King’s chambers are bound with wards. No one can harm you here.”
" I'm not talking about anyone harming me. I'm not spending my night in his room,” she protested.
Amelyn exchanged a glance with Nerisa and sighed. She turned to Haven and held her hand. “Can you just comply and not give poor Nerisa a hard time? The king would punish her severely if she doesn't do as she's told."
Haven cast a glance at Nerisa, and the girl was staring at her, a silent plea in her gaze. “Great!"
Amelyn let out a grateful smile. "Nerisa will see that you are well prepared for him.”
Well prepared for him. Haven didn't need a soothsayer to tell her what it meant. The King had married her, and would definitely want to consummate the wedding tonight.
Rage burned hot in her chest just thinking about it. But beneath that hate was something else. Something she couldn't name.
The door closed behind Amelyn, as she stepped out of the room.
Without a word, Nerisa led Haven to an adjourning room. She helped her out of her wedding dress a had her put on a sheer white lace nightdress that barely brushed her thighs. She took off all the pins from Haven's hair, letting it rest once again on her back.
“Lavender or Vanilla, My lady?" She asked, holding up two small perfume bottles.
“Lavender."
Nerisa gave a small nod and returned the vanilla back to the shelf where she had taken it. She applied the lavender perfume on Haven's body and hair. She then picked up a transparent white robe and made Haven wear it over the dress.
“You look beautiful, my lady," she said with an admiring smile.
Haven glanced at the mirror and shook her head. She didn't look beautiful, she looked like she was about to seduce the king into sleeping with her.
She'd rather slit her throat.
‘'Careful with those words now, Little Flame. You will definitely beg.’ his voice echoed.
After Nerisa led her back to the room, she bowed and exited through the door.
Haven took the opportunity of the king not being around to observe the room.
Everything from the Curtains to the sheets were black. The sheets, curtains, couch, walls. They were all as black as his heart. The wood crackled in the fireplace, giving the room a subtle warmth.
She sat on the bed, waiting for the king as instructed. Hours passed by and no sign of him. Soon her eyes grew heavy, and she couldn't fight the sleep that was threatening to take over.
She laid on the bed and in no time drifted to the land of sleep.
\~~~
Haven opened her eyes to an unfamiliar environment. She had no idea where she was. All around was just a vast baren land. .
Where was she?
She stood up and took s step forward, not having a single idea where she was heading to. In the distance she could see flames.
Wait!
The flames were actually spreading, moving towards her. Then she saw a woman who looked a lot like her, running away from the fire.
Then she heard it.
Amidst the raging fire and the sound of the woman screaming, another voice came, soft and pleading.
“Haven," it called in a desperate whisper. “Haven, we have been looking for you."
She looked around her confused. She was there alone. Well there was the woman running from the fire, but she didn't consider her. She was here alone so who was calling out for her? And again so desperately.
“Haven," the whisper came again. “Come find me. We need you."
She was about to take a step forward when another voice reached her subconscious. “Little flame?"
This voice wasn't a soft whisper. No, it was an urgent call. And with the call she felt something pulling her back, away from the fire.
“Wake up, Haven," the king's voice echoed again in her mind.
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
The desperate whisper echoed in her ears, combined with the soft command of the king. The voices became too much that she couldn't contain it any longer.
“No!" She yelled opening her eyes and sitting up. Her heart was racing fast and she was sweating all over.
It was just a dream.