Chapter 5

The next week was spent in my room, literally. I even ate in my room. The only time that I left my room was to stand out on the balcony and watch the busy people go about their daily lives in the city. When I was out on the balcony, I always found myself searching the faces on the street for Brokk. I could not believe that I had been here for this long and he had not made any effort to see me.

I know that taking care of me was just part of his job, but I could have sworn that we had more of a connection than that. Why else would he have given me his mother’s ring. It just did not make any sense.

Maybe I had driven him away with all of my whining about going home. Whatever was happening, all that I know is that it has left me feeling very hollow and alone.

Bree turned out to be my only contact with the outside world. She came in bright and early every morning with my breakfast. She helped me to dress and bathe, and she stopped back in periodically throughout the day to bring me meals or to check up on me.

I spent most of my day reading or napping. The only problem with that is that I was awake during most of the night. That is when the loneliness and despair really set in. I could hardly bare it sometimes.

I tried to leave a few times. Only to find that I was locked inside of my room, of course. I was not even allowed to go to the kitchen or sitting area. I was a prisoner in every sense of the word.

I worried about what my parents must have been thinking and feeling. I felt sure that they were upset. They probably had an idea of where I was, but I bet they are wondering if that is a good thing or not.

I had truly expected them to have come for me by now. The thought of them not looking for me caused me even more heartache. How could they just let me go like that and not even come to check on me?

This morning was no different than all of the rest. Bree came in as she did every morning. She breezed through the door carrying a tray of food. Waffles, fruit, toast, and juice was my breakfast for the day. She flittered about my closet selecting my clothes as I nibbled a piece of toast. “Why do you even bother?” I asked. “I am not going anywhere, so who cares what I am wearing?”

She looked at me and frowned. “Today you are going to town to get fitted for some formal clothes. Therefore, yes I do care about what you are wearing. You need to be clean and ready to go in about an hour.”

I had not been able to visit the city since my arrival, so that was pretty exciting news. “You mean that she is letting me out of my cage?” I asked sarcastically.

“Only long enough for me to run a few errands and for you to visit the seamstress, oh and you have to be in disguise.” Bree replied.

“I have to wear a disguise?” I asked exasperated.

“Yes, but it should not be that bad. You will just have to wear one of my uniforms and we will tuck your hair up into a tight bun. Oh and you can wear these glasses.” She said as she handed me an old pair of black framed glasses.

“They are my grandmother’s but she just uses them for reading. Hopefully, nobody will pay much attention to you since they will think that you are just a servant or something.”

She went about dressing me, and putting my hair up. By the time that she was through, I barely even recognized myself. I wore one of Bree’s black uniform dresses, it was a little snug but it would do. My hair was pulled up in a tight bun on the back of my head, and the dark heavy glasses hid the details of my face.

Bree’s disguise was put to the ultimate test as we passed through the sitting area and headed for the door.

“Bree, do not forget to pick up my beads from the jeweler while you are out.” Called the queen who was lounging on one of the sofas. She just glanced at me briefly and went back to reading her book without another word.

Bree gave me a quick grin and raised her eyebrows to show me how satisfied she was with her disguise.

We stepped out of the front door and onto the marble steps that led down into the streets of the city. I was so excited to be out of my room that I was nearly bursting. I was bouncing up and down with glee. Bree gave me a stern look and I stopped, pouting a little.

I breathed the air in deeply, it was scented heavily with the smell of baking bread, and I sighed. “Mmm.”

“Hush.” Bree said. “You are going to draw to much attention to us.” Shaking her head, she took me by my arm and led me through the streets of Petrona.

I tried as hard as I could to take in my surroundings. Along the main avenue, there were several clothing stores with beautiful mannequins proudly displaying the style of each store. In one of the windows, I saw an adorable red and white striped top with a flirty black bow off to the side of its scooped neck collar.

“Oh wow, Bree. I want that.” I exclaimed, but Bree only ignored my drooling and tugged me along the sidewalk.

I spotted the bakery. It was stacked with cakes, pies, and breads. My mouth was watering as I looked longingly into the window. Each time that I gradually managed to pull away from Bree to check something out, she would pull me back to her and scold me about giving myself away.

It would have been nice if I could have taken more time to browse. It would have been especially nice if I would have had some money to purchase a few of the things that I so desperately wanted or needed. I would have to do something about that.

Maybe I could talk Lilith into letting me work as a housekeeper or something. She would probably enjoy watching me do menial labor. Not that I was above it, but she did not know that. To her I was the princess who was a threat to her crown.

The first stop on my outing with Bree was at the seamstress shop. Sew Lovely was the name of the little place. It was tucked along one of the side streets. The sign hanging over the door depicted a spool of thread and a needle with a long red string hanging from it. A little bell chimed as we entered through the door.

The seamstress introduced herself as Gertrude. She was a sweet older lady with fiery red hair. It was fastened on top of her head by two large knitting needles. She had the kindest pale blue eyes, and they shined with joy as she talked about her shop and all of the things that she could do.

She measured me from head to toe. When she finished she showed Bree and I several nice fabrics and a few patterns that the queen had requested for my wardrobe. There was lace and satin in every color imaginable.

Apparently, the seamstress was the only person in town that knew my true identity. She took me into a large dressing room and had me try on a very elegant gown. It was silver satin and covered in sparkling rhinestones. I could not wait to see how it looked.

“This one will be for the ball.” She said with glee.

“I am going to a ball?” I asked in amazement.

“Oh, why yes dear.” She said. “You didn’t know? The ball is for you. It is where you will be announced to the whole city.”

I remembered the queen mentioning a ball when I had first arrived, but I had been locked away ever since. She never mentioned that it would be so soon. Actually, she had not spoken to me at all since then.

Gertrude went on tucking and pinning the dress to prepare it so that it would properly fit. While tucking one sleeve she leaned in close and whispered. “Child, how are your parents? Will they be coming back to Petrona for the ball?”

I was so shocked that I did not know what to say. “My parents?” I asked.

“Well, yes.” She said hesitantly. “Everyone is hoping that they will return and take the throne back from that retched Queen Lilith. Things just have not been the same since she became queen. But please do not repeat what I say. I would hate to lose my head over such a thing. Perhaps I should not have said anything at all.”

“No, no. I would never tell. I have no idea what has become of my parents. I miss them terribly. I wish that they were here. They would definitely know what to do about all of this.” I said.

I felt another pang of loneliness at the mention of my parents. I wished that I could just go back home. I hated being locked away from everything that I loved. I missed my parents. I missed my home. I even missed Brokk. I stared at the floor as Gertrude finished up my fitting. She kept chatting away but I did not hear another word. I was too lost in my own misery.

I could not help but stare down at my ring. It looked beautiful against the shimmering silver fabric of the dress. I imagined Brokk escorting me to the ball. I bet he would look awesome in a tuxedo. We could spend the whole night dancing in each other’s arms. If only I could get to see him again. I would definitely ask him.

As soon as my fitting was finished, Bree rushed me out the door and we continued down the busy street. She needed to pick up a few things at the market, so we roamed through the carts and stalls that had been set up for the merchants. There were lots of different farmers there selling everything from cheese to meats to fruit. Bree picked out the few things on her list that the cook had asked her to pick up while I moseyed up and down the aisles taking everything in. Everyone seemed very friendly. They said hello and smiled as I walked by, I wondered what Gertrude meant when she said that things had not been the same since my parents left.

Bree finished up with her purchases and we turned the corner from the market and headed for the jeweler. As we walked, I noticed a group of men gathered around what looked to be guards. They were dressed in deep navy uniforms with some sort of emblems embroidered on them.

My heart raced as I searched their faces hoping to at least spot a glimpse of Brokk. Just as I was about to give up and turn into the jeweler’s shop with Bree, a dark haired guard walked over to join the others. I froze where I was and stared at him as I held my breath. The weight of my stare must have been too much, because he lifted his gaze and searched the crowd until his eyes met mine. We stood there like that for several minutes, not wanting to move or look away. However, another guard caught his attention and pointed animatedly at some of the men in the crowd.

“Callie, what are you doing? Get in here!” Bree called from inside of the shop and hesitantly I turned and walked inside.

The rest of the day seemed to pass in a fog. I walked with Bree to the remainder of her stops, but I hardly noticed where I was or who I met. My mind was on one person and one person only. Brokk.

I did not know why I was letting him affect me this way. When I was with him all that I had wanted to do was get away from him and get home to my family, but now that he was gone, I longed to see him again.

I could not help but think of those deep blue eyes and the way that they were smoldering at me in the cave. Or of how his arms felt, as he held me until I fell asleep. How could he be so kind one minute, and just walk away the next? Did he have any idea how bad the queen was treating me? No, he could not. He would have come for me if he did. That is what I kept telling myself anyway.

Bree browsed around the shelves of the leather shop on her last stop. The smell of leather was always one of my favorite scents. I stood just outside of the door with my head resting against the glass display window lost in my own thoughts. I felt something brush lightly down my cheek and turned quickly to find Brokk pulling his hand back from my face.

The feeling of warmth and relief that I felt just standing there next to him was almost overwhelming. I thought that I was missing him these last few days, but I had no idea how much until he was right in front of me. I wanted to throw myself onto him and never let him go again, but I did not know if he was feeling the same way.

“Oh.” I said, sounding surprised. “Where did you come from?”

He let out a brief chuckle and then went back to looking way to serious. “Callie, what are you doing out here? And why are you dressed as a servant?”

“Brokk.” I had no idea where to start, or even if I should. Instead, I asked, “Where have you been? I have not heard a word from you for over a week.”

He looked down. “I have had a lot of work to do. It has kept me away from here for a few days.” There was something in the tone of his voice that I could not understand. Like he was trying to keep something from me.

“Brokk? Is something wrong?” I asked.

He met my eyes then, and his were swimming with tears that had not yet spilled over as he choked out his words. “Callie, something terrible has happened. I tried to stop it, but I was too late.” He bowed his head again as the tears began to stream down his face.

I grabbed him by his arm and led him around to the back of the building. I had no idea what this was about, but we definitely did not need an audience. “What is going on Brokk? What has happened? Tell me please.”

“They must have followed me when I tracked you.” He said in a rush. “After I brought you here, I went back to the surface to check on your parents. I felt sure that they knew that we had come for you, but still, I wanted to be sure that they were okay. Callie, they were not okay. They were not. I am so sorry.” He sobbed.

“They were dead.” He said the words but they were barely audible.

It took a few moments for his statement to sink in. When it did, it was as if someone had just slapped me hard across the face. The feelings of shock and despaired ripped through me. I had to place one of my hands against the wall to brace myself. I was not sure that I would be able to stand on my own. My parents. Both of them. Dead?

“How?” Was all that I could manage to say.

“They were murdered, Callie. Their throats had been cut.” He whispered.

The scene played out in my mind. The horror of it was almost too much. I did not want to think about it. I tried to look at something else to distract myself, but it was no use. All that I could see was my parents lying on the floor covered in blood.

“Callie, look at me.” I heard Brokk say. I pulled myself from my thoughts and looked up to find him staring into my eyes. I searched his face for some answers. I could feel my emotions changing from despair to anger and rage.

“Who? Who did this, Brokk? You said they must have followed you, who followed you?” I demanded in a whisper.

“The guards. The queen’s personal guards. I thought it would be enough if she had you. I know that she has always dreaded the return of King Elver and Queen Faylinn. I knew that she was greedy for power, but I never would have thought that she would do something like this.” He said desperately.

“What do you mean that you thought it would be enough if she had me? You knew that she hated me? You knew why she brought me here?” I yelled in disbelief. He knew all along what she wanted, and he did not even care. He practically delivered me to her wrapped up in a bow.

I started to shrink back from him. All of the sudden I could no longer stand to be in his presence.

“Callie, please.” He pleaded; his tears were still falling from his eyes. “Please let me explain.”

“NO!” I cut him off. “Stay away from me! I hate you! I hate your freaking guts! I never want to see your face again!” I screamed as all of my pain and anger boiled to the surface.

I could not stand it anymore. I had to get away from him. I had to get away from everything. I started to run. I had no idea where I would go, but it did not matter. I had never felt so much pain in my life.

I heard him calling after me.

“Callie! Callie please! Stay!”

I just ignored him and ran faster.