Possession

by Samantha Britt

  Without thinking, I looked up at Brion to gauge his opinion.

  He raised an eyebrow, surprised by my show of deference. Did he think I’d act insubordinate in a room full of strangers?

  “Thank you, Meck,” Brion answered. “That is agreeable.”

  Our host led us to our seats. The rest of the guests were standing behind their chairs. I wondered why no one sat down until I realized they all stared at the male at my side. The draekon bowed as we passed, showing respect to their prince.

  Brion released my arm near my chair and moved to stand behind his. He conveyed confidence and power.

  Lord Meck’s arm brushed against mine, but I kept my gaze on the prince. I rarely saw him look so… princely. Sure, nobles and servants at the castle treated him with respect, but it was almost like Brion avoided receiving their admiration or deference any chance he could.

  Here, though, he was playing his part perfectly.

  Brion kept his audience waiting a moment longer before finally pulling the highbacked chair and sitting on the plush cushion. Fabric rustled as the rest of the guests followed his lead.

  “Allow me.” Lord Meck slid my seat back.

  “Thank you.” I tucked the gown underneath me and sat down.

  A line of servants entered the room. Each of them carried a platter of food. They lined up against the wall. A separate group of servants carrying carafes trailed in. Each of them wore expensive uniforms. The men sported black pants and crisp, white tunics while the women showcased their figures in sleek black dresses.

  One of the slender women glided towards Brion and filled his wine glass. A man appeared between Lord Meck and I, and I was surprised when he poured my glass before his master’s.

  Seeing my wide eyes, Lord Meck gave me a smile and said, “Guests are always served first in my home.”

  “That is…” Odd. “…very generous, my lord.”

  He inclined his head in acknowledgement.

  The servants quickly filled the rest of the room’s glasses.

  Lord Meck picked up his glass and tipped it towards me. I reached for mine and mimicked his gesture.

  “To new friends,” he said, loud enough to draw the table’s attention. He moved his gaze to the head of the table, “And the royal family.”

  I turned my head, noticing Brion’s eyes flicker between Lord Meck and me. He picked up his glass and raised it in the air. “To King Roderick.”

  The room chorused the cheer, and everyone sipped their drink.

  A plate of steaming vegetables and mouthwatering meat was deposited in front of me. I waited until I saw Brion pick up his fork before retrieving my napkin and placing it over my borrowed dress.

  I’d forgotten to eat before my nap, but I’d managed to eat one sandwich while the maid helped me prepare for dinner. But the snack hadn’t satisfied my hunger and I was starving, my stomach growling with anticipation. I didn’t question my increased appetite, but I did take care to eat at a polite pace.

  “How did you and the prince meet, Lady Amelissa?” Lord Meck’s question distracted me from a bite of carrots.

  I lowered my fork. “Shortly after I was recruited from Caldiri.”

  “Caldiri? I suspected Mar was your home region.”

  “Oh?” I took modest bite, reducing the number of steamed carrots on my fork.

  “Yes.” He looked at my hair. “Mar has a healthy trade industry. I thought perhaps your ancestors would have settled there.”

  “Perhaps they did, but I’ve only known Caldiri as home.” I cut the meat on my plate, avoiding his stare. I supposed Lord Meck had already pegged me as an Avelin descendant, but I didn’t know if he would hold draekon prejudice against me for my connection to their enemy.

  Feminine laughter drew my attention to the head of the table. Prince Brion leaned to his right, conversing with a beautiful draekon. Her ebony hair shined in the candlelight, and her dark eyes were outlined with kohl. Her red lips were dangerously close to the prince’s cheek, and I gaped at the bold display.

  “That’s my eldest sister.”

  I tore my eyes away and looked at Lord Meck. “There is no need to worry,” he continued with a placating smile. “Valeria is a well-known flirt.”

  I tilted my head, unsure what he meant. “Why would I worry?”

  Confusion crept into his expression. “Apologies, Lady Amelissa. I only meant my sister does not intend to insult you by speaking with your companion.”

  “My what?” I yelped. Several heads turned toward me.

  Brion laughed. He’d obviously heard. I looked at him with wide, horrified eyes.

  I was too embarrassed to acknowledge it was better the draeken thought I was his companion rather than his whore.

  My face heated.

  “Did I say something wrong?” Lord Meck’s voice filled with genuine remorse.

  Still chuckling, Brion said, “Amelissa is my secretary. We are not companions.”

  I wanted to wipe the amused smile from his face.

  The female beside him, Valeria, eyed me with unveiled curiosity. “But she is very pretty, Your Highness.” I didn’t detect malice or pettiness in her tone. I struggled to make sense of what was happening.

  “That she is.” Brion’s eyes glinted. “But alas, Amelissa chose to serve in the capital rather than enter the companion market.”

  Hearing Brion agree I was pretty made my blush deepen. I cursed my fair skin, wishing I had the darker tone of most Caldirians and draekon.

  “Truly?” Valeria’s genuine shock reminded me of the first draekon I’d encountered after arriving in Draek.

  My sister, Bridget, and I had been questioned for our desire to enter the labor market at least three separate times. It’d been confusing. After all, we’d all grown up believing there was nothing worse than becoming a draekon’s child bearer. It took me weeks before I finally realized my preconceptions had been misinformed.

  Still, the thought of being anyone’s companion made my stomach tighten. It didn’t matter if they were talking about Brion and me—a male who I’d started to consider a friend—the idea made me uneasy.

  “Truly,” Brion confirmed. “Amelissa disappointed many eager males, but I am fortunate to have her as a servant in my household. She began as a kitchen servant before her skills as a healer were discovered. But when I found out how intelligent she is, I enlisted her services as a secretary.”

  I schooled my expression, trying not to reveal what I thought about the prince’s version of my story. But I had to admit, he was a gifted liar.

  “You are a healer?” Lord Meck asked.

  I turned away from the grinning prince. “I was.”

  “Not just a healer,” Brion interjected. My gaze swung back to him, but he was looking at Lord Meck. “Tell me, has news of Princess Cienna’s health reached your region?”

  I decided to stare at my plate to avoid the many eyes focused on me.

  “Yes,” our host answered. “My family and I are overjoyed to hear the miracle of Cienna’s recovery.”

  “It was no miracle. Amelissa’s skills and knowledge are solely responsible for my sister’s recovery. Our family owes her a great debt.”

  A sharp pang stabbed my chest as I thought of Cienna.

  I knew Prince Brion would have given me little choice in the matter, but I still should have asked to see Cienna to say goodbye. The princess turned out to be a true friend, and I worried what she must have thought when she learned I left the castle with her brother without so much as a word. I hoped Prince Finn had taken it upon himself to explain the situation to his sister.

  I lifted my eyes from my plate. Brion’s smile was wide and sincere, and the sight was breathtaking. I could only bow my head, humbly accepting his compliment.

  “Amazing.” Valeria grinned. “I cannot wait to visit the capital and see the princess. We were quite inseparable as children… before her illness forced her to be bedridden, of course.”

  Brion looked at her. “My family w
ould be honored to host you at the castle.”

  Valeria’s lashes fluttered.

  Lord Meck leaned toward me, and his sleeve brushed my bare arm unintentionally. “I’m very interested in the healing arts. I study with Villam’s alchemists in my spare time.”

  “Really?” I observed his expression. His eyes shined with sincerity.

  “Yes. Would you be interested in joining me tomorrow afternoon in their workshops? I’d love to learn more about your experience and knowledge. If you don’t have tasks to complete for the prince, of course.” His dark eyes moved toward Brion. I followed his gaze.

  “Amelissa is free to join you, Lord Meck,” Brion said. He moved his attention to Valeria, essentially dismissing me. “Perhaps you would show me the city, Valeria? It’s been some time since I’ve been to Villam on holiday, and I’d like to see how it has changed.”

  Valeria donned a glowing smile. “I’d be honored.”

  I pushed down the tinge of jealousy that tried to settle in my chest. I had absolutely no reason to be jealous.

  Right?

  The meal resumed, and the conversations swirled around me, but the knot in my stomach refused to go away. With every look Brion and Valeria exchanged, the tension only grew, making me wonder what games the gods were trying to play with me.

  I didn’t care if Brion pursued Valeria.

  It didn’t matter if she was beautiful and draekon.

  I had no interest in the overbearing draekon.

  No.

  No interest, whatsoever.

  21

  “This is where alchemists work?” I turned in a circle, admiring the ceiling-high shelves full of potions, equipment, and experimental specimen. I’d thought Master Errol’s workspace in the castle was impressive, but Villam’s facility made his look second-rate.

  “Yes. All aspiring alchemists in the region come here to train in the healing arts. Several nobles and I help fund their research and continuing education,” said Lord Meck.

  “But why?” I trailed my finger over a jar with a preserved cow’s heart floating in yellow-brown liquid. “Draekon rarely get sick.”

  Lord Meck followed me as I made my way down the shelf of specimen. “True, but humans are susceptible to a variety of illnesses.”

  I stopped and raised my brow. “You finance this facility in order to help treat human diseases?” I wouldn’t have been able to hide my skepticism even if I tried.

  He raised a brow back. “Yes, in addition to many other things. For instance, our alchemists have been researching draekon sterility ever since the early days of the curse.”

  Again, hope that draekon would stop recruiting humans filled my mind. “Has there been any success?”

  “Very little but our dedicated alchemists refuse to be discouraged.” Lord Meck resumed walking. This time, I followed him.

  We entered a smaller room filled with books of various sizes.

  “A library?” I asked, refusing to think of the last time I’d been in such a room.

  “A scholarly one,” Lord Meck said. “Alchemists reference these texts for their research and to create medicines and potions.”

  Intrigued, I stepped towards the closest shelf. “May I?” I gestured towards a volume.

  “Please do.”

  I withdrew the text and held it gingerly in my arms. I trailed my finger over the draekonian title. “Poultices for Pain Conditions.”

  “You read draekonian?”

  “I’m learning.” I flipped the pages. There were several recipes for different injuries and pain symptoms. I closed the book and put it back on the shelf.

  The next title caught my attention. “What do you know about elves?” I gestured to the volume referencing elven medicines.

  “A fair amount,” he answered. He retrieved the text. “Ancient Avelin was full of knowledge. We know about their magic, but much of their insight has been forgotten by my kind. Once they destroyed our home continent, we were unable to see them as anything other than our enemies.”

  I observed the distant look in his gaze. “Were you alive when they attacked?”

  His head snapped towards me. “Gods, no. I’m not that old.”

  I ducked my head. “I’m sorry. I can never tell.” I’d only seen one draekon who looked old, despite many in my acquaintance being several centuries old.

  Lord Meck chuckled. “Apology accepted. But in case you were wondering, I am only one decade older than Prince Brion.”

  I refused to say that was still old to my short human lifespan.

  I resumed examining the bookshelf. “Are there any books about ancient draekon prophecies here?”

  “A few,” he said. “But they are housed in a different room.”

  “Would it be all right if I wanted to read them?” Brion had told me he wouldn’t be needing my services while we stayed in Villam. I might as well make use of my free time by learning more about the prophecies. Perhaps I might learn why the prince had one in his desk at the garrison.

  “Of course not,” Lord Meck interrupted my thoughts, “I will have a servant deliver a few volumes to your and the prince’s room.”

  The mention of our shared quarters made me blush. The prince had insisted on taking the cot again the previous night, but despite our separate sleeping arrangements, I still doubted there weren’t comments circulating the lord’s home about us.

  Even so, I had to admit the draekon from last night were different from the nobles I’d encountered in the castle. None whispered behind their hands when I walked past, and several actually sought me out following the evening meal.

  Prince Brion had abandoned me to continue flirting with Valeria, but Lord Meck stayed by my side as several draekon asked me about my home region and my time in the capital. I’d detected no malice, only sincere interest in learning more about me. I attributed their interest to the fact I worked so closely to their beloved prince. Still, it had been strange.

  We left the room lined with books, and Lord Meck continued my tour. He escorted me to what he called “The Laboratory” where several draekon and human alchemists were hunched over tables, swirling flasks and boiling mixtures. Each of them wore tight white aprons over their clothes, and cloth masks covered their faces. I acknowledged the sanitary techniques would provide better quality products.

  Next, we moved to the treatment wing. The long room rivaled the size of Lord Meck’s personal dining room, but instead of an expensive table and fancy décor, the wing contained four dozen patient beds. The headboards were placed against the walls, and alchemists moved from patient to patient as we walked past.

  “Can any Villam citizen seek treatment here?”

  “Yes. Though, only those who live nearby often do. Citizens farther away from the city tend to seek treatment from their local alchemist rather than risk the danger of travelling while ill.”

  I nodded, remembering how I journeyed to distant settlements in Caldiri. There was usually a healer in the area, but no one as well trained as me. Not everyone was fortunate enough to have Mistress Molly as a teacher.

  The rest of the afternoon flew by as I continued to admire the medical and scientific advancements the alchemist facility had to offer. Before I knew it, a distant clock tower chimed six o’clock.

  “We should be heading back,” Lord Meck sounded as disappointed as I felt.

  I nodded and felt no reservation when I accepted Lord Meck’s arm. After our day together, I felt comfortable around the noble draekon. He and I shared many common interests, and he had a good heart. He cared about the citizens in his region, both draekon and human alike.

  We walked down the streets of Villam. Just like Draek, I found myself comparing its comforts to the harsh reality in Caldiri. There were no Unfortunates huddled in corners to escape the elements. Villam didn’t have a downtrodden social class like Caldiri, and I saw no one who appeared bone-weary after a grueling day of manual labor.

  A part of me still resented the fortune of the draekon and humans
living outside of Caldiri.

  Why should they get to live easy lives while my loved ones and neighbors struggled to survive?

  Why should citizens in other regions be allowed to travel and learn about other areas of the kingdom?

  But as much as I wanted Caldiri to experience the same gifts and advantages, I knew there was only one draekon responsible for my region’s neglect. Lord Stanley was the draekon who kept all Caldirians ignorant of the truth of the world, but I knew the king was to blame for the unjust treatment of my friends and neighbors.

  What I didn’t understand was why? Why would King Roderick debilitate a region intentionally?

  Why leave us in the dark regarding the rest of the kingdom while also selecting us as recruits to serve in the capital?

  I couldn’t fathom a logical explanation.

  “You’re awfully quiet.” Lord Meck stared down at me. “Are you all right?”

  I tried to clear my troubled expression. “Yes, thank you. I was just lost in my thoughts.”

  His concern lingered. “I hope you had a pleasant afternoon. I very much enjoyed showing you the alchemists’ work and hearing about your experiences as a healer in Caldiri.”

  I smiled. I’d ended up sharing quite a bit of information with Lord Meck. I told him details about my training with Mistress Molly, and I also shared the chest percussion treatment I used on Princess Cienna. He’d been fascinated by the method and asked for specific details on the length of treatment, position of the patient, and more. Happy to speak with someone who shared my interest in the healing arts, I told him everything.

  “And I enjoyed sharing my experience with you,” I confessed to Lord Meck. “And thank you for allowing me to see the facility and hear about the work of the alchemists in Villam. They are very fortunate to have such a supportive noble.”

  His blush was charming. “I will not pretend my actions are not somewhat selfish. I finance so much in order to feel like I am a part of the alchemists’ work.” He guided me around a puddle and returned us to the main sidewalk.

  “Why not become an alchemist yourself?” I’d heard Lord Meck discuss the healing arts enough to deduce he was well versed in the field. He could easily join the alchemists and help with their research.