Flora

by Kendal M Lyon

  "You spent the entire day dressing me up for a dinner?" Flora asked scowling at the girl who smiled back.

  "Lord Reynald told me to," Ambrosia said laughing.

  Flora reached down for the boots she had taken off earlier and slipped her feet back into them. They made her feel a little more grounded then she had been. Ambrosia locked her in her room for a few more hours after that, leaving her alone. Flora sat still at the end of the bed, waiting for anything. She slipped her sharp pin into the sleeves of her dress as time passed. If she moved wrong it did stab her, but it was better than nothing. With that and her boots she felt almost armed.

  Lady Willa came in to look Flora over. The anger in her eyes had faded from the days before, but they looked as tired as Flora's. "You are going to do what you are supposed to?" She asked Flora who stood up.

  "I should have from the beginning," Flora said.

  Betrayal

  The dining room was regal. Lit with torches and candles stationed along bronze mirrors to cast the edges of the room into shadows while the table took centre stage, and casting the room in an ominous red glow. She could see those around her clearly, yet at the far end of the tables she could barely make out King Adriat and Queen Curilane on either end. A painter stood near them, flashing his eyes back and forth as he captured the likeness of the room. His brush stroked moving along to capture the mural of the massive snake that covered all four walls.

  Their movement occasionally rippled through the mirrors and Flora saw that King Adriat kept eyeing the Queen, who sat by Lord Reynald himself. Lord Reynald's mask slipped into fury as King Adriat's head turned away.

  She saw a priestess by King Adriat, eyeing Lord Reynald as well. She was standing there with her hands clasped and her hood down. Flora wondered if Lord Reynald was aware of the priestess's gaze.

  She almost smiled as Lord Reynald also glared at her. It had been King Adriat's idea then that Lord Reynald brought his lovely country cousin to the dinner. Flora was glad she was there though. She still remembered the blood that she had been coated in, but for the first time she was determined not to disappoint Lord Reynald. Maybe she wouldn't even disappoint King Adriat.

  Flora herself had been seated beside Prince Fergus, of course, which she was sure infuriated Lord Reynald more. He must have felt she had weaselled her way into the royal family, which she had been trying to do. The goal seemed more empty now but she sat up straight. Prince Fergus was fidgeting with his wine glass in front of him, making small talk, avoiding any subject remotely similar to what they had talked about in Lady Dells's rooms. Some of the chairs around them were still empty, and Princess Kalida had not yet arrived. Though Flora needed the emptiness now, it was hard enough to focus on anything while the room felt like a calm before a storm. The pit of her stomach grew till she was sure she would not be able to eat anything.

  "Do you go out into the city much Prince Fergus?" She forced herself to say. "I remember you mentioning its dangers when we had tea with Lady Dells.

  "Well, uh, not since—er no," said Prince Fergus said with a tentative smile, his cheeks going red. "Just call me Fergus."

  Flora cocked her eyebrow at that. "Ok Fergus," Flora swallowed, "so why not? Cousin Reynald assures me it is quite safe, nearly as safe as this castle," Flora said, her lips tight in a closed smile.

  "Oh yes, the city is fine for young Noblemen to play in, no danger to you at all," said a raspy voice from across the table that snapped Flora's back straight. Standing across from her, looking as noble as could be possible in a silver dress, was Harriet.

  Her nails were still long and still pointed, wrapping around the top of the chair that she held, and her teeth still mostly gapping like tombstones, but whiter. Flora had no better word for it than magic, that had been done to Harriet's face.

  "Some may disagree," Prince Fergus said to Harriet. "I am sorry, but I don't believe we have met, you are Mrs—."

  "Grimaldi your Highness," Harriet said with a dip of her head. "Might I say you live up to expectations." Prince Fergus's sat a little straighter as he took in the praise.

  "With what pleasures did you come to dine here?" Flora said, her eyes narrowing as her fist clenched the stem of her glass. She felt like she had stopped breathing.

  "You would not be able to understand," Harriet said with slow ease.

  "Is it war related?" asked Prince Fergus, glancing between Flora and Harriet. Leaning in while Harriet only nodded.

  "Fascinating," Flora said through clenched teeth.

  Harriet ignored Flora and turned to the price. "Your Highness, would you know when dinner is going to be fetched? I am as starved as a poor orphan on the street?" She asked slowly with a grin.

  Flora could see Prince Fergus slightly recoil at the foul sight of all her teeth exposed. "Um, well, I will go find out," he said and bolted to standing. His chair nearly toppling over in the process. It was not long till Flora saw the back of his head disappear from the large entrance doors.

  "He should have sent a servant," said Harriet, clearing her throat, before turning her gleaming eyes back to Flora. "But this is nice. You and me again—a sweet harmless country girl, without a lick of brains in sight—" she stared at Flora. "Have you been enjoying yourself?"

  Flora wanted to snap the glass in her hand over Harriet's head.

  Harriet leaned in, and Flora could feel her warm breath reaching her cheeks. "Lord Reynald has had you for long enough. There is much I need you for outside," Harriet said, her fingernails ringing on the chair below her.

  "You sold me out. I am as good as gone," Flora spat back.

  Harriets eyes lit up. "Gone are we?" she said smiling. "Are you trying to escape?" She asked, her head turning to where Lord Reynald sat along the table.

  Flora ignored her. "You two seem to know everything so why don't you tell me."

  Harriet only smiled.

  "How long had you planned to sell us out?" Flora asked.

  Harriet grinned again and air whistled between her teeth. "I can only sell the things I own, but you, you are just on loan. You are mine."

  Flora's fingers dropped from her wine glass to clench around the handle of the butter knife on the table in front of her. Her muscles clenched as if to throw the knife. The chair beside her moved backwards, but she left her eyes on Harriet as Prince Fergus slid down beside her. He said something but Flora's eyes were ringing an she could not hear.

  "I will talk to you later. I must take my seat," she said bowing her head to Prince Fergus, before stalking farther down the table towards where Queen Curilane sat, stopping directly between Flora and Queen Curilane. Flora watched her. Wondering how she had become someone important enough to be sitting in the palace dining room.

  An earthquake shook the room again. Flora grinned as Harriet fell over and a glass window popped from its frame to crash onto the ground. It passed faster that Flora would have liked and servants were already cleaning up the mess. Everyone then moved on, as if nothing had happened. A white bird flew in through the window to land on a chandelier, and still it was ignored.

  Flora had a hard time releasing her pale hands from the blade she held, and it was only the sound of Prince Fergus smacking his lips as he drank wine that kept her from throwing her knife down the table.

  She had managed to calm down her heart enough and release her fingers when the doors of the dining hall opened. Princess Kalida entered, being led by none other than Vander, dressed in tight brown leather pants and jacket complete with a red fox fur dropped over one shoulder.

  Flora's heart skipped a beat as their eyes caught. He winked at Flora as he passed, and from the corner of her eye Flora could see Prince Fergus's shoulder's slump as they walked by. All the way to the head of the table where Vander then sat at King Adriat's left-hand side, one chair down from Princess Kalida. Flora startled as movement on her other side grabbed her narrow attention, but it was only Lady Dells who had come to sit beside her, most of the chairs were filled now, and with a ring of a be
ll, dinner was served. As Lady Dells sat Flora could barely hold in a blunt question, of what in the world Lady Dells wanted from a girl like her.

  Dinner

  Soon servers started walking along the table platters in hand, the savory smell of rosemary moving in their wake. Flora forced herself to put food on her plate as she waited for Lady Dells to finish her conversation with the guest on her other side.

  "Fergus, how did you get placed so far down the table? Have you been bad?" Asked Lolita.Flora took a sip of the wine in front of her, the sweetness made her eyes light up and she slowly spit it back into her cup.

  "I uh, well I am supposed to be talking to uh, you ladies. Father thought it would go smoother if I wasn't close to him, and especially mother, as well," Prince Fergus said, as more servants started to appear and smoking roasts were moved onto the table in great rows, followed by bowls of colorful fresh salad and platters piled high with fruit and cheese.

  "Us ladies is it?" Lolita said again, winking at Flora who could feel her own cheeks go red.

  Prince Fergus was quick to ignore Lolita. Instead piling his plate high with food. Lady Dells also started putting more exotic food on her plate, explaining what each odd thing was as it went down. Lolita was fascinated with Flora as she watched Flora taste small bits of the delicacy's at Lady Dells prompting.

  "Do you not like it?" Lolita asked. "It would be good if you put on some weight so you really need to eat."

  Flora shrugged. "It is just...different."

  As Flora ate she took the opportunity to sneak a casual look first at Harriet, who was laughing loudly with those around her, and then farther down the table to Vander. She was surprised to see him looking at her too, his brows pinched as he watched her.

  She quickly averted her eyes but could feel her cheeks get warm. This time she welcomed it. She wondered if there was a way she could get closer to him to talk. She was unable to move now, with it being dinner, but maybe afterwards she would have a chance. Her body tingled with hope as she thought of the possible comfort and how she might do it. She glanced quickly again, but his attention was now on the Princess Kalida, and Flora could only see the back of his head.

  Dinner was soon over and Lady Dells left the table quickly before Flora could ask her anything. People were getting up with drinks in hand to wander around the room and say hello to the other guests. Flora stayed where she was, tracking between Lady Dells, Harriet, and Vander. She tried to ignore Lord Reynald. For what else could he do to her that he had not already done.

  It was a mistake when Lord Reynald whispered into her ear. She jumped, her elbows swinging before she remembered where she was.

  "You should be mingling," Lord Reynald said.

  "I cannot do that when you are here talking to me," Flora said.

  Flora could hear the squeaking of wood below Lord Reynald's grip on her chair, but he soon left saying nothing else. Flora stood, grabbing a glass of champagne to steady her nerves, and moved into the small parties of people. Lady Dells was in a whispered argument with a man, and Flora made to move to her when Vander appeared in front of her.

  Her shoulders dropped as tension left them, and the first real smile appeared on her face as he looked down at her.

  "Did something happen?" Vander asked.

  "I am... not sure I can say," Flora said, looking back over her shoulder at Lord Reynald. " I need to talk to Lady Dells." Flora breathed in deeply as she gave Vander a faltering smile.

  "Can I help? I know Miranda," Vander said. "I probably know her better than most in here?"

  Flora stared uneasily up at him, weighing wether or not she could ask him. She still felt like she could hear the sound of a cannon going off, and it was that that made her finally ask him.

  "What does she want from me?" Flora asked.

  Vander pierced his lips. "I am not sure I can say either."

  "Then I have to ask her," Flora said, squaring her shoulders to move past him.

  Vander put his hand on her shoulder holding her back. "I don't think this is the best place," he said leaning in. "She is looking for an elemental. Do you know what that is?" Vander asked, his voice barely audible.

  Flora nodded her head.

  "An elemental could save us in this war, assuming they want to," Vander said. "They have not been known to get on with humans well...and they, especially Lord Reynald, are afraid of them."

  "Mr Mosel," came Princess Kalida's voice.

  Vander let out a heavy breath. "I am sorry I have to go. I can trust you not to do anything stupid?"

  Flora nodded her head as Vander's hand slipped off her shoulder. She looked back to where Lady Dells was and found that she had disappeared. She scanned the room and could not find a hint of the old woman, so she moved back to where Lolita and Prince Fergus sat at a table while Vander spoke with Princess Kalida.

  She barely paid attention to the conversation until Lolita spoke up.

  "Lord Reynald," Lolita said respectfully to him and he nodded back. "How is the Duke's thief?"

  "He is no longer a problem," said Lord Reynald coming to stand beside Flora's chair.

  "Glad to see that tidied up," Prince Fergus said. "Mother was furious about her brother being abused so."

  "What did you do to him?" Flora asked, causing the group to pause.

  "It is none of your concern Miss Faodail," Prince Fergus said again. "It is his job to protect us from those crazy city dwellers. Be thankful."

  "Best left forgotten about," Lolita said.

  "Well, let us pretend that I am such a vicious, ungrateful, thieving criminal," Flora said, "what would my punishment entail?"

  "Well, beheading, eventually of course, especially for stealing from the royal family," Lord Reynald said. "We are not their yet. Those peasants touch us and the next thing you know there are murders along our streets."

  Prince Fergus was nodding his head. "There is only one way to deal with it, knock them where it hurts," he said.

  "And are all prisoners treated this way?" Flora asked as she stared at Lord Reynald.

  "I think you should focus on learning more from Lady Dells than about criminal politics...cousin," said Lord Reynald

  "You must not worry for those peasants Flora, I am sure they deserve what they get. Enjoy the luxury we have. Our forefathers earned it," Prince Fergus said, reaching for Flora's hand, stroking it as if to console her. Flora had to resist her impulse to yank her hand out from under him.

  "The people must make sure we do not come calling," Lord Reynald responded. "The threat keeps them inline, and prisoners often go missing."

  "What if they are innocent?" Flora asked her eyes catching the candle flames on the table, her heart climbing into her throat as she absorbed Lord Reynald's threat.

  "If one in one hundred of all the people we lock up are innocent, I am fine with those odds," Prince Fergus said with a laugh as he looked into her eyes. "Miss Faodail, I had no idea you were so interested in our criminals."

  "Yes, how endearing. But without the war and crime, how would our Lady make any money," Lord Reynald said with a nod to Lolita.

  Lolita shrugged nonchalantly. "If it were not me it would be someone else supplying the guards," she said.

  "You are making a fortune off the prisoners?" Flora asked.

  Lolita nodded.

  "And hunting the Folk?" Flora asked, her voice weak. "But you seem to be...good."

  Lolita shrugged.

  Prince Fergus's cheeks got red at Flora's words and he mumbled something, making his exit with Lord Reynald following him, glaring at Flora. Flora was finding it hard to hear what Lolita said back, if Lolita was even saying anything.

  She had thought Lolita was good, kind even. She was one of Vander's friends, and yet she was the reason his kind were being killed. The truth made her want to puke. She stared into the flickering flame across from her in despair wondering if she really was getting to know anyone within the castle.

  A hand grabbed her upper arm harshly. Flora l
ooked back in surprise. Lord Reynald was back and stood over her casting her into shadow. "Excuse us Lolita," Lord Reynald said through clenched teeth. "You have overstayed your welcome. You will not make a fuss as we leave seeing as how you aren't bothering to talk to Lady Dells."

  "But I haven't had a chance much this evening," Flora said quickly as he gathered her up.

  Flora was scared of the look she found on Lord Reynald's face. She looked back at the table in front of her, her eyes darting around rapidly, looking for anyone in whom could delay Lord Reynald from taking her, at least until she got her wits settled about her, but Lolita had already left.

  She saw Vander, but his back was to hers as he talked to Princess Kalida and King Adriat. Lady Willa was watching her, but she knew no help would come from there while Lady Dells had reappeared and was in a heated debate with a group of old Nobles farther along. No one would notice her gone, and she finally believed the crazed Lord beside her when he said it would be a bad idea to make a fuss.

  She placed her two hands on the table in front of her and pushed herself up, moving her skirts away from her feet as she walked. She tried to keep her back from breaking as she was pushed out of the dining room by Lord Reynald firm hand.

  Crushed

  Lord Reynald's hand was tight along the back of her neck as he pushed her along, climbing the steps to Lady Willa's rooms as they sought her cell's solitude.

  The flames and windows along the hallway were a cruel joke as they climbed, fighting back the darkness. The white sparrows along the window ledges, staring at her, judging her as they cocked their heads.

  Flora tripped up the last set of stairs, the heels of her fashionable platform shoes making her gait unstable, and she nearly fell into Oswald. His mouth tight and eyebrows pinched, as Lord Reynald pressed her by.

  Flora thought the man was going to throw her into the door frame, and he barely missed as she was thrown into the room. Catching herself before her head hit the chair in the corner. She grasped its smooth top. It was the only thing holding her up and was more steady than her feet were. Her knuckles cracked as they held on.