"This is Eden," he said.
"Tennessee is Eden?" She asked and he shook his head.
"No, the dot," he said and she leaned forward reading the name Winchester.
"Eden was Winchester before?" She asked frowning, "What happened to all the other land."
"It's still there," he said, pressing his lips together, "There are other towns...Other Kings and Queens."
"Are they like Eden?" She inquired, frowning.
"They are," he said, smiling, "And because of that, when we are finished freeing Eden, we will begin a plot to free the others too."
"Do you think that we can do that?" She asked, frowning.
"With your help," he said, smiling, "Do you think you can help me, Serafina?"
She stared at the map with doubt across her face but the promise to her grandmother floated through her mind and she stared from Riann to Thane before nodding her head.
She straightened her back and nodded, "I can," she said as the fire she was named for lit in her soul.
Chapter Ten
The morning light pouring from her window woke her. The chirp of Mrs. Sherman's voice came as she pulled her eyelids open trying to get used to waking in a different place. She blinked a couple of times before she sat up.
"Tired, aren't you, Dear?" she chortled, giving Serafina that insincere smile that didn't reach her eyes as she peered at her, "You had a big day yesterday."
Serafina returned her smile though she did put more effort to make it appear sincere than Mrs. Sherman, "It's different," she replied, glancing around the room, "I've never had my own room. This is beautiful."
"I'm so glad you like it," she said, clapping her hands but her eyes hardened enough to make Serafina wince. Thankfully, she continued without paying attention to it, "You will like everything here. I promise."
Serafina nodded as she tilted her head, "I'm sure I will," she lied as Mrs. Sherman moved to the door and allowed two other women in.
"These are the royal dressers, Gretchen and Alberta," she said as the ladies swept in holding black cases. They curtsied awkwardly. Though their movements were in sync with each other, their appearances were drastically different. Gretchen was a blonde with bright blue eyes while Alberta possessed hair the color of chocolate and hazel eyes. She had a splatter of freckles across her nose.
"Your Highness," They said before popping back up on their feet.
"Not yet, ladies," Mrs. Sherman said as her face tightened. Her voice was tense and it made Serafina worry for the safety of the two women.
Serafina's smiled widened, "No, not yet," she repeated, suddenly understanding Mrs. Sherman's spite. She wanted to be a royal and jealousy was making her evil.
"What shall we call you, Mistress Malloy?" Gretchen asked as she tilted her head studying Serafina.
"You may call me Serafina," she said and Gretchen smiled as if pleased to be using her given name.
"Thank you," She said and Mrs. Sherman's eyes narrowed though that perpetual smile remained in place. She clucked her tongue in disapproval.
"It is a scandal for us…lower folks…to address the future princess in such a way. Make sure you put mistress before her name," Mrs. Sherman snapped. Gretchen winced and then, paled.
"Yes, Mrs. Sherman," she said and Mrs. Sherman nodded as her face softened. Serafina released a breath that she did not realize she had been holding. Something about the way Mrs. Sherman could switch moods so quickly terrified Serafina.
"Very good, Gretchen," she said, raising her brow as she peered at Alberta before glancing at Gretchen again, "Make sure to report back to me after dressing the young Mistress."
"Yes, Ma'am," Both of the designers said in unison. A tremble shook through Gretchen as Mrs. Sherman exited the door. The girl raised one shaky hand to swipe her hair from her face.
"Are you all right, Gretchen?" Serafina asked but the girl glanced at Alberta with wide eyes and then, nodded.
She plastered a smile over her terrified expression, "Of course, I am, Mistress," she chirped.
Serafina glanced at Alberta. The calculation in her eyes warned Serafina not to say anymore.
"Perfect," she said, straightening as she clasped her hands in front of her.
"Mistress," Alberta said, grinning as she pointed to an upholstered bench in front of a vanity, "Please sit down so we may begin."
Serafina sat down but glanced at Gretchen in the mirror long enough to realize that every step that she made, would affect someone else while she served time as the princess.
**********
Prince Riann met Serafina outside the door to her bedroom. Both Gretchen and Alberta curtsied before Riann nodded and then turned his back so that they could make their way down the hall. He glanced at her and smiled as he took in the green sundress with a belled skirt. It was white covered with green polka dots. Her shoes were strapped sandals with the same green dots across the leather. Her make-up enhanced her natural beauty and her hair was left to flow in shiny waves down her back.
"You are beautiful," Riann murmured, giving her a sad smile, "Too beautiful to face this."
She didn't say anything. Instead, she nodded as he offered her his arm. She took it gripping his bicep as they made their way to the throne room.
"Do I still bow to the King?" She inquired, frowning.
"Yes," he sighed as his face darkened, "My father insists upon it."
She nodded again as she shifted, "And he will ask me questions?"
"Yes," he said, the muscle in his jaw tightened as he clenched his teeth, "Just remember to tell the truth. Lying will only gain punishment for you or your family."
"I will," she replied as they reached the doors to the throne room.
"That's easier said than done," he said, his dark eyes roamed over her face once more before he turned and opened the door. She took a deep breath and then, entered.
Thane stood in front of the throne with his shirt off. His back was turned to the King. The King's eyes narrowed as he studied each welted scar. The King raised his gaze to Serafina. She tilted her head as she glanced at Thane and frowned.
"Ah...Our future Princess," he said as Serafina and Riann moved beside Thane. She dipped into a curtsy as Riann bowed, "I was told an odd tale by Mrs. Sherman of a girl who was so distraught by her grandmother's death, she faced a sheriff and was almost whipped at the gallows before a boy from the school stepped in and took the beating. A girl of eleven. Do you know of this story?"
Serafina met the King's gaze, holding it steady before she nodded, "I know it better than most, Your Majesty" she replied, raising her chin, "I was that girl."
"And Thane came to your rescue and took all ten lashes," he said, smiling with admiration at Thane.
"He took nine, Your Majesty" she said, swallowing because she knew as soon as she uttered the next words, it would seal the sheriff’s fate, "I bear the scar of the tenth."
How brave you are, Our Dear Serafina," he chimed, a sly grin slid across his face, "May I ask why you faced the sheriff?"
"Because my grandmother was innocent of the crime she was accused of, My King," she proclaimed, her voice trembled with emotion, "I witnessed the sheriff put the pear she was accused of stealing into the bag. She didn't take it."
"Are you accusing one of my Sheriffs of setting up your grandmother, Serafina?" He coaxed, narrowing his eyes.
"I am simply stating the truth, Your Majesty," she said, frowning, "It is against the law to lie to you, My King."
The King's eyes widened as his lips twitched into a smile, "Oh my fiery one, I think I shall right a wrong to you."
The door opened and the very sheriff who administered her grandmother's lashes and the lashes dealt to her and Thane was escorted through the door.
"Sheriff Hanscomb," The King called out as he stepped from the podium where his throne sat and moved forward, "Have you met our future princess."
"No, Your Majesty," The man replied with wide eyes. His gaze was pleading as Serafina's stomach twi
sted. She realized she should want this man to die but the thought of his death made her heart tremble. Still, for her survival she had to face the King and accuse him.
"Really?" He inquired and then, turned to Serafina.
"Turn around, Serafina," he ordered her.
"Father," Riann objected, stepping forward, “Bearing the future princess before…”
"Do it, Serafina!" The King snapped and she turned. The King's fingers worked over her buttons until her back was exposed. She gripped the front to keep it from falling down and exposing her further. The King swept her hair to the side.
"Isn't this your handy work?" He asked the sheriff and the sheriff's eyes narrowed.
"It's you," he said as recognition crossed his face and then, he turned to the King.
"She went against the law," The sheriff said quickly, "She accused a sheriff."
"And you harmed a royal," he said, sharply.
"She wasn't a royal then," he defended himself, "I was punishing her according to your laws."
"That's enough," The King snapped. The room was completely silent until the King spoke. His voice was gentle as he buttoned Serafina's dress, "I promise that justice for you, Thane and your grandmother will be provided."
She turned to face him with tears in her eyes and choked out the words, "Thank you, My King."
The King smiled as he glanced at the guards, "Tie him to the column," The King ordered pointing to a wooden pole to the side of the throne room. The guards tied him so that he was wrapped around it. His back was exposed to her. His whimpers echoed through the room.
"Your whip, Please," The King said with his hand out to one of the guards. He glanced at Thane.
"You will give him nine of the lashes," he said with a smile and then, turned to Serafina, "And you will give him the final."
The whip was handed to Thane who gripped the handle in his hand so hard his knuckles were white. His eyes met Serafina's with all of his grief within them. She wanted to hug him but he blinked and it was gone as he turned to the King.
"Thank you, My King," He said as he unfurled the whip. Electricity sparked from the end as he gave the first and second lashes in quick succession. The man's cries filled the throne room echoing off the walls as he took the next three. The King gripped her forearm and moved her so that she could see the lashes gashing the man's back. He shook with each stripe as the final blows were given. The King took the whip from Thane’s hand and handed it to Serafina. Her palms grew slick with sweat as she gripped the whip's handle. She moved wishing she could apologize as she closed her eyes and swung the whip. She opened her eyes as a fresh welt rose on his skin.
"Very good, Serafina," The King said as he stepped beside her and took the whip, "But I don't think it's enough."
He turned his gaze to his guards a smile twitched across his face, "This man is sentenced to death for harm to a royal."
One of the guards stepped forward and removed a knife from a holster at his side and slit the man's throat without hesitation. Serafina's eyes widened as his blood spewed outward to drench the pole and the floor around him. She stepped back as the blood reached for her.
The King turned to her with a smile, "I did this for you, Serafina," The King chortled as the man's blood continued to drip onto the floor.
She forced a smile though her eyes remained wide, "Thank you, My King," She said in a shaky voice hoping the King mistook her terror as one of emotional gratitude.
"Of course, My new daughter," he said as he turned to take his seat at the throne, "I will kill anyone who harms you from now on."
The promise made a sliver of ice slide down her spine.
Chapter Eleven
Serafina stared out the window, taking in the beauty beyond it. She was trying to banish the memory of the sheriff's torture and death from her mind. If she could do that, perhaps the guilt would go away too. She shook her head realizing that she should want him dead but she didn't. Though he had wielded the whip that killed her grandmother and scarred both Thane and herself, he had only been following orders. If he had not followed those orders he would have suffered as well as his family. She struggled to place the blame upon his death before finally resting on the one who had caused it. The Sheriff's death would lay solely with the King as did the guilt that she would always bear.
"Serafina," Her name whispered from Thane's lips caused her to stiffen but she didn't turn to him. She couldn't face him with the sheriff's death resting on her heart. He must have understood because he stepped beside her. His reflection as transparent as the pain in his eyes.
"It wasn't your fault," Thane consoled, "The King already knew which sheriff harmed us. The result would have been the same."
"What was the point of asking me then?" She asked as her brows furrowed. She swallowed over the bitterness that rested in her throat.
Thane's mouth was set in a grim line as his eyes met hers in the reflection from the window, "He wanted to see if you would lie."
"I'm so glad I didn't disappoint him," Serafina said, her voice sharp, "I didn't like wielding that whip. He must have known that I wouldn't."
"Do you think I did?" Thane asked, his voice sharp. Her anger allowed her to turn to him. Her eyes flashed as she took in his face.
"I don't know," she said, straightening, causing him to flinch. He narrowed his eyes as his face reddened.
"Well, I didn't," he said through clenched teeth, "I never enjoy harming someone but if I didn't it would have been worse."
"Worse than a whipping?" She asked choking on the sob in her throat, "Worse than his death."
He scoffed, his mouth turning into a sneer, "There are worse things than death, Serafina," he said, his jaw flexing, "If we didn't wield that whip, he would have lived in torture because the King doesn't allow his crimes to go unpunished."
Serafina blanched, "What would he have done?" She asked her heart in her throat.
Thane pressed his lips together as if deciding whether he should tell her. His eyes hardened with grief as he opened his mouth to speak, "Someone would have faced his punishment," he said, his bottom lip trembled, "He has a wife but the king wouldn't allow her to be punished. Instead, he would choose one of their children. The King would have wielded the whip and Oh...Does he love to be the giver of punishments."
Serafina took a shaky breath. Her hand flew to her chest as her mind conjured images of her sisters. Her fear rose another notch as she imagined children being beaten by the king. Swallowing over the bile rising in her throat, she blinked as a tear fell in a jagged streak from her eyes to her jaw.
Thane stepped forward, he reached for her. His fingertips touched her cheek, "Don't cry," he whispered, his voice choked as he wiped away the tear with his thumb. He pulled her into his chest and allowed her to sob.
"This is why we're fighting," Thane whispered against her hair. He had never embraced her before but his arms offered comfort and safety.
She raised her head to stare into his eyes, "What if I can't?" She sobbed, voicing the constant fear in her mind, "I'm so afraid."
Thane's mouth rose in a sad smile, "So am I," he said, shaking his head, "But I can't remember when I wasn't afraid. At least this time may lead to peace."
"Fear can make us fail," She whispered.
Thane shook his head, "No," he said, looking deep into her eyes, "Fear has nothing to do with this because you can still be brave while afraid. That's what matters...Bravery."
"I don't feel brave right now," she said on a sigh.
"That's okay," he said, taking a deep breath, "I am here and I'll be brave for you."
She nodded as he pulled her into his embrace once more. The strong, steady rhythm of his heart lifted her pain and fear for a little while.
**********
The next morning Queen Adelaide sent word that she would be having tea with Serafina in her room. Mrs. Sherman set up the tea on the table near the fireplace. Her hands moving over the little glass cups with a delicacy that was fascinating t
o Serafina. Mrs. Sherman glanced at Serafina her brows raised.
"The Queen usually takes her tea in her room," she chirped, blinking innocently, "However, she said she felt you would be more comfortable here since you don't know the castle well."
Serafina tilted her head, "I shall thank her for her kindness," Serafina replied watching the woman's smile widen.
"What do you think of the Queen?" She inquired and Serafina stiffened surprised by the question. A prickle of warning slid up the nape of her neck causing the hair there to rise.
"I don't know her well," Serafina admitted, cautiously, "But she appears to be a kind and wonderful woman.
Mrs. Sherman's face fell and Serafina realized she had hoped that she would find some fault with the Queen, though whether that would be to warrant punishment for Serafina or the Queen she did not know. Serafina raised her brow.
"I am right in my assumption, correct?" She inquired, staring into the woman's eyes, "The Queen is a kind and wonderful person, isn't she?"
"Of course, she is," the woman snapped as the Queen entered the room. Serafina curtsied out of habit and the Queen smiled.
"There is no need to curtsy when we are alone or at all anymore," she said before turning her gaze to Mrs. Sherman. Her expression tightened and her smile faded, "We won't need anything else from you, though my husband has been looking for you. I'm sure he has some deed for you to do."
"Yes, Ma'am," she replied curtsying before she left the room, closing the door behind her.
The Queen turned to Serafina with a sigh, "She hates me," she whispered, "But my feelings toward her are the same."
"Why?" Serafina asked studying the Queen's face.
She waved toward the seats, "Shall we sit?" She asked, her smile sad, "Then, we will discuss my unfortunate feelings toward Mrs. Sherman."
They moved to the chairs, taking their seats as the Queen glanced over her shoulder at the door that Mrs. Sherman closed upon exiting. She sighed again before facing Serafina, "You see, she was also being viewed when I was," She divulged, pursing her lips, "The difference is that she wanted to be chosen."
Eden (Night in Eden Book 1) Page 6