The smell radiating off of her is hard to ignore, but what else could Rowan expect from someone who has been in that dungeon for the majority of her life. Dirt is easily seen on her pale skin and she doesn’t want to think about what could be living in her overwhelming amount of hair. It looks tangled and ratty and Rowan is already thinking of offering her a haircut.
“We can’t bring her to your tent. It’s one of the first places my father will look,” Shadow breaks the silence.
“Then where do we put her?”
“First, we need to get her cleaned up. Take her to the baths and I’ll find her a new nightgown to wear.”
Before she can protest, Shadow dematerializes leaving them alone. They make eye contact and Melani looks as though she’s going to break into tears at any moment.
“My name is Rowan,” she introduces herself with a small grin trying to make her feel more comfortable. “I’m going to help you get cleaned up while your brother finds you something new to wear.”
She looks around frantically. “Where’s Mikah?”
“He’ll be back. I promise.”
“O-okay.”
Rowan holds out her hand for Melani to take. Her fingers are short and slender, it is like grabbing the hand of a skeleton.
When they reach the baths, Rowan fills a tub with lukewarm water and grabs all the soap she’ll need. “I’ll turn around while you take off your nightgown and step into the tub. It might be a little cold, but it’s the best we have. You’ll feel better after we clean the dirt from you, I promise.” She turns around and hears rustling and then a splash of the water.
Melani has her arms wrapped around her body as her teeth start to chatter. Rowan grabs a bar of soap and begins washing her back. Her shoulder blades are sticking out sharply and you can see the discs of her spine.
“Would you like me to cut your hair?” She offers. “It might feel better and lighter for you.”
Melani relecuntaly nods her head. “Mikah is going to be in big trouble,” she whispers rocking back and forth. “Big trouble. Big trouble.”
Shadow returns with scissors and a blue long sleeve nightgown from Lola’s side of the clothing rack. Trailing behind him is Lola rubbing her tired eyes until she sees Melani in the tub and suddenly she looks wide awake.
Shadow hands me the stuff and tries to keep his eyes averted from his sister naked in the tub. “Does she need anything?”
“No, I think I have everything handled,” she replies as her eyes linger over to Lola.
“She woke up and wouldn’t let me leave without an explanation. Maybe Lola can help.”
“We’re going to need all the help we can get,” she sighs. “Shadow...what happens when your father finds out?”
He’s silent for a heartbeat. “I don’t know, I was always scared to find out, but…I’m not scared anymore. I only hate myself for not doing anything sooner. Look at her,” he frowns.
“We’re going to help her,” she puts her hand on his shoulder.
“And how exactly are we going to hide her?” Lola chimes in. “If The Overseer sees she’s missing, won’t he know it’s you?”
Shadow sighs. “I’ll be his prime suspect, but I can feign ignorance and try to pretend I have no idea who did it.”
“We need to find her a place to lay low tonight, that is our first priority,” Rowan suggests.
“Uhm,” Melani’s soft voice rings out. “The water is getting cold.”
Leaving Lola and Shadow to brainstorm, Rowan fills a bucket of warm water from the sink and dumps it in. She hands her a bar of soap and tells her to move it across every limb. Rowan takes another bar of soap and starts to clean her long hair before realizing, there’s too much hair. It’ll be easier for her to cut it first.
“Do you like my hair length?” Rowan shows off her orange hair cut an inch above her shoulders. Melani nods.
She grabs the scissors and begins cutting inches upon inches of endless, thick, black hair. The now shoulder length hair is slightly uneven, but as her hair starts to dry and bounce back into tight curls, it’s less noticeable. She looks older and even happier as she giggles, turning her head effortlessly from side to side.
Lola grabs a towel holding it up as Melani steps out of the tub soaking wet. She wraps the towel around her and instructs her to dry herself. Rowan takes the nightgown from Shadow who has his back turned to give her privacy. When she is all situated, clean, sweet-smelling, and in a warm nightgown, it’s like looking at a completely different person. Shadow’s eyes light up and he slowly strides toward her with open arms. They hug as he whispers apologies in her ear.
“There’s a tent not being used by any performers. She can stay there,” Lola offers.
“She can’t be alone,” he whispers. “I have to go back to my own room so my father doesn’t get suspicious.”
“We will both look after her,” Rowan places her hand over her heart in promise, “Nothing will happen to her. We promise.”
They stand there for a mute moment before he nods his head, “Okay. I’ll check on you three before breakfast tomorrow. If you need anything…”
“We got it,” Lola smiles.
They take Melani to the unoccupied tent. There are four unused mattresses on the ground, an empty clothing rack, a bare desk with a stool, and an unlit lantern. Rowan lights the lantern with her finger and helps her get settled in her bed. She looks frightened, but exhausted. Rowan tries to calm her down by running her hands through her hair and humming a song.
As Melani slowly drifts off, Lola goes to their tent briefly to grab some items and returns with blankets, pillows, and the stack of Rowan’s father’s journals. Lola knows the smiling expression on Rowan’s face is one of thanks. Lola nods and in that nod has so much meaning, anything, is what she silently says. I would do anything for you, my friend.
Lola must’ve known Rowan wouldn’t be able to sleep. The journals keep her mind busy as she spends hours finishing the first and oldest of the three journals. She grabs the next one, reluctant to start it. Once she finishes them, there will be no more unspoken words from her father. Reading these entries, Rowan gets lost in the world of her father’s mind and once she reads the last word on the last page of the last journal, she will never learn anything more about him. She will never be able to be inside his head again.
Still, her fingers itch to open the second. Just one entry and then bed, she tells herself.
She opens up the leather book and what falls out is a crinkled up piece of loose paper. The single piece of paper is a different color and size from the pages in the journal.
It reads:
Rowan,
I do not know how much time I have left, Shevka forces are closing in. They plan to take my life. I do not have many regrets in my life and I do not fear death—but I regret that I will not be able to see you. I fear that one day you will never know my infinite love for you. There is so much I want to say, so many lessons I want to teach you, but as each second becomes more precious I know I must write this quickly. Rowan, my dear daughter, there will come a time in your life that you realize you are the heir to the throne. I know you might be scared by this and you might feel alone, but you are never truly alone when the ones you love, who may be gone, live in your heart. They say a good ruler knows how to fight, but I say a good ruler knows when not to fight. I know you will have a big heart just like your mother, and I want you to follow it. In the end, the ones who will stick by your side until the very last moment are those who love you. It is not a weakness to ask for help. An oracle claims that one day our lands will know peace again because of you. Your journey will be tough and you will be faced with many different paths to take—but as long as you find your purpose to make a change, nothing will stop you.
Conquer the world, Rowan.
I love you more than you could ever possibly know.
Love, Dad
Tears pool in her eyes and stream down her cheeks onto the old letter with messy handwriting. It is
clear that her father’s hands must have been shaking. Her finger trails across the word, Dad, she’d give anything to write him a letter back. She’d give anything to ask him what she should do. It all seems easier said than done, she is scared of becoming a ruler, scared that she will never bring peace, and never fulfill her destiny.
Letting down an entire kingdom is the last thing she wants to do. She wishes things were as simple as they were back when she was eighth in line. She never wanted the power of ruling and now it is thrust onto her lap and she is expected to deal with it.
Rowan reads the letter over again until Shadow enters the tent without a word causing her to let out a startled gasp.
“Good morning,” he raises an eyebrow. “How long have you been up for?”
“I didn’t go to sleep,” she rubs her eyes.
He looks over her shoulder and reaches to grab the letter. His eyes skim over the words. “Oh,” he says softly now understanding why she didn’t get a wink of sleep. “Did my sister give you any trouble?”
“No, she passed right out,” they look over at Melani who is drooling on the pillow. Her limbs are sprawled out, half on and half off the mattress.
“Get some rest,” he orders. “I’ll take care of my sister.”
“Are you sure? I can help,” she says mid-yawn.
He shakes his head. “You look exhausted. Later you can help, for now—sleep.”
So, she does.
* * *
Knoton panics as he enters the underground dungeon to see the cell door is wide open with nothing inside but empty chains. Melani is missing. He drops the tray full of breakfast in shock, food spills all over the ground beneath him.
Three times a day, Knot and Blade both are assigned to feed her. They give her the tray and then leave. That’s it. She was fine last night, nothing seemed suspicious. It must’ve happened while they were sleeping. But who could have gotten the key? The Overseer always wears it around his neck or keeps it close by.
Even though Knot has nothing to do with whatever happened to her, The Overseer will take his anger out on him for being the messenger. He mentally notes that he’ll have to convince Blade to tell The Overseer the news with him.
Frantically, he knocks on the door until Blade opens with his brown hair tousled and his eyes still dreary with sleep. “What in Hellias’ name do you want?” He crosses his arms looking grumpy.
“Melani is gone.”
“What do you mean gone?!” He grabs Knot by the shirt and pulls him into his room. He slams the door shut.
“I mean gone, gone. You wouldn’t happen to have anything to do with it?” Knot has to ask.
“No! I like being alive!” Blade curses under his breath. “Did you tell him yet?”
He shakes his head, “I want you to come with me.”
“No, no, no. I’m not going to be anywhere near that explosion when you drop the bomb.”
Knot rolls his eyes. Blade has always been the type of male to never back down from a fight, his entire body is muscle and covered in scars from knife fights. It’s how he got his nickname—which fits him so much better than Barry. When it comes to The Overseer, Blade is a coward, and a rightful one at that. He has control over all of their lives in more ways than one and like he said—he likes being alive.
Knot grabs Blade by the ear dragging him into The Overseer’s office. He growls at the two for not knocking, his fists are clenched in aggravation and his dark eyes dilated ready to kill them.
Knot cuts to the chase, “Melani is gone.”
He stands slamming his palms down on his desk. “What?!”
“I went to give her breakfast and when I got there the cell door was open and Melani—gone.”
The Overseer flings open his cabinet and checks in coat pockets, hidden compartments, the floor of the cabinet, the floor near the cabinet. “The key is missing,” he mutters. “Son of a—When did this happen?”
“We think last night,” Knot answers and Blade elbows him at the word ‘we.’
“Did anyone,” Blade clears his throat, “have access to your office or know the whereabouts of the key?”
The Overseer sits down, leaning back in his chair while rubbing his forehead. “I know exactly who is behind this.”
Knot and Blade look at each other clueless as to who would break Melani out. The only one in Cirvka who knows about Melani, is Shadow, but Knot knows he wouldn’t do anything to risk her life like that.
“It seems my son has finally gathered the courage to free his sister,” he chuckles despite the situation being anything but comedic. “I thought he was a smart boy, seems as though that girl has made him stupid.”
“What do you want to do, Sir?” Knot asks. “Do you want to hurt Melani? She’s still connected to your magic, you could always make her come back or perhaps make her suffer until they have no choice but to bring her back.”
“No,” he replies in a deep gruff voice. A vicious smile appears across his face. “Let them believe they won. I have a better idea.”
* * *
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Pepper senses the free spirit in Lottie that reminds her so much of her lover once upon a time. This little girl is resilient and unlike the rest of the high bloods. She is kind and accepting whereas the Shevka she has ever known have been cruel and unforgiving.
She feels a maternal need to care for Lottie and protect her. Lottie seems to be taking a liking to Pepper as well. They have this instant sisterly bond that she never thought she’d ever have. Lottie has filled a purpose inside of her she didn’t know she needed. It unleashed a drive to help raise her and keep her protected. To Pepper she feels as long as Lottie continues to stay in her life, and as long as Lottie is happy, her soul will feel complete.
For so long, since her mate’s death, there has been a piece missing. That piece inside of her was the reason to get up every morning with a smile and a positive outlook on life. Lottie has filled the void more than anyone else has and maybe it is because she reminds her so much of her past lover. Lottie arrived just in time to make Pepper feel and want to actually live again.
While Solana and Lola have the privilege of running their booths all day with Roe’s help, Pepper gets to spend hours each day doing the same repetitive performances while listening to the same repetitive insults. Lately Lottie has been taking an interest in the performances, so she decides to bring her along and maybe teach her a few acrobatic moves.
Since Pepper is the smallest hybrid at Cirvka, they use her for aerial stunts. A bigger hybrid goes to attack and she crawls up a rope, flips out of the way, crawls into a small cage, or whatever the entertainment choice of the hour is.
Pepper and Lottie walk hand in hand to the tent. Lottie is wearing a hood to cover up her light Shevka features that way she won’t be recognized on the way there. The little girl’s eyes are wide with excitement and there is a skip in her step as the approach. As soon as they step into the lounging tent that’s connected to the performance tent her jaw drops.
The performance tent is the largest in Cirvka, large enough to house hundreds of Shevka audience members. The lounging tent is a small addition to the performance tent where the performers can relax, practice, or get ready before a show. All of the performers scheduled to perform today are scattered waiting their turn.
Blade throws knives at a bullseye, hybrids stretch their muscles, Knoton and the other fighters practice sparring, and others are relaxing on the couch and chairs. Lottie has witnessed so much horror in her life yet she still has an innocent twinkle in her gaze. She looks around as if she is really seeing for the first time. Her breath hitches with fascination and legs jittery and ready to explore.
Pepper looks through the costumes on the clothing rack picking out her favorite extravagant red and gold dress. Jewels are along the neckline, the cuffs of the sleeves, the belt at the waist, and the hem at the bottom of her tulle tutu. Sitting at the vanity with three other hybrids, she puts on her makeup. Gold sparkling eyesh
adow, bright crimson lipstick and stick-on gems to place around her eyes and along her cheekbones.
Lottie is by her side smiling at her like she is the most beautiful creature she has ever seen. Pepper grabs one of the makeup brushes and starts to glitter her face with teal gems to match the color of her tunic. Lottie looks in the mirror, her mouth open in a wide smile. Pepper’s heart warms.
“You look beautiful,” she tucks a single blonde strand of hair behind the little girl’s ear hiding it from sight.
“Do you think one day I can perform like you?”
“Perhaps. It will require a lot of training.”
“And you’ll train me, right?”
Pepper chuckles at her eagerness. “If you want.”
“Oh, I do!” She twirls around. “This is all so amazing! I feel like I’m in a dream!”
The imagination of a child is an amazing thing. To be able to see everything with such innocence and optimism is something Pepper longs for. All she can see in this tent are tired, overworked low bloods forced here by the Shevka who forced them out of their villages. Out of their rightful homes. The same Shevka who killed their families and ruined their lives. Now they have to entertain in front of them, giving them the joy and excitement a performance gives when they should be given the misery they deserve.
It’s hard not to feel bitter. Pepper was at a place in her life when everything was finally coming together. She found her mate and they were planning on having a mating ceremony and starting a family. Things were looking up until the Shevka raided her home destroying everything near and dear to her. Then she found Cirvka and Cirvka has been her haven and her home ever since. The performers have become her new family.
Lottie dances confidently around the tent doing spins and jumps. Pepper claps, admiring her youthful freedom. Lottie didn’t have the childhood she deserved, but Pepper will make sure from this day forth she will have the happiness that every child deserves. When she came to Cirvka, bruises and all, Pepper felt sick not understanding how parents could do that to their daughter. She feared Lottie would be damaged, but all she has seen is a resilience in this little girl. Adapting and overcoming. Her dreams are still big and her spirits, high.
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