Page 20 of Elysian

Vera set the gown on her arm across the stool beside the bath and stepped behind me to take the dirt-riddled coat off my shoulders, tossing it aside. She began to unlace the back of my gown, settling into the acts of a practiced lady’s maid.

The front of my gown gaped, and I tugged it until the feeder gown pooled at my feet. I stepped out of it and approached the steps, keeping my bloomers on.

The officer standing at the exit raked his gaze over my breasts. I gritted my teeth, ignoring him as I stepped up and into the bath. Warm water lapped against my skin, and I sank in the rest of the way until it reached my neck.

Vera stood behind me, collecting my hair in hand. Without wasting time, she began to scoop water onto my head, lathering the bar of soap into my hair carefully. I sighed, leaning back into the scalp rubs.

How lovely it felt to be clean.

Though it was another reason to be cautious. There was no possible way they had doused Cassiel with water, and now I was being bathed, without a reason.

The council plotted something.

Vera finished rubbing my scalp and began to lather my hair, then scoop water over it. I pulled away and slid down until I was fully submerged. My hearing became muffled, and I let myself float underwater for a few beats. I broke through the surface, startling Vera into dropping the soap into the tub. Our hands collided as we reached for it at the same time. Before she could withdraw, I caught her. Her eyes widened, but she kept her head down. I squeezed her hand and released the soap. The pulse in her neck jumped.

She stepped back and placed the bar of soap on the little tray to the side of the bath. I kept one arm across my chest, and since my back was to the officer, I smiled.

Vera’s hands trembled around a washcloth she picked up to hand to me.

I turned my back to her and rubbed the soapy cloth against every inch of my body until a layer of skin had all but peeled off.

Removing the bloomers left me completely bare. I tossed them over the lip of the tub. Then I reached for the little plug in the middle of the tub that kept the water from draining and pulled. The officer continued watching me in the tub, so I gave him my back and stood up, facing Vera. She already had a towel spread out for me. I stepped out of the tub, needing to pull myself up just a bit to get out. Fortunately, it was nowhere near the size of Cassiel’s. Vera wrapped the towel around my torso.

While I dried myself, she collected fresh bloomers and tossed a crimson dress over her other arm. She handed me the bloomers while I scrunched my hair until it was dry. I dressed quickly and tugged the dress over my breasts. She stepped behind me and laced up the straps.

According to Hester, none of them had been allowed to leave the feeder wing. Wait, Hester! Did they think Hester was gone? Was that why she seemed so upset?

“What is this gown for?” I kept my tone icy and abrupt.

Vera stepped back, her frame huddled into herself. What had they done to instill such fear in her?

“There is a wedding celebration you are to attend, my lady.”

I hummed. “And will His Highness be present?”

“I do not know, my lady⁠—”

“No speaking,” the officer snapped.

Vera snapped her mouth shut and curtsied.

I whirled, the skirt of the gown swishing around me. “How am I to be prepared?” I asked, piercing him with a glare.

“You will be serving the council alongside the feeders. That is all you need to know,” he answered. His hard gaze continued to drop to my breasts where they swelled over the edge of the corset.

I took a moment to study this officer who took pleasure in ordering us. His hair was cropped close to his skull, his features were arrogant, and he looked down at me as if I had a disease.

“Here are your slippers, my lady,” Vera murmured, interrupting the heavy silence.

I slid my feet into the silk slippers and stepped on something stiff and long. Vera slightly shook her head, and I kept still. What had she slipped into my shoe?

“You. Return to the west banquet hall,” he ordered Vera.

She dipped her head and shuffled past him, avoiding nearing him as much as possible. His lips twitched into a smirk. I fixed him with a flat look while he watched her leave. The door swung shut behind her.

“What of my hair?” I said, lifting my chin. “I must have assistance to pin it up.”

He approached so slowly that I knew he was attempting to be intimidating. After Cassiel, nothing could force me into cowering. He was half Cassiel’s size, but based on how he carried himself—chest puffed and smiling—he believed he was much more. The item inside my shoe made itself known. Was it a weapon of some sort? It could not be a blade unless she had sheathed it within a protective barrier.