Why?
Why would he ask of me?
I thought hard about what might have happened during my blank state in his chamber.
But if he had sensed that I was human, he could have attacked me there and then.
I could barely focus on my surroundings, and before long, I discovered I was drenched in a fine film of sweat.
"Girls."
Matadre approached us, her hands clasped together at her stomach.
"We were… just about to prepare for the evening," Becca spoke up.
Matadre waved a dismissive hand. "I am aware of that. Rather, something else has come up. You won't be serving the Lords this evening. They will be going out for the night."
My knees buckled, and I latched onto Becca's arm. An immense wave of relief washed over me. It was just one night, but was a sufficient breather away from Lord Fashire. This was wonderful news.
As high as my mood rose, it crashed immediately after. I would still have to serve him the following morning or evening.
"What about tomorrow morning?" I asked.
Matadre's eyes narrowed as she observed me closely. "I thought it was exhaustion earlier, but you clearly look distressed over something."
"Oh." I straightened, letting go of Becca. "I—"
Becca stepped in, "She is just nervous she has to serve Lord Fashire again."
"I see." Matadre's gaze softened, and she stared off to the side before addressing us both. "You shouldn't worry. The Lords are most likely to hold a meeting tomorrow upon their return. You may serve them at the dining hall then, so you won't be alone. Ion and Tori would join you too. Just focus on completing your tasks and everything will be fine."
I let out a relived sigh, and Becca offered comfort with a gentle rub on my back.
When we retreated to our rooms, I quickly washed away the day's exhaustion, donned a light robe, and faced my reflection in the mirror. My red eyes were fading to their usual brown hue. I frowned and straightened. It hadn't even been two days yet. What was happening?
My pulse quickened. This had never happened before.
I rushed back to where I kept the vial and took another sip. With bated breath, I waited for the effects to kick in. They did, but mere seconds after, they began to wane.
No. No. No. No. Nooo!
A quick dash to the mirror revealed my suspicions. The potion was no longer working.
I choked back a sob and staggered back. Tripping over my ankle, I fell and rammed my hip against the hard floor. I was in pain, but I got up quickly.
I needed to do something.
My hands trembled as I placed the vial back in its hiding place. I slowly stepped back, taking long deep breaths to calm myself. I couldn't waste any time panicking!
I rummaged through my drawers for a dress. I needed to sneak out of the castle one way or the other. I would take the potion again and while the effects were remaining, I could quickly go see Matadre and tell her I had to do something very important in the village.
She trusted me. I worked well. I would be out and back before daylight. I needed to see my aunt this instant!
I was dressing up when a sudden gust of wind swept into my room.
I turned around, and my heart lurched within my chest before freezing in place.
Perched on the windowsill, sat the unmistakable silhouette of Lord Fashire. His legs were crossed, his hands resting on them. A finger tapped a steady rhythm against his thigh, and it was the only sound in the deathly quiet that had engulfed my room.
I stepped away until my back hit the wall. A strangled whimper escaped my throat as his piercing gaze followed my every move, unrelenting.
He chuckled, and the low sound resonated with a depth that sent shivers down my spine.
"I know you…"
In an instant, he stood before me, his icy fingers grazing my throat. My blood ran cold, and my mouth went dry as his words slithered into my ears. "That servant from the balcony." His eyes blazed with an otherworldly glow, and the air crackled with frost. "Now, since when were we accepting humans amongst our staff?"
A frigid tremor flushed through my system, and the world around me blurred into a dizzying white flash.