Chapter 18- Bad habit

There was a sliver of light in the distance. It beckoned on me. I felt myself fall down a chasm, the sliver of light my eye had been on going farther and farther away even as I clutched the air and debris that flew this way and that. Turning downwards to the depths below, I saw dark, shapeless forms beckoning me closer.

My features registered an alarm and I flung myself upwards, trying to float upward when a hand gripped me. Another gripped my other hand. I turned to my right and saw a dark and spiny hand on my arm. I screamed. Some more phantoms gripped my other limbs as I sunk deeper and deeper to the chasm.  I could feel my limbs darken as the arms maintained their hold.

I let out another ear-deafening scream. 

I woke up as the scream tore out of my throat. I turned to my arms and saw that thankfully, they were still the deathly pale shade I was very used to. Perspiration gleamed on my forehead and the sides of my face.

I let out a sigh as I studied my environment. I was in a room. It was a lot bigger than the one I shared with my fae and elf roommates. The bed was even softer and the room was quite still. The bed was wider and nice drapes were around the long window that brought some light into the room; the window I faced. 

A dresser and mirror stood to the side of the bed, just beside the main bed where I was presently on. A small round rug lay in the center of the room. It was a dark brown shade. 

"Do you like it?"

I jumped at the sound and Celosia Bathory smiled and came closer. She made a calming motion with her palms as she got off a cushion by the window balcony of the other side of the room.  The evening breeze came in and I realized then that it was evening already.

Already? What had I done with the rest of the day? The events of the morning began to occur to me then.

"How are you doing now?" Celosia's voice came to me again and I turned in her direction.  She was by the foot of the modest four-poster bed.  

"I'm fine," I said then. "The poison…" I trailed off. 

"We had a physician called at once as soon as you lost consciousness," Celosia said. "The physician said you were lucky though...that you would survive. Someone else in your position would have given up the ghost. You have strong genes for a human."

Conjurer genes.

I did not reply. I studied the room further. I felt exhausted for some reason. I yawned widely. 

"Thank you for sending for help," I said. I wasn't sure I knew what I had been doing, tasting the poisoned food. I could have died. I might be a conjurer; I wasn't immortal.

"Not at all," Celosia said. "Don't thank us. The imperial family is grateful for your assistance today. You showed a good example for all humans in the empire. Humans are usually very bitter. It is nice to see that there are some of them who move past their bitterness of how the past used to be and can cooperate with the empire."

I did not reply. "And the perpetrators?" I asked. I needed to be sure I could safely walk the halls of the imperial complex after today. 

"They are gathered at the Imperial auditorium," Celosia said. "They are to be executed."

I let out a small gasp. I assumed that they would be given time in the dungeons or exiled from the capital or empire. But the emperor was not going to be lenient. These people had dared to assassinate him and his family. They would go the way all the others before them had. 

"The emperor  sends his regards," Celosia said. "He is attending the assembly this evening at the Imperial auditorium."

Of course, I knew the emperor couldn't be bothered with some nobody human who saved his family's lives. I personally did not need the 'honor' of having the emperor thank me for my service. I got up on my feet and looked out the other opposing window. 

"Why did you do it?" Celosia asked then. I turned to her in confusion. "Your life," she said. "Why would you risk your life for my family?"

I shook my head.  She must think I adore her family. They were just the lesser of two evils and I proceeded to tell her the truth.

"I overheard the man who had sent Orla talking about a new administration after getting rid of the Volkovs," I said.  "This new administration would have been worse off on the human race. Some people are quite bitter that humans and fae ceased being slaves after the Great Convulsion. People with similar tendencies hoped to ascend after wiping the whole family out. They would leave the humans and the fae worse off."

Celosia seemed to be deep in thought. "It could be any of the members of the representative council. Only they have the right to ascend and serve as regent in an event where none of the first family is able to rule or is not available." Celosia got up. "This afternoon's court at the imperial auditorium should send a message. Would you like to go there? The execution of the deputy head of the kitchens and her accomplice will start soon."

I wondered about that. "Should I?"

"I don't know," Celosia said. "I am not a warrior.  Sometimes, I too get fed up with blood. But it's a bad habit here. Everyone in the imperial complex goes to the imperial auditorium to witness the execution of enemies of the Empire."

I shook my head. This was my life now.

"I actually have to report to the kitchens," I said.

"What for?" Celosia said. "You don't work there anymore."

"I don't?" I asked, searching my mind for when I asked to be dismissed. 

"No," Celosia said. "We have decided to express our thanks for your bravery and sacrifice by promoting you. You will be my daughter's governess. It was my idea, actually." Celosia grinned conspiratorially. "Ordinarily, a few pieces of gold would have been offered to you and you would continue as you were. But my suggestion gives you better sustained income.  You know you will earn more as my daughter's governess than as a cook. And you will have better conditions of service. For example, this room. It's yours."

I thought about this. I would have at least wanted to be consented before my employment was decided. And...between governess and cook…? I didn't know one thing about being a governess to a royal child. I was beginning to favor the one off payment for my bravery and sacrifice. 

But of course, Celosia did not care. She turned to the door. "You'll start work tomorrow," she said. "Come with me."

"Where to, your highness?" I asked. 

"The Imperial auditorium."