the beauty that this world has to offer, glittering beauty.
The snow is starting to melt, purple grass is starting to grow from the ground and I caused quite a stir when I screamed and freaked out over that little sight the first time that I saw it. All in all, this place is pretty sweet, and super colorful.
The animals kind of freak me out, and there’s still no indoor plumbing. I’ve had my period, which was not the best thing in a world with no tampons, but I’m not knocked up, so there’s that.
Everything glitters, but I’m starting to get used to it and I’m starting to fall in love with it all. Everything is just so much brighter and prettier here. It’s sunshiny and bright every day, warm and just plain beautiful.
My days have been spent going to town visiting children, and starting today, I began to visit people who were homebound. People who were either too old, too sick, or too disabled to leave their homes.
It’s been rewarding in a way that I didn’t think was possible. I never envisioned myself a do-gooder, or a people person, but I am having the most fun just listening and talking to them, all of them, young and old, big and small.
“If you were not my cousin’s wife, Sybilla…” Merek begins. I shake my head, not wanting to hear anymore, but he continues anyway. “I love Elias, since we were boys, always. He is not an easy man, he has never had much kindness bestowed upon him, which I think is why he is not sure how to bestow it upon others. He is a good man, a fair one, and one day you will break past his gates.”
“Gates?” I ask, knowing damn well that he means walls.
“They’re ironclad, Sybilla, but I think if anyone could melt that iron into liquid rubble, it would be you.”
Thankfully, he doesn’t say anything else to me. He throws his leg over the horse before he helps me down, reaching up, he wraps his hands around my waist and picks me up off of the horse before he sets me down on my feet.
Merek’s hands linger on my waist as his eyes search my own. “The dressmaker has done a wonderful job on your new wardrobe, though I must admit that I miss the way the others fit.” He grins, waggling his brows at me.
I gasp, feigning offense. Merek releases me and takes a step back just in time for Rowan’s growl to come from the front steps of the castle. Both of us turn to him, but his glare is focused on Merek and nowhere else.
Jasmine appears almost instantly and hurries toward me. “Your Highness,” she curtsies. “I believe it’s time for your tea,” she lies.
Looking between the two men who seem to be having a stare down, I take Jasmine’s lead and follow behind her, making my way inside. She doesn’t speak right away, instead she guides me toward my chamber.
She steps to the side, and I lift my gaze to see Aleida and Godiva sitting at the small table in the room, Katrina and Ellyn are standing in the corner, their eyes wide. Something is very wrong.
“What is it?” I practically cry out.
“Close the door, Jasmine,” Godiva gently demands.
I don’t move, my eyes are focused on the witches and nowhere else. A few weeks ago, I met with them alone. It wasn’t anything extra special, I just wanted to know all the details of the prophecy that they had knowledge of.
They are hiding something from me though, I knew it a few weeks ago, and judging by the way they are watching me, I’m about to find out what it is.
“We sense things,” Aleida announces.
“Sense things?” I ask with a frown.
They nod simultaneously. I take a step back, but Jasmine is behind me, her fingers wrapping around my biceps as she holds me in place. I shake my head, wondering what the fuck is going on here. I’m just about to demand that they tell me what the hell is going on, when Godiva rises to her feet.
She takes a few steps toward me, stopping directly in front of me before she dips her head, her eyes clashing with mine. I gasp at the sight.
They’re swirling purple and black, her actual eyes are fucking swirling with different colors. My entire body freezes and Jasmine’s fingers grip me even tighter as my legs start to shake at the sight.
Godiva reaches out and I