Chapter 10

Ruby

“I’m not sure what kind of education you’ve received in the past, if you’ve even received any sort of education,” Alice says sternly, “but it is best not to wander too much or become too curious here. In this palace, we value the rules, so I expect you to follow them.”

I nod hastily, not wanting to upset the grim woman. “Yes, ma’am,” I say meekly. She seems pleased with herself for giving me these orders, and while I don’t appreciate being bossed around like this, I don’t want to rock the boat on my first day in the castle -- especially not the day before I’ll be starting at a new school, thanks to the King’s courtesy. I worry that he might take it away from me or Tamara if I don’t behave.

Before I know it, the doctor arrives and removes my stitches in Atwood’s chamber.

“Looks like a simple case of some breakthrough healing,” he says with a kind smile. “Nothing out of the ordinary for hybrids. And I’m sure that your mate’s healing abilities sped up your recovery process as well.”

When he finishes with my checkup, he leaves with Atwood to go discuss something privately, leaving me alone with Alice.

As soon as the door clicks shut, the soft smile on Alice’s wrinkled face drops and she glares at me sternly.

“We’ll have to fix that mess you made on your hair,” she says, pulling a pair of scissors out of her apron and beginning to work. As she works, she grumbles to herself about this and that, seemingly annoyed.

When she’s finished, I’ll admit that my hair looks much better. She evened out the jagged ends and added some layers so that my hair falls properly and doesn’t look like a child’s haircut. I like the new haircut, but am ashamed for cutting my hair. It made sense in the moment, but now it feels like it was a pointless sacrifice.

Next, she dresses me for dinner. She pulls a long, blue, silky gown with long bell sleeves out of my closet; it’s far too extravagant for anything that I’ve ever experienced in my village, but I suppose that this is how I’ll be expected to dress here, and I’m not complaining.

Alice comes up behind me in the mirror and orders me to disrobe. I do as I’m told, and as she watches me, she makes a comment on my body. “You’re far too chubby,” she says, causing me to blush and feel embarrassed. “I’m not even sure if this dress will fit. You know, if you want to be the new Luna, you’ll have to lose some weight.”

I’ve never thought that there was anything wrong with my body. I have good proportions, and I never overeat. I think my body is just fine; besides, who is Luna? And why should I have to be the “new Luna”?

As Alice dresses me solemnly, I work up the courage to ask a question, although my breath is short thanks to the dress that is two sizes too small.

“Alice, will my sister also be receiving new clothes?”

The older woman stops her work buttoning the back of my dress and scoffs before continuing.

“I’m sure you’re only used to the filth of your tiny backwater village, but we wouldn’t have a member of the royal family be dressed in rags here… even if they are a hybrid.”

After that response, I decide not to ask any more questions.

Alice struggles with the gown for a while longer, then becomes frustrated and orders me to take it off. “You’re too big to fit,” she says in a grumpy tone as she rifles through the closet for another dress. She pulls out a larger, much less pretty dress.

This one is made of a scratchy cotton and is a muddy brown color. I’m still grateful for the new clothes, but I am sad that I won’t be able to wear the silky blue dress.

Maybe Alice is right.

Around dinnertime, I am brought to another room, where I am told dinner awaits. Truthfully, I’m starving. All of the healing that my body did while I slept made me ravenous.

When the door is opened, Tamara waits for me.

I scream out in excitement and run to my sister, who jumps up from her chair as best she can and wraps her arms around me.

She looks to be in far worse shape than I am, with no healing abilities and no mate to ease her pain. She stands with a cane and I can see bandages peeking out from her shirt sleeves and beneath the hem of her dress. Her dress comes up high on her neck, but I can see another bandage peeking out from there, too. Still, she looks just as alive as ever. She smiles up at me with her sweet eyes, her dark curly hair bouncing around her face as she holds onto me for support.

I gently help Tamara sit back down in her chair and sit next to her, holding her hand all the while.

“I’ve missed you,” she says quietly as Alice scurries off to fetch our dinner. “You slept for days, but I was awake the whole time. Although, I suppose that’s normal for you,” she teases. “You’ve always been a heavy sleeper.”

“Hey!” I banter, flicking my sister’s button nose. “Watch your mouth. I’m a princess now.”

Tamara rolls her eyes teasingly, and we laugh.

Alice returns with our dinner on a covered platter and places it on the table in front of us.

“A special meal for weight loss,” she says with a sneer, and removes the lid.

Three slices of white bread.

Before we can protest, Alice is gone, and I swear I can hear her chuckle as she leaves.

Still, we’re so happy to be alive and together that we don’t mind. We barely touch the bread anyway, despite our hunger, as I catch Tamara up on what has happened and we joke and laugh about our lives, our situation, everything.

A while later, the door opens and Atwood steps in.

I look up from my sister with tears of laughter in my eyes and look at Atwood, who is also smiling as he watches us.

“I heard laughter, so I had to see what was happening in here,” he says. “Sounds like you’re enjoying your din-” his voice falters as his eyes travel over to our “dinner”, and his eyes narrow as he sees what Alice has brought us.

“Is this all you’ve been given for dinner?” he asks angrily. Tamara looks nervously down at her lap.

“You don’t need to lose weight, and I won’t stand for this sort of treatment,” Atwood says before I can say anything. He quickly calls for the servants to bring a real meal, and while we wait, he pulls me aside to speak to me.

“Your first day of school is tomorrow,” he says, taking both of my hands in his. “I’ve had Alice prepare your materials and instructions; she’s more experienced in these things than I am. But just know that I will be with you, if not physically.”

“Mindlink?” I ask.

Atwood nods.

“By the way, your hair looks lovely,” he says after a pause.

I blush a deep red.

The food eventually comes. Tamara and I are awestruck by the beautiful banquet laid before us.

Roast chicken and vegetables, fresh baked bread and hard cheese, bowls of fresh fruit and slices of chocolate cake.

Tamara and I eat hungrily, and when we’re done, we’re both so full that we could practically fall asleep at the table.

Alice is nowhere to be seen, probably sulking somewhere at the fact that I ate real food.

After dinner, a butler comes to help Tamara back to her room, although I don’t want to say goodbye yet. Still, I’m tired from the day’s activities, and I know that I will need to be ready for my first day of school in the morning, so I return to Atwood’s chambers to get ready for bed.

As I get ready for sleep, I can’t help but wonder about Alice being responsible for preparing me for my first day of school. She clearly doesn’t like me, and I wonder if she will intentionally sabotage me.