Chapter 7 THE FIRST STRIKE
That night, Selene tossed and turned in bed.
Nightmares from the King's chamber haunted her dreams, her body aching even in sleep.
She could still hear Dorothy's voice in her head: "You can never be with the King's child," she had said with so much conviction.
Selene had tried to ask why Dorothy sounded so sure, but she was only told never to mention such; if not, being a King's sex slave would be the most beautiful thing to ever happen to her.
She suddenly snapped her eyes open, breathing hard as she stared at the roof above.
She was soaked in sweat, a dull ache still throbbing in her head. She carefully sat up and pulled the sweat-soaked thin nightdress off her body.
Naked, she stood and grabbed the small, wrap-around towel she had used as her pillow, spreading it to wrap around her body.
She didn't know for how long or how short she had slept; she still needed sleep, but she also needed to wash off the sticky sweat from her skin.
She glanced around her room, wondering if she would die of cold if she put those flickering candles on the wall out. She shook her head; she'd rather sweat than freeze to death. There was no blanket or heavy cloth to shield her body, so blowing out her only source of warmth was not a great idea.
She stepped into the hallway, looking left and right to make sure no one else was awake. Slowly, she headed in the opposite direction from the stairs, walking toward the general washroom.
Hopefully, she wouldn't run into anyone there as well. She would give anything never to meet with anyone until she escaped this bloody castle.
She pushed the wooden door and climbed down the three stairs to another wooden door. Slowly, she pushed it in and stepped inside, ready to go and get water from the large, deep water basin placed for them at the center of the large room.
It was simply an open space; anyone could stand wherever they wanted to wash themselves, and Selene had never been a lover of exposing her body, not even to a fellow woman.
She was thankful she was alone, grabbing the pail and moving over to the large basin. She dipped it in and pulled it out when enough water had run in. Quickly, she went to the corner where she had washed herself yesterday and untied the cloth from her body, placing it on the protruding wall. She picked the small, brown hand cloth beside her wrap-around cloth and soaked it into the freezing water.
She trembled the moment the wet cloth touched her skin, but she gritted her teeth and continued washing, using the faint, scentless soap that was provided to clean herself properly.
As she rubbed her body, she started hearing sounds from behind the door, causing her to pause. She glanced at the door, frowning as she heard girls giggling softly. Sighing, she continued to rinse her body.
However, the peace didn't last long; the door was pushed open and two masked girls tiptoed into the washroom, quietly locking the door.
Selene paused, watching as the taller girl pressed the other girl's back against the door and kissed her. Her eyes widened, hands frozen mid-air.
She couldn't look away, not when she watched their hands disappear between each other's legs. Her newly caught pulse was spiking as she listened to their breathy moans and whispers; she never knew girls were allowed to do that to each other.
Would they be punished if they were found?
She looked away and poured her water over her body, but she didn't realize that the water splash would draw their attention.
Two pairs of eyes snapped toward her, watching her pointedly without blinking.
Selene cleared her throat and quickly grabbed her wrap-around, covering her body from them and waved. "Hello," she murmured.
The tall girl simply pulled the other girl out of the way and pulled the door open. "Go ahead."
Selene gulped, anxious. Their silence made it even worse. She couldn't tell if she had gained more enemies or allies. However, she moved; she dragged her legs toward the door, holding her wrap-around tightly.
"Say nothing, alright?" The tall girl caught Selene's wrist before she could walk through the door.
Selene gasped, nodding stiffly. From the warmth of the girl's hand, she knew the girl was a werewolf slave.
"I promise," she muttered.
The tall girl released Selene, and Selene made her escape, the door slamming behind her. On her way back to her room, she kept her face lowered as slaves slowly started to parade naked in the hallway, chatting quietly about what Selene never wished to understand.
She made it to her door, reaching out to push it in.
"There you are, Selene. That's your name, right?" Dianne slapped Selene's hand away from her doorknob.
Selene gritted her teeth, feeling the sting on the back of her hand. She didn't look up, and neither did she respond; there was no use speaking to a wicked, stupid soul.
"You didn't have to bother cleaning up. The King will never call for you again. I'm very sure he scrubbed his cock so hard to get your stinky smell out," she laughed, folding her arms over her naked chest.
Selene smiled. "I do hope you're right, Dianne..." she lifted her face, looking into Dianne's eyes, "For I would hate to ever feel his hands on me. I'd rather die," she stated and pushed in her door, walking in without waiting for Dianne's reply.
Dianne looked utterly shocked for just a few moments before an evil smirk curved up her lips. "I hear you, Selene. I hear you," she whispered, slowly stepping away from Selene's door.
Selene's morning was quite fast-moving. She was dressed in an oversized grey gown, which she learned was the usual slave's uniform. You only got to dress exposing when the King wants your body.
A very disturbing thought.
A bell chimed and Selene managed to squeeze herself amid the rushing slaves. She didn't know where they were headed, but she sensed she also needed to be there, else she'd get in trouble.
They went downstairs and she thought they were dropping into the castle through the walkway, but they rushed toward an unexplored side of the slave quarters, slamming the double door open to reveal a massive dining hall.
Clean tables and benches lined the whole place; the marble floor looked neat and mopped. The familiar smell of that mushroom soup she had yesterday night drifted from the front, upsetting her stomach and making her crave it at the same time.
If it was the only thing available, then she would eat.
She stood in front of the door, watching everyone take their position around the tables, her anxiety kicking in once again as she realized she was an outcast.
Who does she join?
Where does she sit?
"Selene!" a voice shouted her name from the table in the center of the dining hall.
Selene froze, feeling every eye turn toward her.
She wanted to take a step back, to run away from them, but she was hungry; running meant no food.
"Everyone, meet our new addition, Selene Alaric, daughter of the Alpha King!" Dianne announced.
A hush fell across the room, then murmurs followed.
Selene slowly started to pant, her chest feeling hollow, sweat breaking out of her palms and forehead as she watched all those judgmental and hateful eyes glaring at her.
"Come on, everyone, be nice. You can't keep assuming the worst based off of rumors." Dianne stepped forward, slowly approaching Selene. "We should ask her properly," she smiled.
"I agree!" Grace shouted.
The crowd erupted in laughter, mocking Selene with different sorts of ridiculous comments.
Dianne walked over to Selene, standing right in front of her. "Tell us, Selene, is it true that your slutty mother was a witch?!"
Selene was quiet, clenching her jaws tightly as she glared at Dianne, holding back her rage.
"Tell us, witch! We heard she died trying to fight the real wife of—argh!" Dianne screamed, staggering back in horror as she palmed her stinging neck.
Selene had scratched her neck with her very sharp nails, and Dianne was more than livid. She was a vampire, but a very low-ranked one, which meant her wound took months to heal, not like a pureblood who could heal instantly.
Her skin was her price. The only thing she could offer to the King.
She snapped her head at Selene, baring her fangs. "How dare you?!" she screeched, diving toward Selene.
Selene gasped, falling onto the floor as she tried to dodge Dianne, but she wasn't fast enough; Dianne's claws had already torn through her gown, tearing it from her midriff and below.
Selene scrambled, trying to escape the angry vampire slave.
"You will pay for this!" Dianne pinned Selene's neck to the floor, her free hand lifted, ready to claw Selene's face.
Selene choked, trying to kick off the strong girl from above her but failed woefully.
Just when she thought she would lose her face, a voice snapped in front of the door.
"Enough!" Dorothy commanded sternly.
