When we landed in Scafera, the sun was setting, making everything look golden. Maybe that was why I was mesmerised by this place, because as soon as the night came, the hair on my neck stood, and my blood felt cold. I knew this feeling very well; I was being watched in a way that screamed danger.
Two guards of the Beast led me through the Palace grounds. The grounds looked more like a garden interwoven with the tall buildings, towers, archways, and hanging bridges. It is fascinating, and I know I would have loved it if I had been watching this under daylight. But in that moment, under the half-moon, the shadows seemed to grow out of the corners and wrap themselves around the Palace like the overgrown trees and vines surrounding the structure. Not to mention, how silent everything was, saved from the sound of boots of the guards and occasional soft blowing wind over my ears.
But despite my worries, as we got deeper and deeper into the Palace, I could not help but notice how the Palace, the pathways across the buildings, and even the archways looked like they had been built in the forest, like the Palace itself was a gift from the forest to the monsters. Even the lights were not harsh. Unlike us humans, who used fire torches, they had glowing crystal orbs peeking out from here and there. Some were wrapped in vines, some just hung from the tree, slowly swaying with the soft wind. They were mesmerising to look at.
But I could not look at them for too long, because I noticed the worst problem I was facing in that moment. It was cold, very cold for my liking. I quietly rubbed my hands together, hid them in my long sleeves and took a deep breath. The air felt fresh and filled with all sorts of common and uncommon flower scents. The Palace was full of contradictions, both scary and mesmerising. As if the place was inviting me in and angry at my presence at the same time, and I could not decide if it was a trap or not.
Going over an arch, we walked up an intricate building that looked like the brightest among them. The flowers around the pathway got more frequent and beautiful as if they were adorning the path to the building, and the crystals glowed brighter as we got nearer. The inside was equally beautiful, the hallways looked hand-painted with shimmering colours, and doorways were carved with beautiful patterns.
But the more beautiful everything got, the more my instincts kicked in. My insides tensed like a taut bow, and I decided this was definitely a trap. Where were they taking me?
I felt the eyes on me before I even saw whose eyes they were. The room was brightly lit with very colourful curtains and silk-wrapped sitting places, and many beautiful women were sitting on them. It looked like a common sitting room where women leisurely sat down and socialised. The Palace of Atrofall also had a room like this for the Queen and her guests. But I quickly realised this was not a room for the guest; this room and this building had a very different purpose.
All eyes turned towards me as soon as I stepped in. Instantly, the atmosphere got colder. The guards beside me bowed low.
"Good afternoon, Ladies," the guards said in unison before looking up.
"We are just here to show the human lady to her room," one of the guards added.
"Well, well, well, so the rumours were true, our King really brought home a human," A smooth, refined female voice said in a sing-songy voice as she stepped forward. No, she did not step – she glided forward in a flowy blue dress that reminded me of the seawaves as it swayed with her movements. Her silky, dark, straight hair fell past her waist, and her pale face looked alluring as she smiled and looked me up and down with her wide, pretty blue eyes with a purple hue underneath them. She was beautiful. So so beautiful. So beautiful that I would do anything she asked me to.
What? Why would I –
Purple hue. With a jerk, I looked away, realising what was happening. She was a Siren.
However, before I could look away completely, I noticed her eyes narrowing at me, looking me up and down, and lingering on my dress, then at my veil.
"Well, then, little human, tell me," the Siren slowly glided towards me, like a predator coming near her prey but I did not back away. She was trying to scare me, and I knew this technique very well. She stopped just in front of me with a sickening smile on her face. "Do all humans hide their faces, or is it reserved for only the most fragile and ugly brides? Or are you hiding your terrified little face behind that veil? Scared that if the monsters looked at your face, you would break, little human?"
The room was filled with the laughter of those women.
That was so unprovoked, but I expected this kind of treatment. She wanted to get a rise out of me, and I really wanted to give in, to show this monster what real fear looks like.
But I also knew if I harmed her, there was no way I would live to see tomorrow. However, that did not mean I could not answer her.
I looked back up into her eyes just to see if it could affect me again.
No, it did not. I guessed that, now that I knew what she was, I could control my own mind. At least for now.
"Your king was covered from head to toe as well. He must have a lot more to hide than I," I replied without any humour, the Siren's smile dropped, and her eyes flashed dark purple. I realised I had struck a nerve. I should not have, I know.
The room went quiet. Too quiet.
I hear a sound, a sound of claws extending. From many directions in the room. Many monster women in the room looked at me angrily, and I guessed they were all very loyal to their King.
"I will have your tongue ripped out of your mouth for speaking about our King like that! You pathetic little human!" the Siren's voice slammed onto me like a physical force. It hit me on the chest and I stumbled back a few steps.
It was her magic. Of course, Siren's magical voice, which they used as a weapon.
My chest hurt, and the force had also reopened my shoulder wound, probably, but I forced myself to straighten up and ended up wincing. And of course, the Siren noticed that.
"What happened? Did I hurt you, you poor, fragile, big-mouthed Twig-brain?" The Siren's sickening sweet smile returned, but now I could clearly see the anger in her eyes as she stepped closer. Her hands stretched towards me. "Now let's see how a hideous human looks when it is hurt?"
I reacted instinctively, understanding her intentions. I caught the Siren's wrist just before it could touch my veil and she froze. Loud gasps echoed in the room. Another thing I dared to do, apparently, others never did.
"I will show my face when I decide it, not because some people cannot keep their hands to themselves," I said, looking her in her purple eyes, which turned to slits at my insult.
"You bi—" The Siren spat, and I knew she was going to attack while trying to free her hand.
So I just let go of her hand, and she stumbled back. The other women gasped again, and the Siren, clearly insulted, looked up at me like I had hit her.
I reached for the blade under my sleeve, knowing very well that it would not do much against her magical attack. But I could still do damage to her. However, the magical attack did not come; instead, came an order.
"Throw her in the Dungeons!"
[To Be Continued]