The Archshade

Three

My chest caves in as my heart forgets to beat. The pressure builds, threatening to suffocate me as my lungs refuse to take in air. The crystal floor sways beneath me, but by some miracle, I stay on my feet.

"Very well," the Emperor agrees. "Be sure your princes know that this exquisite contribution, along with all of my other offerings, carries with it an agreement of peace between our lands."

The ambassador nods curtly. "Of course. The entire court will be in attendance when she is gifted to the Archshade. All the noble families of Arcadia will witness your generosity."

No...

"Excellent. You have my gratitude, ambassador. The welfare of my people cannot withstand another war." The Emperor's voice resonates over the Grand Throne Room, but to me, the sound is muffled as if I'm buried beneath the earth, the weight of the soil pressing down, crushing me.

The ambassador bows low from his waist. "I assure you, Blessed Harbinger, there will be no unforeseen conflicts so long as I hold my position in the ruling prince's court."

I hear the ambassador's veiled assurances, but inside, my innards squirm as if trying to separate themselves from my body and escape its fate. A kept woman... gifted to a prince... A shame which I foolishly thought myself safe from begins to fill me, consuming me. It creeps through my blood, clawing and biting, swallowing me entirely. There's nothing I can say... Nothing I can do...

The world around me grows vague and distant, but I sense the other women casting me looks of pity and sorrow. The Thrall Keeper barks an order and leads them away, back into the underworld of the palace until the next nobleman with an appetite wants his pick of the Emperor's crop.

Unable to move, I hold my place like a statue. The ambassador and the captain of the guard retreat with the Emperor, speaking in hushed voices of less formal matters. I'm left to stare at the crystal floor, my reflection blurring from the sting of tears trapped behind my eyes. I don't know how long I stand there, spiraling further and further into myself. My hand reaches up to cover my mouth, keeping an agonized wail confined to the pit of my gut.

Baden...

I glance at the Emperor. He and the other men are engrossed in their private conversation. My eyes flick to the guards. Each one stands at attention with their gaze fixed on some spot in the ceiling.

Urging my limbs out of their stupor, I take a step back, pressing my spine against the wall. I slink along the stone, approaching the velvet curtain the Royal Speaker escaped behind. My bare feet pad silently over the crystal floor. Grasping the edge of the fabric, I pull it open only a sliver and slip inside the dark hallway, letting the fabric fall closed behind me. I pause, listening for shouts or any other sound of pursuit.

Nothing.

As I make my way back to the kitchens, other servants avoid me like a blight. They move away, making the sign against evil with their hands. I push past them. My feet start running without me noticing. It's senseless and misguided, but I cling to the thought of Baden like a boulder in a swollen river. There's nothing he can do. I know that. But I can't extinguish the hope in my chest that rises with the thought of him. I don't want to extinguish it.

In a rush, I barrel around a corner and collide with a nursemaid carrying a stack of linens.

"Oh!"

The neatly folded linens topple from her arms as I stumble and hit the floor, landing on my hip. Though the nursemaid is a much older woman, she keeps her balance and glares down at the mess I've made. I mutter an apology through my panting breaths.