Hopeless and Helpless

It took them a long time to reach Windley Castle. It was already evening but the rains were just as heavy. Meryl got out of the carriage with Tim’s help. As soon as she was down, he bowed his head and said, “M’lady, I need to rush to my wife. If there is nothing else to do, may I go?” 

Drenched to the skin, Meryl nodded. She wanted to get inside the castle and go to her room where she would summon her maid in waiting, Patsy. The shawl around her was so wet that she slung it over her hand and then walked it the main hall and found herself staring right into the dark eyes of her stepmother. An unpleasant shock cruised through her body as Judith’s gaze met hers directly. Her stepmother’s gaze was filled with cold hatred, one that had become very common whenever they were face to face. Meryl found herself shivering, which had nothing to do with how cold she was feeling. 

“Where have you been?” asked Judith, as she placed her hand on her hips and sauntered towards her with narrowed eyes. 

“I had gone to meet Lady Valerie. She had invited me for a cup of tea,” replied Meryl as Judith began circling her. 

Judith stopped and leaned over her. In a low, poisonous voice she said, “After yesterday’s party, it was impossible to keep the servants. You see, I couldn’t afford their salaries.” She circled and stepped right in front of her. “So starting from now, you have to take over the household chores of the castle,” she said, waving her hand in the air. “Wouldn’t you?” 

Dread skittered down her spine and Meryl’s knees became wobbly. She dared not say no to Judith because if she did, she would be subjected to so much work that she would drop unconscious out of mere exhaustion. And she wouldn’t even know as to why she never stopped working or why did she work to the point that she passed out. Her throat bobbed as she took in Judith’s cold glare. She lowered her gaze to the floor, still shivering. She could feel the fever rising. 

“Answer me Meryl,” Judith barked. 

Meryl jerked her head back and then nodded. “I will,” she murmured. There was no other way out. And if she guessed it right, Judith would have sent all the servants out by now. But at the same time she was sure that Patsy would be there. 

“Good,” Judith replied in a low cold voice and then turned on her heels to walk back to her room. Just before she reached the landing that was in front of the stairs above, she said, “Viola and I need tea. Get some herbs from the garden and prepare hot tea for both of us. After that you can start with cleaning.” 

“Yes, Mother,” Meryl murmured and watched Judith ascending the stairs, her black robe trailing behind her like her tail. 

Instead of going to her room to change her rain-soaked dress, she directly walked back in the rain to the herb garden that she was taking care of. The servants had mentioned it to her that her mother loved growing herbs and Meryl had taken up the hobby. As she collected the herbs, her thoughts went back to Valerie’s offer, and she wondered why should she wait even for a minute in this place to subject herself to torture and more torture. She was going to look after her castle without servants, why shouldn’t she look after the castle of Duke of Napane where she would have a battery of servants to get the work. She would in fact relax more over there. But she shoved the thought almost as instantly as it cropped up. What if Judith traced her to the duke’s castle and got her back? What if on not finding her, Judith throws her bags out or worse, she sells the castle to someone? No, she couldn’t leave this place. Feeling utterly hopeless and helpless, Meryl plucked a few more basil leaves and walked to the kitchen. 

--- 

Chezzal was helping Brishor dress up. 

“I don’t need you to dress me up,” Brishor said as Chezzal focused on snapping the buttons of his shirt. “I can do it.” 

“I know, but I want to take care of you,” he replied. He leaned down and kissed the hair on his chest before buttoning the last one. Chezzal was much younger than Brishor and was full of energy. It was just his rage that scared the hell out of people in his kingdom. 

Brishor shook his head and laughed. Chezzal picked up his jacket and made him wear it. After that he started sheathing all his knives in his baldric. As he sheathed the one on his side, he said, “I will come with you. In fact, why don’t you ride me?” 

“No, you need rest, Chezzal. I will go there alone.”

“Not a chance!” Chezzal snapped. “I am going with you,” he said as he tapped his mate’s nose. “The meeting will be attended by several Loreans and they are dangerous people. How can you go without your General?” Though he was joking, on the inside, he was afraid—afraid of the murders that had increased over the last few months. He wrapped his arms around Brishor’s waist. “Besides I am invited there!” While Brishor was an Ice Dragon, Chezzal was a Fire Dragon. Chezzal’s body always remained warm. Overprotective about Brishor, he wanted to be there with him at every step. 

Brishor sighed. He nodded and Chezzal grinned. As soon as they were ready, they walked outside the palace. Built on a mountain plateau. They crested a nearby hill, where Chezzal ran and shapeshifted as soon as he leaped into the air. Bright red wings sprouted out of his body as he dived down. He shifted into his dragon form and glided to where Brishor was standing. A low rumble vibrated from his chest as he moved his chin as a gesture to tell Brishor to sit on his back. Soon they were both airborne. Cold, chilly winds slapped against his cheeks and whipped through his hair. Brishor leaned over Chezzal’s neck to feel his warmth. They took off to Napane. The meeting was supposed to be held the next day, and it would be evening by the time they reached Napane. When they crossed the borders into the human realm, dense skies and heavy rains greeted them. Chezzal beat his wings harder in order to reach their destination as soon as possible. The continuous lighting and thunder angered him and he roared as if it would stop over his anger. 

--- 

Valerie was having dinner with her family when her maid came and whispered in her ears, “Lady Meryl is standing at the door. She wants to speak with you urgently.”

Valerie jerked her head back. So soon? “Ask her to wait for me in the parlor.”