Three

To my surprise It truly didn’t take long. It had only been about fifteen minutes when we pulled up to a grandiose estate. There were dark ebony luminaries glowing soft orange on either side of the onyx staircase. There were two men on either side of the stairs and a man currently walking down them. He was tall, almost could be lanky, but he looked healthy. He smiled with no teeth as he opened the carriage door. He held out his hand. His fingers were long spindly things. It gave me a chill, but I grabbed the hand anyway. He was far more sturdy then I would have given him credit for. 

“Miles take those two to Lita. Have dinner prepared. I want to see everyone at the table in twenty minutes.” Cadogen was buttoning the last button while he talked. Miles nodded his head, his shiny blonde hair swaying in his face. 

“This way Miss.” Miles gestured up the staircase hand hovering at my back but never touching me. Cadogen walked up taking each stair two at a time. He was in the estate before I ever began walking. It was so overwhelming. The colors and textures of the house seemed to pass without me being able to focus on one thing. My eyes darted for one place to the next, never really taking any of it in. We made our way up another flight of stairs. My thighs were starting to burn. I was clearly out of shape. We stopped in front of a desk. A slender woman with sharp red eyes and long golden hair sat behind it. 

“Lita Master Hemo would like you to get this girl situated. She and the small child in her arms should be in the dining hall in twenty minutes.” Miles gestured to my brother. 

“I thought his name was Cadogen?” I said, a bit confused. Miles stiffened. He took a deep breath and plastered a smile onto his face. 

“Here in Veinland we use a person’s surname that is not acquainted with us personally. Master Hemo is this coven’s ruler. His family has ruled this coven since the treaty of silver sion.” I nodded, not really understanding. 

“Oh psha, Miles is just a cranky stickler for rules. Cadogen’s family has ruled this coven for a very long time and Miles’s family has been their advisors for just as long. Rules have been bred into him. Follow me young lady.” Lita got up with the elegance of a dancer. She wore a simple black dress with a red rose motif down the back. I followed her, stealing a look behind me. Miles was already gone like he had never been there to begin with. A Shudder ran down my spine. 

She stood in front of a door and gestured for me to enter. The room was cozy with a four poster bed as the focal point. She made her way across the room and opened another door. It led into a bright bathroom where everything shined. There was an enormous tub big enough for eight people. A crystal chandelier was clearly the inspiration for the room. A huge stained glass window depicted a man beckoning a girl with a rose. 

“You can use this room. Until we get one made up for you. Cadogen clearly didn’t give miles any further instruction on if you are going to be a permanent guest. So sorry for our state of unpreparedness. I’ll bring you a change of clothes for you and the boy. Go ahead and use the amenities. The soap is in the cabinet.” She pointed a long finger with an equally long manicured nail toward a small built-in cabinet.  She gestured for me to give her my brother. I looked down. He was still hiding in my chest. I looked back up at this woman I did not know. Her face softened as she stepped closer to me. 

“How about you bathe him first. Then I can dress him while you clean up?” Her voice was gentle. Calm spread into my very bones. I blinked and shook my head. She gave me a sweet smile. After we had both finished the most luxurious bath I had ever taken in my life. I was sitting on a plush bench in front of a vanity I didn’t notice when I had first entered the room.The light pink dress that pushed me up and held me in. felt like no material I had ever worn. The sleeves were slightly puffed. My feet had pink slippers that also had a puff on the front. A tall slender maid was gathering my hair on top of my head. The strawberry blonde curls were unruly but she fixed them into something that I had only ever seen on women at weddings. Cedar was watching from his place on the bed. He hadn’t spoken all night which was starting to worry me. I guess If I were a six year old I would be scared In this situation. I smiled at him and he tried to give me a smile back. But the smile didn’t illuminate his face like it normally would have. 

“Now, I would like to inform you that dinner is going to be very different from what you are used to. It is rude to stare, It is rude to ask about the donors, and it is rude to not answer when you are spoken to. I’m sure Cadogen will curb some of it but just be on your best behavior.” She reached out and tickled my brother who cringed away from her touch. She let her hand drop and looked at me. 

“It is better to be early than it is to be late.” She led us through the house. This time I got a better look. The floors were a dark wood with a maroon runner. The walls were lined with paintings and plaques under the painting. Everything was large, dark, and exquisite. The dining room was no different. A heavy wooden door on hinges that allowed it to swing both ways opened into a lavish room with huge windows that let the moonlight pour in. The stars were so clear It felt magical almost. Lita led Cedar and I to the table. It was a magnificent piece of furniture. The side was lined with depictions of battles overarching a love story. I helped Cedar into a chair. His feet dangled once bare now covered with bright shiny black leather. I pushed the chair up to the table. Then slid in beside him. Lita gave us a smile then waltz out of the room with that same fierce grace. The table filled up with gorgeous smelling food. Everytime a maid laid down a platter I wanted to devour it, but I held still as the table was engrossed in every food I could imagine. Cadogen walked in wearing a different outfit since I had last seen him. Now he wore a tight fitted button down tucked into tailored pants. The sleeves were folded up to his elbows. His eyes landed on my brother and I. The blue was no longer tinged with red. He sat down across from me.