A Kingdom of Wolves

Chapter Nine.

Chapter Nine.

Eliza awoke to the sound of someone in her room. She jumped as a kindly young woman smiled at her.

“I am sorry Miss. I wanted to refuel the fire for your continued comfort. I have also boiled the waters from the ice lake, so you might refresh yourself, before your continued journey,” the maid whose hair was a yellow blonde, not the pure white of a Northern Territory native, smiled at her.

“That is very kind of you. Thank you. I hear you have a slight southern accent. Can I enquire where you are from?” Eliza smiled at the girl, who could be no more than 16, 17 at a push.

“Originally, I was from the northern quarter of Neutraliss, and I am a werewolf. However, I lived in the eastern quarter for most of my life, before moving here. My mother was mated to a human after my father passed during one of the Dragon Battles. They had been chosen mates, not fated ones,” the young girl smiled at Eliza.

“I am sorry for the loss of your father. But, how interesting, to have seen so many different lands of our world. I have never ventured out of the Northern Territories,” Eliza shared with the young maid.

The young girl's eyes glazed over, before she smiled at Eliza.

“My master has said that breakfast is ready, and for you to head into the dining room. I believe your parents and Elder Carson are awaiting your arrival. Do not worry, I will keep the bath heated for your return,” the young maid smiled.

“Thank you. What is your name?” Eliza asked.

“Kym, miss,” the omega couldn't help but return Eliza's warm smile.

“I am Eliza. It is a pleasure to meet you, Kym.” Eliza genuinely informed the young girl.

She moved the covers from her bed and stepped out of it. She had no spare clothes with her, only what she had worn, and despite the fire, it had been too cold to sleep in nothing but sheets covering. Eliza smoothed the fabric of her clothes and slipped her feet into her seal-skinned boots, running her fingers through her hair, as she did not have a brush available to her. Before heading out of the room. Two enforcers turned to look at her, following behind Eliza as she walked, reminding her that she was still a prisoner, despite the luxury that had been afforded to her the previous night.

She stepped into the large dining room, her father standing as she walked towards the table. Eliza had not expected a full dinner yesterday evening, let alone a breakfast that morning. The smell of eggs, from the rare white clucking birds that resided on the southern borders of the Northern Territories, wafted through the air, making her mouth water.

“Elder Carson. Might I have permission to greet my daughter with a hug?” Aiden respectfully asked his old friend and king's envoy.

“Yes, your mate can as well. Although I cannot afford the same privilege toward your other daughter. She has been most troublesome through the night. So much so, she will not be in receipt of breakfast this morning. Although her mate was delivered some egg’s, in his cell,” Carson informed the former royal warrior wolf.

Aiden let out a small sigh, he did not doubt his eldest child had been nothing but trouble. It had been as such since the day she was born.

“Good Morning, Eliza,” Aiden warmly smiled at his youngest child, wrapping her in his warm embrace.

“My turn,” Meradith giggled, nudging her mate with her elbow so that she might hold her daughter in her arms. It may be the last time, for all she knew. But despite the lump that clogged her throat once more, Meradith determined not to cry, to enjoy this meal together, and live in the moment, and not worry about what the day would bring.

Aiden moved the chair back from the table, encouraging his youngest daughter to be seated. The doors to the kitchen opened, and plates filled with hot scrambled white clucking bird eggs, with fresh salmon caught from the king's own ice lake, appeared with the waiter. Two plates in each hand, and one resting upon his arm. The waiter served Elder Carson first, then Aiden, and Meradith, before placing the last plate in front of Eliza. Never in his long years of running the Nix boarding house had he seen a prisoner treated as a VIP guest before, and his eyes narrowed as he looked at the strikingly beautiful Eliza, wondering what she had done, and who she was to be afforded such a privilege.

Eliza let out a soft moan as she tasted the rare eggs and pink fish. They were delicious, and if she were to die that day, she determined that she would be forever thankful for the blessing that had been bestowed on her.

“I have sent you some fresh clothing to your room Eliza. Something fit for a moonstone wearer to meet the king in,” Carson informed the young woman beside him.

“Oh my. Thank you. You have been beyond kind to me,” Eliza smiled warmly at the king's Elder.

“Once you have finished your food, you have one hour to bathe and change, and then my enforcers will enter your room, and bring you back to the snow mobile, for the last leg of our journey,” Carson stated.

“Again. Thank you. I will be sure to be ready,” Eliza smiled, then finished her delicious food in silence.

The warmth of the bath water was like a soothing balm to Eliza’s soul. She would have loved to bask in it for longer than five minutes, but, alas, she did not want to risk being a second late, after the kindness she had received. She finished off soaping herself with a bar that was infused with tiny purple sprigs, which smelled divine, and had a further soothing effect on her troubled soul.

“The soap is imported from the Fae kingdom. The plant is lavender, known to bring peace and harmony to those who have the privilege to smell it,” Kym said as she walked around the copper tub, taking hold of a large back scrubber and gently moved the white hair of Eliza, placing it over her shoulder and began to wash the moonstone carrier’s back. Even if this girl was a prisoner, Kym felt honoured and privileged to serve someone who wore the rare artifact, no matter what her crime had been.

“It does smell amazing. Thank you, Kym. You have made this morning so much more bearable, for me,” Eliza smiled at the young girl, wishing that this would not be the last time she saw her. But alas, fate had twisted its cruel knife, and so she must accept that this would probably be the last day in the world of Mythicalia.

“It has been my honour and pleasure to serve you, Eliza. I hope and pray that our King will find mercy in his heart for one such as you,” Kym sighed, saddened that this woman, who seemed kind and loving, would soon stand before King Fitzwilliam, and plead for her life.

Eliza stood out of the bath, wrapping a towel, which had been heating beside the fire, around her body. She moved toward the bed, looking at the white, soft fabric of the thick, long dress, covered in a light golden damask pattern. This dress was fit for a queen, not a warrior girl accused of murder. The V-neck was woven with golden threads, the cuffs fashioned with fur from the snow bunnies, with a matching wrap that covered her shoulders, giving Eliza extra warmth for the remainder of her journey to the ice palace. Even underwear had been provided. Eliza felt her eyes sting with tears, as she looked at the beautiful and warm gown. It was by far the most beautiful thing she had ever had the pleasure of wearing. Her family had not been poor, but life was hard in the Glacier pack, and clothes were fashioned for practicality, not beauty. She glanced down at the moonstone artifact that hung around her neck, remembering Elder Maisy’s promise that it would bring her good fortune. A soft, sad smile teetered on her lips. This may be her last day in this world, but she had been blessed with great warmth, good and clothing, and she believed that it was as good day as any to die.

“Oh miss, you look beautiful,” Kym declared, before bringing out a brush made from exotic bore hair, and worked Eliza’s long white locks, which hung down her back in natural ringlets. Kym then fashioned a braid and clasped the back of the hair with a small golden hair tie. Gloves that were made from the snow bunny's pelts were placed on Eliza’s hands before Kym slung the warrior’s snow bear cloak around her shoulders.

“You look beautiful, like a warrior princess,” Kym complimented the woman, who she would be sorry to see leave.

“Thank you,” Eliza smiled, swallowing the lump that was forming in her throat. Then, she clasped Kym’s hands between hers.

“For everything. No matter what happens next, I am so pleased to have met you. May you walk in mercy for the rest of your long days and know the love and happiness of a true mate,” Eliza gave her blessing to the maid.

She slipped her seal skin boots back onto her feet, then taking a long inhale of breath, she stepped out of the room, as the Enforcers once again followed her, both of them dreading the kings judgement, and hoping this beautiful, and from what they had witnessed kind, creature before them would be spared.