Things were easier when I knew the rules.

Servant. Whore. Sacrifice. In my head, an arrow spun between the three words in a never-ending rotation. My heart thundered in my chest. After the incident with my sister, I had believed myself to be ready to face any of those realities. But now, I only had to make sure it wasn’t the last and preferably not the second. After all, I had survived worse, hadn’t I?

My head felt clearer now that the hypothermia had receded, but I was still plagued with a pervasive tremor. When the creature-turned-boy had held a knife to my throat, I had felt no warmth in my scars, as I had with Father. No mysterious biting creature ready to defend me.

That could only mean that my secret was a volatile one – unreliable in protecting me and capable of betraying me at the worst time.

Propping the door open, Seward gestured at me to follow him. We turned a corner, then another. Throughout, it smelled like him. That wood-burnt sweetness that made my tongue run hungrily along the corners of my lips. I wondered if his princess felt the same way about him.

With each step, I fought back a wince at the stinging pain from my bare feet. Everything hurt now that the chill had receded from my bones. If anything, the warmth felt oppressive. I shrugged off the hood until the heavy fabric hung loosely from my scrawny shoulders. The robes were too large for me, clearly made for the tall stature of Master Aries, and I glanced anxiously behind me as the fabric draped behind me in a long trail.

Finally, we came to a stop outside a closed double door. Seward looked at me for a long moment before impatiently saying, “Well? Get inside.”

“A-alone?” I couldn’t hide the husk in my voice.

He rolled his eyes. “Our armsmen are away, so unfortunately we can’t summon a battalion to aid you in opening a door. But I think you can handle it on your own, milady.”

“I’m no lady. I work hard,” I said quickly. “All I ask is for clemency.”

“Clemency?” Seward looked appalled. “I heard sun maidens were a special sort, but you’re clearly a few hides short of a winter coat already. Now, I’ll be off. There are a dozen dead hares waiting for my clemency.”

“Wait –” My words fell on deaf ears as the boy sauntered away, still muttering to himself.

Hesitantly, I entered.

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A banquet hall. Massive and desolate. There were faded golden tesserae inlaid on the ceiling, coyly winking in the tepid candlelight, and a single square was likely worth more than my years’ diligence of gathering pearls. The vast room was silent enough for me to hear my heart thunder in my chest.

But I was not alone.

“Tell me,” a deep voice said, “do any others in your little hamlet have such unusual eyes?”

Aries was hidden away in the shadows of the room. Somewhere to my left. I would have turned to him if my body hadn’t turned to lead. I was slowly understanding why he had chosen me.

Sun maiden, the boy had called me. Even with my sheltered upbringing, I had heard whispers of this word. Some had giggled, but others had not reacted at all, their flat dead gaze giving away a terrible secret.

Mother had colorless eyes.

My sisters had colorless eyes.

Everyone I knew had colorless eyes except me.

Me and…

“Well?”

“No,” I said and the word came out sharper than intended.

“Don’t lie to me, alba.” I could hear the cruel smile forming on those full lips. The trap was closing and I was already cloistered inside.

His voice sounded closer now. He clearly had moved from his perch. I wondered if he could see the fine vibration of my hands against my side, the sweat forming on my nape, and the way that my toes clenched inside the robes.

If he could sense a lie, then maybe a half-truth would suffice. “An older man in the village. His eyes retain a hint of color. The color of dirt.”

The same color of dirt in my very own eyes. The same that had stared into the Immortal, half-dead and clenched in bloodshot fear, last night in my home. But I would never betray Father.

“Ah,” the master sounded bored. “I’ve no desire to draw ether from a male.”

“Ether?”

There was no answer to my question.

“You told Seward you were a hard worker. Have you ever worked as a handmaiden?”

He must have heard the conversation from outside the heavy double doors. Keen hearing and never-ending lifespans. The Immortals may have been bred for war, but they were still ignorant in their own way. Handmaidens in my village? Preposterous. The wealthiest could barely afford food for their bastard sons. I answered simply, “No, but I learn fast. I will serve you well.”

“Not me.”

“What?”

“You won’t be serving me. Your mistress will be arriving soon.”

“Mistress?” I bit my lip as comprehension hit. I’d be serving Mistress Daphnea. Despite his teasing touches and captivating voice, he had acquired me for another woman.

Suddenly, the four walls felt too crowded. A servant must have crushed dried flowers in this room. I could smell the sweet herbal wood and bark of a foreign plant. No one had ever brought me flowers before, but perhaps Master Aries’ staff was preparing for his Daphnea.

His beloved, my mistress. Something under my skin unfurled at that thought.