Simina came to in the same place. She stared at the chandelier dangling from the ceiling, mouth open. Something monstrous ached in her head. Even with thick blankets piled on top of her, she shivered like she was cold.
She pulled the covers up tighter, curling up and bundling. Simina didn't feel well. Hot and cold clashed in an intense battle inside her. Her entire body hurt and her head was too heavy to lift, like a giant piece of lead. She rolled all around, trying to get comfortable, but she just kept tossing and turning.
"Ugh..." she groaned and massaged her temple. Simina stared across the room at the window. How long has it been? Her aunt would expect her as the government notified her just before she left. Now, she couldn't get there because she was stuck in a stupid castle with a person she didn't even expect to be real.
Simina coughed, feeling quite feverish. Someone knocked lightly at the door. Simina froze. She didn't say anything. It was probably the Prince, and she didn't want to tell him to come in. He gave her the chills. No one said anything, and the door opened. Nar walked in, carrying a silver tray. On top, she saw a steaming bowl of something and a steaming mug. He offered a tight smile as he walked across the room and set the tray on a table beside the bed. Simina narrowed her eyes as he came to stand by her bedside.
"How are you feeling?" Nar asked. Simina looked away. She did not like him and did not want to talk to him. Simina ignored him and acted like he wasn't there. When she said nothing, he spoke.
"Matilda was kind enough to make you some tea and broth." An ache seared through Simina's stomach, and it rumbled. She turned to face him. Though she didn't trust him, she was hungry.
"It's really hot, and my body hurts," she said in a raspy voice. She swallowed and cleared her throat. "My throat hurts too," she added.
He picked up the mug from the tray and offered it to her.
"Drink this," Nar said. Simina pushed herself into a sitting position. Simina peered over the lip to see what was in it. Simina saw a light brown liquid with white bubbles swimming on top. Feeling wary and distrustful, Simina pinned a suspicious glare on Nar. How stupid was she? She can't drink anything from the Dark Prince! He might be trying to poison her!
She shoved it away from her, making the liquid slosh. "I'm not drinking that."
A scowl cut his young features. "Drink it."
He shoved the mug into her hands, forcing her to take it. The heat from it spread warmth throughout her fingertips as she took it from him.
"It's probably poison," she snapped.
Nar narrowed his eyes, offended. "Now why would I poison it?"
"Because you're the Dark Prince, and you're evil!" Simina mumbled groggily with a nasty sneer. Nar cocked his head at her, looking seriously confused as his brow drew together.
"No, I am not."
Simina sniffed indignantly but said nothing. She stared at the brown liquid, displeased.
"Ah yes, I saved you from freezing to death just so I could poison you," said Prince Nar sarcastically. Simina frowned at his snide comment, but she raised the rim to her lips. She blew on it to cool it and daintily took an experimental sip.
A bitter, stale taste assaulted her tongue, burnt and dusty like hundred-year-old dead herbs. It coated her mouth with a thin, grimy, unpleasant sensation. Unable to fathom such a nasty taste, she spat it out, the liquid spewing out of her mouth, some spraying on Nar. Because of this, Nar stepped aside with a disgruntled expression.
Simina coughed, choking on the liquid as little droplets dribbled down her lips and trickled down her chin. She wiped her mouth on her sleeve, running her tongue across her teeth, trying to get the harsh, lingering, medicinal aftertaste out of her mouth.
"Bluk! What is that? It's disgusting!" Simina stuck her tongue out and set the mug on the tray. Nar gave her an agitated look.
"It's a medicinal tea; it isn't supposed to taste good," he said irritably. Simina stuck her tongue out and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Well, I won't drink it!" she said stubbornly.
Nar shrugged. "Fine. Don't drink it. See if I care."
Simina growled and said nothing. Simina picked up the mug, raised it to her lips, and took a considerable gulp to prove that she could drink it and would get better.
Forcing it down, Simina guzzled it, drinking it gulp after gulp, even though her reflex told her to throw it back up because it tasted so nasty. Despite that, though, she forced it down, letting it burn the back of her throat. Once she emptied the mug, Simina breathed heavily, groaning with disgust. She set it back down.
Nar looked amused, and he chuckled. Simina shivered, trying to shake off the bad taste. Surprisingly, after drinking that, she noticed significant improvement. Her body and muscles still ached, but her head didn't hurt anymore, and neither did her throat.
"Feel any better?" he asked, voice slightly mocking. Even though she did, Simina didn't want to admit that, so instead, she said, "No." Simina defiantly set her jaw. She thought about her aunt again.
"How long have I been here?"
The Prince walked over to the window and gazed out of it.
"About two days."
"Two days!?" Nar grimaced at her loud, screechy voice. He nodded.
"Yes. You were asleep for a long time," he explained. Simina did not like this. She did not know what to say, so there was a moment of silence where neither spoke.
Nar broke the silence. "Who are you exactly?"
Simina glared at him. "Leave me alone."
Nar said nothing; just took a deep breath. He bowed in a very respectful way.
"As you wish," said Nar, swiftly leaving the room in a few graceful strides and closing the door behind him. A shuddering breath escaped Simina's lips. His absence provided her some much needed solace. Hands bunching in her tousled hair, her skin crawled with his powerful, lingering presence. He had yet to display any dark powers. But the image from the book and the author's dire warnings...they stuck to her like cobwebs. Now alone, Simina drank the bowl of broth, quenching her hunger.
A few hours later, while Simina was pacing the room, trying to ease the pain in her muscles by moving, someone knocked on the door. Simina stopped and turned to the door. Should she say something? She hoped it wasn't the Prince again. She gulped.
"Who is it?" she called. An unfamiliar woman's voice answered her.
"Matilda, the handmaiden dear," the woman answered kindly. Simina breathed out.
"Come in," she said. The door opened, and a young, stout little woman entered. She was young but looked a few years older than Simina. Her auburn hair was pulled back into a neat, tight bun.
"Good day, miss," she greeted Simina. Simina waved, feeling a little shy.
"Hi," she muttered.
"My master has requested that I escort you to another room," Matilda told Simina. Simina wrung her hands.
"Master?" Simina wondered what she meant by "master."
"Prince Nar, dear," Matilda said.
"Oh." She calls him master? That's a little weird. Matilda held the door open, waiting for Simina to walk out first. Simina walked out and into a hallway. Matilda walked out after her, brushing past Simina and turning left.
"Follow me, please," Matilda called to Simina. Simina followed behind her, taking in the high ceiling, flying buttresses, and foyer below her. They climbed up another set of steep stairs.
"Where are you taking me?" Simina asked.
"You'll see," Matilda chimed. Simina noticed that Matilda waddled rather than walked. Matilda took her through some corridors and turned a few corners until finally stopping at another door. Matilda opened the door for her. Simina walked in. Inside was a smaller room that looked more fit for a girl than the other room. This room was adorned with floral decor, with a fancy bed sporting a lovely canopy. An antique rug sprawled underneath with intricate and unique designs of more strange yet magnificent fauna.
Simina liked this room better and looked around. She walked over and sat on the bed and sank gently into the decadent duvet. Matilda opened a wardrobe, revealing an abundance of gorgeous dresses fit for royalty. She pulled out a long, graceful purple dress with long, fluffy, frilly sleeves and a neck slanted down into a V.
Simina's eyes widened at its beauty, and her jaw dropped in awe. Matilda brought it over, running her hand across the fabric, gazing at it with admiration. She laid it out across the bed next to Simina. Simina stood to get a better look at it.
It was a deep, luscious purple, matching the color of Nar's eyes. Simina stopped for a second. She wondered why her brain had automatically made that comparison between the dress and his eyes. This made Simina angry, and she hated herself for making that comparison.
A gold belt was sewn into the dress around the waist. Simina liked the dress; she just didn't like the fact that it reminded her of Nar's eyes.
"Prince Nar picked this dress for you. He thought you might want some new, fresh clothes after what you've been through," Matilda told her. Simina tensed up. Nar picked out the dress? Why was he picking out her clothes?
She inwardly denied that she secretly appreciated the Prince giving her these clothes. Simina got the sense like she was living in a fairytale in this elaborate castle, just like a princess. She wanted to be treated like a princess, but Simina kept that to herself. Now, guilt ate her up inside for being rude to him earlier, when all he'd been trying to do was help her. Simina immediately dismissed that thought. Nope. He's the Dark Prince. He's probably using his wicked powers on me to make me think that.
"There's a washroom right over here." Matilda's voice brought Simina out of her thoughts. She followed Matilda to another door to the room's right, slightly across from the bed. Matilda opened the door and led Simina in.
"Just right in here," Matilda muttered. Simina observed the washroom. It was the strangest and most fancy washroom she'd ever seen. A white porcelain tub stood on golden legs, the sides carved ornately with golden flourishes. Simina had never seen anything like it. Attached to the wall were some strange knobs: one in the middle that had an arrow pointing up or down and two more on either side, one with an H and the other with a C.
Above that was a strange-looking nozzle, aiming down into the tub. What's that? She turned to and pointed to the weird nozzle thing.
"What is that?" she asked Matilda. Matilda rushed over to explain. She indicated the knobs and nozzle thing.
"You turn these. Turn the middle one up and that thing up there called a shower nozzle, sprays water into the tub when you wash. It's called a shower," Matilda explained. Simina was absolutely fascinated.
"Ooh, a shower," Simina said with fascination. Matilda pulled out some towels and other bathing materials and set them aside for Simina's use. She bowed to her.
"I will leave you to bathe. If you need any assistance, I will send for Nar," Matilda told Simina. Simina opened her mouth to protest, but Matilda left before she could say anything. Simina did not want any of Prince Nar's "assistance."
It took Simina a while to get the hang of the shower. Luckily, she figured it out just enough to not need any assistance. She wrapped her body in a towel, drying herself, and brushed her wet locks. After she finished, she walked out of the bathroom. The dress was still laid out across the bed.
She put it on in a jiffy, and once thoroughly examining herself in it, she decided that it looked good on her. Simina smiled happily and turned to leave her room. Once she'd exited, she found herself in a dimly lit corridor. Her footsteps echoed with each step across the narrow hall. There were two hallways. One that went to the left from where she was standing and another directly in front of her. A larger swath of light shone from the latter direction.
She didn't want to be here in the Dark Prince's castle any longer than she had to. Simina was determined to find a way out. She followed the hall until it ended, opening up onto a landing overlooking the foyer. Down below, Simina saw the entrance: two gigantic double doors. Two guards stood in front, blocking them. Even if she did get out of here through the main entrance, Simina would be stuck. There was nothing but rolling hills of snow as far as the eye could see. Leaving on foot wasn't an option. She had to find another way out.
All castles had stables. Since there were guards and soldiers, Simina assumed there had to be horses. Warily, Simina walked to the middle of the landing and stopped. She glanced back down at the guards. They didn't seem to be paying her any attention. Breathing out, she turned away, coming face to face with two double doors. Two guards stood at attention, blocking her access.
Exhaling slowly, Simina quickly turned and walked back the way she came. Not remembering which room she originally came out of, Simina went straight until the hall broke off in two directions again: left and right. Simina went right and stopped at the first door she saw. Her skin registered the cool, metallic touch of the curved, delicate handle. She turned it, and much to her surprise, it opened. Nervously, Simina pushed the door open. The room was dimly lit with candles and their small, flickering flames cast eerie shadows on the walls. It caught the light of a crystal chandelier hanging above and Simina wondered why that wasn't being used for lighting instead. Electricity was clearly more effective.
One candle rested carefully on a sturdy desk that sat in the far end of the room. The wall behind it was lined with bookshelves, and to the left sat a small, cozy armchair. Carefully, Simina stepped inside. The soft texture of the floor threw her off and she stumbled. There must be a rug or a carpet. There was a rustling sound, like fabric, and suddenly the dim room was awash with bright light.
Simina threw her arms up to shield her eyes from the unexpected onslaught, squinting. The Dark Prince stood by a window, the snowy landscape outside complimenting his pale, fair features. His poet's blouse hung loosely off his lithe frame, the tassels untied and left opened, exposing his chest.
"What are you doing in here?" he seethed, purple eyes aflame. Simina's heart dropped into her stomach, and every muscle told her to run, but his dark gaze pinned her to the spot.
"Well, I-"
"Did I say that you could leave your room?" In a puff of deep, rich violet smoke, Nar appeared in front of her instantly. Simina shrieked and attempted to run, but it was too late. He grabbed her roughly by the arm and dragged her out back into the corridor.
"Let me go!" she screamed as she attempted to escape, but he held her arm in a tight, unrelenting vice grip.
Stumbling, Simina somehow managed to keep her feet under her. Her arm ached, but she fought with all her might to get free. He dragged her, kicking and screaming, back to her room. Nar opened the door and unceremoniously threw her in. Her cheek skidded on the rug, burning her face. Leaping back to her feet as quickly as possible, Simina charged the door. Nar slammed it shut with a bang just as she reached it, and there was the loud and ominous sound of the lock clicking into place.
"No!" she shouted, grasping the knob. It didn't move. Panic overwhelming her, Simina's chest heaved with sobs. She rattled and pulled at the knob, but the door held strong. It wouldn't budge an inch.
"Let me out of here!" she screamed as loud as her lungs would allow. She pounded her fists on the door. "Let me out!"
Simina's mind reeled, her chest heaving. Now she definitely had to find a way out of here. Zormon be damned if she was about to stay in a castle with the most vile, evil person alive. How could anyone be so cruel? Simina pounded on the door and screamed until her voice went hoarse, and her knuckles were raw. No one came, and the door stubbornly stayed locked. After about an hour or two, Simina finally gave up and slowly sank to the floor, her back against the door. She sobbed, feeling hopeless and trapped. Weeping, Simina crawled across the room and onto the bed, where she cried herself to sleep.