Kiora

It is quiet as Kiora's new handmaids get her ready. The women work in complete silence, barely casting a glance at Kiora. When Kiora speaks to Sorcha, her new handmaids shoot her judgemental glares that make Kiora's stomach sink.

She catches Sorcha's eyes. The woman gives her an apologetic look and continues to work on getting Kiora dressed. One of the handmaids, a particularly stern-looking older woman, yanks a brush roughly through Kiora's hair, catching it on a knot. Kiora winces, gritting her teeth as the woman continues being just as rough.

"Be gentle, Agetha," Sorsha snaps harshly.

Agatha looks at Sorcha with a blank, disgusted stare, then nods her head and continues. Kiora shoots Sorcha a small thank you smile.

Soon, the women are leaving. Kiora lets out a shallow breath of relief as she watches them go.

"What was that?" she asks Sorcha now they are alone. Sorcha sighs.

"They are women under High Lady Illyria's thumb," Sorcha tells her, her tone grim. "Don't even try to become friendly with them. They've been hers for years and they will not betray her."

Kiora grits her teeth and rubs her temple as a dull ache grows behind her eyes. Illyria's words yesterday ring back in her mind.

"Your desperate attempt to make friends is pathetic and with every attempt, I will crush it swiftly and effectively."

What can she do to stop this? Can she do anything to get her old handmaids back? Or would trying just make everything even worse?

"They are going to report everything back to Princess Alethia and High Lady Illyria," Sorcha warns.

"I know," Kiora sighs. "I ought to be getting to breakfast."

"Yes, my lady. Have a good day," Sorsha says as Kiora walks toward the door. She knocks on the wood and the guards on the other side open it for her.

She walks through the corridors, ignoring the various guards stationed at different points. She can feel their eyes on her though. No doubt Illyria has been spinning a web of lies and rumours about her to them.

Still, Kiora tries not to let it get to her. She keeps her head held high and walks with confidence and, as usual, she dreads what the day ahead may bring. The thought of sitting with the wives for another awkward breakfast in front of all the concubines makes her feel tired. She's beyond feeling discomfort or fear now.

All she feels is dull tiredness. It makes her body ache and her eyes heavy. Sometimes, there's even a sharp, stabbing pain in her head. She doesn't need sleep. She never used to anyway. But as the days wear her down and she spends her whole time thinking about various plots to ensure her survival, she's discovered that sleep has become a blessing. It is the only way she can escape this horrible place.

Plus, sometimes she dreams about Alice or her sisters. She misses them greatly and a deep ache settles in her belly as she longs to return to them. She tries not to think about them too much. It hurts when she does. Ranging from the pain that comes from missing them, to the twinge of angry jealousy at the thought of them being able to travel and carry Winter's storms whilst she remains locked away makes for a complicated mix of emotions Kiora doesn't have the energy to figure out or feel.

As those emotions swirl and bubble inside her, she comes to a stop at one of the balconies. She opens the doors and steps outside. The air is a lot cooler than it was when she first arrived. It still isn't cold, at least, not how she would like it. But it doesn't make her skin sting any more.

She closes her eyes as the cool breeze washes over her, fluttering her hair as it clears her head. In the distance, a low roar sounds. It is deep and heavy. Kiora's eyes snap open and she gazes out at the dragon's nest in the city beyond.

Even now, she struggles to comprehend its size. The great black walls cast a horrible shadow over the whole city. Sometimes, when the sun is right, the shadows even reach the palace itself. Another roar, deep and angry, rips its way out of the nest. She can almost feel the city fall into a scared, tense silence.

Kiora almost laughs when she remembers the days she first arrived and how scared she was of the roars. Now, as she stares at the nest, she imagines herself stepping into it and claiming a dragon for herself.

A surge of disappointment rushes through her, making her shoulders slump. For over half a year she's been here, and still, she has yet to see a dragon. Liros doesn't count. It's more a mangy, spoilt mut than one of the incredible beasts that silence a city with its roar.

"Ah, Lady Kiora, just the woman I was looking for."

Kiora spins on her heels, nearly jumping out of her skin upon hearing the voice.

She frowns when she sees the man before her.

"General Castor," she says.

"Ah, so you remember?" he asks. Kiora laughs.

"You weren't a general the last time we talked," Kiora says, thinking back to the night of her wedding ball, where she embarrassed the previous general.

"I was not. I can thank you for my promotion. Had my predecessor not tried, and failed, to humiliate you, he would not have been removed from his position."

Kiora raises a brow, surprised.

"I hadn't realised that was the reason," she says.

He laughs. "Officially, it isn't. Please, walk with me."

Kiora steps in from outside and falls into step near the general, making sure she isn't too close because that would be inappropriate. She peeks at him out of the corner of her eyes.

A man in his late sixties by the looks of it, with his slightly wrinkled olive skin, silver hair, and dark eyes that look like they have seen many horrors. He holds himself proudly, his posture tall with his hands clasped behind his back. His velvet, emerald-coloured tunic is fine and luxurious and somehow still manages to show the muscles bulging beneath it. The black trousers he wears are tucked into some of the most gleaming, black leather boots Kiora has ever seen. She can practically make out her reflection in them.

"So, General, what brings you to Alathor Court?" she asks.

"You, my lady."

"And what use do I, a simple wife, have that interests a decorated General?"

He chuckles. "Now we both know you are more than just a wife, your highness."

Kiora suppresses a smirk as a rush of pride ripples through her. The general sighs.

"I was meant to be retired you know," he says, changing the subject.

"Retired?" she asks curiously.

"I served as the General of the emperor's military for fifty years."

Kiora's eyes widen. So, he's older than she predicted. Then again, she is hardly one to judge considering how she looks for her age.

"That is a long time," she agrees.

"Aye. And I was less than a decade into my retirement when that useless shmuck made a mockery of himself and the emperor begged for my return."

Kiora laughs. "That's impressive, making a man like him beg."

"I may be slightly exaggerating," he says, with a cheeky grin. Kiora laughs and he continues with a sigh. "I won't lie to you, retirement was boring. Plus, the emperor needs a man like me now more than ever."

"Why is that?" Kiora asks, frowning. She forgets that there is a whole empire outside these walls that Athan rules over.

How had she allowed this to happen? Frustration has her hands curling into tight fists and she grinds her teeth. This place is becoming the only thing in her world. It's warping her sense of reality. It's like the world is carrying on running without her, leaving her trapped in a strange, solitary bubble.

"Well, that isn't for me to share," he tells her and Kiora sighs in disappointment.

"What can you share?" she asks, hoping for something, anything.

"The emperor isn't a humble man," he begins. Kiora almost rolls her eyes at yet another subject change.

"I am well aware," she replies politely. As if sensing her frustration, the general chuckles.

"I have a point, I promise," he assures her.

Kiora smiles softly at him. "I'm sorry, I should have been more patient."

"Oh don't be sorry, Athan gets frustrated with me for the very same thing."

Kiora laughs knowing that other people can get under Athan's skin.

"Anyway, as I was saying, the emperor isn't a humble man. He often likes to brag about his victories and his special prizes. And, for the last few months, all any of us have heard coming from that man's mouth, is how intelligent and well-travelled you are."

Kiora's mouth drops open in shock. She's so taken aback, that she almost trips on her skirts.

"I know," the general says in agreement. "It is certainly unexpected."

"What, that a woman can be well educated and travelled?" Kiora asks.

He lets out a bark of laughter and shakes his head. "No, of course not, my lady. But our emperor bragging about it in front of his best and most competent military officials is."

"Wow," Kiora mutters. "And, do you resent me as he said you would?"

"Well, no. Because all I have is his word for it and the emperor does like exaggerate at times."

"So you don't believe in my intelligence?" she quips. He doesn't flinch at her question. Instead, he smiles charmingly.

"I am not sure what I believe, but I am inclined to believe him," he grins.

"Why are you here, General?" she asks, still confused.

"We have a problem that needs solving," he sighs.

"Okay?" Kiora asks, and gestures for him to elaborate.

"This is not the place to be discussing such issues," he explains.

"Of course," Kiora replies. "But you want my help."

"I do."

Kiora bites back an excited smile as hope bubbles in her chest. If Kiora can befriend a man like General Castor then there is no way Illyria can take him away from her, right?

"And what does Athan and the other high-ranking military officials think about coming to his wife for help?"

"I don't particularly care," he replies casually. "What I do care about is my emperor's goals and the safety and integrity of the empire he has built."

"Admirable," Kiora replies.

"I just do what needs to be done, my lady. That is the very reason why his majesty begged for my return."

"So, if you can't discuss what you need my help with now, why are you here?"

"This afternoon, my most trusted guards will come to collect you. The emperor doesn't know this of course, but you will be brought to our war council where I will present to you some questions and I hope that you have the answers we seek."

"And if they refuse to listen? If Athan becomes angry?"

"Lady Kiora, I don't think you understand me here." He stops and looks into her eyes, his expression serious.

"If you have the information and skills I need, I will fight for you tooth and nail. Even to the emperor himself."

Kiora gulps, her eyes widening slightly.

"So, tell me now. Are you as knowledgeable and well-travelled as the emperor says or was it an over-exaggeration because if I bring you in there and you don't have the answers I seek..." he trails off.

Kiora smiles calmly and confidently. "Without knowing the questions, I can't say for sure whether I'll have the answers or not. But I can assure you, General Castor, I will not waste such an opportunity to have my voice heard."

He grins like he already knew that was what her answer was going to be.

"Excellent. I shall see you soon. You had best be off. I'm sure you don't want to be late for your breakfast."

Before she can answer, he bows, then turns, and walks away quickly. Kiora remains frozen for a second, wondering what just happened. Then, she lets out a small laugh.

Illyria may have taken away her handmaids, but if she plays this right, Kiora may be about to make much more powerful and useful friends. These ones won't be so easy for Illyria to control and manipulate.

Kiora walks toward the window and stares out at the city once more. When the deep, booming roar of a dragon slices through the air, Kiora's smile widens.

Soon, she thinks.

Soon, one of you will be mine.