The Serpent's Chains

Sabine

A maid dropped off my dress from the seamstress the day before the Solstice Celebration. The night of the event, I pulled the top off the box. Tissue paper crinkled inside. The red, jewel-encrusted dress was folded neatly in the box.

I reached out and ran my finger across the edge of one of the jewels. It was hard, sharp, and cool. They were real!

Gasping, I slammed the lid of the box back down.

"Lady Sabine?"

I whipped around to the door. The maid who helped me when I was injured stood with her hands clasped behind her back.

"The prince sent me to assist you."

"Again?" I shook my head.

"He bade me send you to him once you are dressed."

Sighing, I nodded. "Alright." It was the same song and dance as before.

I'd barely seen the prince since our last encounter... blood rushed to the surface of my skin and I looped my arms around my fluttering stomach.

"Let's start with your hair," the maid offered.

She combed my hair down my back and deftly worked out the tangles. The maid hummed softly to herself as her fingers parted my strands and expertly wove a braid into my hair.

She braided my hair flat against my head on one side, around the back of my head, and fixed it to drape over the opposite shoulder. She finished by lacing white heather through my braid and tucking a fresh red rose in at the base.

"Perfect! Let's see your dress." She kept humming as she opened the box and pulled the dress out. Her eyes went wide and reflected the thousands of tiny jewels that glittered on the dress's surface.

The dress had one long sleeve and then angled sharply across my chest, leaving my other shoulder bare. The bodice was tight to my waist with a small crimp to give the velvet fabric texture. The skirt hung loosely and straight down to my ankles. On one side, a large frill of the same fabric was pinned to the hip and fixed down to the hem. A flowing train hung off the back, pooling behind me.

I didn't have any full mirrors in my room but I knew it was the nicest dress I'd ever laid eyes on. Every time I moved, facets of light bounced around on my bedroom walls.

"You look stunning, My Lady. Best not keep the prince waiting." The maid patted my hand and nudged me toward the adjoining door.

Festive music played from a phonograph, filling Prince Cole's suite with an air of Solstice Celebration. I'd caught glimpses of maids and servants decorating the entire palace, except the prince's wing, with white and gold bells, fresh flowers, and garlands of greenery adorned with colorful blossoms.

Music was played around the clock.

The entire capital had been celebrating for days. I'd heard the music and cheers from my open window.

Prince Cole stood before a trifold mirror. Two male servants brushed off his loose undershirt and breeches with stiff bristled brushes.

His eyes lifted in the mirror and I bowed my head before our gaze connected.

"That'll be all for now. My attendant can finish."

The servants immediately set their brushes aside and headed out of the room.

"My attire is hanging on the changing screen." He pointed.

I retrieved his wide-legged wrap-around pants. They were thick velvet, black with glittering red embroidery winding around the legs like serpents. I'd never seen the prince wear anything this formal.

Crouching down, I tied the gilded sash around his waist and tucked the folds of the pants around his legs.

I kept my head down but I felt the Prince's eyes following me as I worked. When I stood up to get his shirt and jacket, the prince grabbed my arm and turned me toward him.

"Hmm."

From the corner of my eye, I saw him tilt his head from side to side.

"Madame Cecily did well with the color. A dead match to Talon's scales."

I bit the inside of my cheek and raised my eyes for a moment.

The prince smirked. "Did you have something to say?"

Swallowing, I pulled my arm from his grasp. His fingers loosened immediately. "So you can flaunt that you own me like you own your dragon?"

Prince Cole threw his head back and laughed. He shook his head and stared at the ceiling as his chest rippled with more laughter.

"No one owns a dragon." He sighed and turned back to the mirror. "We're going to be late."

I was grateful he didn't try to keep talking to me. What more was there to say?

Bowing my head, I hurried to get the rest of his outfit. I slid his shirt onto his arms and wrapped it around his torso, tying it in place. The shirt matched his pants. The prince's jacket was the last to go on. It was the same red as my dress, the seams and hems encrusted with jewels.

He twisted from side to side in the mirror and nodded. Prince Cole pulled his hair back and wrapped it into a tight bun at the back of his head.

"We're expected in the ballroom." He motioned for me to follow him.

I kept my eyes down and stayed several paces behind the prince. Behind me, guards followed from the prince's wing to the main part of the palace and the ballroom.

The ballroom was filled with more colors than I'd ever seen in my life. Fabrics dyed every shade imaginable, and some unimaginable, swirled around the ballroom. The walls danced with glittering light from all the jewels that adorned the celebratory attire.

The sweet scent of flowers and fresh herbs overpowered the emissions from gas lamps on wall sconces.

Musicians played music praising the sun and the dance steps of the nobles reflected that same praise.

Servants lined the walls. Others walked around with trays carrying drinks and food.

The king sat on a golden throne on a dais, watching the festivities. He held a large scepter in his hands with a golden dragon head at one end and a dragon claw at the other.

This celebration was for the court. As the prince faded into the crowd, I took my position with the other attendants who stood near the king and the thrones for the other members of the royal family, should they need anything.

As the night wore on, the oil lamps burned lower and the glittering walls were overtaken by shadows instead. The music slowed to more melodious tones and the flurries of color on the dancefloor mellowed out.

From time to time, I caught sight of the prince surrounded by nobles. He knew how to hide in a crowd but when I did catch a glimpse of him, his eyes never reflected the smile on his lips.

I could tell he was bored and annoyed.

Whenever he did make an appearance, I noticed I wasn't the only one keeping an eye on him. The king moved to the edge of his seat and leaned forward, scepter dangling from his hand.

King Talis didn't show much interest in his other children's lives.

Princess Rosalie came and went, dancing with some handsome lords, and laughing with some ladies. The king never glanced her way. Prince Alistair was only present for a short time and had retired hours ago but the king hadn't noticed or didn't care.

Some of the nobles began to depart and their attendants with them. The ball was the last of the solstice festivities and the energy was already waning.

Soon, I was alone by the throne.

"You must be my son's attendant."

My spine stiffened at the king's voice. He'd seen me before but never had reason to take notice of me.

"Yes, Your Highness." I bowed low at the waist, turning toward him slightly.

"Tell me, how are his moods lately? Is he in good spirits?" The King asked.

I flicked my eyes over the ballroom and didn't see Prince Cole anywhere. I cleared my throat. "I am not the best person to answer that, Majesty."

King Talis chuckled. He stood up and slid over to my side. With each step, he tapped the claws of the scepter on the marble floor.

"You tend to his needs day and night. I'm sure you've seen something."

I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, the jewels on my dress grinding together. My throat felt tight and each swallow squeezed by.

"Well, I haven't seen much of him lately. He's been busy, Sire."

"Has he had any female companions dropping by?"

"Uhh..." I chewed the inside of my cheek. I couldn't exactly refuse to answer the king. Prince Cole was my master and my loyalty was supposed to be to him. "None that I have noticed, Highness."

"Hmm." The king's hand shot to my neck and he grasped my metal collar. His eyes widened and I caught the ghost of a smile on his lips behind his white beard. "I knew you were a slave..." his thumb tapped the red gemstone on the collar, "I didn't know you were a magical slave."

"I am, Your Majesty." I curtseyed.

He released the collar and cocked his head at me. "A rare treasure, indeed."

I kept my eyes down but I furrowed my brow, unable to hide my reaction.

King Talis chuckled and put a firm hand on my shoulder. His wrinkled skin felt like it was pruned from being in water too long but the strength in his fingers was unmistakable. He was not a frail, old man.

"That must be why my son and the heir to the throne took such an interest in a common slave. You're not all that common, are you?"

I raised my eyes a fraction. "I am nothing special, Sire." I curtseyed again.

"Father, what's this?" Prince Cole appeared at the foot of the dais. His eyes narrowed at the king. He put one foot up on the dais and motioned me to him.

I bowed to the king and went to Prince Cole's side, where I belonged.

"I was just getting to know that luscious flower of yours." He smiled wide, showing his teeth.

"You have your own personal attendants, Father, do you need to poach mine?"

"My apologies, my son. Please, have your way with her." The king flicked his wrist at me.

Prince Cole scoffed. He turned and headed to the other side of the ballroom. I followed several paces behind. With each step, I felt the king's greedy stare on the back of my neck.