Blaise's carriage reached the kingdom of Virellion, and Elysium remained mute with her eyes looking out the window. Blaise wasn't bothered by her silence; she'd learn to speak soon enough. The golden palace towered above the villages, with torches lining the streets. Training yards were scattered across the territory, along with caravans that pulled caged animals. Elysium swallowed while she observed the unhinged environment.
The carriage pulled up to the grand steps of the palace, its shiny golden doors reflecting the torchlight. Two guards that were stationed at either side of the door headed to Elysium's side of the carriage and opened the door, aggressively dragging her out of her seat. She knew there was no point in fighting anymore; the kingdom was circled with golden gates tall enough to reach the towers around them. She let her head hang while the guards clutched her arms and guided her into the palace. The floors shone so brightly that Elysium could see her reflection in the tile squares. Her boots clicked against the floor as they led her down the hallway and into Blaise's chambers. His throne sat in one large meeting room, where his advisors and civilians would meet with him. At the edge of the room, two maids stood with their hands clasped together in front of them in their matching uniforms. The guards traded Elysium off to the maids, and they both clutched her wrists. Blaise smiled while the maids followed him past the room to a connecting bedroom. The golden doorknob turned, and a canopy bed sat against the far wall, with gold-trimmed wallpaper surrounding the room. The bed was perfectly made, and tall windows were sealed shut on either side of the room. Blaise stood in the doorway, leaning against the door frame.
"I think you'll find yourself comfortable here," Blaise said. "Come down for supper whenever you're ready."
Blaise signaled for the maids to lead her into the bathroom, where they would bathe her before dinner. One of them poured a bucket of hot water into the tub, while the other struggled to undress Elysium.
"I can do it myself," Elysium argued, pulling her hem back.
They helped her into the steaming water, where she hunched over her knees, letting the droplets run down her back. They poured water over her head, drenching her mocha hair. As they scrubbed her mud-coated skin clean, Elysium remained silent with a vacant expression on her face. After they wrapped a towel around her, they both scurried to the dresser, tearing through the different clothing pieces before they finally pulled one out.
The maids dressed Elysium in a navy top with golden droplets hanging down from the bottom. Then, they pulled a matching long skirt out that wrapped around her waist, exposing her stomach. Golden cuffs were placed around her arms, along with a dainty golden head chain. The maids looked at her in awe; she looked beautiful. Her chestnut hair fell over her shoulders while she stepped into the golden heels that had been provided for her. When Elysium turned to look at herself in the full-length mirror that leaned against the wall, she could see her worn expression. She remembered her final words to Alastor, and how badly they probably hurt him.
Elysium was then escorted by the maids to the dining hall, where a long table sat in the center of the room, with Blaise sitting at the end. Candles lined the middle of the table on top of a gold linen tablecloth. The maids pulled the chair beside Blaise out, forcing Elysium into the seat. Blaise rested his elbows on the table and clasped his hands together, leaning towards Elysium. One of the servants set their meals down in front of them. Elysium stared down at the food; she refused to eat.
After a long period of silence, Blaise finally interrupted the awkward tension.
"You're quieter than I expected," Blaise said between sips of his wine.
"And you're more disappointing than I hoped," Elysium shot back sharply.
Alastor smirked, intrigued.
"Mm. No. You're lying," he said, leaning back and stretching his arms over his head. "You expected a monster."
Blaise scoffed.
"No," he tilted his head. "You got something far more dangerous."
He paused before continuing.
"Someone who doesn't need to raise his voice to own a room."
Elysium swallowed, shivering from his words. Alastor was the most dangerous prince known to the realm. She'd never expected anyone to have the power to push his buttons or throw him off. Something about Blaise made her feel even more uneasy than with Lupus. His demeanor was different; darker. Lupus was desperate for power, but Blaise didn't care about that. Blaise's motive was to destroy anything that Alastor loved, which included his kingdom. This meant that Elysium was a direct target; Blaise could kill her any time. So, the question was, why hadn't he yet? What was holding him back from ending her life and damning Alastor to a life of pain and regret? The question knawed at her throughout the entire dinner, until Blaise took notice of her boredom. He rubbed his forehead and coughed, grabbing her attention.
"You can go to your bedroom now," Blaise nodded his head towards the staircase.
Elysium silently rose from her chair and trailed towards the staircase. She choked back tears while she climbed the stairs, retiring to her bedroom. Elysium had unknowingly left her door cracked open as she lay out her nightgown. The strap on her top fell over her shoulder while she leaned against the tall glass windows, staring at the golden gate that surrounded the kingdom. Suddenly, Elysium froze when her door clicked shut.
"You didn't think I'd let you go that easily," Blaine's mouth curved into a dangerous grin.
"Did you?"
Elysium shot him a cold look, leaning on one hip.
"Is this the part where I tell you I'm yours?" She snapped.
Blaine folded his arms across his chest, amused. He walked closer to Elysium, nearly touching his arms to hers.
"No," he said, voice low. "This is the part where you realize you're not."
Blaine moved like a predator stalking his prey. His white button-down exposed the top of his chest and collarbones. He grinned while he began to slowly circle Elysium, eyes wild with curiosity.
"You didn't eat," he said, cooly.
"I wasn't hungry," Elysium shot back, clenching her fists at her sides.
"That's a lie," Blaine said, stopping behind her. His mouth was inches from the nape of her neck when he whispered to her.
"You're starving, just not for food."
Elysium's cheeks were hot with anger.
"If you're trying to break me-"
"-If I wanted you broken, you would be."
Elysium fell silent, shrinking backwards. Blaine raised his fingers to her and pushed away the strands of her hair that fell over her cheek. She froze, her muscles tense.
"You flinch like I've hurt you before," Blaine said softly.
"You will," Elysium said hoarsely.
Blaine softly smiled, tilting his head.
"Eventually."
Blaine crossed Elysium and faced the window with his back turned to her. Elysium stood paralyzed in the middle of the bedroom, her eyes wide. Finally, she straightened, shoulders relaxing.
"Why haven't you killed me?" Elysium asked, breaking the silence.
Blaine sighed, still facing away from her.
"Killing you is simple," he paused. "And I detest simple things."
With Alastor, he was explosive. His flippant ego shadowed his true character; he never took anything seriously. Lupus was a rage-filled Tyrant whose hunger for power could never be filled. Blaine, however, was calculated. What made Blaine terrifying was his patient, deliberate demeanor. For him, it seemed like everything had been according to plan. Blaise slowly turned to face Elysium.
"You're free to roam your wing tomorrow."
Elysium blinked.
"And if I attempt to escape?" She challenged.
"You won't."
"You sound so certain…" Elysium tilted her head.
"I am."
Blaine took one last hungry look at Elysium; his eyes trailed up and down her waist. He swallowed, then slowly walked towards the door. He stopped in the doorway.
"Things are about to get interesting," Blaine said without looking at her.