My eyelids were heavy and there was something weighing me down as I tried to turn. Whatever it was, it was soft and warm, encouraging me not to open my eyes. If it wasn't for the feeling of clothe in my mouth I would have stayed just like that. Peeling my eyes open felt tedious but it let me see the ceiling above me. Golden, leafy designs decorated every corner and the colors were vibrant in their natural tones of browns.
I could see every crevice in the wood, every imperfection outlined. I didn't move my head as I looked around, scared of making any sudden move as the sound of fire crackled near my ears. It wasn't there though. Instead, it was across the room with a large chair in front of it. Someone was breathing though and I could hear that mix with the fire.
I could hear a lot. Crickets, nocturnal creatures, flowing water off in the distance; it all began to make my head pound. I sat up slowly, gazing down at the fur blanket that pooled in my lap before me. The sound of a heartbeat echoed from inside my head and I flinched. Another soon joined, making me cover my ears. The headache provoked tears and I took a shaking breath as whoever was in the room with me shifted in the chair.
I looked up at them, blinking away the bleary vision at the sight in front of me. I took in the man's build first; the well fitting trousers, the bare feet, his broad shoulders, and the muscle underneath the silk shirt that hung open. Then came his face; brown hair, a sharp jawline, amber eyes that looked sharp enough to slice through anything. He quietly stepped forward, holding his hands up as if to say he meant no harm. That's when it all started to come back.
Count Farkas attempting to make me divorce him, Lady Caitlin who stabbed me after the weeks of torture, and the Emperor's face slowly adjusting to what I know saw in front of me. Worry and understanding glazed itself into his very being as he sat at the edge of the bed I was in. "Breath, Countess," he whispered. "Focus on me and ignore everything else."
I wanted to say something, anything to ask him where I was and how I had gotten there but nothing was coming out. My throat felt as though it was closed off from making any sound. It pained me to even attempt at making noise while gasping.
"I was wondering what they took from you," he reached forward, his hand angled at my throat. I shut my mouth quickly while moving away from him, my limbs feeling like lead. He retracted his hand, his face settling into a scowl. "How did you end up in the river?"
I reached for where the knife had stabbed me below my breast and I stopped. I was in just my petticoat, the tears and dried blood there to attest to everything. The knife was no longer embedded into my skin, no longer sticking from between the rib cage. I bowed my head as I grit my teeth, pulling the blankets up and around me.
"I've seen many women before, Countess," the Emperor sighed. He stood and walked to a table in the corner of the room, coming back with a glass of water and a quill and paper in his hand. "Here, you can speak this way."
I took the paper and began to write frantically, crumbling it as the words weren't legible enough to read. My hands shook angrily and they only got worse as I became frustrated. Why couldn't I speak? Where was I and how did I end up here?
"Drink the water. I don't know how long you've been unconscious. There's food for when you're ready," I stared at Arkasha. How was he calm if he found me in the river and what did he mean when he said that's what they took?
The look I gave him seemed to be enough for him to know what I wanted to ask as he sighed softly.
"Countess, please. Just drink, eat, and rest. Your body will be ready when it's ready," he said. "Then I'll answer all of your-"
I grabbed the collar of his shirt, dropping the glass and letting it shatter. My hands were shaking but of course they would. Count Farkas had killed me. If he found out that I was alive what more would he do? If my death was what he wanted then how would he handle the fact I was still breathing? What would he do to me then?
The Emperor placed his hand over mine and I quickly pulled back. The touch was gentle and foreign. He held his hands out to me after a long moment, a scowl on his face as he looked me over.
"Now that I see you clearly, a bath might be more helpful," he nodded slowly. I stared at his hands before trying to pull myself from the bed. I managed to move to the edge, my feet dangling. How high did this man's bed need to be? Or the guest bed, better yet. "Your voice will return in the amount of time you were cold from the river."
My eyes looked up into the amber pools and I blinked. I opened my mouth and shut it again, pulling the blankets closer as I dragged them with me. My feet touched the floor and they gave way. I lifted my chin for impact, my eyes closed and they opened again as I felt the arm supporting me by my chest. I cursed my body as it began to tremble by instinct and the arm became tighter in its grip.
"When you can speak, I have many questions for you," the Emperor stated. I looked over at him but his eyes weren't on my face. They were staring at my back, something akin to fury storming in his expression. It made many questions flood my mind as he helped me to my feet, his eyes averted from me.
I turned as best I could and gave a curtsy, the Emperor catching me yet again as I stumbled to the side.
"You are my guest, this time, Countess Holland. I don't expect formalities of you in this state," he informed me. The door was open as he made eye contact with me and he nodded, "The physician will see to you in the later hours of the morning, as it's very early now."
I went to nod, stopping as something clattered to the floor. We both turned to stare at the maid and my eyes tear up. There stood Maria, her eyes wide and her blonde hair tucked back as she stared at me.
"Countess Helga," she squeaked. The Emperor released me as she hurried over, her arms wrapping around me tightly. "Oh thank the heavens! They pronounced you dead back at the estate just two months ago! Where have you been?"
I gently slapped her back, motioning to the Emperor. She jumped and let go, turning and giving a deep curtsy to the man.
"My apologies, your Majesty," she quickly spewed.
"Maria, take her to the baths," he ordered. "I know it's early but if you know Countess Helga than it's fine if you know she's here."
"Yes your Majesty," Maria bowed her head and she was soon supporting me against her side again, leading me from the room with the blanket over my shoulders. It was silent going down the halls and I looked around at the tapestries. Why was that room made of wood when they were in the palace? The whole structure was made of marble and stone; what was so special about that room? Maria glanced at me and a soft smile came to her face, "I'm glad you're alive, Countess."
I stared at her, my eyes watering as she looked away. My mind began to wander as the door was pushed open to the bathroom. A large pool was in the middle and there was steam hovering over the floors and rising to a ceiling light. The blanket was pulled from me and Maria let out a gasp of shock. "Countess, how are you still alive?"
I stared at her and then at myself. She was right in her question. There were animal bites in my skin, the petticoat that had been a white was stained with dirt and blood with tears in it. My skin was darker from sunlight and I was just as dirty as the undergarment I wore. I simply shrugged, not bothering to open my mouth to speak as no voice would come out.
Maria helped me take the petticoat off, throwing it to the side to have it thrown away later. The water was warm and had already begun to loosen the dirt from my skin before Maria began to wash me.
"I got moved to the palace a month ago," Maria informed me. "The Count didn't want anything to do with you as soon as you were pronounced dead and got rid of many of the old servants."
I looked at her and reached, petting her cheek. She shivered and stared at my hand before looking back at me with a sad smile.
"I don't want to serve anyone else, my lady. You're the kindest and strongest woman I know and I was happiest serving you," she whispered. I cried, the sweet little thing quickly becoming nervous as she frantically tried to calm me down. "My lady, pleas! You don't need to shed tears over something so silly! Many of the servants enjoyed serving you as you treated us-"
"I'm sorry," I croaked. The tears stopped as I felt at my throat and stared at the water. Maria began to act strange as she climbed into the bath with me, her expression that of a mystified being. "Maria, your clothes are going to get wet!"
"So pretty," she whispered. She stood in front of me, her hands reaching out, "I don't think your voice has ever sounded so- so right." The doors opened and a few other maids came in, their feet stopping at the scene before them. They held clothes in their hands; a few different dresses in their grasps.
"Maria," one of the elderly maids scolded. Maria seemed to jump as she looked over, her eyes wide as she looked down at herself.
"Oh dear," she laughed nervously. "I lost myself for a moment! Forgive me, Countess." I felt at my neck, biting my lip as Maria climbed from the water and joined the other maids.