As Saffron lay motionless, she fought against the exhausted darkness that was trying to swallow her whole. She clung to every sensation, no matter how unpleasant. The sound of the door opening surprised her. She had assumed nobody would come in here so late.
"Shit! I knew that princess was crazy, but not this crazy!"
Saffron's eyes swirled to find the source of the voice. The faces of the four princes came into view, looming over her.
"Saffron, can you hear me?" Blaze yelled.
The second prince propped her up on his lap, brushing some loose hair out of her face. She turned her eyes to see Prince Ash, his eyes were narrowed as if he was analysing the situation. Saffron felt a burning sensation in her chest and she opened her mouth, a pained noise escaping her. It felt as if her whole body had begun to burn with the most intense fire.
"Brothers, get back." Ash barked.
Prince Ash suddenly lunged and dragged Blaze back. His hand grabbed the hairpin sticking out of Saffron's chest. The second the hairpin was removed from her wound, Saffron's vision turned red. Searing pain engulfed her body and she screamed.
The pain eventually subsided and Saffron's vision began to return. She did not feel tired anymore. Perhaps she had died? She tried to wriggle her fingers and was surprised when they did move.
"Holy shit."
Saffron slowly sat up and turned her head to look at the four brothers, who had pressed themselves against the bookcase on the far side of the room. All four of them looked completely shocked. She looked down at her chest to find that, although there was a bloodied hole in her clothes, the skin beneath was perfectly fine. She raised her hand to touch the former wound.
"What happened?" Saffron asked, looking over at the men in confusion.
"That's what we'd like to know," Prince Ash said, his expression becoming annoyed.
Blaze seemed to break out of his daze and he rushed over, helping Saffron to her feet.
"Why didn't you tell us?" he asked, his face creased with concern.
"Tell you what? What's going on?" Saffron asked, becoming more and more bewildered.
"You didn't know?" Prince Uri asked, his eyes sceptical.
"Would someone please just tell me what it is that I don't know?!" Saffron yelled.
Prince Ash grabbed her wrist and lifted it. Saffron saw it then. The small feather-shaped mark on her wrist. The sign of a phoenix rebirth. A wave of emotions washed over her. Her head began to pound as she tried to process the situation. She felt her legs give way and she fell forwards, her consciousness fading.
Saffron awoke laying in her bed. She could hear hushed arguing to her left. With great effort, Saffron sat up and rubbed her face.
"You're awake."
Prince Ash's voice sounded annoyed.
"I'm sorry I've caused you all trouble," Saffron said quickly, bowing her head.
The princes came to take a seat on the bed around her.
"You haven't caused us trouble, Saffron. Your sister tried to murder you and yet you're apologising to us?" Blaze asked incredulously.
"How did you know it was Blossom?"
"We're not fools. She asked to go somewhere alone with you so Ash had us follow you. When we saw her running out of the study with blood on her chest we knew she'd done something." Prince Conley explained.
"I should be dead by now..." Saffron murmured, toying anxiously with her fingers as she spoke.
"We have some questions about that," Uri replied, his eyes drifting to the mark on her wrist.
"So do I," Saffron sighed, "But if you ask I'll try to help."
The four men exchanged a look before Blaze cleared his throat.
"Are you sure you're the King's daughter?"
Anger flared in Saffron's mind but she suppressed it. It was a valid question in a situation like this.
"My royal birthmark is irrefutable evidence of that. The crown prince can confirm, he has seen it," Saffron answered, looking pointedly at Ash.
A smirk flickered on Ash's lips for a moment and he cleared his throat.
"I've seen it a couple of times, yes."
Saffron's face turned bright red as she realised what he was trying to imply. Even at a time like this, he took pleasure in trying to embarrass her.
"Next question," she said quickly, turning her attention back to Blaze.
"Your mother was a fae?" the second prince asked.
Saffron reached down and opened the small cupboard beside her bed, she retrieved a small painting, holding it up for the princes to see. It showed a woman, who bared a striking resemblance to Saffron except for her red hair. She wore a regal dress, jewels and a crown. Behind her bloomed a large, radiant set of silver wings.
"This is my mother," Saffron said, running her finger along the delicate frame.
"This is impossible. There must be something more to this. What family was your mother from?" Blaze asked, seemingly even more confused than he was before.
"I..." Saffron hesitated for a moment, "I don't know. She died when I was young and my father didn't like to talk about her. He said it hurt his heart too much."
Another look was exchanged between the brothers as they processed the information.
"I think we need to search for more information on your mother," Uri said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"That's all well and good but it's late now and I'm tired," Prince Ash said, standing up and clapping his hands, "All of you get out so I can go to bed."
Blaze, Conley and Uri did not argue with their brother. They each stood and made their way to the door.
"We'll come by first thing in the morning. Something strange is going on here and we should figure out what it is."
"Out!" Ash ordered once more, shooing them into the hall and closing the door behind them.
The room was silent as the crown prince stood turned to face Saffron. His expression seemed more amused than cold now. As if he was about to witness a show. That was when Saffron remembered the nightwear he had packed for her.
"You should get ready for bed," he prompted as he began to unbutton his shirt.
Saffron glanced at the case for a moment. She had already decided to wear the clothes. It would be fun to see just how uncomfortable she could make him. No matter what, she vowed that she would have the upper hand.
"I'm going to bathe first. I smell like ointment and blood," Saffron muttered, swinging her legs over the side of the bed.
Her legs were shaky as she stood, but she forced herself to pick up the case and carry it behind the screen with her. She began to fill the tub with water, undressing as she waited. She eased herself into the warm water and sank down, curling up so the water was just below her eyes. Fae did not like to get their wings wet, but Saffron did not have that issue, so her bathtub had been custom-made to allow her to fully soak. She looked at the mark on her wrist. How was any of this possible? This all felt like a fever dream.
She stayed in the water for as long as she could. If she could hide in there forever and avoid the world, she would, but she knew that was not an option. She forced herself to get out of the bath and dry off. Opening the case, she examined the options again. She settled on the sheer black negligee. It was extremely short and lacy, leaving very little to the imagination. Gathering her courage, she slipped it on. She had never felt so exposed.
As she stepped around the screen, she could see Prince Ash lounging on the bed, a smirk on his face as if he was waiting for her objections. His expression faltered as he looked at her. He jerked his head away. Saffron made her way towards the bed.
"I must say. I've never worn anything like this before, but it certainly is comfortable."
Ash seemed both annoyed and embarrassed. Not only had she not fallen for his little game, but she had also turned the tables on him.
"I can see if your maids can give you something more suitable," Ash said, clearing his throat.
"Oh, no, this is fine. It's so light and cool," Saffron replied, taking a seat on the bed beside him.
It was silent for a while as Saffron waited for Ash to give in. She soon grew bored of the awkwardness.
"My back doesn't hurt anymore, is it okay?" She asked, turning so her back was facing the prince.
"It's fine. Your rebirth healed it up," Ash said, giving her back a quick glance.
"Remarkable..." Saffron breathed.
She turned to face him, kneeling on the bed.
"I really am sorry about today. This was supposed to be a simple trip... I've already caused you so much trouble. Is there some way I can make it up to you?"
Ash turned his head to look at her. She could see the faint pink in his cheeks. A smug feeling welled in her stomach as she saw his reaction. He thought he could embarrass her. Hah. Her expression must have betrayed her. The corner of Ash's mouth twitched.
"There is something," Ash remarked, eyeing her.
Saffron's stomach flipped. Had she taken this too far, or had she been discovered?
"And... What's that?" She asked, fighting the urge to back away.
Ash lunged at her, toppling her backwards as he pinned her to the bed, arms above her head.
"What are you doing?!" Saffron shrieked, her eyes wide.
"You just asked how you could make it up to me," Ash replied, his eyes flashing dangerously.
"Just three nights ago you said you wouldn't d-" Saffron began, but Ash placed a finger on her lips, halting her words.
"Yes, I find you to be far beneath my station but I am still a man, after all... You serve yourself to me on a silver platter and then act surprised?"
Saffron's face turned red. She locked eyes with Ash, giving him a defiant stare. Ash smirked and brought his head down, brushing his lips against her neck. She shivered as he swept his tongue across her skin before sucking at it until a bruise formed.
"Stop!" Saffron yelled, kicking at him with her legs.
Ash released her, sitting back smugly. Saffron sat up quickly and brought a hand to her neck. Her heart was pounding. She shoved him angrily and got into the bed, turning her back to him. She heard him settle back into his side of the bed. He had managed to get the upper hand once again. She closed her eyes, fury burning as she turned over the events in her mind. Has she not been so surprised and flustered she would have played along. He would not have done anything to her, she knew that. He was just a cruel jerk who loved to see people squirm.
Although it took some time, as her mind raced with the day's events, Saffron eventually drifted off to sleep. Tomorrow, she would find out just how the hell she had been reborn.