Serena was irritated by how much the girl, Arya, talked her ear off. Alec was talkative, too, but they’d always been afraid of being caught, so they both always kept silent.
“The type of clothes I’m wearing,” she said flatly, following them into the bath. She didn’t provide a name, considering every Fae in this vicinity knew who she was. Or, at least, her fake name. “Easy to move in.”
The guard stopped outside of the room Ayra was leading her into, handing her the key and standing right outside of the door. Inside the room was a large bath built into the floor, currently filling full of water. Along one wall was a set of built-in shelves holding towels and bottles.
"Alright, do you have any desire for me to wash the ones you are wearing?" She asked, seeming unbothered by her flat response. Ayra gently grabbed onto her shoulder and turned her around, unlocking the cuffs before she took another step. The cuffs dropped to the floor but she didn't bother to even try to pick them up, already walking around the room to gather soap and towels for her to use.
Serena held back her awe when she stepped inside the room. Once her cuffs were off, she slowly walked over to a large… she didn't even know what it was. It had water in it, and when Serena touched it, she found it strangely soft, but also hard and cold. The water, on the other hand, was hot. She'd only ever washed in cold waters; it was a strange change.
The Faeries had so many luxuries, yet they continued to rob humans of every little thing they possessed. Serena hated them more and more.
"Yes," Serena responded, looking down at her clothes. They were a little ripped, but Serena loved them. She lifted her eyes to watch Arya move about in the room, picking up bottles and a bar of she knew was soap, as well as a soft-looking cloth. "Are you staying here while I bath?"
"I can if you want me to, but I was going to get your clothes while you bathed." Arya said, setting the armful of things down next to the small set of stairs leading into the water, "What would you prefer?" She looked over at the girl, then motioned to the water, unbothered by the next words she said, "Undress and get in, I need your clothes you're wearing if you want them cleaned."
Serena looked a bit startled. It wasn’t like there was anything to hide, but it was one thing having Alec on watch while she’s bathing and another to have someone look at her.
But she still shrugged off her jacket and kicked off her fraying boots. Her socks had long torn up, so she never wore them. She dropped her jacket on the floor, her headband following. Inhaling sharply, Serena peeled her black shirt off of her dirty skin, dropped it to the floor, and then got rid of her pants. Without wasting another moment, she stepped into the bath, the hot water feeling great against cold skin, and sighed softly.
She picked up a bar of soap and sniffed it, instantly recognizing the scent.
“Jasmine,” she breathed out, remembering the jasmine flowers around the bun of her mother’s hair.
Arya busied herself with picking up some fallen bottles while she undressed, waiting until she heard her get into the water before she turned around again. "There are other scents if you aren't a fan of that one," She said, scooping up the dirty clothes and smiling gently, "I'll be back, if you have any questions or problems there is a guard outside the door." Without another word, she left, humming softly to herself as she walked out.
Serena washed herself up with a sponge, the water turning dirty fairly quickly. She rubbed soap over herself, and then felt her skin instantly feel smooth after she was done. And for the first time in forever, she shampooed her hair. Not greasy anymore. Not dirty. Clean.
Once she was done, she emptied the bath and then rinsed herself up with the shower. It was when she dried and wrapped herself around the towel did she see her reflection in the mirror.
The female slowly walked towards it, blinking at the girl staring back at herself. Dark circles under her eyes, unhealthy features staring right back at her. But her eyes—dark brown, red hair, brown skin, it was all there. She felt as if, if she’d been a bit healthier, no bags under her eyes, she could have been… well, prettier. Not up to Fae beauty, but close. Then she instantly disregarded the thoughts.
Beauty was just a false depiction of someone. Having it meant nothing.
"I'm back," Arya said as she stepped back into the room, holding a stack of clean clothes as well as a brush. The smile on her face was bigger than before, like she didn't mind helping her out. "I just guessed at what size would fit you, and I brought a brush too in case you wanted to comb your hair or wanted me to braid it." She set the clothes on a small stool tucked into the corner and busied herself with cleaning the already almost spotless room.
Serena spared the girl no glance as she turned away from the mirror and made her way to fresh clothes. Was she supposed to thank Venali for this? She crinkled her nose in disgust. She’d rather gut herself than thank a Fae, especially if that Fae was a royal. Even if he was trying to help her.
Which, of course, was only because he was linked to her through life.
With a shake of her head, Serena pulled on the black, half-sleeved t-shirt over herself with the towel still on, and then dropped the towel when her upper half was covered. Then she wore a rather soft underwear, and then a pair of rugged pants. She liked that choice, because tight clothing made her feel constricted and limited movements. Finally, she pulled on the jacket and felt her head for a missing headband. She sighed.
“I don’t need to braid my hair,” she said dully, rubbing the towel over her shoulder-length hair. Then she ran a brush through them, the softness making it easy for the tangles to untangle. “I appreciate your help, Arya.”
"I just figured you would want it out of your face until your headband is clean," She offered, smiling at her and reluctantly scooping up the cuffs again, "You're welcome Raina." Arya set them next to the door before going over to the shelves of things again. Again, she picked out some bottles and towels as well as a bar of soap, setting them next to the steps of the tub. "Your other clothes should be cleaned and dry by tomorrow morning."
Venali had kept himself busy since he left Raina, finishing up more assignments his uncle so lovingly gave him. It would be a lie to say he didn't plot different ways to get rid of his uncle during his tasks, something similar to eternal banishment becoming the best idea that he thought up. Setting that plan in place would take a while, but maybe with his uncle distracted by Raina's deal, he could accomplish it. Getting his cousin to take the throne would be the tough part. Venali didn't want to rule, even with the law stating that the eldest male royal member takes the throne after the current king steps down in some way.
A while later, Serena was back in her cell, on her bed, as she went through the plan to take down the beast. She didn't know much about it, but she knew she'd be able to see which trap would work best when she finally saw it. It was dinner time, and she wondered if Venali would come to see her again. Her shoulder was feeling much better and was no longer sore, which was good. Or maybe it was because of the painkillers Venali provided her with.
Then she scowled. Why was she even thinking of that Fae? Perhaps it was because of the little bond that they shared. She would hate it if the bond became emotional, too. Physically and spiritually was enough. Then she calmed herself down by telling herself that the only reason she was even thinking of that no good Fae was because she had a few more questions that needed to be answered. Such as possible weapons provided, and especially the Fae she wanted dead more than anything.
So she exercised a little and pretended it was just to keep herself in shape rather than pass the time waiting for the Fae to show up.
"I have news that you might like to hear, just no celebrating," Venali called when he finally made his way down to her cell, only balancing two plates this time. He handed one off to a guard for her brother like normal before opening her cell and sliding the other one in. "My uncle gave me a lot to do, so you won't have to suffer through my presence tonight." A joking grin appeared on his face and he shrugged, closing the door behind him as he stepped out of her cell, "Unless you absolutely want me to stay."
He knew she would easily say he wasn't needed around, but it was fun to poke fun at her in retaliation for when she had done it to him. There was no reason she would want him to stay.
Serena scoffed as she grabbed her tray, sitting cross-legged on the stone floor, rolling her eyes. The stupid grin on his face did nothing to ease the scowl on her features.
"Good riddance," she muttered, glaring at him through the bars of her door. "Seeing you every day makes me want to rip my own eyeballs out."
Then she glanced down at her plate, expecting rice and chicken, or something along the lines, but that wasn't it. She frowned, tilting her head to the side as she prodded the dish and lightly touched what she assumed was sauce poured over it. She could see peas, carrots, and was that chicken? She slowly lifted up a piece of food, which gave her the impression of a strand of hair, only thicker.
"What is this?" she finally asked, though she hadn't dropped the piece she picked up. "Is this your way of showing off what luxuries you murderers have, or is it some sort of a sick joke?"
(It's chicken and veggie spaghetti. I love that dish.)
(Ooooo that is really good, I'm more of a fan of chicken alfredo though..now that's a good dish)
Venali snorted and rolled his eyes, ignoring her insult and instead of answering her question, "So much for me trying to bring you some good food. It's pasta, with veggies and chicken, and you'll have to learn how to use a fork to eat it." He nodded his chin to the fork on the side of her plate and grinning in a joking way, "You eat like a slob, the least you can do is learn not get your hands dirty every time you eat."
Already he was wasting his precious time to finish up what he needed to do, so the Fae stepped away from her cell. He waved sarcastically and called behind him as he left, "See you tomorrow, Raina." They would be one day closer to the first trial tomorrow, and both of their possible deaths if she didn't survive. It was a morbid thought, but a necessary one to think about.
(I like chicken alfredo, too! But my favorite has to be chicken spaghetti.)
Serena scowled at his comment, eyeing the fork with disdain. How did one even use it? Why use utensils when you could just use your hands, which was much simpler?
"Oh, I apologize if my eating habits make you feel disgusted," she sneered, wanted to kick him at least once. "Maybe if I hadn't been on the run for my life, I would have learned proper eating etiquette."
But then he was already leaving, reminding her of the trial the day after, and of the threat to her life. And his, too, but she could care less of that prince. She sat back down on the bed, glared at the fork, and began to eat with her hands. There was no way she was going to humiliate herself trying to even hold the thing properly.
(Want to skip to the following day?)
(Maybe the day of the first trial?)
(Alright)
Venali was worried. It was no later than dawn but already he was up, painfully aware of his bond to Raina now that it was time for her first trial. He dressed in a particularly fancy outfit, a gold and white suit with the royal seal stitched on his left shoulder. The trial itself wasn't until noon, but his uncle had already assigned him to help get everything set up. Plus he wanted to stop by Raina's cell.
Everything he needed to do was rushing through his head and he forced himself to stop for a minute. The fact that he would possibly die before dinner was enough to make him calm down. He was sure he wasn't ready to die, but his fate was in someone else's hands today, specifically a human girl who absolutely hated him. This day was going to be interesting.
(Love how Venali is also concerned that he may not get dinner)
Serena couldn’t sleep. It wasn’t just because of the trials, but also because of the fact that she might just see Scyth after so long. Maybe the screams of her family would finally stop. Maybe she’d finally get some peace after she kills him.
Venali, undoubtedly, was nervous. He tried not to show it, but Serena knew he was. His life was on the line. Chances were he’d die in the trials, but Serena tried not to feel fear. She could do this. She knew the trial was in the woods. That gave her plenty of coverage, and also allowed for some traps. She could do this. She had to.
For Alec. For her family. For revenge.
(why of course he's concerned about not getting dinner, isn't that every Fae's focus on a day they might die? XD)
"Rise and shine Raina," Venali called, doing his usual balancing act of carrying three plates down when it was finally a reasonable time for him to bring breakfast to her and her brother. It seemed like hours since he woke up, but it had only been an hour, one painful hour filled with him roping together Fae to set up the stands that surrounded the arena.
He passed the usual plate to a guard, slid Raina's into her cell and locked the door once he got out all before sitting down outside her cell and digging into his own food. For a potential last meal, it wasn't much. Scrambled eggs, fruit, and toast topped with peanut butter. "Ready for today?"
(Of course, of course 🤣)
Serena was already up and awake by the time Venali came in, but hearing his voice made her irritated. The jitters nearly vanished, overtaken by her irritation and dislike for the Fae.
This time, when she took her plate, she didn’t question what food it was this time. Amazingly, she recognized the fruit, which she felt rather proud of. Like always, she ate with her hands.
“How many hours till I have to go?” she asked, ignoring his question entirely.
"It's at noon if that's what you're asking." He responded. Venali huffed when he saw her eating with her hands, pointing his fork at her, "When you get out of that arena, I'm teaching you how to eat with silverware." His plate was clean within minutes, set at his side as he watched her through the bars of her cell. "You're not in the arena alone, don't forget, there are other humans in there too. All you have to do is survive the longest. Don't seek out the monster." He wanted to make sure she knew that for sure.
That was what was going to keep her alive.
Serena rolled her eyes. He’d be teaching her nothing. She liked eating with her hands—what was wrong with that?
At his reminder, she cursed. Having other humans in there would definitely foil her plans. The traps she’d set out would definitely be started by one of them.
“Don’t worry about me, Fae,” she said instead. “I’ll stay alive.”
"I'm just making sure," He replied, shrugging, "This monster isn't something to mess around with, you'll know what I mean when you see it in person." Venali went quiet with that, remembering the other times that his uncle had used this creature.
The first time he saw it, even from the royal seat in the stands, it had scared him. Being in the arena with that thing was something he couldn't even imagine.
"Are you done with your food, you savage? I can take your plate and leave, that way Arya can stop lurking around the corner and bring you your supplies and clothes? She's getting antsy." In return, a slightly offended huff came from the hallway, one that clearly belonged to Arya.
Serena glared daggers at him. There was nothing savage about eating with the hands. If anyone was savage, it was him.
“Look who’s talking,” she muttered under her breath, but brought her plate to him nonetheless. “I’d love to see someone punch the living daylights out of you. Bonus if the someone is me.”
Right after she gave him the plate, she gave him an all-to-fake smile.
“I’ll see you after the first trial,” she crooned. “Don’t miss me too much.”