The village bells chimed through the square, marking the day Kealie hoped never to remember.

Verun had come early in the dawn light to escort Nixian from their holding cell, leaving her alone.

She'd resorted to counting the cracks on the walls, the dust clumps lined up in the farthest corners, and even the wrinkles in her sheets. Kealie searched her surroundings desperately to avoid panicking and wondering if the next time she stepped foot outside this cell, Nixian would be alive.

Naida soon came to get her, swiftly shoving her into the hall and dragging her all the way to the bedroom Kealie once prayed never to see again.

They didn't speak as she was forced onto a stool before her dressing table. She'd ignored the vanity for years without reason or purpose to dress up. Luverie didn't host balls or gala's, nor did they wish to attract any attention to themselves.

Kealie knew deep down the rest of Taeorra would be disgusted with Luverie.

The fact even soothed her in a way.

Perhaps there were souls in this world who thought of others, maybe there were countries without slavery and violence.

She'd realized that was likely why her mother had never allowed them to travel. To explore the world. To set foot outside.

Because then Kealie would know that Luverie and her family were not normal.

A haggard woman in sophisticated, yet old dress robes stepped into the room, her light silver hair pulled back into a tight spun bun with braids woven in. She was tall and lean, carrying herself with a dignity and grace that would've brought Kealie joy if the Nerydian before her were not Ydreth Ketil.

The only Nerydian Kealie had ever known to sell herself to the pits and enjoy every moment of it.

Ydreth came to stand behind Kealie and tsked to herself, stroking Kealie's golden locks with wrinkled, calloused fingers.

"The Queen wants you looking presentable," she muttered, her voice as raspy as the smoke they breathed.

Kealie found herself wondering if that was what happened when living in the city too long, constantly swathed in the burnings.

She didn't have much to say, only wincing every now and again when Ydreth gave her hair sharp yanks and tugs.

"What's the point of this?" Kealie hissed after a very painful snag. "Icing me like a pastry in hopes I catch a nobleman's eyes while my brother burns on your stake?"

The old eel snorted, raising a brow. "As if her majesty would ever have you wed, you'll never inherit the throne."

Even if the blow struck as intended, Kealie still snarled. "Good."

"You've the charm of a leviathan under that skin, with none of the talons," Ydreth sneered at her, puffing her face with several different powders and lining her eyes with charcoal. "You're lucky they'll even allow you to watch."

"You're mad," Kealie said, fighting the growl, if only to ward off more abuse from those brushes. "This is only to break me."

Ydreth studied her work on Kealie's face before pivoting to the wardrobe she barely touched. She worked quickly, scouring for something of the proper caliber.

She picked out a dusk toned dress with black embroidery and held it up to the light. Lace lined the sleeves and the corset would frame Kealie's body nicely if it didn't suffocate her first.

"Isn't that a bit dark?" she asked.

The old Nerydian didn't so much as blink. "Consider this a wake and honor your brother with respect."

"As if you bleed for him," Kealie snapped.

She'd gut Ydreth where she stood. She had nothing left to lose.

"Do not think me for a traitor, Princess," she said, leashing those vile words Kealie knew lurked deep inside. The woman had some dignity then, some self respect. "This world is full of choices, decisions we all make. Mine led me here."

The sentiment stung. Kealie could hear the words Nixian had said to her on that port, she could feel the way he stared at her as if willing her to understand. To think calmly, rationally.

She felt how much he cared.

Kealie knew there were tears burning in her eyes, knew she didn't have the sense to keep them away from her cheeks.

Ydreth hissed in another tongue before patting them away, but by then Kealie was numb.

Perhaps their decisions had all led them to these places, without any aid from the stars above. She'd never really stopped to consider if the Gods still watched over this world or even Luverie.

Kealie only knew that whether or not this horrible Nerydian wanted to hurt and degrade her, the sentiment was real.

She was stitched into her dress in silence, leaving nothing but the sound of villagers beneath her window and birds on nearby trees.

"You found the shipwreck, I suppose," Ydreth mused, pulling Kealie's diaphragm in tight. "Naida never did have the heart to remove that permanent blemish on this country."

Kealie's brows furrowed, her head tipping in confusion.

The old woman laughed. "Ah, so you've only heard bits and pieces then. You know who your father is and that he would not come to stay with her, but you don't know why?"

She shook her head, at a loss for words.

"King Iyvers is a good King and an even greater man," Ydreth began, looking around before she continued very carefully. "Naida always believed she could have anything she wanted, even him. So when they got lost at sea together, the Queen took it upon herself to bond with him. She used everything she had at her disposal and though the King once respected her, he loved his family. His wife and his son."

Kealie frowned. "But he slept with-"

"Your mother was very forceful, very aggressive, even attempting to trap him with her in his sleep," Ydreth said, choosing each word as if it might be her last. She kept a very close eye on the door. "When she did not get what she wanted, Naida called upon the Dark God, Peruk, and wished to curse his family, even sending demons after them."

Nixian's mother...

The reason he was now a sealed immortal and the cause for all his pain. Everything because of Naida.

Kealie wondered if her father knew she was ever born. Had he ever thought of her?

So many emotions churned in the abyss of Kealie's stomach, but before she could even manage to ask for more, Naida charged into the room.

She ran critical eyes over Kealie's body, eyes lingering as the way her tail kept trying to peek out. She was both delighted and disgusted, neither truly reaching her face long.

"Gorgeous," Naida said, thoughtfully nodding towards Ydreth before gesturing to the door. "The Ceremony will begin in little more than an hour, we must leave."

Kealie felt her body freeze over with a blind rage that paralyzed her legs, weighing her to the ground. This woman only caused harm, only destroyed this world.

But she couldn't help the small, trembling little girl inside of her, cowering beneath that brown gaze.

So she found her strength again and forced herself out the door.

To the Ceremony.

And to Nixian.

Word Count: 1,207            Total Word Count: 18,460