A short moment later we are in the main market area and we stop at a building on the corner of a street. Sebastian gets out first and stands at the door looking at me. Does he just expect me to follow him to this strange new building?

"What is this place?" I ask before getting out. He told the driver to go to the best hotel in the market district but I am not leaving this carriage until he tells me.

"Cam, it is okay. This is the Rosemary Inn. It's just a place where people that can't afford a home to live in temporarily." Sebastian says then rolls his eyes turning away from me. "Not like some brothel you've been staying at."

This is infuriating, why did he drag me away to take me to a place like this without asking first? I was perfectly fine with Cherry and Aubrey even if I had a day left. "What was wrong with where I was staying?" I hiss at him.

Sebastian's mouth forms a hard line. "A brothel is no place for a woman like you. Being here you'll be taken care of and have your own room."

I'm not going anywhere with this man so I step out of the carriage but not too close to him. I'm ready to run in case he becomes crude towards me then cross my arms. "I'm not going in there. Take me to the Lucky Star where I am comfortable and taken care of."

The king stands there with his mouth open as he blinks at me. A snicker leaves his drivers lips and once the King glares at him, he stops immediately then Sebastian turns his gaze back to me with his nostrils flaring.

My knees slightly bend ready to bolt but he asks. "Do you work there?"

Why does that matter? "I... No, I don't work there."

He lets out a breath and his face softens. "Okay. So if you aren't one of them then they won't let you stay for long so there's no point in arguing."

What's wrong with the Lucky Star being a brothel? What is a brothel? And what is the Rosemary Inn? Is it like a shelter or an orphanage? I don't understand the concept that he explained to me but I begrudgingly take his outstretched hand because I only have one day left to stay at the Star. I let him lead us into the building because I have no other choice. Why is he doing this for me. This man seems to be the headstrong type, as stubborn as Elyse, I would say. He's right though.. So I can't argue with him, which is becoming irritating.

The door creaks as it swings open and an older woman lifts her head up. She stands behind a counter and there are many iron keys hanging on the wall behind her. Immediately her mouth drops open, probably at the sight of the King but she formally greets him anyway.

"Afternoon," he nods to her as he leans on the counter. "I would like a single bed room with all amenities included please."

Her thick black brows knit together as she blinks at us. "For how long Your Majesty?"

"For as long as this lovely lady needs." He glances back at me with a small smile and my face starts to heat up.

The woman hands Sebastian an iron key and tells him the room number. After he thanks her he walks up the carpeted stairs on our right. We go up two floors and stop at a white wooden door with a number 4 on it. The king unlocks it and waits for me to step in first. Is he going to lock me in here and use me whenever he pleases? Just like Drakon and Lord Hearthgrim or all those other men did?

I poke only my head in, it's pretty spacious for a single room. It has a small kitchen area, a fireplace with two armchairs in the middle with large windows on either side of the hearth. It looks like there are no bars over any of the windows. A bed, larger than mine ever was, sits against the right wall. It doesn't look like the kind of room to be a prisoner in but how would I know, these people could be different. I won't be captured to be used. Not again...

My heart starts pounding and I shake my head. I don't like this, it's too much. "You really didn't have to do this Your Majesty." I say stepping away from the door.

"No, no. Hey." Sebastian says calmly putting his hands up slowly too. "I'm not going to...hurt you Cam. Please trust me when I say that you are safe with me. I just could not stand imagining you out on the streets at night." He clenches his teeth. "Or at that brothel... So I got you this room to live in for the time being." He holds the key up between us and I look at it then into his eyes. The king seems sincere but I can't trust any men just because they want to be generous.

"Look." He says with a sigh after I don't move and he steps into the room. "I'll show you that you can't get locked in from the inside. If that's what you are worried about."

That ain't the only thing I'm worried about. I frown as he holds the key in front of me again. I swipe it from his hand and he tells me to lock the door as he steps inside. I do as he says and lock him in. For a moment I think he is actually trapped in there but no. The lock clicks and he swings the door open with a wide smile. "See? Completely safe. And once you lock it, only you can enter so long as you have the key. Or Mrs. Dotham can because only she has a copy."

I play with the key between my fingers and glance from him to the door. "So you or anyone else besides me and Mrs. Dotham can't get in?"

"That right." Sebastian says with pursed lips.

I fiddle with the key in my hand not knowing what to say. I guess he really is genuine, I shouldn't treat him so rudely. "You have been too kind to me. Thank you, your Majesty."

"It's the least I could do."

That may be so but he didn't have to do this for me. I'm just some homeless, worthless girl yet this man is doing so much and for what. "Why are you being so nice to me?"

He shrugs and breathes in deeply. "Because I was taught to be that way. And seeing you, you look like you needed it..." When he gazes at me his face softens.

"I don't how I could ever repay you."

"You don't owe me anything, just use this place to get yourself off the ground... and be a good friend." He says with a smile.

A friend, I could really use one in this huge city. And I have a feeling that Sebastian is in need of one too.

He stands in the doorway, his body towers over me but I don't step back. For some reason I like being this close to him. He doesn't smell of ale or stale cotton or cigar smoke. His scent is a mix of cedar wood and lavender. When I lift my gaze up to his, the heat rises to my face again.

Sebastian chuckles. "You blush a lot."

"Blush?" I question tilting my head to the side.

"Yes, your face gets all red whenever you look at me."

"Oh sorry." I say looking away from his striking blue eyes. "I can't seem to control it..." He smiles crossing his arms. "The blushing I mean." I say as he laughs. Well I can't really control how much I look at him too.

"Don't be Cam. I find it very flattering, it's cute." He blinks a single eye at me. I've seen men do that same gesture before towards me and I have never understood why they do that because I wasn't allowed to speak.

"Why do men do that?"

"What, wink?" His arms drop down to his sides when I nod and I can see redness forming on his cheeks now. He's blushing and I can't help but smile a bit. "Uh, well." He scratches at his neck. "Not just men do it but it's a form of flattery. We do it when we fancy someone. They flirt and if that person flirts back it means they fancy you. Or in some cases to tease a person."

"Oh." So those men that winked at me were flirting and that meant that they fancied me? I wince at that thought. I could never fancy any of those men, maybe the one standing in front of me... Wait what does teasing mean.

Sebastian clears his throat and runs a hand through his brown hair. "Yeah, so I should get going. But um I hope to see you again. I'm free two days from now, if you want to do something, with me."

"You want me to accompany you?"

He nods smiling down at me. I tap my fingernail on the key thinking about my answer. It wouldn't hurt to join him but I would be vulnerable. I don't know anything about him or have nothing to defend myself with other than my magic. If he does try to do anything. I don't want to reveal that I do have magic if it ever came to that... My satchel has the daggers in it, keep one with me like how he carries one.

"Sure. Do you have something planned?" Two days is enough time to retrieve the satchel that I left behind.

Sebastian looks up for a moment then shrugs. "I'll figure something out. So that's a yes?"

I nod my head starting to smile with him. He wants me to accompany him for the day. And I don't know if I should be happy or frightened by that but he said he wants a friend.

"Good. I'll meet you here at 8 in the morning two days from now."

"Okay." I grin at him more and he returns my smile by winking again then starts walking down the hall. "Oh wait." He turns back with raised brows. "Does that mean you fancy me?"

"Maybe." He shrugs. "We only just met Cam and call me Sebastian, friends of mine don't call me by my title." A wide smile spreads across his face and he disappears around the corner before I can say anything.

What am I thinking.. He is right we only met this morning but I feel... something. Is that possible? Whatever it is, I shouldn't ponder on it. Having feelings means nothing right now since I can't trust anyone. His last words felt off but at the back of my mind I feel like I can trust Sebastian...

I step into the room locking the door behind me. The largeness of the space is unnerving but welcoming at the same time. This whole room is mine. I step over to the tall windows. The sun shining through them lights up the entire room which is quite nice compared to what I had before. I have a perfect view of the sky and busy street below as well. Many people are walking up and down, busy in their own little worlds. Then I see Sebastian walk out to his carriage. Before he gets in, he looks back to the building and my heart beats faster as I stare at his handsome face. How could a well endowed young man, a king, be even interested in a slave girl like me. Impossible.

Sebastian isn't like anyone I've ever met before. He is intelligent, kind, gentle and respectful. Not once did that man try to make an inappropriate move on me or raise his voice. He hasn't shown aggression since he pulled a knife on me thinking I was an assassin. He has provided more care than anyone has ever done in my life. I still have to be careful as I get to know Sebastian more, until I can fully trust him. Elyse said that a kind King ruled Adelaide but Sebastian was a prince when I met him. Once I know what happened to the previous ruler maybe then will I tell him my secret.

When he gets in his carriage they turn around and drive back up the hill towards his palace. For some reason a wave of sadness hits me and I sigh as I sit down on the windowsill. I'll see you in two days.

It's nice watching the people go about their lives. The different faces and body shapes they have. All of them unique. What errands are they doing? Or do they have anything planned? Men, women, orcs, dwarves, satyrs and some centaurs pass my view and I take in all their features. Professor Ozcan said that the Fae have pointed ears, piercing eyes and hair colours ranging from red, gray, blue to green, but I haven't seen any of those striking features in the crowd. I guess he is right that there are no Fae in this city.

It's sickening to think that more people like me were enslaved by humans just because we were different. If Azures are such powerful creatures how did they end up in the hands of ordinary people? The humans must have used some sort of magic or... The metal cuffs that Drakon had to stop my shifting. That's what the professor said about that Oryn fellow. He found a way to subdue the Azure and Faes' magic and are still using it to this day.

How far away is Silver Stone Vale that Sebastian mentioned? Why hasn't no human been able to survive going in there? There must be some Azures still alive if I am here.. How can I have magic but not have the features of an Azure though? My reflection looks back at me and I turn my head to see my ears. They are rounded just like an ordinary human, my hair and eyes are regular like a human's. The only thing that is different is my streak of hair.

Too many mysteries I want to solve as well as who my birth parents are. Now that I have a safe place I can bring the satchel containing those papers Drakon put in there. Maybe said papers hold the key to finding out who those people are and if I really am an Azure. My parents, I wonder what they look like, what kind of people they are. Are they Azures as well? Do they wield magic like me? Are they even still alive?

A knock on the door jolts me out of my thoughts. I jump from my seat and creep up to the door but I don't touch the knob. Instead I ask who it is.

"It's Mrs. Dotham. I've brought up your dinner for you child." That gruff harsh voice can only come from the old lady that was at the front desk talking on the other side.

"Oh." I mutter as I unlock the door and open it for her. She's holding a tray full of food with a glass of goat milk sitting at the corner. She is much shorter than I expected, Elyse is taller than this lady. Mrs. Dotham must be a dwarf with that height.

The older lady steps past me not waiting for me to welcome her in and she walks towards the table in the kitchen area. I close the door and watch her almost stand on her tip toes to reach the table and places the tray on top.

"It smells wonderful Mrs. Dotham thank you for bringing it up." I didn't know that dinners were included with the amenities here and brought to your room. Honestly I don't know what I am expecting from this place...

She glances back at me as I approach her and she huffs. "Yes, yes, when I saw how skinny you were I decided to change what I was going to make for the Inn. So this meal is just for you. Potatoes and roast beef." She pulls out a chair in front of the steaming food and gestures for me to sit.

My mouth waters at the smell and sight of the food. I lift my hand up over the trail of steam rising up from the food and feel that it is warm. Freshly cooked. A hot meal. If someone told me a week ago that I would be eating meals that aren't cold I wouldn't believe them.

When I grab for the fork next to my right hand Mrs. Dotham slaps it down. "Living on the streets there are no table manners but here young one, we say our prayers before we eat our dinners."

"Oh. Sorry." I say while rubbing the top of my hand.

She gives me a scolding look as she's taking a seat at the head of the table then holds her hands in front of her chest with the palms facing each other. I do the same watching her closely.

"Now repeat after me." She closes her eyes and starts to speak. "Sweet Divine we thank you for your bountiful gifts. We thank you for the sun and the rain, for the soil and the trees. For the moon and the stars. But above all for your patience and forgiveness. May we be honoured to walk with you in the Golden Fields when our souls pass on to the afterlife. Gratia tibi, cordiae."

"Gratia tibi, cordiae." I repeat those last words with a weight in my chest. "What does that mean?"

Mrs. Dotham drops her hands and gazes at me with a calm expression. "It's an ancient Fae phrase. It's just a thank you to them and their gods, a prayer. You may eat now."

I frown looking down at my plate. The Fae have gods? I thought the Fae were gods... This place is confusing and I've only been here for a week. There's so much to learn about this world, about these people. I wish Elyse was able to tell me more or was here to help me now.

Mrs. Dotham wasn't happy when I wasn't able to finish all of my dinner but if I did I would have puked it up. The food was delicious but there was too much. She grumbled under her breath as she cleaned off the table but was nice about it. As nice as a dwarf could be anyways. Before she left she told me she would help me wash up in the morning. Now that the old woman is gone I am left alone for the rest of the night. What to do now? I don't feel sleepy. The bottom of the sun isn't touching the horizon yet but it sinks low creating a beautiful skyscape of pinks and reds splayed out into thin lines. Tomorrow night I will find a spot up high as a bird and watch the sunset. There is no doubt that the sunsets here are beautiful.

I wander about the room, checking all the drawers and cabinets to get myself familiar with the room. There's not much for me to do since I can't read or write. A carved wooden music box sits atop the mantle of the fireplace so I crank the turn-piece. I run my fingers on the smooth wood and notice that two figures are etched into it.

A soft melody plays from the small box. As I listen to it, I feel my body sway side to side. By being in the circus I learned how to dance but with Elyse, she taught me what traditional dancing meant. How to move with the rhythm, how to be light on your feet. She told me men and women usually danced together as partners. Sometimes if a man and woman loved each other it was a different type of dance. The man would lead, guiding the woman as they move as one. Trust and passion fuel these dances. An intimate way to connect with one another. She told me this was an old Fae tradition to find their mates then later learned by humans... To have a man like that, I bet Sebastian is a good dancer. A King, who might fancy me. I wonder if humans can have mates like the Fae.

My body twirls making the skirt flare out. I spin across the room until the back of my knees hit my bed and I land on the soft blankets. If I could sleep on the clouds I feel like this bed would be close in comparison. Before I crawl under the covers I place the music box on the small table next to the bed and change into the night gown that's hanging on the bathing room door. I then place a couple logs onto the fire to keep the space warm overnight.

"Still in bed!" She clicks her tongue. "What a lazy one! Up, up, up child."

"Huh?" I grumble rolling over to the noise.

Mrs. Dotham grabs the blankets and pulls them off letting the cool air hit my skin.

"Ah cold!" I yelp curling up in a ball, fighting the urge to not grow thick hair over my body, then sit up. I squint from the bright daylight shining in the room and Mrs. Dotham is watching me with her hands on her hips.

"You shouldn't be sleeping in." She says with a finger pointed at me. "I said I would help you get cleaned up before breakfast so that is what I'm doing. Now get out of bed."

I push the hair out of my face, "Yes ma'am." And crawl out of bed pushing the fabric of my nightgown down so I can keep the cold out. By the look of the morning sun I must have slept later than usual. I never slept so soundly... Mrs. Dotham stands at the end of the bed and holds the blanket by the corners and lifts it up sharply. The edges of the blanket spreads out meeting the side of the mattress. The air from the blanket blows in my face and moves my hair back. The blanket isn't quite set neatly so Mrs. Dotham walks to the opposite side of me and straightens it out and I do the same, flattening out the wrinkles.

"Good job." She says while she wipes her hands together. "Now let's wash you up properly and get that street filth off of you."

I follow her to the bathing room and stand by the sink as she fiddles with the bath. "Would you like a shower or a bath?"

Shower? I look past her at the different faucets coming out of the wall. One hangs above the rim of the bathtub. There are two pipes that run up the wall to a large faucet hanging above. It looks like a copper plate hanging from the end of the pipe with little holes poked into the metal. Oh my. "I'll just have a bath please." Maybe I'll try a shower another time.

Mrs. Dotham glances at me with a raised brow as I stare at the large faucet but goes about drawing the bath. She grabs a clear glass bottle with a light purple colour in it that's sitting on a shelf above the toilet and pours the liquid into the tub. As the water fills up the bath, bubbles start forming like little white clouds above the water so I can't see the bottom anymore. I ask her what she put in there and she tells me it's a soap for soaking in. A lovely lavender scent fills the air as the soap mixes with the water. I think I am going to enjoy this bath.

Once the level is high enough she turns off the water and puts a hand in. "That should be good. Now in you go."

"Okay, thank you Mrs. Dotham."

"I'll be back shortly to help you get ready. Enjoy." She pats my arm softly then she leaves me in the bathing room and closes the door behind her. "Don't forget to wash behind your ears!" She yells from the other side.

I smile to myself as I take off my clothes and dip my toe in before going. It's nice and warm.

A soft sigh escapes me when I sink my body in, the water surrounding me up to my neck. Like a warm blanket is wrapped around me. Relaxing. I sit like this for a couple more moments then start on cleaning myself before Mrs. Dotham comes back. Making sure I get behind my ears too.

There's a knock on the door while I am drying myself off, that must be Mrs. Dotham checking up on me. I welcome her in and she steps inside holding some clothing. "How did you manage?"

"Just fine. Thank you." I smile at her. "I feel cleaner than a king."

She laughs stepping over to a shelf and grabs a glass vial as well as a brush. "Yes well thanks to our generous king, he has provided this room for you. You are lucky he found you. Not very many young ones out and about living on the streets."

"I am grateful for the King. He has done too much for someone who doesn't deserve it." I say lowering my head.

"No thinking like that." Mrs. Dotham grumbles and grabs my hand in hers making my eyes lift to her gaze. "No one deserves to live a life like that. We should all be treated with kindness especially a nice young girl like you. Bless King Velan and Queen Eva for raising such a respectable son and giving you salvation, like they have done for so many in this city."

My mouth opens and I breathe in sharply. She is right. I am a good person and do deserve better. I should do something for Sebastian to show him my gratitude.

After Mrs. Dotham helps me get ready for the day, I walk with her to the main floor where breakfast is waiting. Other people from the inn are already sitting at the large table eating their breakfasts and chatting to each other and I see a familiar face. One of Sebastian's classmates, what was his name...

"Conrad, leave some porridge for our guests!" Mrs. Dotham scolds him.

Guests, these people are guests. I guess I am as well. Are they like me who have no home?

The young man jumps in his seat, cupping the bowl between his hands. "Nan! I can't help that I'm a growing man and in need of food."

She gives him a look then turns to me. "Take a seat next to my grandson while I get you a bowl, if there's any left."

Ah, he is grandson to Mrs. Dotham. I sit in the empty seat next to Conrad and he glances at me with a frown so I introduce myself. "Right you are the King's cousin, Lady Whitmere." He says with a mouth full of food.

"Who's the King's cousin?" Mrs. Dotham asks placing a bowl of porridge next to me.

Conrad nods his chin towards me. "Her." The other guests have lifted their heads up now.

"This one?"

I freeze, my back straight. Oh no, Mrs. Dotham thinks I came from the streets... A Lady wouldn't be living on the streets.

"Yes, Nan. She was with him in class yesterday, he said she's visiting from Hampsteid."

She turns to me with a frown but the man named Conrad talks. "If you're a Lady then why are you staying here and not in the castle?"

That is a good question... Because the King lied and I'm a slave! Curse him. I could really use Sebastian's help right now, both of them are looking at me. For a moment Mrs. Dotham and her grandson blink at me. I tell them that I didn't want to stay in the castle because there was some drama that I didn't want to be a part of and that I'm a distant cousin. Not really considered a Lady. Thankfully she nods her head in understanding.

"Hampsteid, huh? Well you are a far way from home." Conrad mumbles, I look back to squinting eyes but she doesn't say anything and goes back to cleaning up the counters.

That was odd... Why was she staring at me like that? It was like she didn't believe what he or I said. Does cousin mean something terrible? Or being from Hampsteid bad? No. She saw through the lie... Sebastian told her that I lived on the streets, no Lady to the crown would be poor.

"You seemed pretty interested in class yesterday. They must not teach you much across the Veloc huh?" Conrad says with a mouth full of porridge.

"Um.. no. They don't." This is awkward. I don't know anything about this Hampsteid place, I'm terrible at lying. Just let me eat in peace.

"Aren't you supposed to be heading for school Conrad?"

He stops chewing and glances at a clock hanging on the wall. His mouth drops open. "Shit! I got to go!" Conrad stands up quickly, hitting the table with his legs and darts out of the room after giving his Nan a kiss on the cheek.

Thank the Divine. If I am going to talk to more people I'm going to have to learn about this land and possibly come up with a story of where I came from. I wish Elyse were here, she could teach me the ways of this world. She knows how to talk to people.

When I finish my breakfast, I clean up after myself and head for the door. I need to get out before more questions are asked. There's more exploring to do and now that the King is not after me I can freely explore Adelaide as a human.

"Lady Whitmere can I have a moment before you leave?"

Her soft words stop me. I don't like that tone, so I turn back with a small smile. "Y-Yes Mrs. Dotham?"

"While you are wandering about, just be careful who you tell your identity to. I mean about who you are. The King told me of your situation. With all that is going on..." She shakes her head. "Just be careful who you tell, if anyone at all. Some evil people dwell in the shadows of this city looking for ways into the castle. If they find an opportunity they will use it to their advantage."

I breathe in deeply taking a step back. "You are not one of those people are you?"

A corner of her lips lifts up. "No child. I believe our King will bring Adelaide, along with the outside world, a prosperous future. But that doesn't mean all agree with me."

"Then who am I here? What do I tell someone if they ask such questions?" I ask her stepping up to the front counter that she's standing behind. If I am going to survive in this city and protect the King and myself then I'll have to find ways to deceive others. Whether it be with a lie or changing my appearance.

"You can be Cam but not Cam Whitmere or a slave..." She says that word with a lowered voice. "Not a cousin to the King, or any relation. King Sebastian doesn't have much family left and a sudden appearance of a long lost cousin will raise suspicion to others. Including the royal advisor."

I frown. Why would he call me his cousin if it was that dangerous? Elyse was wrong about this place. It's not safe. I'll have to pack everything and leave Adelaide. Leave the King and all his problems behind. I have no choice but to go.

Mrs. Dotham reaches for my hand and places her free one on top of mine. "Fret not. Just act like you have grown up here all your life. No one should bother you unless you give them a reason to and that's why I advise you not to be seen with the King anymore."

I look down and nod. "Okay." I guess she is right. I'll have nothing to worry about as long as I stay out of trouble and not be seen with the King... Why would she tell me that? Should I cancel?

She gives me a small smile and squeezes my hand gently. When she lets go I head for the door but Mrs. Dotham speaks again.

"Oh! Before I forget, His Majesty left this for you too." I look back and she's holding a small leather pouch and tosses it to me. I catch it and peek inside. What do you know there's coin in there.

"This is for me?"

"Yes." She chuckles. "Seems generous but hey, he's the King, I think he can share some."

I grip onto the small coin purse staring at it. "I guess so..."