It appeared that the castle was built between two peaks of an expansive mountain range. My balcony overlooked a courtyard with thousands of flowers. The impressive garden would be beautiful to anyone who didn't have the knowledge of what went into making a flower garden this pristine. Someone who didn't have whip marks on their back from when they fell over from heat exhaustion and were unable to continue harvesting. Nausea bubbled up, and I was afraid if I stared at the plants for much longer I would lose the delicious meal I just inhaled. 

Despite sleeping for two days, fatigue overcame me now that I was in the room alone again. My soiled black dress, and sheets were gone. A servant must have grabbed them while I was out. I yanked my hair out of it's constricting bun, and collapsed on the bare bed. I wasn't sure what to do with myself. I was still waiting for this all to be a cruel trick, and to be locked up again. 

Just as I was drifting to sleep there was a light knock on the door. I sprung up, and crouched behind the bed. The door promptly opened and a small boy with mouse ears cautiously entered the room. His nose twitched as he looked around, and then he spotted me. 

The little boy stammered, "G-greetings. I'm Jamie. The King requests your presence."

I voiced my confusion, "I was just with him." Jamie stares at me blankly, and I take that as my cue to get up and go with him. 

Jamie leads me out of the room and back through the maze. We go down two flights and at the bottom of the second set of wide stairs is King Damion. He's speaking to one of the guards, but once he sense our arrival he dismisses the man. 

"There you are. I thought you might like a tour?" asked King Damion in his way where he's not really asking. I nodded and tentatively took the arm he had extended out to me. It was everything I could do to not squeeze his thick bicep. I don't know what had come over me lately. I had never found anyone of any sex or species attractive before. Maybe I just hadn't had the time. Whatever the case may be, I needed to get it together. I was nothing but a means to get under King Leon's skin, and I absolutely had to remember that. 

I just observed as King Damion told me about the lengthy history of the palace while we walked through endless hallways. In the Kingdom of Claws and Talons it was tradition for the most powerful werewolf to be King. Even though it wasn't based off of lineage, usually each ruler stemmed from the royal family. Damion was the exception. After a long list of King's from the same bloodline, Damion came out of nowhere to claim the title. When he took over the throne the Moon Goddess blessed him with immortality. He was the only werewolf to ever be immortal. 

I couldn't help but compare how proper and organized this kingdom was compared to the Kingdom of Blood and Darkness. Everything was open and airy. The servants bustled with a joyful energy. As if they were happy to be serving this man, and his kingdom. It was a far cry from the scared, emaciated human servants that were serving King Leon. 

We stopped at a window with a particularly stunning view of a village nestled in the valley that was currently in the shadow of these two great mountains that the castle was built between. I could barely make out the brown tops of huts. The people were specks in the distance. 

"What are you thinking?" King Damion asked, his deep voice pulling me out of my thoughts. 

I pondered quietly, "No one has ever asked me that before." I turned to look at Damion, and saw that his attention was on where I had tucked my hair behind my ear. I knew the scars that he saw there. The faint small white markings on my neck where my pulse throbbed. I wondered briefly if he thought they were ugly.  His eyes flashed emerald before returning to their natural piercing turquoise. I couldn't tell if it was disgust, anger, or both that had twisted his face. Whatever strong emotion he felt was quickly replaced with his normal pleasant smile. He was quiet for a moment, as I watched him. I turned back to the window when I thought he had decided to drop the topic. 

He surprised me by carefully grabbing my pale hand in his own large calloused hand. He waited until I once again met his eyes to say, "It is hard for me to believe that the bastard that calls himself a King had such a jewel in his hoard, and yet treated her like filth. If you were a member of my Kingdom I would do everything in my power to make you happy, and protect you from monsters like him."

My eyes burned as I processed his words. I had never been something to cherish, or protect. I had always been used, abused and then forgotten about. Warmth spread through me at the idea of this handsome King wanting to make me happy, and I struggled to squash the feeling. I didn't know what game Damion was playing at, and I would not allow myself to hope. I pulled my hand free from his grasp and looked down right as his brows furrowed in confusion. 

"Did I say something that upset you? That was not my-" King Damion started, but I cut him off. 

I stated, "I would like to go back to my room now." Damion's gaze was wary as he paused. I'm sure any other girl in my position would explode with joy at the implication of this powerful King's words. But I am not any other girl, and I am familiar with powerful King's. I needed to stop allowing myself to be a pawn in all of this. 

"As you wish." He finally responded. We walked silently back the way we came. 

I tried to analyze everything that had been presented to me. Perhaps he is wanting me to catch feelings, so that I will be more likely do his bidding. Maybe he is wanting his own personal spy in King Leon's castle. That had to be the only explanation for why he was being so kind. And yet in treating me, a slave, like this he had revealed his hand. He thinks I'm important, a jewel.

For the first time in my life, I feel valuable. And, I tend to use that to my advantage.