King Leon's laugh died down almost as quickly as it started. He studied me for a moment, and I watched him closely from behind loose strands of white hair that had escaped from my braids. 

The King's eyes glazed over and he relaxed in his seat. He started mumbling like he was in a trance, "...blood...moon...goddess...sick..." he trailed off. He looked at me once more and the usual sharpness in his eyes had returned. "Your hair isn't glowing," he stated. 

I whispered back in alarm, "Is it s-supposed to?"

King Leon disregarded my question and continued, "I've been having some concerning visions, and you're always in the middle of them. I am going to present my worries, and you at this meeting to the other kings. You will do well to stay by my side, and not speak. I want to present a united front." 

"And if I resist?" I asked timidly. Part of me couldn't comprehend the fact that after everything he had put me through he wanted me to act like I wasn't his slave against my will. King Leon's eyes darkened from bright red to a deep maroon. I swallowed hard. I shouldn't be getting so comfortable speaking to the King. His mood could change in the blink of an eye and he could kill me. 

"If you resist you'll end up like your little friend," he snapped. My stomach dropped as I tried to think of what he could be insinuating. 

 "What are you talking about?" I demanded while feeling like I was going to throw up. 

"My slave that tried to escape last night didn't make it far. I had the guards break her legs to help her learn from her mistake" King Leon replied nonchalantly. I tried to breathe but it felt like my breaths were too quick, and I wasn't getting enough air. I thought about Amber, and how it had all been for nothing. She was now way worse off than she had been. 

Leon continued, "Although, with all her piercing screaming I will probably just kill her soon. Put us both out of our misery."

With tears in my eyes, and no care for what happened to me I rasped, "You're a monster." 

"No, pet. I'm the King of monsters," he growled. And, then I no longer existed to him. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes as I quietly cried for my friend, and the loss of hope. 

~~~

To my surprise, Cora was waiting for me when we finally stopped after another grueling day of travel. She gave me a once over and grunted in disapproval.

Women, men, and every mix of beast and monster that one could imagine watched as I stepped out of the King's carriage. Surprise registered on the King's subjects faces, but it quickly was replaced with disgust. I could only imagine what they thought I was doing in there with King Leon.  

Cora grabbed my arm and dragged me away from the large crowd. We were now in a dense forest, and I stared in awe at the mountains in the distance. Hearing of something and seeing it in person were two very different things. Mountains described were just large rocks, what was in front of me was nothing short of breathtaking. 

We silently made our way to a small lake that was deep in the forest, and away from lingering eyes. A guard had followed us at a distance but graciously turned away when Cora began undressing me. 

I gingerly stepped into the water and was shocked to find it so cold. I gritted my teeth and continued to move into the freezing abyss. Adrenaline coursed through me when I ducked my head under. I felt like I could run all the way back to the castle and not break a sweat. 

My bruised, and aching body felt slightly better after being submerged in the icy water. Cora undid my hair, and weaved small white flowers into a new single French braid. She slipped a tight, obsidian, silky dress over my head. It stopped midthigh, and had a deep V in the front.  Of all the dresses I had been made to wear, this one made me feel the worst. I looked like I belonged in a brothel. The only thing that made me feel better was getting to keep my boots. 

Cora led the way back to the caravan. After a minute or so I felt a tap on my arm. I turned to the guard that had been with us. I raised my eyebrow in question, but kept pace with Cora who was a couple yards ahead of us. 

"He knows," whispered the guard. 

"Who knows what?" I asked at the same low volume with some annoyance leaking into my tone. I just spent the day with the King, and I was beyond exhausted of cryptic messages. 

"The King. He knows that Amber isn't who he has been having visions about. She thought she was tricking him, but he's known this whole time," the guard said under his breath. 

I glanced at Cora, and then turned to the guard. "Max?" I questioned. This had to be the guard that Amber had been using. The guard's face was shrouded with a dark fabric as usual, so I tried to memorize his large build, and the way he carried himself. 

"Yes, I won't be able to talk to you again without raising suspicion. Maya, please, I fear for her life. I'm not sure why he brought her here, but if you have any sway at all with the King..." He trailed off. We were getting close to the meadow that the rest of the group was in. My chest tightened at the idea of my new friend being killed when just this morning I thought she was free. 

I confessed, "I'm sorry Max, but one tells the King what to do. Especially not me. If it comes to it, I will fight for her to live, but I'm afraid anything that I do would make little impact." 

Max nodded and then briskly departed from Cora and I. I stopped next to Cora on the outskirts of the new camp. Guards swarmed the area making sure everyone was in line. Winged, horned, and scaly creatures roamed the area. Human servants ran around frantically trying to help and avoid punishment. The King was likely inside the largest tent that was already up.

Tonight all three kings would meet, and I would be at King Leon's side.