12. Mia

Agavar motionsfor me to climb out of bed. When I do, she covers my basic gown with a luxurious green robe that drags on the floor and secures it with a bright orange sash. The silky sleeves are much too long, so she rolls them up to my wrists.

"I don't want to leave my room," I tell her. I'd rather stay hidden away until my face is fully healed, although what I want doesn't seem to matter.

"You did not touch your morning meal, miss. Your body needs sustenance. I have arranged for your mid-day meal to be served in the courtyard." She puts slippers in front of my feet. Obediently, I slide into them.

Being cooped up in a windowless room isn't the reason why I'm not hungry. The realization that I'm trapped in an impossible situation is. "If I promise to eat, can I stay inside?"

Agavar makes a dismissive tsking sound with her tongue and practically pushes me toward the door. "It is a lovely day, and a bit of fresh air will do you good."

More proof that what I want doesn't seem to matter. "Are you sure this is okay with the healer?"

"It was Gantok's suggestion," she tells me, although I'm not sure I believe her.

"Will King Renowlf join me for lunch?" I ask as she leads me past the guard who's stationed outside my door and down the quiet, empty corridor.

I half-expected Renowlf to check on me this morning. When he didn't, I was oddly disappointed. Why would I even want to see the man who plans to use me as his baby incubator?

"Nay, miss. Our king is far too busy for a leisurely meal in the gardens."

"He's your king, Agavar, not mine," I say petulantly. She responds with more tsking. If she's upset with me for dissing her king, though, she doesn't say anything.

She keeps the pace slow so I can keep up with her long strides as we wind our way out of the medical wing. Double doors, with guards posted on either side, open automatically as we approach—and with a few more steps, we leave my current prison behind.

Outside the medical wing, the palace is lighter and brighter with lots of large windows to let in natural light. The woodwork and floors are polished to a high shine, and the walls are decorated with stunning artwork.

Not far from the medical wing is another set of doors leading outside to a lovely and secluded stone patio surrounded by a tall, manicured hedge and lush, fragrant flowers.

Several bistro-like tables and chairs dot the deserted patio. On the table closest to the doors is a single place setting, a variety of dishes, and a pitcher of water.

"Here you go, miss," Agavar says as she helps me get situated. Since the orc-sized chair is too tall for my shorter legs, she places a small stool under the table to rest my feet on. She retrieves a rustic hand bell from her pocket and sets it next to the pitcher. "If you need anything, ring the bell to summon one of the servants."

If this happened someplace on Earth, I might feel like actual royalty enjoying a private lunch in a secret garden. But this isn't Earth and I'm not royalty. "Thank you," I manage to say, although I don't feel thankful about being bossed around.

Agavar nods and turns to leave.

"Wait," I say. "How will I get back to my room when I'm done?" There's no way I will find my way back on my own.

"I'll send one of the guards to retrieve you in a bit. Enjoy your meal, miss."

After filling my plate and pouring a glass of water, I consider ringing the bell just because I can. But I don't really want company. Still, I wonder whether there are servants lurking just beyond the hedge waiting to do my bidding. If so, do they have a hidden passage that allows them to come and go from the courtyard?

I pick at the food on my plate, forcing myself to eat even though I'm still not hungry. At least everything tastes good. Well, everything except what I think is some sort of dried meat that has a tough texture and a gamey aftertaste.

Just as I start to relax and actually enjoy myself, the doors to the courtyard open and a female orc dressed in a figure-hugging robe and draped in jewelry moves gracefully toward my table.

Uninvited, she takes a seat. And, without saying a word, she plucks a blue grape-like piece of fruit from one of the dishes on the table and pops it into her mouth.

What the hell?