Solena

The warm water stung my raw skin as Kairos gently poured it over my back. It wasn’t scalding, but after days or however long in that cold cell, even warmth felt foreign. My body flinched, but her hands were steady, careful.

“There, it’s alright now,” she said softly, wringing a cloth and dabbing at my bruises with a tenderness that startled me. “You’ll feel better soon.”

I didn’t speak. I couldn’t. But I watched her. She moved with calm confidence, her touch never too firm, her voice low and careful. Like she knew what pain was, too.

When she offered me clean, soft maid clothing simple, gray, but warm I almost cried. She turned away respectfully as I changed, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I didn’t feel like a caged thing. I felt… human.

“Thank you,” I whispered when she turned back. My voice cracked.

Her lips curved into a small smile. “You’ll need strength here, little one. This place is not kind.”

I believed her.

I sank onto the bed, clutching the thin blanket like it was the last piece of safety I had. I didn’t know who I could trust. I didn’t know why I was here or what they wanted from me. But for the first time since waking up in that dungeon, I didn’t feel completely invisible.

Kairos had seen me.

And that meant something.

Even in a kingdom full of hatred, cruelty, and secrets… maybe I wasn’t entirely alone.

The next morning arrived like a curse wrapped in silk.

We were lined up outside the Princess’s chamber before dawn, the scent of spiced oils and roses heavy in the air. I stood behind two older maids, trying to mimic their posture.

Then she emerged.

Princess Tasha.

Her beauty was striking long dark curls, golden skin, eyes as sharp as glass. But the venom in her tone made everything about her ugly.

“You.” She pointed at a girl holding a tray. “Why didn’t you kneel before presenting my tea?”

The maid trembled. “I..I forgot, Your Highness…”

Before anyone could react, Tasha snatched a whip-like rod from a corner and lashed it across the girl’s shoulder The girl screamed and fell to her knees, sobbing.

“Let that teach you your place!” Tasha snapped.

The other maids looked down. No one laughed. No one dared speak. The girl clutched the tray, tears slipping down her cheeks.

I gritted my teeth and looked away, trying not to feel sick.

“Princess,” Kairos said gently, stepping forward, “your dress for the royal dinner is prepared. Would you like to review”

“Later,” Tasha waved her off. “Get this mess out of my sight first.”

Kairos moved swiftly, pulling the hurt maid up and guiding her away with surprising grace.

That’s when I saw him.

A tall figure entered without knocking. The air shifted instantly every maid tensed.

“Brother,” Tasha said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “You’re early.”

Tyler.

His dark hair was tousled like he hadn’t slept, his clothes expensive and carelessly worn. His eyes roamed lazily across the room until they stopped on me.

“New girl?” he asked, voice smooth. “Hmm…”

I dropped my gaze, trying to disappear into the wall.

He walked closer, too close, and I felt his fingers brush my waist.

“You have good taste this time, sister.” He smirked. “Send her to my chambers later. I could use… a distraction.”

I felt frozen, every part of me screaming.

Tasha laughed like it was a joke. “She’s only a maid, Tyler. Don’t be so rough or she might break.”

“She looks like she might enjoy it,” he murmured, fingers touching my chin.

Kairos appeared beside me before I could react, her voice steady. “The Princess requires assistance with her gown. I’ll take the maid.”

Tyler smirked and stepped back. “As you wish, head maid.”

Once we were down the hallway, I exhaled. My hands were shaking.

“He ..he touched me,” I whispered, horrified.

Kairos didn’t look at me, but her voice was steel. “You must learn quickly. Never be alone with Prince Tyler. Never.”

Later that evening, while we folded gowns in a quieter chamber, Kairos sat across from me.

Kairos sat beside me as I brushed out my damp hair. “You’re adjusting faster than most,” she said with a soft smile.

“I don’t think I have much of a choice,” I muttered, still aching from everything that had happened. “This place... It’s like another world entirely.”

“It is,” she agreed. “And things are more complicated than they seem on the surface.”

Are you alright?” she asked.

I nodded stiffly.

“Good. You’ll need your strength here.”

I glanced up. “Why are you helping me?”

Kairos looked away for a moment before she said, “Because I know what it’s like to be brought here without a choice.”

You weren’t born here?”

She nodded. “I’m originally from the Eastern Kingdom Velmoura. The strongest of all the six territories. I came here under a peace treaty arranged during the reign of the former Alpha King. It was either to serve in King Marcos’ court or watch my family be punished for the war.”

I blinked. “Isn’t that the”

“The strongest kingdom in this realm,” she said. “Ruled by the Alpha Prince. Soon to be King.”

I leaned in. “Do you know him?”

She gave a short laugh. “Everyone knows of him. Even King Marcus fears him.When I came here It was a deal to keep peace after the last battle.” Her eyes turned distant. “But peace never lasts.”

“And your Alpha Prince... What’s he like?”

Kairos paused for a moment. Her eyes darkened, not in fear but in deep respect. “Kael,” she said, his name like it carried weight. “He’s unlike any ruler the supernatural realms have ever known. Cold. Calculated. Utterly powerful. They say he once silenced an entire rogue army without laying a hand on anyone just his aura alone was enough to choke the life out of them.”

A chill ran through me. “He sounds terrifying.”

“He is,” she admitted. “But there’s a reason even King Marcos treads lightly when the East Velmoura is involved.”

There was a moment of silence before she added, “There are whispers... Rumors that the only way to end the feud between the east Velmoura and this kingdom is through marriage. A royal alliance. But nothing has been confirmed. One thing is certain though Kael isn’t the type to be manipulated or softened. He chooses what he wants. And if he doesn’t want peace... there won’t be any.”

Later, as we finished our duties, Tasha barked a command.

“You,” she pointed to me, “scrub the stairs until they shine. Don’t sleep until it’s done.”

“Yes, Princess,” I murmured.

Kairos walked beside me silently, then paused.

“I’ll check on you later,” she said softly.

I nodded, a lump in my throat.

Maybe… maybe I wasn’t completely alone.