Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 81261 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81261 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
After fiddling with the knobs on the tub, I take a long bath. Amell hadn’t touched them when he filled it up for me last night, but it does appear there’s some manner of actual plumbing. I wash my hair and comb it dry, which takes a couple hours.
I try to nap, but I can’t.
I stand out on the balcony, leaning on the rail to watch the bustle of Otaxis below. It takes me a few moments to realize there’s no transportation system. People walk everywhere, and as I stare harder, I watch people blink in and out of existence.
Like they’re teleporting. I make a note to ask Amell about it.
Finally, Calix shows up to take me to the laundry room. It’s beside the kitchens, and while there’re tubs with running water just like the bath, all the washing is done on scrub boards by hand. I clean his sheets gently since they’re satin and hang them to dry as Calix provides instruction.
I have no way to tell time, so I don’t know how far after lunch it is. I just know I’m hungry. It’s only when my stomach rumbles that Calix chastises me for not eating. “There are standing orders in the kitchen to feed you anytime you’re hungry.”
Calix takes me there and just before leaving says, “Amell is gone from the castle and won’t require dinner tonight. You may get your own from the kitchens later.”
After he departs, I sit at the table and scoop into a bowl of stew Rhynda provides. Will is working along a far wall, slicing big hunks of dried meat. I wonder if it’s from the First Dimension or if they have animals down here. I try to get his attention, but Rhynda’s watching with her flogger, and I don’t want to land him in trouble.
Not wanting to get in the way, I go back to the room and stare off the balcony for who knows how long. Then I pace some more.
Eventually, I recline on the bed, not tired but so bored, I force myself to fall asleep.
When I wake up, I have no idea how much time has passed, but I’m disoriented and starving. Amell isn’t in the room, and I have no clue what time it is. There are no clocks and no sunrises or sunsets by which to gauge time. I can only guess based on how my stomach aches, so I head back to the kitchens, confident enough to make the journey on my own.
To my surprise, it’s nearly empty when I arrive, which tells me it’s much later than I’d thought. Only a handful of people remain, and one of them is Will.
When he sees me, he looks around quickly to note that Rhynda isn’t there and rushes to give me a hug. “How are you doing? There are all sorts of rumors going around. Some think that Amell killed you, and others think that you’re being forced—”
I stop him with a hand to his shoulder. “I’m not being forced to do anything. I’m basically in charge of keeping his suite cleaned, and truth be told, I’m bored silly. I wish I was still in the kitchens with you.”
“Don’t ever wish that,” he says with a shudder. “Are you hungry?”
I nod, and Will rushes off to grab me some food. He sets before me a platter with cheese, bread, and fruit, much like the platter I had in Amell’s room last night. None of it looks like anything I’ve ever eaten before.
“Is this from the First Dimension?” I ask as I sniff it.
“No,” he says with a wrinkled nose. “They have their own food sources down here. It’s best you don’t ask, but I’ve eaten it since I’ve been here and it’s not too bad.”
I hesitantly pick up a piece of cheese and it smells… well, cheesy. I take a bite and chew. “It’s actually good.”
“Listen… I have to finish cleaning up. You can fill me in when I’m done.”
By the time I’ve cleaned my plate, Will is off duty, and I walk out of the kitchens with him. The regular hustle and bustle of the castle has died down, which makes me think it’s pretty late.
As we walk along, Will has me recount everything that happened. I paint with broad strokes and leave out naked Amell and sleeping in the king’s bed.
When we reach the door that leads down the spiral staircase to the cells, Will says, “You need to come down and see the changes. I don’t know what happened but… well, you need to see it.”
Laughing, I shake my head. “I already know… beds, toilets, and sinks. I was there when—”
Will shakes his head. “No. It’s more than that.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, my curiosity piqued.
“Just come on,” he says, grabbing my hand and leading me down the staircase. I know I’m not supposed to be down here, but it’s so quiet, it won’t hurt to take a quick look.