Free Blood and Snow 11: Resolved to Rule by Rashelle Workman Page B

us, my mother directed we follow. My feet began to move of their own volition. We crossed the doorway, and the door slid closed behind us. The blue-green lights lit up the hallway that appeared to be made out of something black. It sparkled and I wondered if the walls, floor, and ceiling were black diamonds. None of us spoke. The only sound was the swishing of our clothes, and the rhythmic padding of our shoes. When we reached the end of the hall, a door slid open. We went through, and entered a room. It looked like a formal living room, with a fireplace, couches, chairs, end tables. Even a piano. But the materials were different somehow. I touched one of the couches as I passed, and was surprised by its softness.
    “The furniture is made of eel skin,” my mother said, though she didn’t turn, but kept walking forward.
    I was shocked, and pulled my hand away.
    Should I be disgusted?
    The piano was in the shape of a baby grand. The lid was up. The white keys shone next to the black ones.
    “Everything you see here is from Mizu. Created from the animals, rocks, and minerals found in this land. Nothing is from the surface,” Ariel said, answering the question I felt certain I hadn’t asked aloud.
    Dorian walked next to me, and gave me a look.
    I shrugged.
    After the living room we came to the kitchen. An overwhelming heat permeated from an enormous fire in the center. Men and women of all shapes, and heritages moved as though in a dance, preparing food.
    My mother stopped, and I nearly ran into her before I realized, and halted.
    She turned back, and grinned. A smile I remembered. The kind that touched the innermost secrets of my soul.
    I breathed in, and waited for her to speak.
    “Are you hungry?” she asked.
    “Starved,” Dorian answered.
    Gabe agreed.
    “I could eat,” Cindy said.
    Blood sounds good, I thought, but said nothing.
    “Please, have a seat.” She indicated a wooden table. The centerpiece was filled with flowers I didn’t recognize.
    When we were seated, plates were brought, and positioned in front of us. The food smelled divine. It looked like fish covered in a creamy yellow sauce, green beans, and fresh baked rolls. By the way Gabe, Dorian, and Cindy ate, I guessed it must be good. I didn’t even try to fake it. My stomach was already in knots. I couldn’t add human food to the mix.
    No one spoke for several minutes. The cooks whispered amongst themselves, but the five of us didn’t say a word. Dorian, Gabe, and Cindy stuffed their faces. I stared at my plate, and I caught my mother staring at me.
    When they finished, my mother addressed them.
    “Better?”
    “Yes,” Cindy said, giving me a sidelong look.
    “Good.” She rose, and eyed her bodyguards. They’d been standing against a wall, out of the way. “Will the two of you escort these children to their… rooms. They should get some rest.”
    The bodyguards moved forward.
    Gabe, Dorian, Cindy, and I began to follow. I wasn’t tired and had no desire to relax. I wanted to stay with my mom. There was a lot I wanted to discuss. But, I didn’t know how to voice my wishes. I was still shocked that she was alive, and standing feet away.
    My mother grasped me by the elbow. “Can we talk? Just the two of us?” Her voice was light, soft.
    Dorian, and the others turned back, waiting for my answer. I shrugged. “Sure,” I said, my shaky words betraying my nervousness.
    Cindy shot me a look, one that said, “If you need me, I’ll stay, or change her into a leprechaun.”
    At the idea, I smirked. “I’ll catch up with you guys in a while.”
    Cindy nodded, and they followed the guards from the room. After several moments, my mother said, “Let’s go somewhere with a bit more privacy.” She walked to the living room, and made her way over to the fireplace. At the touch of a button, it sprang to life. She crossed her arms.
    It was a strange feeling—watching her, being near her. I wanted her to hug me, but I was scared to have her hug