The Rebel Foxes by Noah Hawthorne

Author:Noah Hawthorne [Noah Hawthorne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aelina Isaacs
Published: 2023-06-06T00:00:00+00:00

A Good Man

I’m cold, and I pull the blankets up around my neck in efforts to steal them back from Xylia. Then, I remember. I cry myself to sleep, not bothering to extricate myself from the blankets or take in my dark surroundings. I’m in a soft bed, that much I know, and I’m safe now.

Safer than before.

The next time I awake, I’m warm and hungry. I wearily blink open my eyes and gather the energy to take in my surroundings. They are less, and more, than I expected. While I’m most certainly a hostage and it’s clear they need me, that doesn’t mean they need to spoil me, only keep me alive. I expected it would be one of two ways. Disgustingly wealthy to convince me how good life in the Citadel is, or a dungeon cell to convince me living in general is good.

But what I find is a studio apartment of sorts, humble and well decorated but by no means opulent or cast entirely in gold. The blankets I’m tangled in are layers of fine stuffed comforters, patchwork quilts, and silky soft sheets. All of the furniture are antiques from before the blast, polished and well taken care of, and the bed is an enormous four post frame with a headboard full of books.

In a rocking chair beside the bed is a wisp of a young man. He’s watching me, quiet and calm, hands folded in his lap. His ginger hair is cut short but still manages to curl up a little bit in the front, and his hazel green eyes are the brightest thing I’ve seen in this place yet. The right side of his face is marred by burn scars, and part of his throat. His clothes are plain, his cream colored, v-cut tunic reminds me of a medical scrub top, and his pants are similar. On the back of his right hand is a black symbol inked directly into the skin, one I don’t recognize. A star surrounded by six overlapping circles.

I swallow, and it’s painfully dry.

Without moving, he says, “There’s a glass of water on the bedside table if you would like, Dame Rajni. It would be my honor to assist you, if you would allow. My name is Corvin ben Lahav. I am Prince ben Matzliach’s personal attendant, and now, yours. I am here to answer any questions you may have, and to make you as comfortable as possible.”

“I—” I cough, then try again. “I would allow.”

He nods, then slowly rises. As he unfolds, I’m struck by just how damn tall he is. Even taller than— no, abandon that thought. There will be plenty of time for her later.

The chamberlain assists me with sitting up, and while there are no external injuries, or internal, so I’m told, it feels as if I’ve been struck by a truck. After taking a drink of the freshest water I’ve ever consumed, I ask, “What day is it?”

The chamberlain sets my glass down on the bedside table, then clasps his hands before him.

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