Eldora woke before the sun did, and rose from her bed. During this time, Celina also rose and the pair used a bucket filled with water in their quarters to splash their faces and rub water on their arms. Eldora still felt filthy, and would have killed for a shower.

Eldora left her room and went to find the king. Upon finding him, she set about stripping him and then helping him get dressed and ready for the day. She averted her eyes as best as possible, both because she didn't' want them to wander from her husband, and because she was truly embarrassed. The king's strong voice rang out, "What is your name, girl?"

"Eldora." She murmured, trying to hide the venom in her voice. I'm not a girl, I'm a thirty-two-year old woman.                                                              

"Well, I trust you know I am Dagonet, do you not?" Dagonet stated.                                                                            

"I do." She replied without inflection, wondering where he was going with this.                                       

"Why do to think Dagonet is unfit to look upon? I am your king, after all." Dagonet commanded.                              

"I am married, my Lord. I don't want my eyes to wander."                                                                                           

"Who cares if your eyes wander? My point is not that I wish to disrobe you. All of the king's servants are permitted to look upon him, and they are the only ones who can, other than his future wife. It is great honor to look upon him."                                                             

Eldora's hands froze where they were, on the king's waistband. She slowly rose her eyes. Her gaze fell upon a strong body with well defined muscles, a rail thin waist, and narrow hips. She averted her eyes again afterwards.

"What say you, Eldora? Is it a body befitting that of a king?"

"I don't know what you expect me to say…" Eldora felt hideous for every monwnt she looked away from her husband.

"Tell me the truth. I value your opinion." the king said. 

“Why do you value my opinion?” Eldora shook her head. 

“Because you are my Dream Maiden.” Dagonet said. 

Eldora stood up and turned her back to him. “What on earth do you mean by that?”

“I suppose since you are from the Other, you don’t know what a Dream Maiden is. Every man–regardless of whether he lives on Lalookin or Raklin–has a Dream Maiden. She is a woman who seems familiar to him–a woman he has dreamed about and loved his whole life–but she is also a woman he can’t have, or else his life will be destroyed.” Dagonet explained.

Eldora’s nose wrinkled. “You’re right. You can’t have me, you can never have me, because I’m married. You don’t actually care for my opinion–you just want me as a… as a bed warmer.”

“Watch your tongue! You are speaking to your king!” he retorted. 

“You are not my king. You’re not a king at all–you’re Adrian!” she replied.

She ran from the room, then, hoping the king wouldn’t behead her for her words. As she ran down the hallway, the king’s voice pursued her. “Halt! You are my servant. I need you to attend me as I root out the Gruhath!” 

“Root out?” Eldora repeated breathlessly.

“They have several nests in town. I am heading there today to make sure the nest does not grow.” Dagonet stated.

Eldora’s eyes widened. The cold fingers of terror gripped her heart. “If I don’t go… what will happen to me?”

“You will be imprisoned for a week in the bowels of the castle.” Dagonet replied coldly.