Glittering tiles lined the walls as we passed through hallway after hallway on the way to my room. The glow of glass lanterns giving me enough light to make out a few of the images. Some were of sirens with long beautiful hair swirling around them, while others were of creatures that looked more like how I had imagined the Sahaugin with fish like heads attached to a humanoid body. Stopping for a moment, I stared up at them in awe. They were delicately detailed, each glass tile placed carefully. One of the servants quickly ushered me forward before I could open my mouth to ask if they were there to tell a story.

It looks like they don’t want me roaming freely. I could have guessed that much, but still, the want to take in the beauty and mystery of this place was creeping in. Up top, I had never been to another settlement but even I could tell that this place was in a league of its own. I ran my hand along the wall as we continued walking. I wonder what other grand places are waiting outside - far from here. When I get out of this mess, I’ll find them.

We rounded the corner walking through an arch carved to look like waves coming over the frame. It opened into a small area with a fountain in the center and opposite to us was a purple door with golden handles. The servants led me through the room to the door and opened it. The bedroom was circular and opulent like the rest of the palace, filled with deep blues and greens. On the furthest side there was a large wall made of glass. Little fish swam by and I could see an abundance of plant life swaying with the current.

“Is this under the river?” I asked.

“Yes and no, We are in Deep Well. This is where the Magi’s river ends,” one of the servants replied as she tidied a few pillows in the room. The water filled the room with a soft glow similar to the caverns, but this felt warmer. Gliding my hand along the walls and furniture, I admired the room. Lock flew around the ceiling finding a fixture to hang off of to sleep.

“Lady Eladren, I will let you get acquainted with your quarters while I go grab a few things to help you get ready for tonight. I’ll be right back. The guards have already brought your things it appears,” she said motioning to my pack on the bed next to another smaller bag I didn’t recognize.

“Right, thank you. What’s your name?” I asked realizing she hadn’t given it yet.

“Rána, my lady,” she replied smiling.

“Thank you, Rána.”

She nodded then left the room. Walking up to the glass one of the smaller fish swam up to meet my gaze. “Oh hello! You’re a pretty little thing,” I said waving to it. Its iridescent green fins flowed around it like ribbons. Another larger fish came up. Awh! It brought a friend - or at least I hope a friend. The realization struck me that it might want to eat the smaller one. “Hey, you! Go about your business!” I tried yelling at it through the glass. The fish stared at me with a blank expression before turning around to leave. As it swam away the smaller fish looked back at me and its pupils narrowed. Its ribboned fins expanded and then shot backwards wrapping around the other fish. Its jaw unhinged revealing sharp teeth and began to pull the other, now struggling, fish towards itself.

“Ohp! Nope, nope, a whole lot of fuck that,” I said quickly turning around and walking towards the bed. Don’t wanna see that.

“So, what is this?” I said turning my attention away from nature’s cruelty to the bed and picking up the smaller bag. It was a familiar violet with two green gems at the end of each side of the bag’s drawstring. Wait, it couldn’t be? I leaned closer to the bag ready to whisper.

“Bre-,”I went to speak as the doors slung open. Rána alongside two more servants came in carrying towels and trays with what appeared to be perfume bottles. My body jolted up and I dropped the bag back down onto the bed.

Rána and the others began stripping me down and taking off my bandages. “I ne-need those,” I tried telling them as they explained.

“Do not worry, Lady Eladren. Let us take care of you. You will feel better. I promise,” Rána said pushing me down onto a chair. The other’s poured liquid from the bottles into the bath and motioned for me to get in. The water was warm. Oh, this feels nice. I slunk deeper into it letting the heat and gentle floral scents wash over me. I looked down at my arm. The bruises were gone! I looked up to Rána with amazement. She smiled back at me as she said, “See, I told you.” I watched my cuts knit themselves back together.

“You know I always heard about magic like this growing up, but I never actually saw it,” I said marveling at my now pain free skin.

“But, you are an elf?” One of the servants said in a confused tone.

“You’ll have to excuse them,” Rána said before continuing, “Our tribes stories say that elves have a natural aptitude towards magic due to their connection with nature spirits.”

“Oh,” I replied slinking into the water. “The elders said we lost those abilities a long time ago as punishment.”

“Punishment for what?” She asked.

“Honestly, I’m not sure. They never would say,” I replied furrowing my brow. There were a lot of questions they never answered. 

I finished my bath and they helped me dress for dinner before leaving so I could rest for an hour before Manaan would send for me. They had carefully woven pearls and little white flowers on vines through braids in my hair. It felt nice to have it mostly down for the first time in days. Gods, it felt nice to just be clean and not in pain. The feeling was almost foreign at this point. Manaan had even sent a silk dress for me to wear. It was a light blue that faded into pink near the bottom and tied around the neck. I had never felt anything this soft. At least, when it came to clothing that is. A flash of Breaker’s hands on my skin broke my train of thought.

Before Rána and the other’s left, she said Manaan must have picked out my dress to match my eyes. While, I’m not a fan of feeling like a bird in a cage I do appreciate the kindness he’s shown me. He didn’t try to run me down masquerading as a giant bear or wrap his tongue around me. Admittedly that last part wasn’t so bad. Heat ran across my face. Nope, don't go there. So far he was nothing like Breaker. He seemed the curious type and that was something I could relate to. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that a rage brewed under his politeness and that if I wasn't careful - I could easily sail right into it. In that regard he was more dangerous than Breaker ever was. I shook my head clearing away the thought.

I ran my hands over my dress. This must be what royalty feels like everyday. I sighed and looked back through the glass window. Thankfully, that terrifying fish was gone. It was just me and the ever flowing plant life under the glow of water. Lock flew down from the fixture and landed on my shoulder pulling at my hair. "Ow, what is it Lock?" I said tugging him down into my arms.

“You look good,” a voice said from behind me. I froze for a moment before turning around. There was Breaker sitting on the bed with a sly grin on his face. “Gods they took forever. I thought they’d never leave,” he said running his hand through the back of his hair as he stretched.

“Breaker!” Waves of emotions came crashing down around me and without thinking I ran to him burying my head into his chest. Lock hovered above us. “It was you, you idiot!”

“Hey now!” He replied with his arms raised up in shock.

Tears fell down my cheek.

“Listen, don’t cry. Why are you crying?” He asked confused.

“I thought you left me,” I turned my gaze towards his staring into his eyes.

A pained expression fell over his face and he gently lowered his hands wrapping them around me. “Calm down, I didn’t leave. I had to change forms so they’d think I got away. Glad I did too, getting out of here is going to take some work since Manaan seems fond of you,” he said - a hint of venom slipping through his words.