Chapter 9

The Aftermath

Bella woke up some hours later in great pain. Her body felt sore as if she had been doing heavy labor and her head was pounding. But the most prominent pain was between her legs. That's when she remembered what happened. She sat up immediately and noticed she wasn't chained anymore. She also realized she wasn't naked anymore, dressed in a pale blue nightgown. The room she was in was luxurious. It was large, as was the bed she was in, and open with large windows letting in the morning sun, a beautiful large vanity off to the side of the room, and a balcony that looked like a rose garden and fountain.

"Good morning, My Lady" Bella heard from the other side of the room, where an older woman stood holding some towels.

"Who are you," she demanded

"My name is Angela Salana ma'am. I've been charged as your chief lady by the Lord of this castle," Angela told her as she set the towels on the bed next to Bella.

"My Chief Lady," Bella asked her.

"Yes ma'am. I and the other Ladies assigned to you are here to serve you and see to your every comfort," Angela told her.

"If you are my servant then I command you show me the way out of here," Bella commanded as she tossed the covers off her body and stood up, despite the pain she felt doing so.

"I am sorry ma'am, but I cannot do that. The barrier surrounding the ground prevents anyone here to leave without permission from the Lord," Angela responded.

Bella took a frustrated breath before asking, "And just who is the Lord you serve".

"Forgive me once again My Lady but I am under strict orders to not reveal the identity of the Lord until he returns from his mission," Angela told her.

"Let me see if I understand. You are here to serve me, but you will not do the first two things I command of you?! Do you know who I am?! I assure you I rank higher than whomever the mystery lord of yours is," Bella screamed at the woman.

Angela showed no emotion as her mistress yelled at her. "Such is not my concern My Lady who you are or where you are from ma'am. I am here to serve you, yes but I am also a loyal servant of The Lord. I cannot and will not go against his orders and if he commands me to keep you here and not tell you his name then that is what I'll do," Angela told her looking Bella straight in the eyes.

Bella was furious! If she had access to her magic, she would have incinerated the bitch for her insolence! How dare she speak to her in this manner! Before Bella could give a tongue lashing the doors opened and three more women walked into the room wearing the same white attire as Angela.

"My Lady this is Lady Lauren, Lady Jessica, and my daughter Lady Nessa. These ladies will assist you with your everyday needs," Angela said as the three ladies curtsied to her.

"Good morning, ma'am," the three of them said.

"Good morning," Bella said to them quietly.

"Lady Lauren and Jessica will escort you to the bathhouse so that you can freshen up for the day and Nessa and I will change the sheets on the bed and have breakfast brought up for you once you're done," Angela said, clapping her hands signaling the ladies to spring into action. Lauren grabbed hold of Bella and led her out to the bathhouse, as Angela and Nessa tended to the bed.

Bella stood to the side as one of the ladies, Lauren, tested the water's temperature and Jessica added scented herbs to it.

"The water is ready My Lady," Lauren said motioning for Bella to get in the bath.

Bella didn't respond as she moved to get inside. The tub itself was large, even larger than the one she had back home, and the warm water was soothing to her aching body. Bella stiffen as Lauren approached her with a towel.

"What are you doing," Bella asked, forcing Lauren to stop.

"Helping you bath ma'am," Lauren responded.

"I do not need your help! Leave me, I can bathe myself" Bella said, harshly. The thought of more strangers or anyone else touching her made her sick to her stomach.

"Of course, My Lady, forgive me. We will wait outside until you are done. Come, Jessica," Lauren said, understanding why the Lady didn't want anyone touching her.

Once she was left alone, Bella started to silently sob. How could she have been so foolish! Her mother was right, she didn't know anything about the world and just how cruel it could be. she didn't want those women to see her broken. So, she would cry here in the bath alone and once she was done, she would show no weakness, no fear.

Bella dried her tears, washed her body and hair quickly, and stepped out of the bath to dry herself off. She grabbed the long colorful silk robe that was folded on the side of the room, put it on quickly, and wrapped her hair up in a towel to dry. The robe was beautiful, it looked like something she would wear at home. But if Jasper thought he would temper her revulsion of him with beautiful gifts, he thought wrong. She opened the door of the bath where the two ladies were waiting for her.

"Tell me, what city are we in," Bella asked the two of them.

They both looked at each other before Jessica responded, "We're in Blackwell City ma'am,". Angela didn't say they couldn't reveal their location.

Blackwell City? Bella had never heard of such a place.

"Are we still in Keegan," Bella asked.

"Keegan, ma'am?" Jessica asked looking at Lauren confused.

"Yes, Keegan! Are we at least close to it," Bella huffed, slowly losing her patience.

"Forgive me ma'am, but we have never heard of such a place," Lauren said.

"What," Bella said softly. They've never heard of Keegan! Her homeland! Where in the hell did Jasper send her?!

"That was it. I am sorry I can't give you any more information," Lord Jasper said. He was sitting in his father's study speaking with Commander Laurent, a male and female guard, and his father. The Commander was questioning him on the incident with Bella and the Ice Gardens.

"Tell me, Lord Jasper, what convinced you to approach the princess with a suit knowing that Her Majesty had already decreed that she is to marry Lord Avani of the Rock," Laurent asked.

"I know that it was foolish to do so, and like I told Her Grace, I regret my actions. I in no way wish to go against what my sovereign has commanded. Which is why I threw myself at the princess's feet and begged for mercy," Lord Jasper said. Laurent showed no outward response to Lord Jasper's statement. They came here under the impression of wanting to interrogate Lord Jasper about his words to the princess, not the fact that she was missing.

"Surly Commander, words between two passionate young nobles doesn't require the attention of the Black Magicians," Kalan said nervously.

"Your son has offended the Crown Princess. The Queen has commanded that an example be made," Laurent said watching Jasper's reaction. There wasn't one. He looked at Jane and nodded.

"Please Commander. Her Majesty knows that our family, our entire clan are her loyal subjects and wouldn't think to-

Kalan stopped speaking when his son suddenly fell backward and screamed out in pain.

"Jasper!" he screamed moving toward his son but was stopped by Laurent.

"Don't Lord Kalan," Laurent said keeping his eyes on Jasper as he grabbed his head in agony and banged it against the floor.

"Please commander, please stop! Have mercy," Kalan begged for his son until he saw what was happening. He watched as his son twitched and shifted in unnatural ways and morph into something else.

"What the hell is that," Kalan said in disbelief.

"Just as I suspected. A shifter," Laurent said as he watched 'Jasper' change into the small green imp still moaning in pain.

"That's enough Jane. I would see what this creature knows," Laurent said as he grabbed the creature by its neck.

"Tell me Shifter, where is Lord Jasper, and why have you assumed his identity," Laurent asked the creature. It didn't respond but spit in Laurent's face. Laurent looked at the saliva drip down his cheek and smiled.

"Hakam, take the creature and tie him to the stallions outside. We're taking it with us," Laurent said as he threw Jahan toward Hakam. He picked it up and walked out the door.

"That…that thing! Where is my son," Kalan said as he came out of his shock.

"Calm yourself, My Lord" Laurent said not turning to face him.

"Calm myself?! How can you expect me to be calm when-

"Lord Kalan," a seductive voice called him, compelling him to turn and face it. Jane looked at him with a sweet smile and walked up to him.

"Hush now it's all right. Your son is just fine why don't you sit at your desk, continue your business with the clan and forget all about us being here? Hmm doesn't that sound good," Jane asked him taking his hand.

"Yes. Yes, it does," Kalan said, unable to break away from her eyes.

"Good. Now be a good boy and have a seat at your desk now," Jane told him and pushed him to the desk.

"Well done, Jane," Laurent said. Jane was invaluable to the Black Magicians. Her power of compulsion was unmatched by anyone in the kingdom. She was an orphan child that Laurent took under his wing when he saw her potential twelve years ago.

"Thank you, Commander. What's our next move," Jane asked.

"Now we question the shifter and find out what he knows. I don't know if Jasper is a willing participant or not, but he is involved," Laurent responded.

"What about Lady Rosalina? Should we question her as well," Jane asked as they left Kalan's study.

"If Lady Rosalina is studying with the Sanators then she wouldn't have had the time to consult with her brother in any plots, but we will make our way there to ensure she's there and not in hiding like Jasper," Laurent responded. Once outside they watched as Hakam threw the shifter, now tied out with enchanted chains and gagged, onto a stallion.

"Let's move out," Laurent said as he mounted his horse and took off.

Bella sat at the table on the balcony, waiting for her meal to be brought to her. She looked at the garden outside and saw how beautiful it was. If she wasn't being held against her will, she may have enjoyed having such a lovely view. She heard the double doors open and Lady Angela and her daughter carried two trays.

"Here you are, My Lady" Lady Nessa said cheerfully as she set the warm teapot on the table.

Bella didn't respond to the girl. While she was pleasant and under any other circumstances, she would have been pleased to meet her, she wasn't in the mood to be nice. However, she couldn't bring herself to be mean to her either as it wasn't her fault what happened to her.

Bella watched as the girl poured the tea into a glass for her. She grabbed the glass and sniffed it.

"What kind of tea is this," Bella asked not recognizing the scent.

"Sweet Adish, My Lady. It's a favorite around these lands," Nessa said to her.

Bella decided to give it a try as she took a small sip. Oh, it was sweet!

"It is good. What's in this," Bella asked her.

"It's a special blend of herds and fruit ma'am. I am glad you like it," Angela said as she sat her food tray in front of her. Bella looked at the tray in disbelief.

"What…. what is this," Bella asked, anger simmering beneath her tone.

"Raspberry scones, a grapefruit, and blueberry parfait ma'am. It's what the Lord ordered the cooks to make for you," Nessa said to her.

Bella knew what it was but was shocked at the audacity! This was a traditional meal of her family for newlywedded couples. Was this Jasper's way of saying he considered them to be in some sick union?! How dare he! It was bad enough that he took her and raped her but then he insults her and her culture by assuming she was okay with this! Bella turned the tray and teapot over, causing both ladies to jump back in surprise.

She didn't say anything as she stormed back into the room and slammed the doors. Nessa looked at her mother.

"Mother, what did I do? I didn't mean to offend the mistress," Nessa asked, close to tears. Displeasing the lady of the castle could be grounds for execution.

"Hush child it's all right. You did nothing wrong. Don't worry I will deal with the mistress," Angela said to her daughter as they both walked back into the room.

Bella was laying on the bed facing away from them both. She didn't care if it was rude what she did. She was just so angry and disgusted at Jasper's action to assume them to be together.

"My Lady, I understand that you are angry, and you have every right to be so. But you must eat and keep your strength up," Angela said to her back.

"Do not think to make demands of me wench. Go away I do not wish to be disturbed," Bella responded.

"Please, ma'am. If not for yourself think of the child you carry," Angela said.