Chapter 6 BLOOD ON THE LINEN

Ravenna's ears itched at the mention of "consummation." Her gaze scrutinized Lady Melaina, who avoided eye contact. Melaina's beauty and youthful appearance accompanied her poised demeanor.

"Consummation ceremony, you say?" Ravenna asked, raising an eyebrow.

Melaina's voice was silky smooth. "Yes, my lady. Consummation ceremony."

Ravenna knew the term's meaning but wondered why it required a ceremony. "Why is it a ceremony? Do we have to do it in front of everyone?"

Melaina's laughter was soft. "You are quite funny, my lady. No, you don't have to do it in front of everyone. I think it's called a ceremony because it's special."

Special? Sharing a bed with Zariel, a man she barely knew, made her skin crawl. She wouldn't do it. She would feign sickness. She would lock herself in. She would....

Melaina interrupted Ravenna's thoughts. "My lady, the coronation starts in a few minutes. I need to get you ready."

Ravenna smiled and rose from the bed, beginning to undress. Melaina looked away, fidgeting with her dress.

Ravenna chuckled. "You know I'm a woman like you; no need to look away."

Melaina's eyes remained fixed on the fabric. "You're the Queen, my lady. I shouldn't be looking."

Ravenna admired Melaina's politeness. "It's alright. I'm just a woman like you." A woman forced to be someone's queen, she thought.

Melaina prepared the bath, adding sweet smelling liquids into the water.

Ravenna inhaled the sweet scent. " What are those?"

" Special ground oils, my lady. I asked the court alchemist to mix it specially for you."

Ravenna's curiosity piqued. "There's a court alchemist?"

Melaina nodded. "Yes, your majesty."

As Ravenna bathed, she relaxed into the warm water and sweet scents. "I shall love to meet him."

Afterward, Ravenna paced the chamber, robe-clad and uncertain about what to wear. "Mother would have made me wear yellow."

Melaina suggested, "I don't think yellow suits you, my lady."

Ravenna smiled, finding a kindred spirit. "What do you think?"

Melaina proposed, "Red."

They said it in unison. Ravenna laughed, eyes gleaming. "I think we would get along just fine."

Melaina's shy smile reappeared. "Thank you, your majesty."

Ravenna's coronation attire was decided – a stunning red gown. With Melaina's help, she prepared for the ceremony, her anxiety slightly alleviated by the gentle lady-in-waiting.

The coronation ceremony passed swiftly, and Ravenna found herself seated beside Zariel at the celebration dinner. Her crown weighed heavily on her head, a constant reminder of her new role. The hall buzzed with court members wining, dining, and engaging in lively conversations. Melaina stood faithfully by Ravenna's side, while Percival mingled with the other men, enjoying himself.

Ravenna noticed Zariel's excessive drinking, his cup constantly refilled by the servant. His eyes grew glassy, and his smile twisted. Ravenna stared at him, irritated.

Vulgar jokes about the consummation ceremony circulated among the men, but Ravenna pretended not to hear. Zariel's gaze met hers, and he leaned in, his wine-stained breath washing over her.

"I haven't told you, but you look ravishing tonight, my Queen," he slurred.

Ravenna stiffened, repulsed by his drunken state.

"Have some wine, Ravenna; it'll help relax you. You're so tensed and uptight," Zariel suggested, motioning for the servant to pour wine into her cup.

Ravenna brought the cup to her lips, but the aroma was off. Something was added to the wine. She set the thought aside for now, focusing on escaping the hall.

Her gaze drifted to a striking woman with fiery red hair and piercing green eyes, seated at the far end of the table.

"Who is that woman? The one with the red hair?" Ravenna whispered to Melaina.

Melaina glanced at the woman before quickly looking away. "That is Lady Morgana."

Ravenna's curiosity piqued. "Why is she looking at me like that?"

Melaina's reply in whispers, "Oh, she used to sit closer to the king during festivities like this one. She is rumored to be the king's mistress."

Ravenna's eyes sparkled with interest. If she kept Zariel at arm's length, perhaps he would turn his attention back to Lady Morgana.

Ravenna stood, clearing her throat to gain attention. "Dear people of Cestria, I want to thank you all for celebrating me as your Queen. However, my night is far spent; I shall retire now. Please excuse me."

Zariel's gaze lingered on Ravenna as she departed the hall with Melaina following closely behind.

Ravenna collapsed onto her bed, her crown tumbling off. "That was a lot," she exhaled.

Melaina smiled reassuringly. "You did very well, my lady."

As Melaina began to undo the laces of Ravenna's corset, she asked, "How does the consummation ceremony work?"

Melaina's face flushed, and she remained silent.

Ravenna turned, raising an eyebrow. "Well?"

Melaina stuttered, "I...uh...It's...it's not really in my place to tell you, my lady."

Ravenna pressed, "Why not?"

Melaina's laughter was shy. "My mother says it's best to find out from your husband instead. She says he's the one to start the ceremony, and you just follow."

Ravenna's skepticism grew. "What if it isn't what you want?"

Melaina's response was dreamy. "Oh, my lady, it's what every maiden wants."

Ravenna's thoughts rebelled. Well, good thing she wasn't every maiden. She was Ravenna Valois, with her own desires.

"How old are you, Melaina?" Ravenna asked.

"Twenty and one, your majesty."

Two years younger than Ravenna.

Ravenna sighed, longing for freedom. How she wanted to ride, feel the wind in her hair.

Percival seemed to be having a better time than she was.

Melaina left Ravenna to her thoughts as she prepared another bath. Ravenna's mind whirled with worries about the consummation ceremony.

"Melaina?" Ravenna called out.

"Yes, my lady?"

"Help me get out of this gown."

As Melaina assisted, Ravenna's resolve strengthened. She would find a way to avoid sharing Zariel's bed.

The bath's warm waters enveloped Ravenna, but her thoughts remained turbulent. She knew what she didn't want – Zariel's touch.

With Melaina's help, Ravenna found herself bathed in no time. Melaina perfumed and oiled her carefully. This only made Ravenna feel like a goose about to be roasted or made into stew. Melaina called servants to help clear the bath water.

" So what now? Is the King in his chamber?" Ravenna asked as she adjusted her gown.

Melaina smiled shyly, " You'll go into his chamber and wait, my lady. He will join you and you must welcome him with smiles and your scent. Don't worry, these scents are just as beautiful as you."

This wasn't helping at all. She was to wait like some sacrificial lamb?

"Anything else?" Ravenna asked, trying to picture the worse.

"Well, there is going to be a white bed linen. It is for the ceremony. It will hold your virginal blood. A proof of your purity."

Ravenna rolled her eyes at this.

Melaina held her hand as they walked to her door. Just as they were about to step out, Percival came walking by. He saw the way she was dressed and the heavy scents on her. He knew just what was about to happen and his heart broke. He squeezed Ravenna's shoulder.

"Don't worry, you'll be fine." He said to her.

Ravenna nodded as she and Melaina continued walking to Zariel's chamber.

Melaina gave her a reassuring nod. Ravenna sighed and went in. The chamber was bigger than hers and her eyes spotted the white bed linen Melaina had spoken about. Zariel wasn't in the chamber yet.

She looked around the chamber. The moonlight cast it glows inside. She didn't know what to do. She closed her eyes and imagined what her mother would have said.

"Suck it up. You are about to become a woman!" She heard the voice in her head.

Anger suddenly filled her insides. Why must she become a woman by sharing bed with Zariel?

She walked to the window and looked down. It was high, but she needed to escape. She looked around the chamber for something she could use as rope.

The door creaked open amd Zariel staggered inside. He looked up and saw her by the window, a crooked smile formed on his lips.

"Is my beloved wife about to escape again?" He slurred.

Ravenna was irritated by the sight of him. The drunk him.

Zariel staggered to where she stood and grabbed her firmly by the arm. " Come here, wife."

Ravenna struggled to free herself from his grip. "Let me go!"

"No! You are my wife and you'll perform your wifely duties." They were close to the bed now and Zariel tried to kiss her but she refused, moving her head backwards.

"Stop being stubborn!" Zariel pushed her and she fell on the bed, her gown raising to reveal her thighs.

Zariel's eyes sparkled with lust. "That's more like it." He gave her his crooked smile. Ravenna's heart began to race, fear taking over her. There was suddenly nowhere to move. Zariel climbed the bed, on top of her.

Ravenna closed her eyes, anticipating his next move. But there was nothing.

No movement.

Gentle snoring.

The rogue King had fallen asleep on top of her!

"Oh gods!" Ravenna groaned as she pushed him off her body. Zariel tumbled to the other side, still snoring.

Something caught Ravenna's eyes. There was a swelling in his trousers. She looked closely at the swelling. She wondered if it was due to her kicking his groin in Valtoria. She reached out and touched it. It was rock hard and Zariel let out a sound, some groan. Ravenna quickly took her hand off him.

She stared at his sleeping face. So peaceful and beautiful. Her eyes kept going back to the swelling. The white bed linen was still there. She remembered Melaina's words.

She needed to do something. The linen needed blood. She thought of pouring wine on it but as she looked around the chamber and found a small knife lying on the large table, a different thought came to mind. She quickly took the knife and thought of cutting herself.

Ravenna raised her gown up, revealing her thighs. She grabbed a pillow and bit on to it as she made a cut. It stung her badly but it did produce blood, enough for the linen. She dabbed the linen on her wound and laid back for a little while.

When she was sure it was way past midnight, she snuck out of the chamber, limping and using her gown to hold her injured thigh lest she dropped blood on the floors.