Chapter 11: This Will Take Getting Used To

FREYA

“How did you sleep, Freya?” Lonan sounded like he was in a good mood.

“Like a babe in a warm nest, of course.” Freya tried to match his tone, but she could hear some sarcasm in her voice. She’d woken multiple times during the night due to horrendous dreams.

“I’ll have my first council meeting today. Afterward, there will be a large Gathering to welcome us. You’re expected to be there.” Lonan put aside his empty breakfast dish to look solemnly at his daughter.

She could see his concern for her was genuine. He knew Freya didn’t like being stared at in public. But it wasn’t like they could ignore the summons.

“I’m sure the noble hens need something new to gossip about. Who am I to deny them the pleasure?” Freya groaned and leaned back in her seat. She wished her father could protect her from this. Raga always said her parents loved her. But with her mother disappeared into herself, and her father so busy with work, she felt alone.

“I’m sorry, Freya. This will take some getting used to. The nobles need to have their eyes opened to see there’s nothing wrong with you. There never has been!” He took a deep breath. “The physician will be here with a handmaiden soon. He’ll be seeing to your mother first, and then to you. A simple exam, I’m sure. To check that there’s nothing wrong with your back.”

“Father, I can’t.” She didn’t like the idea of some strange doctor touching her.

“You have to. Then the handmaid will help dress you for the Gathering at the palace.”

“A Gathering at the palace?” This was getting worse and worse. “Yesterday we lived at the edge of the village and now I’m expected to wear silky gowns and parade about the palace? This is too much for me! Father, I can’t do this. Please do something.” Freya felt overwhelmed.

“Freya, you have to. I went to Gatherings at the palace as a young soldier. There’s nothing to them. You walk around and chat with your neighbors and have a few drinks. I know Raga told you about the few she went to. She always had fun.” He sighed and gave a small smile at the mention of his eldest.

“Well, I’m not Raga, and I never will be. I’m the freak of our entire race and I’ll be a laughingstock at this stupid party. Why yes, Lady Hen, no wings are the current fashion!” Freya huffed and crossed her arms across her chest.

His face flattened. “I will expect you to be on your best behavior for this event. I’m sorry this is hard for you, but our family needs this! You’re right, you’re not Raga, but you will contribute to your family just the same.” Lonan stood abruptly from the table and reached for the robe draped over the back of the chair. Her father’s stomping echoed through the halls until he was gone.

It seemed only moments later a young girl was following a physician in through the front door. Freya took the elder physician to her mother, and then the young handmaid set on Freya with the bags she had brought.

“I’m so excited to meet you, Freya. I help dress many of the wives and daughters for Gatherings, but to dress one with no wings is a first.” Her bright eyes glimmered as though she was looking at a new toy instead of a person.

“My name is Kestrel. I’m from a family of seamstresses and clothmakers for the royal family and high nobles. It’s my honor to dress you. I volunteered. I wanted to be the first to dress the newest Councilman’s daughter.”

The seamstress tools Kestrel brought were littered around Freya’s room as her measurements were taken. She was made to try on the new clothing that had been left for her. All of the new clothing had the normal open-back design the Adaryn wore to keep their wings free.

Then the doctor was at the door. Kestrel’s feathers ruffled as she had to pause her work.

“My name is Lark,” the elder physician said. He had streaky brown plumage. “I’ve been healing the nobles for nearly as long as I can remember.”

Freya was grateful that Kestrel stayed in the room. She waited to be told that the doctor needed to see her naked, so he could examine her privates. But all he wanted was to look at her back.

She hadn’t been seen by a physician since the scars had healed on her back and her feathers had grown over them. Freya knew at the time the hope was that she wouldn’t survive. She knew that was what the community wanted, and she never knew if her parents meant it when they said they wanted her to live.

The doctor’s wrinkled hands were gentle as he explored Freya’s back. She could feel him looking at the hidden scars and examining the feel of muscle along her shoulders to the base of her spine. He didn’t talk much and worked fast. He seemed kind.

Lark soon left the girls alone, seemingly fine with his examination’s results.

“Now that the old man is gone, I can get you in the gown I’ve picked! As this is your first time at a Gathering, I think it only fair we draw a bit of attention to you,” Kestrel chirped excitedly.

“Attention is usually drawn to me even without a fancy dress. Do you have anything plain?” Freya was feeling even more dread as the seamstress worked.

“Don’t worry, Freya. This dress will be worth their attention. You’ll be beautiful.”

It was a dress of black crushed velvet. The neck was high, and the sleeves were long enough to reach the back of her knuckles. Freya felt as if she was nearly suffocating in the tight black material trailing to the floor with a single slit revealing more leg than she was used to. Where the cutout in the back had been for wings, Kestrel had sewn in white lace detailed with flowery shapes.

Her work was impressive, but Freya didn’t feel right in it. She looked at herself in the mirror as Kestrel did her hair. Everything looked good but felt wrong.

“You’ve been wonderful to work with. Your knowledge of sewing is impressive.” Kestrel was complimenting Freya as she began to pack up her tools.

“I used to sew blankets and coats with my mother for those living at the edges of the colony. She used to make beautiful quilts.” Freya trailed off, wondering if her mother was ever going to get better. She was getting so thin, and she had stopped speaking. She barely even noticed Freya. It was getting harder to spend time with her.

In the corner of her eye, Freya saw her favorite childhood blanket on her new bed that her mother had so lovingly crafted many years ago.

“I’d very much enjoy working with you again. Between you and me, you’re much nicer than the other nobles’ daughters.” There was a sparkle of mischief in the young seamstress’ eyes as she gently took Freya’s hand to shake in parting. “Good luck tonight, Freya.” She turned, and her chestnut brown wings carried her away.

She felt like she’d need luck. She hadn’t seen Aurik in what felt like a long time. Where was he? Had the Council decided to prepare for war? That would be keeping him busy. Maybe he’d already been sent to prepare for battle.

If not, he’d be there tonight. She would have to see him across the room, and then she’d know whether he really was able to be her friend.

~It’s not his fault if he can’t come talk to you~, she told herself. He has to think of his family. They shouldn’t be seen with outcasts like her.

Probably she’d just be standing alone, as people watched her and talked about her. She tried to brace herself.