The Skin Thief

Chapter 61

Kiora

The emperor doesn't call on Kiora for two weeks after the revelation about her age. By the beginning of the third week, all the wives are laughing at her.

"He must have grown bored of you, Lady Kiora," Arabella says to her as they sit in the gardens. Illyria laughs and playfully slaps Arabella on the shoulder.

"Enough, Lady Arabella," she says, her voice sickly sweet. "We don't know the emperor's motives for his sudden lack of interest in our newest sister and who are we to even question him?"

Kiora hangs her head in shame and tries to ignore them as they continue to giggle at her expense.

"The novelty has worn off. That is all," Lady Beatrix says. They laugh. Again. The cruel sound makes Kiora cringe and her lips quiver as she tries to bite back her tears.

"I wonder who he will call upon tonight," Arabella sighs dreamily.

"Illyria, of course," Beatrix replies.

"Oh, don't be silly, I'm sure he'll call on Beatrix tonight. After all, it is their fifth wedding anniversary," Illyria replies and reaches out squeezing Beatrix's hand. Beatrix blushes slightly and giggles excitedly to herself.

"Five wonderful years," she says and smiles widely at her sisters.

"Indeed," Illyria replies.

"How long have you all been wives?" Kiora asks, trying to involve herself in a conversation and turn said conversation away from her as much as possible.

They all turn to her. Lady Uzrena rolls her eyes and Arabella smirks. Kiora bites her tongue, resisting the urge to snap at them.

She had asked a simple question. That is all.

"I can't believe we haven't had this conversation yet," Illyria says and smiles beautifully. "It must have slipped our minds."

It didn't slip their minds. Kiora knows that. They just don't bother talking to her. Her chest pangs with loneliness. Though she may not show it, even to herself, she is hurt by the lack of attention from the emperor. Her dinners with him and their debates were the only things she looked forward to in this wretched place. Now it's gone and she doesn't know why.

She curses herself for talking about her age. Is that why he's suddenly rejected her? Is she too old for him?

Tears sting her eyes again and she swallows a lump in her throat and tries to push them away. There is no way she's going to cry in front of the wives.

"I have been the emperor's wife for eleven years," Illyria says. Kiora's eyes widen. For some reason, she wasn't expecting that. Then again, she's not sure what she's expecting.

"Then comes Lady Arabella, at nine years, Lady Uzrena at eight years, Lady Beatrix at five, Lady Dido at Three and finally you."

"So you're the first wife?" Kiora asks.

They laugh at her like her question is the most stupid thing they've ever heard.

Kiora clenches her fists in frustration, but somehow, manages to keep her anger from her face. It takes all her focus to keep her smile looking as easy and carefree as possible.

"Of course not," Uzrena says, shaking her head. "We are all replacements."

"Upgrades," Lady Illyria smirks and the wives giggle again at her comments.

Kiora hates that sound. It is insufferable. It makes her shudder and cringe with its awful, obvious, shallow fakeness. Yet, she joins in, forcing the high-pitched giggle out of her mouth and hating herself in the process.