Page 71 of Born for Silk
In the Silk House, we also had the colour codes. I’ve become conditioned to them without knowing.
He didn’t come last night.
That’s fine.
Pouting my disappointment, I sit up and instantly see something strange floating on the closed door. At first, my breath catches, and I think it’s a person. Then I realise it’s a black dress hanging on the silvery hook.
Sliding the golden sheet to the side, I rub my eyes until they focus. I walk to the dress and run my fingers down the line of black lace buttons sewn vertically down the centre.
It’s for me to wear today. Growing up in the Silk Aviary meant waking to many dresses hung on the backs of doors.
I ready myself, wash and dress in the mournful black outfit, and walk from my room into The Circle.
Instantly, I’m stilled by the sight of the five Watchers, standing in a line with their hands clasped together, their expressions sombre and serious, and their pleated trousers and neat shirts also black.
The other Silk Girls stand quietly opposite their Watcher, so I head to Paisley and stop in front of her.
“What’s going on?” I ask, peering down the line.
“We were just waiting for you,” Ana’s Watcher says.
“We have some terrible news to share,” Paisley offers, sadness curling her lips down.
“And such awful timing for you,” Blossom’s Watcher adds sweetly, shaking her head in slow sorrowful waves.
Iris’s Watcher, the tallest of all of us, the broadest, too, steps forward from the others. “I am afraid that Lord Darwin of the Half-tower has passed. He has returned to The Crust. He is at peace. Today we mourn for him in black like our ancestors have done for thousands of years.”
Ana covers her gasp.
“I know.” Iris’s Watcher takes a big breath in. “I want you all to rest assured that even though this is a tragedy we do not wish to take away from the living and what they experience.”
The blood in the banquet hall.
“What you girls are doing for The Cradle will remain our priority and yours,” she goes on. “So, please remember how important you are. Especially now when you have them inside you. You are expected to eat all your breakfast, even though, I know grief can affect hunger, you will need extra nutrients after last night. Please focus on your bodies and help them bloom.”
Wait. What did she say?
I feel the blood drain from my cheeks. I whip my eyes up to Paisley, and she looks evasively at the floor between us, avoiding my stare of pure scrutiny and dread.
“Paisley?” I whisper, too quiet for the others to hear.
Daisy’s Watcher starts talking. “During breakfast, each girl will be taken to Master Cairo for inspection. Your first night with a lord can leave pain and discomfort and any tenderness needs to be treated immediately.
“After your visit with Master Cairo, we will organise a mineral bath and massage for you should your body ache. Anything we can do to help for tonight.”
As my stomach sinks with the weight of envy, the nasty unseemly monster, it hits me— I presumed that he chose me. That last night was his way of showing me that he had chosen me to be his Silk Girl, but it was an apology and nothing more.
No. No. It can’t be. What about: ‘I’m going to keep you.’ ‘You will be safe.’ ‘You’re mine.’
Blossom’s Watcher nods, her voice is smooth like honey, but the words sting me like a bee. “The second and third nights are often the most painful, and we will do anything and everything to make sure you’re comfortable so you can take your lord successfully.”
“Paisley,” I mutter again.
She doesn’t look up. She knows. My vows hammer my chest and heart to pulp: his indifference toward me would be my greatest failure.
“You must relax. That is very important.”
“Your lord needs your natural lubricants.”