Vanished Sisters: The Lycan King's Slave Island Chapter 117

Natasha's POV

"Yes you can," Lucy interrupted. Her voice firm. "You're my friends. My only real friends in this horrible place. Please. Let me help make your new rooms more comfortable."

She pressed the items into Davelina's arms. Then pulled us both into a hug.

"Be safe," she whispered. "Both of you. And visit me. Please. I don't want to lose you completely."

"We will," I promised. "As often as we can. I swear."

"And if you need anything," Davelina added, "you come find us. Day or night. We'll help however we can."

Lucy smiled. But tears were gathering in her eyes. "Now go. Before the guards start their midnight rounds. And before I start crying for real."

---

We gathered our meager belongings quickly. Everything we owned fit into a single bundle.

A change of clothes each. The thin blankets from our cots. A comb. A few ribbons. The precious items Lucy had given us.

That was it. Our entire lives in one small package.

Davelina carried it as I led the way through the fortress. Following the directions Fergus had given me.

East wing. Third floor. Near the forbidden corridor.

We passed a few night servants. They glanced at us but said nothing. Two slaves moving through the halls wasn't unusual enough to question.

And then we found it.

Two wooden doors. Side by side. Simple but sturdy.

I tried the first door. It opened easily.

And inside—

Davelina gasped.

The room was small. Maybe ten feet by twelve. But it had everything we'd been denied for weeks.

A real bed. With a mattress. Pillows. Clean blankets.

A small table and chair.

A washbasin with fresh water.

A mirror hanging on the wall.

And—most amazing—a fireplace. Already laid with wood.

"This is ours?" Davelina whispered. She stepped inside slowly. As if afraid the room might disappear. "This is really ours?"

"Yes," I said. "This one or the one next door. We can choose."

I checked the second room. It was nearly identical. Just mirrored.

"They're the same," I reported.

Davelina walked around the first room. Touching things gently. The bed. The table. The mirror.

"There's a real bed," she said. Her voice breaking.

She turned to me. Tears streaming down her face. "I never thought we'd have anything like this again. After they took us. After everything that's happened. I thought we'd spend the rest of our lives in those horrible barracks."

I joined her. Put my arm around her. "We're going to be okay. We're together. We're safe. That's what matters."

"Come on," I said gently. "Let's decide who gets which room. And unpack. And maybe light these fires before we freeze."

Davelina wiped her eyes. Nodded. "I'll take this one. If that's okay."

"Perfect," I agreed. "Then I'll take the other."

We spent the next hour settling in. Dividing our few possessions. Making up the beds with Lucy's extra blankets.

I was just finishing when I heard voices in the corridor.

Heavy footsteps. Male voices.

*Guards.*

Fear spiked through me. I went to my door. Opened it cautiously.

Two Lycan guards stood in the hallway. Young. Maybe mid-twenties. Looking at our doors with suspicion.

One of them noticed me. His eyes narrowed. "You. What are you doing here? This wing is restricted to slaves."

My heart pounded. But I forced myself to stay calm.

I pulled out the housing document Fergus had given me. Extended it toward the guard.

"Lord Fergus granted us permission to occupy these chambers," I said. Voice steady despite my fear. "We're authorized to be here."

The guard took the document. Read it carefully. His expression shifted from suspicion to surprise.

"This bears Lord Fergus's seal," he said.

"Yes," I confirmed. "He arranged for me and my sister to move here. We're not causing trouble. Just settling in for the night."

The second guard leaned over to examine the document. Grunted. "It's legitimate."

The first guard handed it back. His manner had changed. Still not friendly. But no longer hostile.

"Very well. You're cleared to be here. But stay in your rooms unless you have specific business elsewhere. No wandering. Understood?"

"Yes, sir," I said. "We understand."

The guards continued their patrol. Disappeared around the corner.

I stepped back into my room. Closed the door. Leaned against it.

*Fergus's orders are being respected. We're actually safe here.*

Davelina appeared in my doorway. "What did they want?"

"Just checking that we're supposed to be here," I said. "I showed them the document. They left."

Relief crossed her face. "So we're really allowed. This is real."

"Yes," I said. "It's real."

She came into my room. Sat on my bed. Looked around at the simple furnishings.

"This is so strange," she said quietly. "Having our own space. Being treated almost like... like people instead of property."

"I know," I agreed. Sat beside her. "But Davelina, you need to understand—this is conditional. Temporary."

She looked at me sharply. "What do you mean?"

"Lord Fergus gave us these rooms because he wants me to help with the King. To try to keep Mordred calm. If I can't do that—if I fail—we'll lose this. Be sent back to the barracks."

"Then we won't fail," Davelina said firmly. She took my hand. "We'll figure out what the King needs. Whatever it takes to keep him calm. To keep us safe here."

I squeezed her hand. Didn't tell her about the other dangers. About people who might try to kill me. About the impossible task I'd actually agreed to.

*She doesn't need to know. Not yet. Let her have this one night of peace.*

"You should get some sleep," I said. "It's late. And tomorrow—"

"Tomorrow you start working with the King," Davelina finished. "I know. I'm scared for you, Natasha."

"Don't be," I said. Tried to sound confident. "I'll be careful. I'll be fine."

She hugged me. Tight. "Come get me if you need anything. Anything at all. I'm right next door."

"I will," I promised.

She stood. Moved toward her own room. Paused in the doorway.

"Natasha?"

"Yes?"

"I love you. You know that, right?"

My throat tightened. "I love you too. Always."

She smiled. Then went to her room. Closed the door softly.