Chapter Sixteen
It took longer than expected to comb through the knots in my hair.
Perhaps it was due to the fact that I was using my fingers, but I didn’t have any other choice.
I only had one change of clothes up my sleeve.
Thankfully, there was a fire burning in the hearth, and I could hang my current dress to dry.
The bottom was drenched in mud, but there wasn’t much that could be done for that.
I’d have to let it dry on and then try cracking it off later.
Smoothing the dress I now wore, I smiled down at it. I wasn’t sure why I’d selected my favourite one, but perhaps I wanted one last thing to keep just for myself. It was a beautiful green that brought out the purple in my eyes—at least, that’s what Mother had told me once.
I thought of my mother less and less as time went on, but that’s how things were when you lost one at a younger age. I’d only been seven when the dark shroud claimed her. How did I know this was the green that brought out the violet in my eyes?
Because it was a dress she once owned that I had our seamstress alter to fit me. And wearing it made me feel like she was still near—like she existed, instead of the strange dream she often felt like.
The neckline was modest, but the sleeves were an off-shoulder design, and what sat around my shoulders was living moss that never withered.
The sleeves billowed around my wrists, and they felt more than comfortable, they felt divine.
A nice tanned fabric showed beneath the dress where it split open the further down it fell.
Yes, it was my favourite dress. The only piece I truly cared about from the life I’d just lived—a very different life than the one I was walking into. For deep down, I knew this would likely end with me as the realm’s queen.
I knew now that it was hopeless to run from the Realm Guard, but at least when he caught up, I’d have something that made me truly happy.
Other than Aleixo.
Oh. What a strange thought to suddenly be gripped by. He didn’t make me happy; he annoyed me to no end. Yet, my cheeks flushed and my heart pounded when I thought about that quick kiss. It was only on my forehead, and completely under false pretenses, so why did I love it so much?
A knock sounded, and I glanced at the connecting door, hesitating.
I thought I was to be the one to knock? It sounded a second time, and I realized it must be our dinner arriving.
When Dewdrop ducked under the blanket, I turned to open the door.
Suzette beamed at me with a tray in her hands.
There were the servings we had requested, along with extra portions.
“For the children,” she added, following my eyes.
“Would you like me to come in and set this down somewhere? I could help you wrangle your children if you’d like.
Of course, you’re welcome to just enjoy it in the silence.
I know I can rattle on so…my husband often tells me so, such a delightfully silent type he is.
Have you met him? No, of course not, you’ve only just arrived, and I took you straight up here.
” She took in a breath, and I jumped in as quickly as I could.
“I don’t mind the talking.” I felt I had to reassure her. I knew what it was like to feel self-conscious of such things. Being told I was the grumpy one all the time wasn’t always a good feeling. “But I think after such a busy day, you should welcome the chance to put your feet up as well.”
She smiled at me and nodded as I closed the door. “Call if you need anything, darling!”
“Is she gone?”
I jumped as I spun around, Aleixo grinning at me. “I thought I was to knock for you before you came traipsing into my room.”
He smiled sheepishly. “I’m sorry. In my hunger, I forgot. And since I heard your door open and Suzette prattling on, I assumed you were decently attired.” His eyes swept over me, and he raised a brow. “More than decently, I would add.”
“You must remain the picture of proper perfection if you’re to sit in my room and eat with me. We aren’t actually married, you know.”
Aleixo’s hand flew to his chest in mock offense. “You wound me. As if I would ever behave in such a manner. I am the picture of proper propriety…perfect proper of picture…perfection? Whatever it is you said.”
We sat at the table by the window and dug into our meal.
I hadn’t taken the time to truly look around the room until now, and I marveled at how beautiful it was.
Yes, it was simple, but there was a simplistic beauty surrounding us and it made me want to never leave this room. It felt safe and comfortable.
Dark red curtains framed the window, casting a romantic glow about the room as the moon shone outside. The large bed had four posts, with a canopy draped over them. There was a desk in the corner with a few books lined up. Dewdrop was nestled on a pillow, dozing in and out of sleep.
“I know that face. You’re thinking, aren’t you?”
We’d been together for only a few days, yet he knew all my faces. Nearly all of them, I corrected myself. “I am, but I’m also admiring this room. It’s quite nice when you really take it in.”
He took a bite of his chicken and glanced around, much like I had a few minutes earlier. “It is. Mine looks the same on the other side.”
“She’s done well here. Her and her husband, of course.”
“It’s amazing what teamwork can do. Two people working together toward a common goal, a common experience.”
His eyes were on me as he spoke, and I raised mine to meet them. “We have a common goal.”
“We do,” he affirmed. “Does that make us a team, then?”
“I’m not sure. This is all temporary.”
He looked out the window, as though something had caught his eye. “Does it need to be temporary?”
I froze. It had to be temporary; it couldn’t be anything more. He was a human who didn’t even belong here, and I was an elf. There was no crossing the chasm of differences, let alone realms.
“Perhaps we had best focus on dinner.”
Silence came over us, and all that could be heard was the clattering of utensils on dishes as we continued to eat.
Minutes passed, and I realized I could barely taste what I was eating.
Was I disappointed that he had not pushed the matter?
No, I couldn’t be. Because then I would be disappointed that he was not respectful when the opportunity required it.
What an odd mix of emotions to be experiencing…
He rose when he finished, and I quickly followed his action. “I suppose I’ll be retiring,” he hesitated. “Unless…”
“Unless what?” I pushed.
With a smirk, he pulled a deck of cards out of his pocket. “Unless you’d fancy a match of cards.”