Queen of Ash

See the World For What It Is

Rye

The sunlight was streaming through the curtains. I looked around the room and noticed that I wasn't in my bed, confusion coursed through me. Then last night came crashing back in like a tidal wave. Emerson's hand was gently touching my arms, her fingers reaching out towards me. I had almost forgotten that I had promised her that I would stay the entire night. I rolled over gently, careful not to wake her. She looked so peaceful as she slept and after last night she deserved to be peaceful.

I lifted my wrist and saw the clock hand pointing at eight am. I groaned, five hours of sleep wasn't nearly enough. I rolled over, my weight shifting the mattress. Emerson woke up with a start, reaching for the place where her daggers once were. When she saw me she relaxed, even though I could still see the tension in her muscles.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," I ran a hand over my face. "Breakfast is in an hour and if I'm not there Mother would kill me." I placed my feet on the cold wooden floors and stood up.

"Thank you for waking me," her voice was still cold. I shiver ran down my spine. "I shall see at you breakfast." She stood up quickly and made her way to the bathroom, without sparing me one more glance. I sighed, I didn't know how to help her. Before I left the room, I conjured fire into my palm, mesmerized at the way the fire danced along my hand. I broke my concentration on the flame and threw it into the fireplace for Emerson, the room would at least be warmer. I sensed that she would need all the warmth she could to make it through today.

The hallways were filled with maids coming and going from their daily tasks. I knew that they were going to see my leave Emerson's room this early in the morning, looking like I had gotten no sleep. The rumors would be flying around by lunch time. I didn't really care though, it would only help our story.

I was so in love with Emerson, a half-blank, that I wanted to marry her over the throne. We would have to act like we were so irrevocably in love that I would give up my birthright. I opened her door and walked into the hallway. I immediately saw two servants and gave them a devilish grin, their faces flushed crimson. I turned around to my room rubbed my eyes as I opened my door. The first thing I saw was my dark bed, enticing me to skip breakfast and go back to sleep, but I thought about how if Emerson could get up and go than I could too.

I would go for her.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the crumpled tax reform list. I laid it on my desk, the weight of list boring down on me. I would have to talk to Mother about my ideas today, they couldn't wait any longer. I walked away from the desk and towards my bathroom, I need a good shower after last night.

Even after my cold shower I still wasn't awake, I was just grumpy and tired. I opened my bedroom door and saw a maid dusting off the window ledges, I waved her over. She quickly stopped wait she was doing, walked over, and curtsied.

"Your Majesty," I saw her blush at bare chest. I was so tired I forgot that the only thing I was wearing was a towel around my waist. "How may I help you," She tried to keep her eyes focused up towards the ceiling.

"Emma, Can you please bring me a cup of coffee." I smiled gingerly hoping to take the attention of what I wasn't wearing.

She stammered "Oh you—you know, know my name." A panicked look settled over her. "I'm sorry that you had to learn my name, I shall do better."

"Emma, what are you talking about?" She was red in the face and I could see her hands shaking from behind her back.

"If you learn my name than I did something bad to where you had to learn it. I am sorry, I didn't mean to offend you and I need this job. I'm so sorry, I truly am sorry—"