Witch of Iria

A pretty prison

I can feel the cold sinking into my skin as I sit on the bed, my eyes tracing the patterns stitched onto the covers. I'm warm and freezing at the same time. In my mind's eye I imagine I'm wreathed in icy blue flames, like those which burn in the heart of the deep forest. The fire burns away my masks and shows me what I truly desire. Is it really Finn? My lips still hurt from that kiss earlier. Now that some time has passed I'm not sure how I really feel. I want him or at least I did. But that suffocation...that violence...wasn't something I liked. It was too far. But we'd been dancing around one another and today had been stressful. Maybe that was his way of easing the tension. It would be better next time.

We'll finish this later.

My stomach churns, butterflies scratching their way deep inside. It's nerves. It must be nerves. Not fear.

When would later be?

I break my trance and push myself off of the bed. I pace, three steps forward, turning, and then three steps back. My stomach still won't settle and my mind is racing. Finn...black veins...a curse. That creepy voice won't leave my head and I felt as if it had been goading me. As if it had wanted me to break, to be annoyed by its laughter. As if it had wanted my silver spark to come out to play.

I'm thinking so deeply that I don't notice the door opening.

"Witch!" A voice snarls. My head jerks upwards and I see one of the unfriendly guards glaring at me. His eyes radiate distaste.

"What?" I ask coldly. He looks me up and down as if I'm a bug he wants to step on.

"You've a visitor," he replies and a graceful figure dressed in worn brown pants and a ratty tunic comes into the room. Her eyes are wary and her smile is hesitant. Her gold medallion still hangs about her neck. Perhaps she thinks it will shield her if a witch attacks.

"Naomi," I say coolly. She bites her lip.

"Hey, Gwyneth." Her voice is overly cheerful and I know I didn't overthink how strange her sudden escape was the other day.

I say nothing and stare at her. Sometimes silence forces the other person to get to the point.

"I'm sorry I left so quickly before.." she begins, playing with her hair nervously. "I just get that way around...nobility sometimes."

Well, that makes no sense. Naomi doesn't seem to be someone lacking in confidence. The only noble there had been Finn. And he was hardly intimidating.

"Right," I say, my expression giving nothing away.

"It wasn't anything to do with you," she pleads, her eyes meeting my own. They look awkward but honest. "I had a fun time showing you around and I wanted to hang out again."

I relent a little and give her a small smile.

"I had fun too," I say. "How's Ravi doing?"

At the mention of her uncle she grins and she relaxes a bit.

"He's great. He's missing his new star employee. Apparently that was the best day he's had all season. You made him a lot of money."

I think of the small silver coin I'd stashed away in a drawer. My wages. I wish I could spend my days like that; selling and laughing with normal people. Ravi was full of fun and I wish I could be the lady from the kitchens in truth.

"I'm happy to do that again," I reply, matching her friendly tone. "How come you're here today?"

The uneasiness returns and she shifts from one foot to the other.

"I found your deer. He's beautiful." Her tone is reverent and I gasp. She's seen Dorcha!

"How is he?" I ask, stepping forwards. My skin prickles and suddenly all I want is to see my friend and hug him. He must be terrified. How could I have been so distracted?!