Little King

Ashe

"You're good to go." Azi smiles, helping Mikah up. He's a little wobbly after sitting in a cot for so long, but he steadies himself and smiles. 

"Thanks. So, when can I return to training?" Azi frowns. 

"Not until the cast comes off, which will be at least three weeks." Mikah looks crestfallen, but he nods, taking a few practice steps before thanking us again and leaving. I sigh, heading for the balcony, my safe place. He seems so eager to serve, so eager to do the same thing over and over. I grip the railing tightly, inhaling and exhaling. Kopa and Azi leave me alone, so I think. I think about Wynter. 

I remember how they tried to keep me away. How they grabbed me and kept me from the flickering flames, how I squirmed and shouted and cried. After they put out the fire I ran around frantically, and I believed she was alive. I thought she was okay. I sob, tears sticking my eyelashes together. I'm glad Azi and Kopa can't see me. I found Wynter first. She was always so beautiful. Her perfect cheekbones, her friendly brown eyes, her lovely blonde hair, her nearly white skin, her flawless smile. Now, her eyes were dull, her hair matted and burnt, her skin covered in ashes, her mouth curved into a plea. I had broken down, dropping to my knees, sobbing and willing her to wake up. She never did. Her skin was so cold, her fingers stiff as I held her hand one last time. 

Azi's been so kind to me, and I'm so thankful, yet I'm so mad at it all. I hate how she didn't get a funeral, she was just buried. I bet the king didn't even know. It's my fault she's gone, but it's their fault I'm stuck. My hands tighten on the railing, and I ignore the ache. The dimness in Wynter's eyes lit a fire in mine. I won't be broken. I turn around, ignoring Azi and Kopa's curious gaze. I hope they can see the blaze too. 

                                                                               ***

"Can you check with the chefs on Princess Emilia's birthday?" Kopa asks, flipping through papers. "Azi wants to check her allergy list." I nod, finishing the bandage on some patients hand, I think she's from the kitchen staff. 

"Come back if it starts to get infected." I tell her, and she smiles gratefully before leaving. "When is the princess' birthday again?" I ask, looking at Kopa. 

"Monday I think." She murmurs, scanning a list of something. Azi's allergy list was created after one of the maids had a major reaction to peanut-filled cake. Azi made it so that during big events, when staff was invited, there would be no unwanted surprises, and now we consult the chefs before big events. The hallways are pretty quiet. On Thursdays most of the castle staff sleeps in, a tradition Queen Raine started. She thought the royal family should have a chance to make breakfast for themselves, as some bonding activity. She was always kind, and she loved the kingdom. You could see how much her and King Sawyer loved each other every time they looked at each other, and it always made me smile. Ravenwood was distraught when she died suddenly from a sickness. I'm surprised to find the kitchen inhabited by not only the chefs but the princes and princess. I had assumed they wouldn't come, because of King Sawyer's sudden disappearance. Prince Maxe uses a large spoon to mix something, while Prince Rae and Princess Emilia watch the oven. The chefs are eyeing them from their corner, clearly feeling awkward without the king. 

"Hi, I'm Ashe, one of the healers." I say, giving them a polite nod. The head chef, Kaleb,  raises an eyebrow. "I'm here to discuss Princess Emilia's birthday preparations." I explain, glad to see understanding flood his face. He's tall, with thick blonde hair and blue eyes. He has a heavy accent, but I don't know where he's from. Maybe one of the neighboring kingdoms. 

"List over here." He tells me, motioning for a piece of paper, smudged with pen ink, resting on a counter. I look over it, using a pencil to copy down everything in a small journal I brought. The whole time Kaleb and his staff watch me with curious eyes.