There was a dais at the end of the room, upon which a set of tall chairs were circularly arranged. The floor of the dais was also painted with the same patterns that made the open space feel tight and claustrophobic.
"He isn't here yet."
Cora jumped at the voice, turning to see the person who'd been at the window standing beside the door. Now that she could see all of them, she saw that it was a woman with long pinkish hair that matched the apples of her cheeks.
"Have a seat," said the woman, gesturing to the chairs.
"Oh," said Cora, going over to the chairs. "Don't mind if I do." The chairs were wooden, with bright red velvet cushions. The King of the Yew had good taste, she thought. She sat. She looked over at the woman, who had gone back to stand by the wall. "Why don't you sit?"
"I'm exercising my legs," said the woman, looking perfectly serious.
"You can do squats on the wall," said Cora. She hopped out of her chair and went over to the woman. "I'll do it with you; I need to get faster at running."
The woman gave her an odd look.
"We always have to start with stretching," Cora said. She bent and touched her toes and her knees cracked. "Ouch. What's your name?"
The woman stretched too, folding over in one fluid, graceful motion, as if she had no bones. "Felicia."
"My name's Cora." Cora straightened, took a deep breath, and reached for her feet again. "Why did the King call me here if he's not even here himself?"
"Patience," said Felicia.
"Is what people who are late like to say. Does the King of the Yew have a name, or is he just the King of the Yew?"
"He is the King of the Yew and he has a name," said Felicia. "Mercurius."
"King Mercurius," said Cora. Her face was starting to heat from being upside-down. "Is it rude to call him that?"
"Probably not." Felicia placed her palms flat on the floor.
"Do you have a title?" said Cora, trying to do the same. Her fingertips barely brushed the ground. "Hm...Princess Felicia?"
The door opened behind them. "What are you two...?"
Cora hastily straightened and looked up to see a surprisingly small man standing in the doorway, staring at them with wide eyes. He was dressed in a funny purple robe that had little white feathers sticking out of the collar.
"The King of the Yew," Felicia said, sweeping up and out to the man with a flourish.
"Oh," said Cora. She bobbed a curtsy, and it was probably terrible etiquette, but Symphora had never requested any of her, so she hoped the King was the same.
King Mercurius looked amused at her. "It's nice to see you in good spirits."
"Thank you," said Cora. "I'm Cora."
"I know." Mercurius gave Felicia a look, and she nodded, dismissing herself from the room. Left alone, Cora stared at the King. He stared back at her. "Let's sit," he said.
"That's a good idea." Cora followed him to the dais. He sat first, and she did so across from him. "You wanted to see me?"
"Yes." Mercurius hesitated, rubbing his jaw.
"Me too," said Cora.
He paused. "You did?"
She nodded enthusiastically. "I have a request. But you can start first. I heard you like to keep to yourself. Am I a special guest?"
YOU ARE READING
Midnight Wonders
FantasíaFor Luc, life began seven years ago. It began on a bus, by the hills, beneath a black sky, with no one at his side but his sister, Cora. His world is mundane, routine, and perfectly adequate. At work, he teaches, and at home, he takes care of Cora...
