Away with the Faeries

Chapter Twenty-two

 Princess Jinny lay sprawled across her bed, snoring, upon my return to the room. Only glowing ambers remained in the dwindling fire. Moving up to the side of the bed I lifted the plush blankets, covering the sleeping princess with them.

Groggily her eyes opened slightly, a small smile meeting her face at the sight of me; "How was it," she mumbled through slurred words.

My lips tilted softly up at her disheveled state. She reminded me so much of Carla; "What was what," I mocked, feigning innocence.

Her smile only grew; "You're in love," she declared softly, twisting under the sheets, "you just don't realize it."

"Sure," I scoffed, "thank you, Guru Jinny."

Turning from the bed I headed for my own bed chambers which conveniently happened to be a smaller room attached to the Princesses. The room was dark and cool; it was more of a dignified closet than anything. Falling heavily to the small bed in the corner my eyelids fell shut as sleep dragged me away.

———

"Rayne wake up!"

Sharp rays of sun cut into my eyes as I was jolted awake by Lana pulling at my hair. Groggily swatting at her I rolled over, mumbling profanities as I buried myself deeper into the thick blankets.

"Anima is going to kill me," she stressed, relentlessly attempting to wake me, "I brought their goods into enemy territory. They're going to shish-kebab me!"

Rubbing my eyes I sat up, my body groaning against the motion. I needed caffeine or sleep, preferably the latter. Lana plopped down on the crumbled sheets, panic etched into her delicate features.

"What happened," I asked through a yawn.

"The Anima Council is out for my blood is what happened," she cried.

Why would Anima want to hurt Lana? She worked for them. If anyone would want to hurt her, it's me.

"What are you talking about," I asked gazing at my hands that were covered in a layer of dried blood. Sighing I clumsily rose from the bed and made my way to a small basin of water that sat on a stool against the wall. The water was frigid against my skin, sending a shock down my spine, jolting me awake.

"Have you suddenly lost your ability to hear," Lana cried, tugging stressfully at her dark coils, "Anima sent me to watch over you; to make sure you stayed out of danger but I failed! We are in the very heart of danger. Anima is going to kill me!"

Wiping the blood from my face I cringed slightly as the basin's water darkened with a crimson color; "It was my decision to come," I clarified in an attempt to calm the frantic Nuea; "and if Anima has a problem with that then they can kiss my ass."

"It means nothing to the Anima Council that you came of your own will," she said sinking hopelessly to my shoulder, "in their eyes I betrayed them by allowing you to be handed over to King Otis. I'm a traitor."

Lana was no traitor, she was many things but that simply was not one of them. Through thick and thin she stuck with me; to be fair it was her job. Nevertheless, she was there. Each time I was fired Lana would help me search for new employment. In a weird way, she was a loyal friend. If Anima couldn't see that then they were fools. Gently patting Lana's head I walked to the pitiful excuse of a closet at the end of the bed. Wrenching the old doors open my mouth fell agape.

"Damn," Lana murmured.

The tiny space was stuffed full of an array of gowns. Silk assaulted me from all sides, the fine materials all embellished with different colorful patterns. Lana giddily sprang from my shoulder, traversing her way into the influx of grand dresses. The room fell silent as she vanished into the plush material. They ate her. The gowns consumed my pixie.

"Oh! Babe, you would kill this one," Lana called moments later.

Rolling my eyes I pushed aside the heavy garments until I found Lana hugging a magnificent gown a light burgundy. Picking it off the rack I examined it closely. The satin was soft in my hands, the bodice of the gown was tight as the skirt flowed loosely. Tenderly laying the pretty gown on the bed I slipped from my own. Pulling on the fresh gown I slipped my arms into the long sleeves. The corset bodice hugged my curves, skirts fanning just below.

Lana whisted low from behind me; "Was I wrong?"

"I miss my sweatpants," I groaned picking up the soiled dress I shed and tossing it into the basin. Turning back to the closet I took an ivory silk ribbon from one of the dresses. Gathering all my ratty hair atop my head I used the ribbon to fashion a decent knot.

"I miss cheesecake," Lana added sadly.

A frown caught my lips as I turned to the basin; "I miss cheesecake too," I agreed before hefting the tub into my arms. I must dispose of the evidence.

A soft knock sounded at the door followed by the slow creak of it swinging open. My heart lept unsteadily in my chest. How do you explain a bucket full of blood to someone?

"Are you awake? The fires gone out and-," Jinny began her sleep-filled eyes widening as she took in the scene before her. Rubbing tiredly at her face she glance curiously at Lana then back to me and my feeble attempt at disposing of all the evidence of my visit with Marcel last night. Jinny moved out of the way pointing a finger to the door; "the washroom is downstairs, second door on your left. Give it to the maids and if anyone asks, tell them it's your monthly."

As I made my way from the small room Jinny called back to me.

"On your return gather one of the servants to prepare tea in the garden. It's a lovely day."