The Triton

Chapter 24: Vivien

The next days passed in a waterfall of information, more and more to take in every day. Every waking moment was filled with sparring, tutoring, or reading, whatever.

Rosann and I began instruction with the sword and each day, our trainings lasting longer as my strength and endurance built.

My mother brought in officials of the crown who talked through their individual responsibilities, and while there was always too much information. She helped me process each of the meetings afterwards, and while my depth of knowledge wasn't extensive, it grew day by day.

The books she prescribed filled every moment not already filled until I found myself falling into bed, practically asleep before I was fully under the covers.

It made me appreciate the moments I did get to rest. Food here was...delicious. Back home, with my human mother, it was never exactly a certainty. I probably learned to use the stove a bit too early, cooking masterpieces like grilled cheeses and quesadillas for my sister and I.

Here, it was available whenever I wanted it, and I needed tons to fuel the activities of the day with Rosann. No two meals had been the same, yet. My face had lost some of its gauntness, my cheekbones a little less severe, my breastbone not so painfully obvious when I wasn't wearing anything.

That evening, I welcomed the quiet of my chambers. My older maid had just left to fetch more supplies for the ever-expanding walk-in closet, leaving me alone with the younger maid in the bathroom.

She was a slight girl with warm blue eyes. She picked constantly at her fingernails when she wasn't working, but her hands were so gentle, her touch soft but firm. It made the process of removing the formal braids from my hair less of a chore and more of a comfort.

I took off my necklace as she worked to avoid any snags in the intricate detailing.

As she worked, her fingers deftly undoing the intricate patterns, I was able to breathe deeply, inhaling through my nose. I noticed a subtle, pleasant scent wafting through the air. I struggled to place it, but my merfolk nose recognized it almost instantly.

"Is that a new perfume?" I asked, catching the fragrance as she moved closer. "Is that lotus flower?"

Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink, and she ducked her head shyly. "Oh, um, yes. It was a gift from someone special."

I eyed her playfully in the mirror. "Someone special?" I echoed, a teasing note in my voice. "Do tell."

Her blush deepened, and she glanced down at her hands, fidgeting with the brush. She looked back at the door, then continued. "It's... well, there's a boy. His name is Torin. He works with the Tempest's mounts."

"Torin?" I repeated, smiling as I caught the sparkle in her eyes. "Tell me more."

Her gaze lifted, and she met my eyes in the mirror, her expression brightening with a shy smile. "He's funny. He...collects seashells and can identify them by sight, and he loves sea glass, and he paints, and he's just...nice. We met when I was fetching something from the stables, and we've been seeing each other for a few weeks now almost every night just to talk, and last night he... he gave me this perfume as a gift. He said it reminded him of his favorite flowers."

I couldn't help but smile at the softness in her voice, the way her eyes lit up as she talked about Torin. "That sounds lovely," I said, my heart warming at her story. "Tell me your name."

She paused. "Sapphira."

"It's wonderful to know your name," I said. "Thank you for trusting me."

Sapphira nodded, her cheeks still tinged with pink. "He's very sweet, but... it's complicated. I don't know if anything will come of it."