House of Dreamers | book 1

𝐢

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏

 𓆱

The heat of the sun was starting to give Ophelia a headache.

Ophelia bent over the basin, washing the soiled sheets, sweat covering every inch of her body. She groaned as she sat up, back popping in the process. She looked around, her heavy ginger hair knotted at the base of her neck.

She could hear the shouts of street vendors, calling out their latest deal mixed with the bustle of market goers trying to woo the baker's wife, Guinevere, into giving them an extra loaf of bread, free of charge. Ophelia huffed out a breath, going back to work, muttering to herself as she ran the stained portion over the washboard time and again. The stain refused to budge.

Ophelia grunted, tossing the sheet into the water and standing up, stretching. With her arms raised above her head, Ophelia looked around, taking a couple of steps to the side, hiding from the ruthless sun in the shade of a willow tree. She glanced at the open door of the inn, where shouts rang out.

Casper, Ophelia guessed.

He was one of the king's soldiers who adored Eilonwy. Every time Ophelia asks her how she'd come to know most of the king's soldiers, Eilonwy changes the subject and pretends that it was never brought up.

Ophelia was never deterred from the subject.

Eilonwy walked out, muscular arms crossed over her chest. The shimmer of her near-translucent wings pulled Ophelia from her thoughts. She offered a smile, wiping her hands on the white apron tied around her waist. Eilonwy feigned annoyance. "Why are you standing under a tree? You have chores, girl!" Ophelia walked over to her, pointing at the bucket with the sheet. "That sheet needs to be burned. That stain simply won't come out!" Ophelia draped her arm over her forehead, acting faint. Both women burst into laughter.

"I swear, Ophelia, you are something else."

Ophelia glanced over Eilonwy's shoulder, at the open door. "What was the commotion about?" Eilonwy waved her hand. "It was Casper, trying to get another free night so he could 'sleep off a week's worth of work'. I know he's trying to bed one of the kitchen girls." Ophelia covered her mouth, dramatically gasping. "Which one?" She leaned closer, her green eyes sparkling. Eilonwy shoved Ophelia's shoulder. "Since when do you care about the gossip in the kitchen?"

Ophelia crossed her arms, mirroring Eilonwy's stance. "I don't work with anyone else! Who do I have to gossip with when the laundry is piled over my head?" Ophelia lifted her hand above her head. Eilonwy barked out a loud laugh. "You were the best thing that was given to me. The gods are kind." Eilonwy raised her hand, gently rubbing Ophelia's head.

Ophelia nodded in agreement, smiling softly.

The gods are kind. She looked at Eilonwy, at her muscular figure, at her genuine smile and knew that they truly were.

A knock echoed from the wooden side gate, cutting off their conversation. Eilonwy pulled her dark eyebrows together, walking towards the gate. She reached down, tightly gripping the handle of the ax she'd always kept near the gate. "Who is it?"

"Caspian." A melodic voice answered. Eilonwy glanced over at Ophelia. "Go inside. I'll come get you after." Ophelia frowned, looking at Eilonwy's dark face. "But–"

"Do not argue." Eilonwy chided, turning her back. Ophelia exhaled, marching to the door into the inn, which quieted as soon as she walked in, all eyes on her. Ophelia kept her head down, pretending no one was staring at her.