House of Dreamers | book 1

𝐯𝐢𝐢

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟕

𓆱

As Caspian led Ophelia up the steps, towards her new room, the only thought she could manage was I wonder how Eilonwy will take this.They'd stopped, and Caspian cleared his throat lightly, pushing the door open and moved to the side for Ophelia to go in. The room was bright, gilded silver in the moonlight. Ophelia gripped her biceps, looking around. "Go inside, Ophelia." Caspian spoke, causing her to jump. "I..." She trailed off. She couldn't get her feet to move. This room reminded her of a cage.

She turned her back towards it and walked down the hallway a little bit. "Ophelia?" Caspian called after her. She looked over her shoulder. "It's smaller than my old one." Caspian shot her a questioning look.

"I didn't take you for the type to throw a fit over bedroom sizes."

He'd meant it as a joke, Ophelia realized. It hadn't stopped her from glaring at him. "I have had the strangest couple of days since I arrived here. My room has been broken into twice now. I would like some space to get out if they decide to come back and do it again!" Adrenaline pumped through her veins, causing her to shake. Caspian scowled down at her hands, moving to stop her from scratching at the skin before stopping. He dropped his hand back to his side. A tense silence settled in between them. Ophelia sighed, gripping the sleeves of her dress.

"I'm sorry, I overstepped." Caspian glared towards the floor, voice void of emotion Ophelia didn't respond, stepping around him and into the room. She shut the door. The room felt too tight, as if the walls were slowly starting to close in. Ophelia closed her eyes and slid down the cool door. Her breathing spiked and her chest started to hurt. She looked around, tears spilling down her cheeks.

Why am I scared? Why can't I move?

She couldn't catch her breath, couldn't think. She forced her legs to work, to bring her to the balcony across the room. She barely made it a few steps before her legs gave out again. Ophelia curled onto her side, shivering. Her hands and feet had gone numb, cold to the touch. This had never happened before, not even as a child, when everyone watched her as she had left the inn for the first time.

Hands slid against her cheeks, wiping at her tears — when had she started crying? — and lifted her head to rest on their lap. "Eli, you are okay." It was Eilonwy, a soft smile gracing her mouth. She curled a fiery lock around her finger. "You're going to be okay." She leaned down and pressed her plump lips against her forehead. "My darling girl."

Ophelia fought against a sob, gritting her teeth and closing her eyes. She chewed on the inside of her bottom lip before opening her eyes again. She stifled a scream. Eilonwy's smiling face had turned into a skull. Dark eye sockets watched her, the head moved closer. Ophelia yelped, pain exploding through her body as the skeleton bit down. Hard. Warm blood coated her shoulder. Ophelia shoved against the skeleton. It flew backward, landing against the floor with a rattle before disappearing into dust.

Ophelia panted heavily, reaching her hand over her chest and gently touching her wound, wincing. She pulled her fingers away, coated in blood. Ophelia pushed herself off of the floor.

"Don't move."

Ophelia stopped, turning towards one of the guards who burst into her room. He had a dagger the length of his forearm pointed at her. She pulled her eyebrows together. "What are you..."

"Shut it!" The guard yelled, moving to pull her towards the door. She cried out at the sharp tug against her wounded shoulder, forcing the tears down. "What are you trying to do, Blood mage?" The guard spat, eyes flicking to the inside of her wrist. Ophelia's frown deepened. "What are you talking about?"