House of Dreamers | book 1

𝐢𝐱

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟗

𓆱

Eilonwy marched towards the invisible barrier, pinning Eudoxia to her spot with a glare. "You have caused enough damage. Stop this madness." She spoke over the rushing footsteps of the approaching guards. Eudoxia looked her mother in the face, eyes searching. A cruel smile curled on her lips. "Why don't you tell them, hmm? Since you're being noble." Eilonwy gave nothing away, besides her fists tightening ever so slightly. Abraxas took a step forward. The guards moved quickly, the simultaneous sound of swords being pulled from their sheathes echoed around the hallway.

"What is she talking about, Eilonwy?"

His voice was stern, the voice of a king. Ophelia stared at the neat rows of dark braids haloing Eilonwy's head. The fairy stayed quiet, stiller than a statue. Ophelia took a step towards Eilonwy, her path  blocked by Abraxas as he moved in front of her. "Until this secret that you are hiding comes out, Eilonwy, you are dismissed from my guard. Caspian will take over your position for the time being."

Eilonwy whirled towards Abraxas, wings fluttering quickly. "You cannot take my job based merely on the words of a child." She gave Eudoxia a sharp glare. Eudoxia looked away. Abraxas pursed his lips. "Yes, I can. I refuse to take things lightly. There have been too many mishaps within my castle as of late." Eilonwy's mouth opened to argue. "I do not wish to hear it." Abraxas said, turning away from the fairy. Caspian appeared beside Ophelia. He held out his arm, waiting for the ginger to take it.

Ophelia didn't spare Eilonwy a glance as she turned away, letting Caspian lead her from the hallway, Abraxas — he'd waited by the entrance of the hallway — followed close behind. As soon as they turned the corner, Ophelia's knees gave out. Caspian caught her, placing her head on his shoulder, and hooking her legs over his arm. Abraxas looked over at them, lips pursed.

"Bring her to Jamison. Quickly."

Caspian brushed past Abraxas, rushing down the hall towards the infirmary. Ophelia glanced up at Caspian, taking in his clenched jaw. He sped down the hallway with ease, breezing around the corner of the hallway.

"I'm okay, Caspian." Her voice cracked, barely above a whisper. Caspian refused to listen, refused to set her down, refused to stop. Ophelia tried again, reaching up and lightly tracing her fingers along his jaw. Caspian glanced down at her.

"I'm okay, I just overexerted myself." Ophelia closed her eyes, leaning her head against Caspian's shoulder. "I want to make sure. Using too much power at once can cause physical damage." Caspian's chest rumbled against her as he spoke, comforting her more than she'd care to admit. Ophelia closed her eyes again, letting her head roll against his shoulder.

"I don't understand why you're so worried about me." She murmured. She felt Caspian tense, felt his gait slow down a fraction. "What makes you think I was never worried about you?" Ophelia felt his gaze burning into her face. She kept her eyes closed, thinking. They continued walking down the hallway, taking turn after turn until they started down the main staircase.

"Because you've been cold to me ever since I've gotten here. Even though we were friends when I was younger." Ophelia murmured, feeling her brain becoming muddled by exhaustion. Caspian said something, voice low. Ophelia couldn't hear him, couldn't hear much of anything as she slipped into dark unconsciousness.

𓆱

Ophelia's body was heavy with sleep, needle pricks dancing up and down her arms and legs. She kept her eyes closed, wanting to stay in the blissfulness of the dark longer. There was a ringing in her ears, something that made her more annoyed than she would have thought possible.