The Hidden Crystal

Chapter 24

Golden lights flickered at the edges of Iris' vision. She tore her gaze away from the now empty gray sky outside the window to see fairies dancing about the room, flitting toward her and then zipping away in a clear attempt to get her attention. Their antics made her smile.

"Hello."

They swirled together and shot up to the ceiling, scattering like fireworks.

She giggled. "That's very pretty. And so is this room. Thank you."

She couldn't discern a shape within the golden orbs, and she was wondering if seeing one up close and stationary would allow her to do so when, as if in answer to her thoughts, they streaked across the room from all corners, spinning around her head and settling on the sofa beside her. She studied them, but she still couldn't make out a form within the gold. Just soft, warm light taking the place where Char had been sitting.

She missed him already.

"Do you know Char pretty well?"

One bounced up and touched her lips before taking off to zoom around the room.

"That tickles!"

Another one repeated the action, and another, and another, until she was on her back laughing, and a blur of golden lights was circling the ceiling. Her laughter died down as she watched them, and then they spun together and disappeared behind the dressing screen.

"What are you doing?"

One popped up above the dressing screen and zipped to the bureau, opening a drawer and pulling out a nightgown. She heard water running.

Where were they getting water? Were they making it themselves?

"Are you drawing me a bath?"

The fairy draped the nightgown over the dressing screen and zoomed back to the bureau for a robe.

"That's very thoughtful. I guess I could use a hot bath to relax. It's been an interesting morning. But it's too early for me to get ready for bed."

The robe joined the nightgown, and the fairy brought one slipper to her, followed by the other.

"Well, I suppose Jonah told me to take it easy, but you're spoiling me."

She pulled her shoes off and slid her feet into the slippers, and when she stood, the fairy grabbed her by the cuff of her sleeve and tugged her along toward the claw-footed bathtub behind the screen. The little creature was much stronger than she expected. She wasn't resisting its pull, but it was quite insistent.

The soothing scent of lavender was filling the air with the steam from the bathwater, though, and she knew it was just trying to cheer her up, as were the rest of the fairies, so she didn't mind going along with it.

They surrounded her behind the painted panels of a woodland scene, little bursts of warmth traveling down her back as they undid the fastenings of her dress. She stepped out of the fabric and into the tub while they whisked the dress away.

"Ooh, this feels good." She sighed, settling into the hot water and closing her eyes. "Thank you."

Warmth touched her lips, and she giggled again, opening her eyes to see the fairies settling on the top of the dressing screen. Their gentle light created a soft, warm ambience in the little bathing area.

"May I ask you a question?"

One zipped up, shot straight back down, and then returned to its seat atop the dressing screen. A nod?

"Is Char... is he like that with other girls?" She put her face in her hands. "Oh, what am I saying? He wouldn't bring girls here. His brother doesn't even know about this place."