Whisper (Book II)

Chapter Nine

Red awoke the next morning to a gentle knock on her door. She sat up just as Emily crept into her chamber. The attendant was slight and wide-eyed and gentle and Red was very fond of her. However, when the girl crossed the room to cast open the drapes to let in the brilliant morning light she could only scowl at the girl.

She smiled sweetly despite her charge's glower. "Good morning Miss Red, I have a message for you."

Red nodded, stretching and rubbing her eyes. She felt exceptionally empty this morning, the hole in her chest especially dark. It stretched and throbbed and she wrapped her arms around herself in a futile effort to dull the ache. So far away from the Forest the empty, helpless feeling was worse. Much, much worse.

"Come on Miss, let's get you dressed." Emily said, taking no notice of the dark cloud slowly swallowing Red.

"Emily?" Red asked, shivering.

"Yes, Miss?"

"Have you noticed anything...strange about the Ambassador from Solciudad?" She asked, somehow she got the sense that she'd seen him in her dreams last night.

The attendant turned to blink dully at Red. "Ambassador Adwin? Oh, I don't know, he is from the north, you know. They are sort of a strange people."

Red deflated a little. What she had expected she couldn't say, really. Still, the girl's answer disappointed her. "Do I have to get up today?" She asked miserably, sinking backwards and drawing the blanket over her head. The outside world had never felt so daunting.

"Miss, are you alright?"

"No." Red groaned, her voice muffled by the blanket.

"Come on, tell me about it."

Red peeked over the blankets as the girl sat beside her. Emily waited expectantly, watching her. "I'm afraid." She whispered and the girl snorted.

"I have never heard something so ridiculous. The fearless Red, conqueror of the Forbidden Forest, friend of the Dames Blanches, slayer of the beast, is afraid to get out of bed. What could possibly have driven you to this state?"

Red gazed miserably at the young girl and knew she had no good answer for her. She had no words for the empty feeling that she had carried for over a year or the crippling thought of facing the prince again. He'd been a perfect gentleman, had escorted her to her room and talked easily with her, but it had felt wrong somehow. She just couldn't place it. "I--I'm so...bad at people." She finally stammered.

"Oh, come on, out of bed. That's a terrible excuse."

Red groaned, "Please don't make me."

Without warning the blanket was snatched away, baring her to the cold. She whimpered pathetically and curled into a ball. Emily sighed and crossed toward the bath chambers. "I'll start your water. Pick out a gown for the day."

"Another gown?" Red scowled, sitting up. "Why?"

"The king wants you to help him with planning the festival it seems." Emily called, her answer accompanied by the sound of running water.

"So why won't trousers work?"

Emily appeared in the doorway, a single brow lifted. "Because you're a lady, not a stable boy?"

Red sighed, hugging herself once more. "Fine. Inside or out?"

"Dress for out. Come take a bath."

Red rolled to her feet with a huff and shuffled past the girl grumbling. The bath was full and steaming, inviting, but she eyed it uncertainly. Her last experience in that bath had made her wary. However, if Emily was right--and she had no reason to believe she wasn't--she needed to be ready to meet with the king soon, so she took a deep breath and shed her thin night gown.