The Awakening

Chapter Eight

"You should know, you snore horribly while you sleep." Brianne's sharp and awfully chirpy voice had elicited a deep groan from Avelon. Her voice cut through the thread of sleep Avelon clung to. Avelon was in no way a morning person, particularly so when they began with someone such as Brianne's or Balor. Avelon, who lay entangled in a mess of blankets, let out another deep groan that resonated with her disdain for the early hours.

"You should know, your voice is horrible to wake up to." Avelon retorted, groggily wiping at her eyes. She was barely able to complete her sentence before a deep yawn escaped her lips. Brianne snorted at the sight.

"You should get up," Brianne declared in a cool tone. The sound of her voice had instantly woken up whatever parts of Avelon were still asleep.

"Balor hates it when we sleep in." Avelon frowned. She did not care for whatever Balor liked or disliked.

Reluctantly Avelon shoved herself up, eyeing Brianne suspiciously.

"Balor or you?" Avelon retorted, earning an eye roll from Brianne.

"I don't care whether you are asleep or awake." Brianne sneered, pulling her bedsheet straight with apprehension.

Avelon sighed, slowly pushing herself away from the small comfort of her bed. She stretched as soon as she stood, and strolled over to her bed bucket, which to her surprise was filled with fresh cold water. She shot a glance toward Brianne but decided against asking her whether she had filled the water. Absentmindedly she wondered whether Brianne would be able to swipe a tube of toothpaste somewhere in the castle.

As they splashed cold water onto their faces, neither of them uttered a word regarding their heated discussion the evening before.

"Why does he want to see me- What am I doing Today?" Avelon's voice was muffled as she rinsed her mouth with the cold water, the absence of toothpaste was a harsh reminder of the luxuries they were denied as slaves.

"We-" Brianne began, her voice dripping with apprehension, "Are assigned to clean the stables. The mares that returned must be groomed and tended to." Tended to. Avelon snorted pitifully. Her mother would enjoy Brianne and her word choices.

"So, only you will be joining me Today?" Avelon asked, her tone laced with a fraction of surprise as she straightened her bedding. She was attempting to busy herself so that she had no reason to face Brianne directly.

Coward. Her inner voice sneered. Her body stilled.

"Unfortunately." Brianne grunted, her footsteps echoing towards the door.

She lingered for a moment, silently waiting for Avelon to follow, before stepping out. Avelon gave her bedspread a last tug before bolting after Brianne. She would not dare ask for clarification as to why she was not seeing Balor. The less she saw him, the better.

The atmosphere between Avelon and Brianne had been dripping with tension as they made their way through the palace, however neither of them said a word to each other. The possibility of severe repercussions after their heated argument had been too great to even risk looking at each other. Avelon observed Brianne silently through the edge of her vision as they wove through the hallway. The familiar twists and turns triggered Avelon's memory. They had been approaching the hall, stirring a rush of adrenaline in Avelon. They neared the hall's entrance — the same entrance that had plagued her dreams with its glowing golden eyes. Avelon could feel her body seize slightly.

"They left this morning." Avelon paused at Brianne's words. Brianne must have sensed her growing anxiety.

"Who?" Avelon feigned innocence as they stepped into the hall. Her heart squeezed as her eyes scanned at the farthest corner, half-expecting to see those golden eyes staring back at her.