Fates Girl

Part 10

I woke up to a soft knocking. 

My dreams had been filled with fire and death. Its safe to say my night hadn't been the most peaceful.

"Come in!" I croaked. Then turned to bury my face in the soft duvet surrounding me and let out a teenage groan into the feathers. 

I peeked over the white mound around me towards the door. My mother crept in quietly and tentatively. She wore a cotton draped nightgown that came to her knees and also looked very tired. In her hands she held a tray of breakfast foods and drinks.

"I'm not in the mood to hear about you and Salamander," I said, sitting up in bed at her entrance.

She didn't say anything instead she walked and sat on the edge of my bed.

"I came her to help you get ready for the festival and ball, not talk about your Grandad," She corrected me calmly. 

I flinched slightly at the word but decided not to argue. We small talked about what we'd been up to and the kingdom while I ate breakfast. She told me more about the ball and festival.

Our arrival would be celebrated all over the island through carnivals, dances and finally this evening a ball.

After breakfast I headed out for a shower whilst my mum picked out an outfit for the day. My thoughts drifted to Ethan and his expression when we parted. Once again I felt like weeping at the thought of leaving him behind. 

I dried off and wandered out in a towel to meet my mum in the giant closet. I found her placing out a an outfit on one of the small couches in the corner. It was a cream dress lined with a deep emerald green, it had beautiful lace draped as oversized sleeves and down the dress itself. Along with it she's paired some cream flats that looked really comfortable.

She left the room so I could change when she saw me enter.

Once dressed I wandered out to find my mum scanning some of the titles of the books on my giant shelf.

"Theres so many! Do you mind if I take some to read?" She said grinning excitedly. 

"Of course!" I cried back. Again, the excitement that I was feeling just didn't seem right...

"Oh, and I've got something for you," My mother said, hopping up and walking towards one of the sofas.

I followed curiously and smiled at what I saw. She held out a green long cape, it had fur coating the inside and giant hood.

"I thought you'd like it," my mother said smiling as she handed it to me, "I found it at the back of one of your wardrobes."

I took it and draped the deep emerald green velvet around me. It warmed my cold arms and covered me from head to toe.

"Thankyou, I love it," I said. 

I knew we would have to speak about Salamander soon enough, so despite the happy mood I plucked up my courage and asked.

"How have you forgiven him so easy?" I asked, my hands fingering the soft fabric of my new cape.

"I haven't," my mother replied after she had gotten over the sudden change in mood and conversation. "But I don't want you to forget that he is my father Edana. All my life I've been dreaming of the day that I'd meet him and now I have. Our circumstances are unfortunate, but I want a relationship with him. I also think theres more to what everyones told us all these years. Theres more secrets to this kingdom and my father... I just know it."

I simply nodded. I knew one day I would understand, but for the time being I was going to remain cautious. She was right about the secrets. I'd sensed it too, something about the island, the people left so much to be explored.