Sounds of Fire

17

Eyes snapping open, Anatolia felt pressure on her stomach and sides. It took her a moment but she finally realized, through the sleep, that there were arms around her. Someone was behind her. Her eyes closed again and she scooted back, at first thinking it was Derek, but then felt breasts squished against her back.

Turning around, Anatolia came face to face with Lady Grace. Well, after she looked downward she did.

Lady Grace groaned and sucked in a breath between her teeth, her eyelids fluttering open. Her eyes traveled up Anatolia's chest, as if she wasn't sure what she was seeing, then they fell on Anatolia's face. "Oh," she said sleepily, her hands sliding from Anatolia's back to her hips. She didn't want to let go yet. "Good morning."

Anatolia didn't make a move to shove away Lady Grace's hand. She remained staring. "You stayed with me all night?" For some reason, she couldn't quite believe it, so she had to ask.

"Mostly. I got up a few times to check on Derek."

"And he let you?"

"No. I had Kristie do it last night." Lady Grace took her hand back and wiggled her other arm out from underneath Anatolia. "Derek would look at me with so much hatred... I couldn't take it. Sorry. I remained outside and had Kristie give me a report to make sure he was still fine. When I was sure he was, I stayed in here with you. I..." She clasped her hands and brought them to her chest, vulnerable. "I hope you don't mind."

Anatolia brought herself down the bed to be at eye level with Lady Grace. She stayed silent for a minute. "Does Nan know you're in here?"

A smile tugged at Lady Grace's lips. Anatolia wasn't mad, and that was good. "No, I don't think so."

"Then I don't mind."

Lady Grace bit her lip. "Are you okay?"

Anatolia stretched and her shoulder cracked. Other than that, her body was fine, as was her mind. "Yeah. I feel better. Thank you."

"I want to say again that I'm really sorry. After last night-"

"I know." Anatolia moved to rest on her back. She pulled a pillow to her and stuffed it underneath her head so she could get a better view of Lady Grace. "I heard you last night. Well, they heard you and told me in my dream."

Lady Grace rolled onto her stomach, placing her arms underneath her chin. "They can do that?"

"They're capable of much more than you think."

"I've been learning that."

It was hot, annoyingly, as usual. Anatolia kicked at the covers until they were below her belly and she could free her legs. She didn't think the heat came from an open window this time. She sighed and rested her hands on her stomach. Despite what she thought, she didn't feel at all uncomfortable with Lady Grace in her bed. She felt better knowing that Lady Grace understood the reason why she never wanted to destroy someone's mind.

"Do you want to stay home today?" Lady Grace asked, her eyes on the headboard. "I don't want anything to stress you out."

Anatolia thought on it for a moment. "You'll get behind on your work."

"I can still go, but you will stay home. Or... I can stay with you. If you want me to, I mean," Lady Grace tilted her head down and added quickly.

Chin to chest, Anatolia examined the woman in her bed. Lady Grace still had sleep etched into her face, her hair ruffled, but she was awake enough to look helpless. She was lying herself out to be seen, to be studied, as a silent apology. None of it went unnoticed.