Queen of The Reach

10

Wafting into my room was the heavenly scent of sticky maple syrup drizzled over homemade waffles. I moaned and rolled out of bed. I was so tired but hunger was winning. When had I last eaten? I only remembered the thrilling escape from the storm and wandering the castle with quiet footsteps. Then Velum, his painting, the secrets of this world were to follow and I still felt like a lost puppy. I needed someone to guide the way. I threw off the exorbitant red and gold quilt and left it messily on the bed as I eased my way to standing.

Aching muscles greeted me like old friends. I hoped this wouldn't be a habit. I wasn't the brave type, I didn't know how I'd even made it this far with only a few scratches from trees and some throbbing where the branches hadn't scarred my skin. I noticed a neatly folded stack of clothing on the chair by the fire. The flames were burning low after a long winter-like night but they still heated the room and I enjoyed their warmth as I moved closer. I sank into the chair greedily. As much as I wanted to hunt down those waffles I felt the exhaustion in my bones and it was almost too much to bear. I put the clothes on my lap and changed into a fitted shirt with long sleeves. It matched the colour of the dress in Velum's painting, that same alluring white-blue hue. I pulled myself up from the chair and slipped into some jeans as well and sauntered like Lou had before, towards the door.

There were slippers at the threshold of the room, they matched my shirt perfectly, as if they'd be made of the same fabric. I wondered where all of this came from and who had come into my room to deliver the items while I was dreaming. Perhaps Velum thought my bare feet were distasteful. I smiled at the thought of winding him up over something so trivial. He seemed like the type to get angered at small wrongdoings.

Slippers on my small feet, I made my way to breakfast. When I got there I was surprised to find Loufabus and Velum chatting like friends. I stood awkwardly in the doorway. I don't want to interrupt. I let them finish their mouthfuls of waffles and syrup piled high with fresh cut strawberries and sprinkled with little chocolate chips. My mouth watered.

I watched Velum's small smile spread as he laughed at whatever Loufabus said. She looked happy there with him and I secretly wondered if she had asked me if I liked him last night because she liked him too. Velum had switched out his button up for a lazy grey tee. I liked seeing him like that, more relaxed. He was wearing matching slippers too and I giggled at him wearing them. Lou looked stunning once again. She had opted for heavier clothing, I guess she knew better now, after being out in the storm. She sat in a green dress the colour of her eyes that flowed to her knees with dark leggings under it. With a thick knitted sweater on her arms and a matching scarf and hat combo a couple shades darker I thought I could pick up a few styling tips from her. I stepped into the room but they must not have heard me approaching so I was able to pick up pieces of what they were saying. "You so like her," Loufabus teased. Velum tried to hide his smile but he broke, laughing some more.

"Stop it now Loufabus," his tone was light and she pressed him further until he caught sight of me and his laughter dissipated as quickly as it had come.

"Please don't stop on my behalf," I watched him carefully, "I was quite enjoying the sound." I pulled back a wooden chair with a dark stain to match the long table and took up a place with them. "Could I have some?" I was practically salivating at the food.

"Yes ma'am!" Lou was up and piling a plate to the sky with layer after layer of waffles drowning in pure syrup.

"Lou!" I protested but she just winked and shoved the plate in my direction. I grabbed at a silver fork and dug in hungrily, forgetting my manners. The waffles were light and the strawberries sweet. It was more than I could of asked for and I enjoyed every bite. We all sat in silence for a little while, not that I was willing to speak in place of chewing. Once I was feeling full I just picked at my food and decided to ask a few more questions. "If Lou knows when the truth is being told is there anything special about you?" This one was directed at Velum but he still intimidated me so I only peeked up at him between moving pieces of uneaten food around my plate.