Queen of The Reach

14

"No more sleeping!" Loufabus woke me far too early, her childish behaviour made it hard to be mad at her but I still refused to welcome the thought of her just yet. My body demanded more sleep and I rolled over to face the wall. Five more minutes. "I'm bored!" She proclaimed. I hoped this once she could let me rest. She never seemed to herself and I didn't know how she did it.

The rings attached to the velvet curtain in my room scraped against the rod as she beckoned the new day that sunlight accompanied. To my amazement the room lit up immediately and I heard her pop the actual window open. I rolled back over quickly, she would let the cold air in. "Why Lou?" I complained instantly.

It took me too long to take in my surroundings but I was confused in the early morning partly because of not sleeping well and also because I could hardly comprehend what I saw before me.

Velum was snuggled in the chair by the fire, keeping warm without a blanket and sound asleep. He stayed. I felt myself smile wide and I tried to duck my head from Lou's prying eyes. I didn't want her to jump to conclusions and I was still taking in the sight myself. I felt so happy. He actually stayed. He was a mess in crinkled clothing and tangled hair but it only made him more real. Even asleep he took my breath away.

"Wait!" she said loudly. I was surprised Velum remained asleep, perhaps he'd only slept as well as I. I thought it was sweet that he stayed in the chair. I hoped it was for me, selfishly. I felt wrong for keeping him close but the temptation of Velum had me torn. Maybe this once I could feel alright in taking what I wanted.

Velum wasn't like Carter in many ways and that was part of the draw I felt to him. I wasn't sure I wanted Carter anymore, not after the way Velum made me feel. He made me feel like there was something in me that was worth loving and although I didn't believe that could ever be true, the feeling was still enticing. It would be alright to play pretend with him for a little longer, he knew I had to leave. We could be happy for this while and then move on when the time arrived. I was unsettled though. To fall the way I hoped for would mean the same from both sides. I hoped I wouldn't bring him down with me. What I wanted and what was fair weren't the same anymore but I couldn't bring myself to let him go even if I hadn't had him yet.

Loufabus looked back and forth between the unknowing girl with evil red eyes and the king with a golden heart beneath a facade of indifference. "Why?" She wondered aloud, still unsure of what to think. Her eyebrows knit together, she was sweet in a way, innocent somehow.

"I didn't know he would actually stay," I tried to explain, still groggy from waking unexpectedly.

"The weather..." she trailed off. I really need more sleep. She wasn't making any sense and I guessed it was just the lack of hours I'd rested. I closed my eyes briefly. "Wake up!" She had crossed the distance between the window and myself in no time and was shaking me violently.

"Lou!" I yelled. Velum only snored softly in the midst of our intensity. I glared at her and she removed her hands promptly. "I'm just so tired," I explained myself.

"Then go to sleep earlier," she pouted. Pouty seemed to be her default setting. Still I hated seeing her upset.

"Just a little longer okay?" I pulled back the covers so she could crawl in with me, there was plenty of room after all and maybe it would be enough to mollify her. "And could you close the window, it's so cold?" I shivered while I held the blanket back for her. All of my body heat was escaping, whatever amount of that existed anymore.

"No way, it's beautiful outside," she was obstinate.

"Are you insane?" My voice cracked, I couldn't believe her. Well, two could play at that game. I threw off the covers all of the way, taking the decision from her as to whether or not she wanted to join me and I crossed the room in a matter of steps to shut out the cold myself. I shivered as I walked, I was so cold. It was frustrating that she would do this to me, she could have left me be.