The Arrangement

n i n e

ஜ Adeline ஜ

'Oh!' I awoke to Freya, one of the servants, gasping with a hand on her chest in surprise. 'I'm sorry, Your Grace's! I didn't realize. I knocked and when no one answered I thought your chambers were empty, Princess.'

My senses began sharpening, I waved her off, squinting my eyes due to my bleary vision. 'It's alright. Thank you.' Then I realized Nikolai had an arm slung around my middle and his head was settled in the crook of my neck. My eyes widened; peeling his arm gently off of me and moving a little away from him, I sat up. I still have my golden gown on from last night.

'The Queen's instructed us to get you ready for breakfast, Your Grace. All are to attend at 9:30, so... I suggest you wake the Prince.' another servant, Wendy, squeaked.

I nodded. 'Of course. Would you give us a minute?'

They bowed respectfully, exiting my chambers.

I sighed, glancing at Nikolai, hoping he wasn't too deep in his sleep. A tuft of his blonde hair covered a portion of his face, and his mouth was open slightly, as he breathed steadily. I started attempting to rouse him from his sleep by shaking his arm.

'Nikolai.' I said, loudly.

No answer.

'Wake up.' I whined, pushing his torso.

No answer.

I summoned my elemental power within me, until I felt it begin to stir. I channeled water. I lifted my index finger, pointing it at his face. I flicked my finger, and the spray of water jolted him awake. It did enter his nostril a little, after all. And his mouth. Immediately after using my power, my mouth began feeling dry. If there was no outward source of an element around me, I had to draw it out from within myself. Whether it was from my actual bodily fluids, like with water. Or, fueling a certain element; like fire, from an emotion.

'What the hell was that for?'

I rolled my eyes. 'Who's the one with the filthy mouth now?'

His lips quirked upwards. 'Nice comeback, criceta.'

'You need to leave.' he clutched his chest in mock hurt. 'Breakfast is at 9:30. Something tells me no one would want to keep Tatiana waiting. Even if you are her son.'

He nodded, swinging his legs over the bed. 'You're right.' he said, yawning as he stretched, causing his white sleep shirt to be pulled taut; outlining the firm muscles underneath.

'Was the verto alright? You don't feel weird or anything?' he inquired, as he got to his feet, concern evident in is his expression.

[Verto: a vision that a demuto induces, or in this case; the memory that they induced.]

'It was alright. I just hate the feeling of entering a verto and then experiencing it again when it's over and I have to exit it.' I admitted, shivers skittering down my spine. 'But, otherwise, I'm glad you showed the memory to me.'

Then, the shocking part of the memory comes back to me. When that little boy gave my younger self a drink, she fell to the floor and her hair began to change.

I'm your favorite now, he said.

What in the world did that mean?

'Adeline?' Nikolai's voice brought me back to the present. 'Everything alright?' he inquired, reaching out to tilt my chin up.