Beauty and the Magician (Tales of the Red Witch Book 1)

Chapter 9 - A not so set path

Annika awoke at dawn to find an arm thrown across her chest. She turned to see a drooling Sofie wrapped around her. Annika smiled at her sister and carefully slid from the bed and dressed in the mint green dress that she wore most days to the flower shop. She combed out her hair and arranged her curls into a knot at the back of her head.

She never put a lot of stock in her appearance, but she took pride in it. She was pretty and there was no sense in pretending that she wasn't.

She slipped soundlessly out of the room on stockinged feet and looked into her father's room. He was awake yet still lying in bed. He had a small ivory miniature of their mother in his hand. What would her mother have said about all this if she was here?

"Can I get you some tea, father?"

Yes, she would have made tea. According to Else Gerst, the world's problems could be solved by tea.

"That would be lovely, my rose." Annika let out a breath and turned to put on the kettle.

When she returned to his bedside. He grabbed her hand as she set down the steaming cup.

"I know you'll do the right thing. You always do." He stared up into her eyes. Practical reliable Annika always doing the right thing. She didn't know how to respond. She couldn't bring herself to promise that she would and she couldn't bring herself to say that she wouldn't. So she just walked away without saying anything.

She was tying on her hat when Sofie came bounding down the stairs, dressed and ready for work.

"Wait for me!" She exclaimed as she almost crashed into Annika by the front door.

"I always wait for you... Did father talk to you?" Annika asked.

Sofie nodded. "He only wants to see us taken care of." Sofie said in an imitation of their father's voice while adjusting her brightly printed flowered kerchief that she had made out of one of her old dresses.

Annika let out a sharp breath. That's what made it all the worse to Annika. She wanted to hate him, but couldn't. "And he hopes to accomplish that by selling me for a diamond mine. And he thinks he can guilt me into saying yes..." She sighed and added softly. "He knows I'll say yes."

"Or you could run away and become a traveling singer, maybe you'll even perform for the prince... once they find him that is." Sofie said.

"You know my singing sounds like a cat that's being squeezed." She sighed. "Luckily, I do not have to make a decision immediately. I have time as long father doesn't run off with our rent money again."

Sofie smiled. "Don't worry, I already hid all our coppers where he can't find it." Silly Sofie could really be brilliant sometimes. Annika smiled very slightly while pulling on her coat before exiting the apartment building. It was cooler today and there was a chill breeze blowing in from the north. Annika walked quickly in an attempt to warm up, Sofie on her shorter legs was forced to jog in order to keep up.

Sofie turned to Annika before entering the laundry and instead of saying her normal goodbye she said.

"You shouldn't think too hard about Valdimir. You'll know what to do when the time comes.'' Sofie said with a smile and a wave.

Sofie turned bounding into the laundry to begin the day while Annika turned to make her way over to the neat row of shops on Main Street. It was early and the street was deserted. Tears were in her eyes though she wasn't sure if it was from the cool wind or from her hard decision. She truly felt stuck between a wall and a Valdimir.

Annika made her way to the flower shop, she donned her apron and saw to the plants in the greenhouse before opening as usual.

She stepped out to the greenhouse and came out with a fresh bouquet of Hydrangeas, neatly trimmed and ready for display. Some of the red roses that she had put out in the windows a few days ago were beginning to wilt and she was anxious to display the pretty blue bunches that were blooming. She knew she must look weary and all she could do now was wish for a solution to her problem.

But you know what they say, be careful what you wish for.

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Author's Note:

a short chapter but needed. stayed tuned, there's more to come.