Time for the Truth: a story of a sleeping beauty

Part 2: The Note

I woke up a second later to the man standing several feet away. His warmth was gone and I shivered on the hard ground without it. He looked at me carefully, as though he might break me.

I realized now how he towered above my position on the ground. I felt vaguely embarrassed for a moment before the anger took over.

"I must speak with your serving man about keeping you in better health and safety. This castle is dangerous for you."

"The only thing dangerous for me is to keep me an addict to a drug. It's cold all the time, why don't you tell them that? I hate the gray and the dark and the cold and..." I stop myself from saying I want to go home, but only barely. I don't need to seem like a child. I push myself up on trembling arms and almost fall back again, Except he is there to propel me to my feet. They are so cold I cannot feel them. I sway.

"You are cold." He acts surprised and curious. I glare at him. "If we are to build fire in your room, it would be unbearably warm in that wing for everyone else, they could resent you even more."

"So I am to freeze?" He shook his head, appalled. Who would resent me? I wanted to ask. 

"No, of course we cannot allow such a thing for the future queen. We will have our tailors make special clothing for you to give you the heat we all already possess." A strange, tight little smile had come over his face at the mention of my future, and I was sure I wore a similar face of cold anger, frustration, disdain and powerlessness.

"Let me walk you -" I rip my arm away from his wonderfully warm hand. His fingers stay extended from the motion and I think maybe this drug has made me crazy because all I can think about is how he is in the dream.

The dream where we ride off into a sunset on the white horse while my prince Philip makes me glow from my heart to my toes. Even though that's probably not even his name.

"Don't touch me. I can make my way on my own." despite my anger, I must not have been very convincing because he stepped closer with outstretched arms- as if he could catch me when I inevitably fell.

He swooped my legs out from under me, and I stiffened, clutching as if I could fall and die.

I hated feeling defenseless and small and high up. I guess the dream wouldn't be too happy, considering horses make me feel all of these things.

It didn't help that I couldn't remember exactly when he had picked me up, or how long he'd already been carrying me.

what was wrong with me? oh God, I couldn't believe I had become an addict that was this muddled and dependent.

I felt the tears bunching up behind my eyes and my throat caught the air in a sob.

The man looked at me.

He supported my weight with one arm and swiped the tears away awkwardly.

"Why is it you cry?" His jaw clenched and I heard him swallow.

I couldn't even attempt to speak, and so I turned my head to his chest to hide my shame. I couldn't even control my tears.

My body betrays me.

"Enyada?" I looked up at him tiredly. "Will you promise to tell me someday?" I nodded before I could stop myself in my weak state.

"But how will I know who to tell? " He smiled with his eyes that were a strange dark brown. He nodded.

"I am Rior. "

"Rior, nice to make your acquaintance." He bowed his head to me, setting me down. I would have performed a beautiful curtsy, if I had not been about to fall over. He held out a hand, a gesture that looked almost awkward on him. I shook it and opened the door behind me.