Missing Pieces ~ Book Two of; Soldier's Heart

Chapter 5 Bouquet

My hair spreads out on my pillow in waves of white and I have the duvet pulled over my shoulder. The other side of the bed is empty. Where's Aaron?

I sit up, dawdle out of bed, sit down on the chair at the dresser and stare at myself in the mirror. I look like a wreck. My hair sticks out in all directions and I have bags under my eyes.

I huff at my appearance and grab a hairbrush that lays on the dresser and brush my hair. The brush gets caught in so many little knots, it's ridiculous.

In the reflection of the mirror I look at the room. Fanon has done an amazing job at decorating, or filling the room.

There's an assortment of perfumes, a jewellery box and all kinds of powders and creams on the dresser. In the middle of the room, close to the bed is a coffee table with three cushioned seats around it. On the coffee table is a vase and in the vase are beautiful flowers, all different colours and sizes. It reminds me of the plant pot I broke last night while climbing the wall and a pit of guilt opens inside me.

On the same wall as the dresser but in the other corner is a set of shelves. The shelves are full with books and all little kinds of trinkets. There's a little wooden wolf howling, I smile as it reminds me of Luna. There's old scrolls all stacked up on each other, a snow globe with a deer inside it, some candles, some jewellery and other little things that just make it all cute.

There's a knock on the door that startles me. I put the brush down and stride over to the door and open it.

A girl stands outside. She has orange hair, pulled into two plats that rest on each of her shoulders, blistering green eyes, she is small with dainty features and hundreds of freckles. She reminds me of Autumn.

"Hello!" The girl squeaks shyly, barely audible with her head down
I turn around to look outside, the sun is just peeking over the city. I then turn back to the girl "Good morning!" I pipe, despite my drowsiness and manage a friendly smile.

"Can I help you?" I ask, after a few beats where the only thing heard are our silent breaths
"Oh! Sorry!" The fumbles "My name is Sierra. I'll be your handmaiden for as long as you stay here, Miss Oaken" She blurts out enthusiastically and gives me a smile, showing rows of teeth. Me being me, I search for fangs but she doesn't appear to have any.

"Um" Sierra stutters "We need to get you ready for breakfast, Miss Oaken!" She says, moving past me in a hurry and disappears into the walk-in-wardrobe
I gaze at my reflection in the mirror "Right" I drawl, biting my lip.

Sierra reappears at the door of the wardrobe holding a dress. Before I can get a good look at it she puts it over one of the seats around the coffee table, then ushers me into the bathroom.

The maid runs a hot bath with a thick blanket of bubbles that look like froth. She scurries around so quickly even Astra would stop to watch her.

Once I'm in the steaming hot tub Sierra scrubs me clean, and rubs lotions into my skin. She moves onto my hair and massages lotions all through it, her fingers working like magic.

Sierra leaves me in the bathroom to dry myself while she goes back into the bedroom. I slowly pull myself from the warm bath and wrap the towel around myself, feeling refreshed. I'll admit I've never felt this clean in a long while.

The maid hands me the dress through the door, ushering me with her words to put it on. I quickly tug on the dress, not giving myself a moment to drool over its beauty.