Embark | h.s

Sixteen

A droplet of cool water strolled down Celia's face, tickling her skin. She immediately felt a pounding in her head as she woke up. She clenched her eyes shut before opening them and being greeted with the harsh sunlight that cascaded through the window, the rays shining directly on her face. She turned her head to the left to avoid the light. She recognized the room. She was laying in her bed alone. The wet rag that once rested on her forehead slipped off and fell to the sheets next to her. She blinked slowly and peeled her chapped lips apart, then running her dry tongue over them to soothe the cracks in the thin skin.

Every sound was amplified. The beats of her heart echoed in her head. A chirping bird from the forest behind the fort sounded as if it were in the bedroom with her. The crackling of the fire in the kitchen reminded her of a gunshot.

The door opened. More light shone into the room, causing her to shut her eyes tight. Footsteps thumped against the floor until she could feel the presence of someone standing in front of her, blocking the light and casting a shadow on her face. She opened her eyes.

"Good morning," Ana said softly.

Celia did not answer, nor look at Ana at all. She stared at the wooden wall behind her until she saw a bowl being held out in front of her face. She glanced down at it just long enough to determine that it was porridge, then reverting her gaze back to the wall.

"You must eat, ma'am," Ana whispered.

Celia remained silent. Visions of the night prior flashed before her. Harry's intense eyes upon Eleanor as he held onto her waist, spinning around the room for all to see.

"Please."

Eleanor's giddy smile as she looked into his eyes with joy was all that she could see.

"Ma'am."

Celia shifted her head, turning it to the right to avoid Ana. "Where is he?" she croaked out.

Ana did not answer at first, allowing Celia to come to the conclusion herself. Tears multiplied in her eyes, silently falling down her face and dampening her pillow. "Mr. White's house, ma'am," Ana finally said quietly. "He left this letter for when you wake."

Celia could hear Ana pull a letter out of her apron pocket, the crinkling paper piercing her ears. She imagined Ana was holding it out for her. The thought of his words made Celia want to spit fire. "I do not wish to read it."

"Mama."

The voice caused Celia's heart to skip a beat. She pushed herself to an upright position and looked to her left, in the direction of the small voice. Ana held Nerissa in her arms. The little girl smiled at Celia and reached out to her. Celia took her daughter and held her close, silently sobbing as she pressed Nerissa's cheek to her own.

"My darling girl," Celia whispered as she wept.

✿

"Rest you then, rest, sad eyes, melt not in weeping, while she lies sleeping. Softly, now softly lies sleeping," Celia sang softly.