The Dreamworld

Chapter 9-A Dictionary?

Ashlyn groaned as she stirred awake, glancing up to find herself laying on some random couch. She yawned as she stretched, examining her surroundings. From the size of the living room alone, she realized that this wasn't her apartment. Bookshelves lined the back wall full of random reference books and encyclopedias.

"Sleeping Beauty er våken."

She glanced back at the sound of the voice, about falling from the couch at the sight of Calian standing there drying his hair with a towel, his pale chest bare for all to see.

"Dude, put a shirt on," Ashlyn snapped as she fought back a blush creeping across her cheeks.

"Sorry, I was just helping Sven with his bath. Poor guy was scared shitless," Calian replied with a grin.

"How did I end up here? You didn't stab me with any needles again, did you?" Ashlyn wearily eyed him.

Calian chuckled and shook his head. "No, you passed out when Granger was carrying you."

"And the ass willingly dumped me here?"

"Well, the kid didn't want to leave your side. He broke down in tears when Granger tried to take you home."

"The kid doesn't even understand me." Ashlyn's voice rose in protest. 

Calian walked over, sitting down on the couch next to Ashlyn, brushing his hand against hers as he smirked at her. "You did save his life, gudinne."

"I hope that wasn't an insult," Ashlyn grumbled. She yanked her hand from his reach.

"Not at all. Clay should rethink your assignment as the Librarian. I think you'd be better suited as a Creator. Then again, as a librarian, I can visit you a lot more. You'll be working in the building next door to mine."

Ashlyn groaned. She didn't know what his deal was, but he sure enjoyed making her feel uncomfortable. It didn't help that he wasn't bad on the eyes, but still, he was a class A creep. She knew she couldn't trust him, especially if he held a job letting him be in tight with the Queen. She had a feeling his feelings weren't genuine and she was just some toy he'd discard when he was done.

"Ashlyn!"

Ashlyn was pulled from her thoughts as the little boy she had rescued earlier threw himself into her, squeezing her neck in a hug. He had changed into little spaceship footie pajamas and held a children's book in his hand that was written in his native tongue.

"Sven, har du pusset tennene dine?" Calian asked.

"Ja!" Sven grinned. "Er stor søster bor her også?"

"Nei, hun bor andre steder," Calian sighed.

The boy glanced over at Ashlyn with a hurt expression, tears welling in his eyes. Ashlyn had no idea what Calian had said to the kid to make him cry so she glared at him. Calian only shrugged his shoulders.

"Kan du lese meg en bedtime historie?"

"He wants you to read him a story," Calian translated. 

Ashlyn smiled, picking up the book from Sven's hands. There were two trolls on the cover holding hands, one with red hair and the other black. The title read, Karius and Bactus. She sighed, opening up the book to begin trying to make sense of the words as Sven sat eagerly on her lap ready to hear the story. In places, she struggled over some of the words which Calian would interject as he leaned over her shoulder, whispering the correct translations in her ears as she read. Sven was yawning by the time Ashlyn was finished with the book.

"Tid for å legge seg," Calian ordered once Ashlyn had finished the book.

"Kan Ashlyn stikke meg inn?"