Dreaming In Chaos

Waking Up

Waking up to faint traces of light coming through the balcony curtains, my mind is completely blank for a few precious moments. I simply take in the feel of the soft and silky sheets warmed by my body in slumber, the slightly sweet scent of soil, sap, and honey in the air, and the serenity on the space I'm occupying. Then consousness begins to take over as I uncurl and stretch, my first note being of my sore muscles, the second being, I don't own silk sheets. The first thought being normal I don't question is why I'm sore, the second snaps my eyes open as they had closed after a few lazy blinks. I sit bolt upright in the giant of a bed, sheets, a breathtaking emerald, pooling around my waist as I take in my surroundings.

Opening my eyes again I proceed to look around, hoping for some clue of where I am. The room is large, and my mind wanders from my predicament as I take in it's beauty. There isn't much in here, but the simplicity seems to add to its charm. The walls are a deep green, a painted mural of a field of grass. There is a desk, chair with it a bookshelf filled, a door across from me that's a soft green, two doors to the right like it, the balcony doors that are slightly open where I can see flowers on its edge, a tiger skin rug before a creme couch set in front of a large flat screen T.V mounted on the left wall, then the bed Im in.

I apeciate the red stained wood floors and ivory of the bed posts, running my hand over the sheets I sit in. My eyes wander up and I actually gasp. Above me is a mirror over the bed, reflecting my image. Gold trims the glass with an intracate patter carved in it. If I didn't look a mess I'm sure I would appreciate it more, but I do. Seeing my reflection brings reality back to me.

My hair is notted, my skin pale and bruised in places, my lip cut, and a wild look beginning to rise in my eyes as I continue to study myself. And my shoulder, my shirt over my shoulder is cut, dried blood crusting it to my skin. No longer able to look at myself I look down to the sheets, taking a careful breath. However, it's not really needed. Despite my cercomstances I'm not really afraid. I've gotten myself into plenty of questionable situations. And I always get out of them.

I take inventory of my body. I still have on my clothes, however my heels are gone. My back aches constantly, my left hip is throbbing, there are bruises on my arms, stomach, legs, and back I'm sure. My neck hurts slightly. However, I can move everything, even my shoulder. This being discovered I flick the sheets off of me and crawl, yes crawl, to the edge of the bed. I swear, this thing is huge!

Swinging my legs over I stand slowly, carefully spreading my weight on my feet once again biting my tounge from pain. I definatly sprained my ancle. 'What happened?' I ask myself again, taking another look around before I begin moving. I go to the desk lightly tracing the back of the chair with gentle fingertips, noting it was hand made out of oak. Carefully crouching down i inspect the whole thing with my hands, apreciating the craftsmanship. It was made with pride.

When I'm done I turn my attention to the desk, doing the same without disturbing anything on it. Then I move to the bookcase, all of it hand made. After inspecting the shelf, my eyes and hands turn to the books. Books on medicine and law, books on history and religions, books on mortals and how we function. And books on magic. These are the ones to interest me.

I trace the spines, glide my fingertips over the lettering, mouth the titles. One thing I've always loved is reading. Still, these are not mine, so I pull none out. "You know, anyone else would either be going through my things or trying to leave right now." The voice comes from behind me, low and a little rough, making me shiver and causing me to pivot, heart racing at the surprise.

The movement ruins my balance as I apply too much pressure to my injured ancle and stuble. But just as fast as it happens I catch myself and straighten biting my tounge and focusing on the man. He had moved to help me, as I can see as hes now directly in front of me, but stopped when i corrected my own blunder in actions, concern in his eyes.

"I might have, but I keep getting distracted." I repond as if it hadnt happened. "You need to be in bed." Before I can say a word he bends down and sweeps me up to carry me back to the bed. I bite my tounge harshly as he jousts my hurt shoulder, definatly tasting blood. Dispite not having made a sound he seems to still sence my pain. "I aplogise." He whispers softly, tucking me gently into the bed. "What have you done to yourself love?" He continues, sitting on the edge of the bed.

I notice the balcony doors are now closed, he must have been outside. I frown however at his question. Or, moreso, his use of the petname. " Do I know you?" I inquire, and his frown deepens. "You don't recognise me?" He asks. After a second I shake my head and he sighs, standing. "I am your brother princess. Well, that's what you always tell me. I was once your step brother, but our parents divorced." I blink a few times, trying to think.

"Parents?" I ask finally. "I was abandoned at birth, from what I recall, and was raised in the system until I started on my own." Bending close to me he touches the back of his hand to my head. "Yes, but you met your mother five years ago when she was married to my father. Have you hit your head as well? I should call the doctor back now that you're up."

I stair into his eyes, mesmerized by the clear emerald color. "I haven't a concussion, and I don't need a doctor." I murmer, blinking several times before I can look away. Gathering mg thoughts I try to climb from the bed once more, but he grabs me, firm but gentle. "That is nonsence. The doctor said thats a bullet wound cruly healed, and your ancle is sprained, and there could be more. Do you recall what happened? You just showed up two days ago and passed out when I got to you."

Two days... I've been out two days. "Daemon, forget the doctor and help me to a bath." I say after a moment, then blink. "Daemon." I repeat. He smiles some. "That would be my name. Starting to remember?" I only blink at him, mind blank. His smile slowly falls as I don't respond. "What's wrong?"

He sits again, brushing some hair from my face. Without meaning to I lean into his touch, sighing. Staring into his eyes images and noise whirls in my mind, but I still feel blank. When it's over I recall the missing pieces and sigh again.

"I'd like a bath please." I say eventually, and he sighs as well. "Still not one to tell me what goes on in that pretty little head." I crack a smile. "I insulted the wrong person, and paid the price. But I'll be fine, I promise." I take one of his hands and squeeze it gently. "Should I pay someone a visit?" He asks, returning my smile with a small one of his own, though his eyes convey his seriousness, as does his voice. I shake my head. "No need, I came out on top." I say this with a smirk.

"They must be pretty broken then." His tone is lighter. "Try dead." I return, and shock flashes in his eyes, I feel him stiffen slightly. I immediately regret telling him. Then he nods, accepting it. "Good for you. They had it coming doing this to my princess." He traces my busted lip, and we're both quiet a moment. Then I speak. "So how about helping me to that bath?" Cracking a smile he nods, standing. "As you wish."