The Blue Bird

Chapter Eight

Aggie stayed awake for three full days and nights. I spent these days by the window, catching glimpses of my blue bird as he flitted to and from the hollow tree he usually slept in and kept me company with his song.

I was beginning to wonder if Aggie was some kind of magic being who didn't require sleep when she finally allowed her eyes to droop as her breathing eased into slumber.

In my excitement, I almost shouted to Hector that it was safe to return - luckily I realised how counterproductive that would have been in time. Instead, I began to hum one of our favourite tunes. It wasn't long before I heard the flutter of his wings as he returned to me.

I would have kissed him if I could have; propriety be damned. I had to settle for caressing his soft, blue feathers.

"I missed you so much, my dearest blue bird!" I whispered excitedly.

"And I, you, dearest Hana." He chirped back.

Hearing him speak after three days without his conversation filled me with such relief. In that moment, I realised that he had become the most important person (or, bird) in my life. I realised how terrified I now was of the thought that I may ever have to live without him.

"What are we to do?" I whispered, biting back the threat of tears. "I can't stand the thought of ever being parted from you again."

"I have also struggled these past few days without you, my love." Hector assured me. "But, should the worst happen, and we were to be parted once more, there is no question in my mind that you would be alright. You are so strong."

It then struck me that there was something I had never told him. It was so obvious, we both knew it, but I had never said it out loud.

"Hector." I whispered.

"Yes?"

I hesitated. I could feel the butterflies of excitement and fear in my stomach. Oh lord, I had become one of those love-sick teenagers I used to scoff at.

"I love you." I said, finally.

He gave me the closest thing to a smile a bird can give. "I love you too, Hana."

"You don't have to say it back, just because I said it." I started gushing. "My love for you does not depend on reciprocation. You are truly the most incredible, kind, caring, sweet and funny person I have ever known. I feel like my life didn't really start until you entered it."

"That is quite remarkable, given that you've lost the greatest amount of freedom since we met." He joked.

I chuckled. "You know what I mean."

He fell silent and turned his head to gaze out of the window. "If I were strong enough, I would fly you far away from here."

"For the moment, I am satisfied just to have you here with me." I smiled at him.

Aggie stirred. We exchanged startled glances. I had been so enraptured to have my lover back, I had forgotten about my cage, and it's guardian. She frowned, and groaned. I sighed. All too quickly, our stolen moment had passed.

We moved back to the window, and a heavy sadness settled on my body.

"Don't be sad, dearest Hana." Hector tried to console me. "We will be reunited soon enough."

"Of course." I nodded solemnly. "Until then, stay safe."

"Always." He chirped, and fluttered out of the window.

My eyes started to sting.

"What did I miss?" Aggie mumbled as she roused.

I sat in silence, unsure as to whether she had consciously asked the question, or whether she was still sleeping.

"What are you doing?" Aggie demanded, looking straight at me, very much awake.

I felt a pulse of adrenaline that I realised must have been caused by irritation; it was a new and strange sensation.

"I'm not sure who you think you're talking to." I said, as regally as I could manage. "But unless the world has imploded whilst I've been locked away here - which I highly doubt, as surely even this prison could not save me from such a disaster - it is not now, nor has it ever been, appropriate to speak to a princess thus."

Aggie seemed to shrink before my eyes, a sight that, I must admit, filled me with a little remorse.

"Please accept my humblest apologies, your Highness." She bowed meekly. "I was awakened by a strange sound, and found it most disconcerting to open my eyes, at this late hour, to meet yours."

I was impressed by her dramatically improved vocabulary, and felt a little thrill at her response to my self-assertion.

"I shall accept your apology." I said, keeping my chin up; still trying to exude authority. "But do not forget your station."

"No, my lady." She lowered her eyes.

I felt another pang of remorse, but I decided not to care. I was getting well and truly sick of my treatment. For a moment, I wondered if I could have prevented my imprisonment if I had have been more assertive earlier. But no, fighting for what I wanted would probably only have brought Dina's vengeance down on me sooner, not that I had even known what I had wanted.

I knew what I wanted now though, that was for sure. I wanted to be out of this stupid box of a room, and I wanted Hector to be free - more to the point - I wanted to be able to love him freely.