The Shattered Dragonslayer

Chapter 9: Taboo (Part 2)

Streams of sun poured into the room. Her eyes fluttered open beneath its beckoning. She breathed softly, stretching her arms, legs, and torso, then a serene smile spread across her face as she rolled over to check on her roommate. There's so much about you I still don't know. But now's my chance; I will understand everything there is about you and humanity. I can't believe this is happening! She stopped mid-stretch. I can't believe that really happened. And that it worked – phew. Pulling the pants on was no fun, I had to feel my way up; it was either that or look. She glanced at her hand with a contorted mouth and broadened eyes. I think I touched something. Hastily, she shook her hand as if attempting to rid it of a clinging spider.

She observed him lying there peacefully on his side, the uncharred side of his face facing up, his body half rid of the blanket she had put on him so strategically. His hair was a mess, yet his shoulder slumped and laxed in such a way that from where she sat it didn't appear he was missing anything. A curious thing, he looks like a puppy when he sleeps. Abruptly, she shot out of bed and scrambled about the room. Breakfast will be ready soon, I'd better hurry! She picked out a dress from the wardrobe and was about to strip herself of her sleeping attire. Oh...I had better use the wash room.

It was not more than a minute after she'd left that he awoke. Groaning drowsily, he rolled onto his back, as his eyes wandered around the dome ceiling. The curling, garden themed motif which was carved into it was striking in detail. The scene of the air-brushed trees with the scent of dew and morning air was already a serene environment to wake up to when he had slept in the forest, but this was even more so, as the new breeze still wafted through the windows, the sound of fluttering leaves could be heard above his head, and the room décor was calming to the eye.

Slowly, he set himself upright, bracing against the round bed frame, all the while surveying the adornments of the strange bedroom. On his left there were bookshelves cut into the wall and a red-stained wardrobe with foreign marks down its twin doors, next to which was a light cedar chest, and beside that stood an elegant silver lampstand with decorative vines winding up around it and white crystal blooms along the vine holding the lamp's glow. On his right stood more shelves holding various items from books to precious vases and unicorn figurines, to an expertly crafted jewelry box and hair comb alongside other such belongings. Then there was a tiny alcove with a table and basin, and then beside that was the little wicker bedside table with another silvery sylvan lamp.

On either side there was a circular open window that overlooked the vastness of the woodland, though he couldn't see much of the view from the floor. In fact, he couldn't see past the leaves of the great tree's branches which hovered by the windows. Before him was a soft throw rug made evidently from a kind of deer, which he had the luxury of feeling where he sat the previous night. Surrounding him hung the soothing wooden smell of the great tree in which the room resided, mixed with the occasional breeze from the wilds outside.

He absorbed it all slowly, gratefully, inquiring within his own mind as to whether he dreamt the whole thing. There lingered the sensation of something magic in the air, or in the make of the furnishings and even the knick-knacks – something he couldn't touch, only vaguely sense in his bones. And to think...only a week ago I didn't believe such creatures existed. Fidelma re-entered the room before he expected, and his insides clenched.

"Oh! Good morning, Demetri. You slept well, I trust." She sounded as gleeful as ever. "You looked ever so peaceful and content, so I didn't dare disturb you."

He didn't reply right away; his heart had started pounding the moment she stepped in, and he was presently attempting to calm himself. He took a few slow breaths and recomposed himself adequately.