Once Upon His December

Chapter 16 - New Life

Kira

Light invaded the bedroom violently as the curtains were thrust open. A bright stream of light hit my face and stirred me from sleep.  My body ached, my throat was dry and my stomach rumbled with a deep hunger.  I heard a rustling noise and forced her eyes to open.  The Empress stood at my window, gazing out at the mid morning crystal clear blue sky.

"You gave us quite a scare, Kira."

Slowly sitting up in bed, my throat was too parched to speak but the Empress had no problem.

"The fever lasted the better portion of four days.  We weren't sure you would make it at some points."

"Wh-wh-"

"How are you feeling, dear?" Anya asked, not even bothering to turn around. 

I tried to answer but no sound came out. Clicking her tongue, Anya crossed over to the bed.  She poured water into a glass then sat on the bed beside me.

"Drink," she coaxed.  I took the glass and drank deeply, relishing in the cool, soothing moisture as it trickled down my throat.

"Better?" I nodded.  "Good. Now, I need you to just listen.  You will rest for a couple more days then resume your position as a court musician.  You will move rooms to one in the east wing with the other musicians.  I'm sure the room in the servant's wing holds," she waved a hand dismissively.  "Memories you wish to not recall."

I shrank back into the pillows.  Did someone tell her?  Who?

"You are no longer needed as a servant," Anya continued.  "Do you understand all of this?"  I nodded.  "Wonderful.  Sasha will show you to your new rooms once you are fully recovered."

"Th-thank you," I croaked.  My voice ached from lack of use or as if I had been crying.

Anya gave a small smile.  "You're welcome." She stood to leave but then turned to me.  "One more thing.  Theodore has been sent on a special political assignment.  It will last an undetermined length of time."

With that, the Empress sauntered out of the room.  My eyes were as wide as saucers but a huge weight suddenly was lifted from my shoulders.  They had sent Theodore away?  I was sad to lose a friend.  Then again, that friend had turned to a foe very quickly.

****

"Good morning, my dear," Sasha warm voice called.

I was soaking in a warm bath first thing in the morning, much to my delight.  My skin crawled like it had been months since I had a bath.  Really it had only been a few days with my fever.  Now feeling fresh and joyously rejuvenated, I stood as a maid helped wrap a towel around her.

"Good morning, Sasha," I smiled entering the bedroom.

"Are you feeling better today?" the older woman asked. She set out a small meal.

"Much, thank you, Sasha," I replied.  The aroma of the food made my stomach rumble. 

Eating had been difficult at first.  It took a day for my appetite to return.  Sasha made me promise to eat three full meals before I would be moved to my new room. 

It was too bad I couldn't stay in this room. The pink room I was first brought to as a 14 year old girl was still my favorite room in the palace.  Other than the library.  As a maid, I had seen most rooms in the living wing.  No one did Nikolai's room because he was always gone.  Only certain servants did the Czars room.  Those were two I had not seen in the family wing.  My duties kept me confined to certain areas.

Now dressed in a simple blue dress, I sat and took a deep, longing smell of the soup in front of me.  It was a fish soup that smelled simply delicious.