Head in the Clouds

Chapter 7: I'll Protect You

It was bright afternoons like that one Deidre used to love the most. On days like those, her father would take her to the field outside the city with Nadja and teach her how to properly ride the horse.

"You have to protect her with all of your strength just like how I'll protect you with all my strength," he'd tell her in his nice, soothing voice. By that time, she'd have Deidre rest her hand on the head of baby Nadja, "When you protect her with all your strength, you'll grow a bond so strong that she'll always be there when you need her, and she'll protect you with all her strength."

"But Dad!" She'd complain defeatedly, "I'm not strong like you and Fiona."

Fiona was Nadja's mother. Deidre's father had been riding with Fiona his whole life, and to him owning a horse was the same as making a life long friend.

"No, not yet," he'd reply with a small chuckle, "but one day you can be just as strong as me, and Nadja will be just as strong as Fiona, and when you are, you'll be so happy you had each other."

Deidre rested her hand on Nadja's head. She was so small- only an inch or so taller than Deidre, and she seemed so scared of her. Deidre knew just how brave Nadja's mother, Fiona, was and wondered if sticking around her father did that. "To grow old with your horse was one of the greatest gifts" according to her father.

"Don't worry, Nadja," she comforted the horse, "I'm gonna protect you with all my strength."

Now, those were the days she hated the most. On those sunny days, she'd walk over to her parent's house, which was near the palace, and greet her mother, Rio. While there, she'd take a seat at the kitchen table while her mother got her some lemonade.

Just looking at the two, you'd never imagine them to be mother and daughter. While they both had similar dark skin and kinky hair, their similarities drifted apart from there. Deidre's eyes were rather dark and round, while Rio's were a bit lighter. Rio managed to be pretty slim and delicate looking, while Deidre was pretty muscular.

As her mother poured the lemonade into her glass, Deidre couldn't help but notice how tired she looked. Her eyelids seemed to be weighed down, and there were the faintest creases in the corners of her eyes. Rio placed her drink before her with a hospitable yet tired smile.

"Mom, is everything okay?" Deidre asked as her mother took a seat right beside her.

Rio smiled, "Just a bit tired, Dear, that's all."

Deidre wasn't buying it. As she took a sip of her drink, her eyes never left her mother. Guilt was such a potent feeling she couldn't quite shake when seeing her mother. In another life, she would have just stayed home with her mother to help at home instead of running around with Clyde. Instead, she chose her own adventure and happiness over her mother's quality of life.

"How's Clyde?" She asked sweetly. Deidre shot her mother a look they both understood, "What? Can't I take interest in my daughter's childhood friend?"

"Not that kind of interest," Deidre responded before taking another sip of lemonade.

"I'm just saying-"

"Mom!" Deidre protested in embarrassment.

"What?" Rio said with a slight chuckle, "We all know you're perfect together."

"Oh my God," mumbled Deidre. She put her head on the table in an attempt to hide her face as she always did when embarrassed.

"What I don't get is why you won't just tell him how you feel," Rio continued completely unphased by her daughter's aversion to the topic.

"There's nothing to tell," Deidre responded, her voice muffled as her head was still down.

"Sure..." Rio replied, "so there's no reason I can't invite him to dinner."