Head in the Clouds

Chapter 6: The King is Calling

Deidre woke up in the arms of her best friend. She wanted to pull away- she really did. She didn't want to like the way his clothes smelt like warm pine cones and roasted nuts. She didn't want to like the way her head was pressed against his chest as she listened to his heartbeat. She didn't want to like the way she felt small while wrapped up in him. She didn't want to feel safe while being held by him, but she did.

She did love the way his clothes smelt, and the way her head was pressed against his chest, and the way his arms pulled her in close, and the way she felt safe with him. She took quite a while to muster the strength to pull his arms away from her, but when she did, the first thing she did was go downstairs and check on Nadja.

"Hey, Nadja. You feeling better?" She asked her horse sweetly, but Nadja just shook her head, "Okay."

Deidre put out some hay into Nadja's trough and waited to see if she'd eat, but she didn't move. Deciding she can't wait around forever, Deidre tried to get her mind off things by making breakfast. She made eight large eggs with some toast and green tea for her and Clyde. Then called him to eat.

"Clyde, come get breakfast!" She hollered from the kitchen.

He woke with a start, displeased to find Deidre, not beside him. He followed the same routine and became disappointed in seeing Nadja was doing unwell. When he got to the kitchen, he had a seat and thanked Deidre for making him breakfast.

"Nadja's not better," he said solemnly.

Deidre took a bite of her eggs not looking at her friend, "I know."

Clyde took a bite of his toast feeling as though it was the best toast he had ever tasted. Funny how love can taint every other feeling in your body.

"What can we do?" He asked rather quietly.

It really was a beautiful day. The sun wasn't fully out, just enough to give that warm feeling on your skin without too much heat. There were ladybugs and butterflies flying around all the plants near the pond. The place was so peaceful, you'd never imagine such dangerous people lived there.

"Hope she gets better," Deidre responded.

He knew she was being short with him on purpose. She got like that every time they got too close. She'd either run off to the forest somewhere or spend all her time with her parents whenever she couldn't process how she felt about Clyde. When she'd get back, she'd act like nothing even happened.

"I'm gonna take a bath," she said as she got out her spot.

She didn't wait for an answer. Instead, she gathered preboiled water from her container and took a bath. She got out, changing into a normal pair of cotton pants and a tank top. By the time she was out and clean she found Clyde at her front door talking to Andrew.

Clyde was nodding in agreement at something, and by the time she made it over to the front door, Andrew was already on his way. SHe gauged Clyde's face. He didn't seem upset, just a little concerned.

"What is it?" She asked.

Clyde shrugged his shoulders, "Dad wants us at the palace, right now."

She could tell it had to be at least somewhat serious for King Archibold to send someone to her home. She began to wonder if it was about their little sleepover, or had something to do with why they had to return home so soon.

"Fine," responded Deidre. She could tell Clyde was wondering why he called them too, "No big deal."

"Yeah," he replied with pseudo optimism, "Let's go."

Deidre pulled a leather coat over her shoulders, and they head for the door. Domino was waiting right outside the door for them. Clyde got on first so he could guide his horse then welcomed Deidre on behind him.