Anti Heiress

Chapter 8

The door creaks open and awakes me from my stirring. The sun shines in my face from the open window. I roll and over and crack my eyes open. Malissa tiptoes in with a basin full of sweet smelling water. "I thought you'd be awake by now," she says. I sit up as Malissa sets the basin on the counter of the wardrobe. Her glossy hair is tied in a braid that nearly touches her bottom. The warm, flowery aroma fills my nose.

"I had a nightmare," I admit. Malissa purses her lips. The fire crackling in the corner of the room is the only sound. Though my forehead is dripping with sweat and my shirt sticks to my skin, I can't sleep without a fire. Malissa insists it keeps sicknesses away and now I've grown used to it.

Malissa drags a chair from the corner of the room to the edge of one of the dressers. "What about?" she questions earnestly. She gestures for me to sit in the chair. 

"That man I killed outside the tavern," I whisper as I climb out of bed. I shake my head to rid myself of the thought. "It was just a bad dream. It's been weeks. "

"Still, that must have been hard for you," Malissa sympathizes. "I'm sorry I couldn't be with you." It's difficult to wake up from nightmares in an empty bed. For the past few years every time I woke up in fear, Malissa was only inches away, ready to hold me until I fell asleep again. 

"Someone had to defend your honor," I joke, kissing her as I pass her. Malissa hands me a rag to hold when I settle down in the chair. Hair washing days were always my least favorite. It took forever, and was boring, and I hate having water drip onto my face. Usually, I would have one of my ladies read me a story or sing to entertain me, or Malissa would inform me of court gossip.

"And what's left of Talise's..." she says, blowing air out of her nose. 

"Are you saying I should have let her be robbed and murdered because she's slept with more men that you would like?" I challenge. 

"You're always so dramatic. I only mean we both know how Nyran women are. I don't believe they have morals in their country. Or restraint," Malissa explains. Her voice is strained, and I can tell she's trying terribly not to sound frustrated. 

"Talise isn't Nyran," I say. 

"She may as well be. She's spent enough time there."

I shrug. "She's to be the new princess regardless. Perhaps when she's queen she'll turn the palace into a brothel."

"You're impossible." Malissa's fingers massage my head in the perfumed water. The focused expression on her face makes me smile. Her fingers run across a thick scar at the back of my head from when my father threw a wine pitcher at me. I can't remember why. 

"There's a play in the town square this afternoon. That's what we should do together. You know how I love theatre."

Malissa smiles. "I hope it's a comedy. I'm not in the mood to see you cry."

I roll my eyes. "Must I apologize that an exceptionally good play moves me? Especially here, I find the actors are so different from the royal ones, more emotional, I think. I thoroughly enjoy it, even the simple parts like being able to hold your hand when I'm overcome with excitement." Not only do I get to be with Malissa, I also thought I'd never see the world outside of the grounds of the palace. Still, I can't believe there are so many people who have heard my name, and some who hate me even, and all the while we had never crossed paths. 

"I enjoy it too. I find they're much better singers too. It will be a wonderful night." 

The bedroom door swings open. "Good morning," Talise chirps. Malissa's fingers stop moving. "Aros, I brought you tea. Oh, Good morning to you too, Malissa."