Look Beyond What You See

The Music Room

 "Aerys. Aerys! Wake up," a velvety masculine voice urges near my ear. What is a man doing in my bedroom? I jolt upright and swing an arm in the direction of the voice, connecting with something warm and solid. "OUCH!" And then some cursing ensues, much to my chagrin.

"Get out of my room!" I groan.

"This is not your room! We took a nap in a guest room after exploring...Do you remember?" the voice grumbles, sounding more and more like my supposed fiancé with each word. I am amazed by how concerned his question sounds, considering that I seem to have hit him rather hard. I bury my face in the pillow, wishing that I could make him disappear. Maybe I can make another giant wave...Wait, giant wave? And then I remember everything--the secret room for practising elemental abilities, the little I was able to do with whatever power I seem to have, Dmitri carrying me to an unfamiliar part of the mansion because I couldn't walk properly, him forcing me to change into a clean dress (out of his sight) because mine was fairly ruined from the practising. And then falling asleep in his arms, too tired to protest (and enjoying it too much to bother).

"Now I do."

"Aerys, we're meant to be at luncheon in less than ten minutes."

"But...still tired...."

"If you will not walk on your own, I will carry you down there."

"Want to sleep. Tell them not hungry."

"It matters not whether or not you are hungry. Family meals are compulsory. Come along. We can go to the music room afterward." Music room? That is so noteworthy that I actually pry my heavy eyelids open and look in his direction. He's rubbing his shoulder, wincing occasionally and looking at me with a mixture of exasperation and concern.

"Promise?"

"I'm not sure you deserve a promise, after hitting me like that," he frowns. I put my face back in the pillow.

"Not moving, then."

"Did practicing really drain you that much?"

"So it would seem."

"I really will carry you down there if you do not get up. That will look very suspicious, you know," he informs me with a heavy sigh.

"So will me falling asleep in my food, which will happen either way. Can you not just tell them I am indisposed?"

"No." With that, he picks me up and throws me over his shoulder. The indignity and general outrageousness of this situation wakes me up somewhat and gives me some energy, albeit negative.

"Put me down!" I demand, thumping a hand on his back for emphasis. He just laughs in reply.

"You asked for this. I warned you. Still you refused to cooperate. Now you can suffer the consequences." Despite my further protests he carries me all the way to the dining room. Though I am putting on a good show of being upset, I really don't mind this much. I simply do not want him to know that. Things are already...strange between us.

Luncheon begins with the usual questions from the bright-eyed Zinaida. She didn't seem very talkative at my grandmother's chateau, but I believe that was only her public persona. At her own private table, she's quite the chatterbox, asking if I am at home here yet and trying in roundabout ways to determine how Dmitri and I are getting along. I decide to be difficult, which is easy enough, given that I'm still fairly exhausted. Dmitri does likewise, but his reasons are unknown to me. Accordingly, Zinaida chooses another, more fruitful topic of conversation.

"Well, Dmitri, you really ought to resume your studies tomorrow, don't you think?" Zinaida suggests. I recognise the look in her eyes all too well, the one adults use when they mean for their "friendly suggestions' to be taken as orders.