Dreamwalker's Bride - Chapter 118

Chapter 118: A lot to contemplate
Anaisa awoke the next morning refreshed, and a little dazed. It didn’t seem like a mere few hours since she’d fallen asleep. Her lips tugged upward, and she stretched lazily, remembering everything that had happened during the night.

During her dreams.

She frowned. There were so many pieces left to the puzzle. But, after watching Trace double over in pain for trying to tell her something… it changed her feelings quite a bit.

That he would go through that because he wanted to show her something he apparently couldn’t talk about. She frowned. Unless he was manipulating her again.

The images flitted through her mind that he’d shown her. A cave, the magnificent tree… Barnabas.

She shook her head. It didn’t make sense. Dreams were often symbolic, weren’t they? But he said he made it for himself. To remember… so it must be a real event in some way. Slowly she rose from her bed, wincing when her twisted ankle touched the floor.

There was a knock in the outer chamber, and Anaisa heard muted voices. Her eyebrows rose. Who was Trace talking to before the break of dawn? Or had she slept too long?

She dressed herself–which was a challenge hopping on one foot–and made her way out to the sitting room.

Trace was sitting on the sofa, his head in his hands.

“What was all that?” Anaisa asked softly, and he jolted.

“Oh!” He looked at her, and the tension around his eyes eased and he stood to help Anaisa to a chair. “It was a message for the princess.”

“I’m here,” She yawned as she came out of her bedchamber. “What a terrible night. What’s the message?”

“His Majesty has arranged for your tea to be held this afternoon,” Trace grimaced as he spoke, and Sapphira immediately looked more awake.

“But Annie’s not better yet! I can’t go without her, and I–” She stopped. “Father doesn’t want her to come, does he?”

“He does not.” Trace commiserated, “He directs that only I should accompany you, and reiterates that you are still otherwise confined to chambers until it is determined whether the man from last night was merely inebriated and showed poor judgment, or if he was part of some larger plot.”

“He was.” Anaisa cut in. “He certainly was! Part of Denholm’s plan–that man danced me right in front of Denholm just as he pulled me close enough to make me shove him, so that Denholm could catch me and play the hero!”

Sapphira’s eyebrows rose. “Are you sure, Annie?”

The maid hesitated, but nodded. “Denholm’s awful.”

“I don’t think Father will believe he schemed it up with that other man.” Sapphira frowned. “But at least I only have to have tea with him… for now.”

Anaisa had her doubts that it would remain ‘just tea’ for long, but she tried to smile encouragingly.

“I’m sure your father will take your feelings on the matter into account. Also… I can’t imagine why my name would possibly come up in conversation, but I’d rather you not talk about me to either of your guests. For reasons you probably understand.”

“Of course, of course.” Sapphira sat roughly down as another knock sounded on the door. “At least breakfast is here.”

Trace let the servant inside, who deposited the tray and retreated with a curtsy.

“What will you do at tea time?” Anaisa frowned as the three were left alone again.

“I’ll be as polite as Father makes me be,” Sapphira made a face. “And maybe Trace can throw some sort of fit about my safety or something to make it end early?”

She turned to her bodyguard, but he frowned.

“I can’t interfere,” A muscle in his cheek twitched. “I’m sorry, Princess.”

“It’s all right,” She waved him off and picked up a pastry. “I’ll just drown my sorrows in food. How are you feeling, by the way?”

Anaisa flexed and stretched her ankle gently. “A lot better, I think. I’ve been taking it easy this morning, but the injury isn’t as bad as I thought it was.”

“The doctor’s medicine does wonders,” Sapphira shrugged. “I hear others are ill for days at a time, but for me it’s usually only a few hours at most.”

“Really?” The maid blinked, remembering how she felt awful for days after that poison. It was a testament to how strong the noxious substance was that had nearly killed her.

“Oh, certainly. I imagine you’ll be up and walking around the place by lunch time… maybe I could send you—”

“Don’t even think about it,” Anaisa held up a finger. “I don’t want to spend another minute around either of those men, and no threats of beheading or execution can make me!”

“Fine.” Sapphira pouted. “I’ll do it myself. But I won’t enjoy it a bit! I’ll hate every minute of it!”

“Perhaps don’t let them know that, at least not right away,” Anaisa hid a small smile over the princess’s childish ways.

“Of course, proper manners at all time.” Sapphira rolled her eyes. “You’re a companion, not a nursemaid, remember?”

“Hmm,” Anaisa refused to comment. At times it seemed like the princess still did need a nanny or governess, but it was not her place to say so.

The rest of the morning passed swiftly. Anaisa and Sapphira played a game of chess to distract the princess from her upcoming meeting, and then spent some time getting her ready.

“I want to look pretty, of course, but not too pretty,” She mumbled to herself while picking which dress to wear. “I want him to be willing to give up on courting me.”

“That wouldn’t happen even if you wore a burlap sack and smelled of cabbage,” Anaisa lifted an eyebrow.

“Because of my beauty, of course, and sparkling personality. The pursuit could have nothing to do with wealth and power.” Sapphira said flatly. “Is it so much to ask to be loved for myself?”

“For a princess? I can’t think of anything greater to ask, but I hope you find it.” Anaisa replied with a sigh.