Warm

Wake Me Up // Simply Three (Avicii cover)

Time passes as the moon makes its path across the sky. Always full, always shining. A bright spot for a desolate dwelling.

The beauty here is incomparable to anything I've laid eyes upon. But surface beauty is only a mask for the darkness held within. No one here is free. No one here is at peace. Including myself and my mother.

Including Drue.

He has been allowed his memories, but he is also tormented by them. I see it in his eyes when I speak of my family. I feel it in his touch when he takes my hand as we walk through the garden and he tells me of his time growing up here. Every turn is a reminder of his past. He can never escape what he has lost.  Which is why I want to take him away from this place, these reminders.

I pace my room after rushing away from mother, the repetitive motion being my newest obsession. I can admit it is a replacement for the feeling of dough between my fingers. The guest quarters offer much more space to do so than the cell. Rather than wearing a path on the hard floor of my former room,now I mark my steps on the rug of the chamber. My thoughts, however, remain in the kitchen, on the  bread I left baking. And on the plan forming in my mind.

My encounters with Drue and bread have run through my memories. The way his presence changed the very air around me as I baked. Even as I rolled the dough and I mixed the ingredients, Drue's watchful gaze enhanced the process. Freshly baked bread in his presence tasted better than ever before. While I'm not exactly sure why, it does give me an idea. 

If I am right, it could change everything. It could work.

I will keep this to myself for now. I'm worried the moment I try to explain it to Drue, or even to my mother, the plan will seem ridiculous and I'll turn away from it. Right now it is the only hope I hold on to, hope much too precious to let lose.

My pacing continues until I hear a quiet knock on my door. I don't have to open it to know who is on the other side. Light steps and a tentative knock could only be one person, Drue. He is the only one who might be cautious in my presence. I left the kitchen in a fit, and he stayed to spend time with my mother. He is right to be fearful of my response.

"Come in." I answer with a snap, but still allow him entrance.

The door opens quietly, Drue indeed standing on the other side before slowly stepping into the room. I sigh when I notice he's left the door ajar. I take in his demeanor; withdrawn, solemn. He's changed out of his flour covered clothing, wearing the same dark tunic and pants that I've seen him in here in the dwelling. These are not as appointed as his Lordly attire. The fit of the tunic on his strong chest, the way it molds to the curve of his arms...he appears as a man of strength, of confidence. But the strength is not present in his dark eyes, or the set of his brow. I've always found his looks to be appealing, even as a disheveled traveler, road worn and ragged. Even now, as he approaches me with restraint, my heart begs me to soften to him.

"I wanted to give you time to..." he chooses his words with care. He's been around me when I am angry, when I've been set off.

This time is different, though, but I don't let him in on that secret. I rather enjoy watching him squirm a bit. I shouldn't, but I do.

"Time to what?" I ask pointedly.

He takes a deep breath before continuing. "To do whatever it is you need. Lissa, I'm not entirely certain what has upset you, so I will not offer advice. But I am here should you need me for...anything."

I shake my head, my heart already warmed to him. Most people steer clear of me back home. But Drue is different. Even when he posed as the arrogant lord, he was never intimidated by the fire in my personality.

"If you are afraid of me now, then things between us will never work. I did not take you for one so faint of heart."

Drue smiles and steps closer to me, touching my cheek gently with his fingers before pulling me close.

"Never afraid, but always on my toes." He laughs. "I've seen you step into the face of your enemies and give them pause. But today in the kitchen was different, Lissa. Today I watched your heart soar, then break. I am not sure I am man enough to heal what ails you."

"Quite right. You cannot heal me." I pull back to look Drue in the eyes, showing the truth of the words I say. He searches my face for understanding but seeing he finds none, I continue. "There is no healing when your life has been stolen from you. There is only action. Are you willing to act now, Drue?

"The time has come for decisions, choices. This master, your father, must not be allowed to continue to pull on the strings of our lives." I take a deep breath. "I am ready to act."

He continues to hold my gaze, continues to search my eyes for truth, for answers. He must find what he is looking for because Drue nods, then gives a tight smile.

"I do believe your action began long before this night. Mine did as well."

I remember the night of the party, when he fought through his enchantment to give me a hint at the truth. I nod in acknowledgement of the risks he took that night.

"Our action has not yet concluded," he adds, brushing a tender touch against my face. "We cannot give up now."

As if the elements themselves agree, a shift in the air occurs as we make our declaration. That now familiar pulse of energy flows through the atmosphere and directly into our very bones. I am not startled by the sensation, although my sharp intake of breath might demonstrate otherwise. I may have a plan, a way out of this nightmare, but I wasn't expecting the opportunity to put things in motion so soon.

"He is back." My words are a statement, not a question, because I already know the answer. Drue's barely perceptible nod is confirmation enough.

"Father will expect me to greet him." Drue's words are a warning, an apology for needing to leave me.

"Should we meet him together?" I do not want to be in the master's presence, but with Drue by my side I think I will be able to tolerate his dark energy.

The look he gives me is not the one I expected. Where I should be seeing his wicked delight, instead I am faced with a look of near terror.

"No. He is not one to toy with, to anger. If it were up to me you would never be in his presence again." Drue's face is stricken as he speaks, all color draining from him.

I nod, knowing his words are true. I have only been in the same room with this ruler once, and it was more than enough. How has Drue managed a lifetime with him? But there is no time to waste, and the opportunity is now.

"I believe you." I look deeply into Drue's eyes, wanting him to see the conviction in mine. "However, we are united now. Should we not stand as one? With you by my side, we can finally act." Our declaration from earlier, floats in the very air between us. His promise to take the next step of action.

Drue closes his eyes, swallows his fear.

"Alright." He takes me by the hand, then looks down at my dress. "But this look will never do." He turns to the wardrobe, opening the mirrored doors and retrieving a flowing white dress.

"I've heard stories of magic wardrobes holding beautiful gowns for a damsel in distress." My wistful words are met with a gleam in Drue's eyes.

"Oh, this is not magic. The dress has been here longer than I've known you, awaiting the one who would finally be mine." He holds the dress up against me, testing its fit. I realize it had been meant for Ellete, if she was the one promised to him. I take the dress in my hands, a soft white fabric, thin and layered but with simple adornments. No roses or bows, just small gathers here and there leading to cinching laces and a flowing skirt.

"It's beautiful," I say quietly then return my gaze to Drue. "Ellete would hate it. It's not fancy enough."

"Just another reason she was never the one meant for me. Because you will look radiant." He leans down to kiss my cheek. The warmth from his lips indeed radiates through me, searing me with such a simple touch. "I will return to fetch you when it is time. I need to prepare as well if we are to be in his presence."

With a final kiss to my cheek, Drue leaves my chamber once again. I hold the dress tightly to my chest as I watch him go. Making our intentions known to the master may be foolish. Putting myself in this position may not end the way I hope, but I cannot back down.

I will not.

There may be more chapters than I realized. I've been splitting mega chapters into managable chunks and missed a few natural chapter breaks on my first pass...

See you soon!