Mare

My eyes flutter open, and the first thing I see is black. I can feel Maven's warm body next to mine, his warmth trickling across the bedsheets like lava. I look around the dark room, the light shadows coming into view as my vision improves. I glance over at Maven, who is still in a deep sleep. I sit up from my laying position.

The floor of the room has the light from the moon from the window, the moonglow casting through the glass of the windowpane. I push the white covers from me and onto Maven and get up. The cold floor stings my feet.

I walk quietly over to the balcony window, making sure the floor doesn't creak when I set foot onto it. I unlock the doors to the balcony, the deadlock making a soft, yet satisfying click. The door opens without a creek as I let myself in. I reach the end of the balcony and set my hands on the shellac fence. I look up at the huge, pearl white full moon.

The stars around the moon glimmer and shine, like poked holes on a black sheet of construction paper. The moon is the largest hole and the stars being little pecks. The fresh, new summer breeze ruffles my hair and my nightdress. I breathe in the warm air. Fresh dew, moisture, pollen. The air smells new and fresh.

"Looking at the stars?"

I jump back as I turn around. Maven woke up.

I cover my mouth. "I am so sorry; did I wake you?" I ask him cautiously.

He just yawns as a response. "How could you miss such a clear night like tonight?" He asks as he walks closer to me. I turn back to face the outside world, the moon, the stars, and the planets I can discover.

Maven wraps his arms around me, one around my breasts and the other gently around my bloated stomach. His head rests atop mine. It's like our bodies are puzzle pieces; my curves fit so perfectly around him.

He sways us back and forth as we both gaze upon the stars and the moon. I could almost fall back asleep as Maven so gently but firmly holds me. I wrap my hands around his arm that is around my chest, showing him my affection as well.

"Luna," He says softly. A smile tugs at my lips that is too strong for me to stop.

"Luna," I repeat back. His thumb rubs against my stomach. I put my hand on top of his, both of us caressing it gently.

"So beautiful," Maven says, almost trance-like. He places a soft kiss on the top of my head.

A yawn escapes my lips.

"Shall we go back to sleep, my love?" He asks me softly, removing his head and resting it on my shoulder.

I give out a hum for a yes. He picks me up bridal style and carries me back to our room.

***

My eyes open for a second time, this time being greeted by the sunlight. I look over next to me, no Maven. I continue to look around the room as I sit up. I see the bathroom door closed and I hear water running.

He must be taking a shower.

I stretch my arms out wide, waking my body up from its slumber. After I finish doing that, I stand up and go to my closet to get dressed.

I'm feeling purple today.

I leaf through the dozens of purple dresses I own. I find one that fits my fancy and takes off my nightdress; it slides off me effortlessly, like a waterfall.

I put my feet into the dress first and pull it up. I chose something not too tight around the waist, no corset.

Once I have it up and my sleeves through my arms, I try to zip up the back but fail miserably. I end up spinning back and forth trying to reach the small, silver zipper but as hard as I try, I fail.

"Mare?" I hear Maven call from the main bedroom.

"I'm in my closet!" I call back to him, obvious struggle in my voice.

"Are you okay?" I hear Maven is closer.

"I need some help," I respond. I hear the door click open from behind me. I can also hear a chuckle come out of Maven's mouth.

"Laughing at me now?" I banter.

"Watching this is amusing, but I'll help you,"

I put my arms back down at my sides. I feel Maven's warmth at my back as he zips up the back of my dress.

"Thank you," I tell him softly.

"You're welcome," He hugs me from behind. His warm hands wrap around my waist, folding his hands around my stomach.

We stay like this for a while until we leave my closet and go back into the main bedroom. Maven brushes his teeth while I look around for my hairbrush.

Now I suffer from pregnancy brain.

I used it yesterday to brush my hair, but where did I put it?

I make a clamorous mess as I look for my brush.

"What are you doing?" Maven asks me curiously.

"Looking for my hairbrush," I respond with annoyance while opening the top drawer of my bedside table for the third time.

"It's in the bathroom on the countertop," Maven tells me.

I slide the drawer shut and walk to the bathroom, only to see my hairbrush laying on the vanity countertop, waiting to be used. I run my fingers through my hair and sigh dramatically.

"Pregnancy brain?" He asks me, I can hear him behind me. I nod my head.

"If this is what being pregnant is like, it's going to be a long 7 months," I say with stress in my tone.

"7 months? Already?" He asks me, making his shock dramatic.

I turn around to look at him. "I honestly don't know how far along I am. Rei never told me."

Maven's façade goes from excited to worry, with a hint of annoyance.

"About Rei..." He sighs. "Something is up with her."

I nod my head. "Agreed. When I was trying to help Thora, she asked me if I was taking my vitamins. It was like she was giving me a check-up or something."

Maven puts a finger on his chin and looks down. His thinking face. "You should get a check-up now that we know you are having twins and that they are mine," He pauses, thinks some more. "I will keep an eye on her though, if I see something suspicious, I will ask her about it and warn you."

"Thank you," I tell Maven at his cautiousness towards this.

"I can talk to her today and set up an appointment, if that's what you want," Maven tells me, his eyes darting around.

"It's not really what I want, but it's what's necessary," I say with melancholy in my voice.

"What is it that you want?" He asks me curiously.

I decompress. "Fresh air."

He raises his eyebrow.

"I want to go outside, go somewhere," I say, a smile tugging at my lips.

"We could go to the gardens," Maven suggests.

A smile beams through me. "That sounds lovely."

Maven smiles back. "Alright, I'm going to go set up that appointment and I will meet you there."

"No breakfast?" I ask him, cocking my head to the side.

"Not hungry, I have some other things to do as well, King crap," He sighs.

I purse my lips. "I will see you there."

***

The gardens are beautiful, everything bright and in summer bloom. The green grass is vibrant, the roses are in bright color, and the vines are long and adventurous. The white bench I sit on has the sun shining on it perfectly.

I had a small, yet nutritious breakfast. A bowl of yogurt with fruit; it wasn't much, but it hit the spot. I wait patiently for Maven. He is one to be on time, but he didn't specify what he was doing exactly. Maven has always been one for mysteries, but today he seemed very mysterious.

I shrug it off as nothing, he might just be off today.

I hear a ruffle in the bushes. My eyes go to the noise. The bush in question is moving at a rapid pace. I stand up and walk to it cautiously, slowly.

"Hello?" I say quietly, and a person pops out of the bush. I jump back. It is a man with bruises all over his face, bloodshot blue eyes, and red blood-stained clothes.

"H-hello?" I ask it again.

His face snaps up and his eyes meet mine. He looks back around frightfully, his breathing fast-paced.

"Are you okay?" I ask him. He darts back up to see me again. He shakes his head no.

"What happened?"

"I- I had to get out," He says like a swaying boat at sea.

"Get out of where? Do you need help?" I ask his firmly, but not to firm to the point where I might scare him more.

He looks at me again, but his eyes go hard. "You," He says. "You're Queen Mare?"

"Yes, that I am," I tell him. I just now realized how unroyal my name sounds. No wonder why no one takes me seriously.

He tries to stand up but only fails.

"What happened to you?" I ask him again.

"These big, strong men attacked me. I was trying to run away and they-," He closes his eyes. "I ended up here, somehow."

He crawls away from the bush and closer to me.

"I need help," He says as he looks at me, dead in the eyes.

"I can help you," I reach out my hand to him. He takes it, but his look of defeat turns into a devious sneer.

"Don't scream," He tells me as his hand goes from my palm to my wrist. His grip tightens, making my hand go limp.

"HELP!" I scream. "Somebody come help! Please-,"

My yells of terror are cut off by a whirlwind that pierces my ears and a flash of colors.