Untitled

by Riana Lucas

  “Just breathe, Poppy. Take a nice deep breath and try to relax. I think you’re having a panic attack. I don’t know why you would be so worried about Rowan and Anna getting married. I would think you would be happy for them.” She is watching my face intently; I can see her willing me to calm down, but I can also see her confusion at such an intense reaction. Thankfully she has said the right thing to help me calm down. I take a deep breath and blow it out shakily. I can still feel my lips tingling but my head is beginning to clear, as well as my vision.

  I take a few more deep breaths before Willow begins talking again. “Now tell me, what has gotten into you? Why did you freak out about Rowan and Anna getting married? Is there something else going on, something I don’t know?”

  I can see her getting worked up, worried that something else bad is going to happen. I take her hand and pat it reassuringly. “No, no, there is nothing wrong. I just didn’t know that they were getting married. I was not sure who you were talking about. That’s all.”

  She shakes her head while still watching me closely. “I still don’t understand why you would freak out like that. Who else would I be talking about?” Her confusion and concern are evident, as well as suspicion. I turn my face from her to try and hide the embarrassment of jumping to the wrong conclusion.

  I spot the hastily discarded dresses on the floor and use them as an excuse to change the subject. “So, what did you pick out for me to wear?” I glance at her again with a bright smile on my face. One that I am sure she can tell is a fake one.

  She narrows her eyes for a brief moment but thankfully lets it go. She sighs dramatically before answering my question. “I found several that I think would be perfect. I think you should try them all on and then we can decide from there. Your mother wants you looking like the Princess you are, but she also does not want you to outshine the bride on her special day.” Willow’s voice turns wistful. I can tell that she is caught up in the romance of the wedding. Most females would be.

  Rho would be overwhelmed with excitement over Rowan and Anna finally getting married. I can picture her now gushing over the love story they have created: Rowan and Anna falling deeply in love, only to have it taken away by the danger threatening their child; then losing each other years ago, and now finally being reunited once again. Then the two of them getting married after all this time to become the family they were always meant to be. On top of all this, Rowan will become the king of the Unseelie court, thereby making Anna the first-ever human queen in Faery Land. I can hear her telling the story over and over again in a voice very much like the one Willow was just using. Rho would probably also have had a hand in every aspect of the wedding plans that she could. The thought of Rho being a part of all of this makes me smile. She was always so romantic and wistful. Although I am not like that, I do find myself curious about how this all came about so suddenly.

  Having been lost in thought, I snap my attention back to Willow, who is laying each of my dresses out with care. They are all beautiful but much more simple than the two dresses I have been forced to wear so far. I can handle them, as well as not being the center of attention for a change. I move to stand beside Willow, eyeing each of the dresses as I begin to ask her questions.

  “So when did all of this come about and why is this the first I am hearing of it?”

  “Oh, well, this is the first anyone has heard of it, although I am not surprised. They are so much in love. It is so wonderful that they finally get to be together.” Her voice is still soft and dreamy. I cannot help but to start to feel a little bit of that myself.

  “Yes, they are, and it is. But when did they decide? Just this morning?”

  “Well, I think they decided as soon as they were reunited, even if it was subconscious. But they spoke with your mother first thing this morning in her chambers. I was sent for you right away and asked to get you ready while the preparations were being made. They want to be married before they leave the court. Rowan and Anna both feel they will be stronger if they are already united when they take their place in the Unseelie court.”

  “Yes, they are correct. Anna will not be taken to very well as it is, but she will have the standing as their queen. If they were not married, she would just be seen as the king’s mistress. She would be fair game to the Unseelie fae, or at least that is what they would think. That is how it has always been there.”

  Willow lets out a soft gasp, her hand going to her mouth in horror. “I keep forgetting how horrible that King was.”

  I touch her arm lightly for reassurance. “He was, but he is dead now.”

  She blinks once, twice, then removes her hand to resume straightening the dresses in front of us. “Yes, yes he is.”

  “So, what is the plan exactly?” I ask, returning our attention to the happy occasion ahead of us.

  “Preparations are being made as we speak. You are to get ready, as well as the rest of us. Then we meet your mother in the throne room. The wedding will take place there just before lunchtime. After that, we will have a grand lunch as a celebration, but it will be shorter than usual. Rowan says he would like to be at the Unseelie court well before nightfall. I also think he wants you and Reed to accompany him and Anna. Your mother was not happy about it but understood his reasoning behind the request. She has left the decision up to Reed and you.” Willow gives me a sympathetic look, knowing my feelings on returning to that court. But I am sure Rowan has a good reason for wanting us there.

  “I will speak to him about it, but I am sure Reed and I will go. Rowan would not ask if he did not need us.” I begin to look at the dresses when another thought occurs to me. “Oh! How is Holly? Have you seen her? Is she awake?”

  Willow giggles, causing me to smile. “What?” I ask to innocently.

  “For two people that like to act like they hate each other, you two sure do care a lot about how each other are. Just like sisters.”

  My heart gives a little lurch at Willow’s words. “Yes, just like sisters.” I smile at her. “So, how is she?”

  She smiles back. “She is doing fine. Rowan says she took to the treatment wonderfully. She will be able to attend the wedding. Jessi is doing well too. She finally calmed down and we were able to explain what is happening to her. Once we did that she started to open up to me. She has been so confused and alone. She never even knew she was sick. Can you believe that?” Willow’s voice becomes angry, so I put my arm around her to calm her.

  “She’s okay now, and that’s all that matters,” I reassure her.

  She nods as she takes a calming breath. “Right. You’re right.”

  “Do you think we can go see them before we have to get ready? Do we have time?” I ask hopefully.

  “Oh, yes. We can get breakfast and my things as well. After we see them I can get ready here with you, if that’s okay.”

  “Of course, it will be fun! Now let’s go check on them. I bet Holly has been driving Rowan crazy.” We both laugh as I tug Willow’s hand into mine and pull her toward my bedroom door.

  20

  I hear the growl before I even open the door to Holly’s room. I glance at Willow out of the corner of my eye to see her doing the same to me. Neither of us speaks. I just shake my head but can’t help the small smile that tries to spread across my lips. I knew Holly would be difficult. I don’t think she can help it.

  I push open the door, glancing around until I see Holly. She is lying in her bed, propped up on pillows, sheet to her waist and arms folded defiantly across her chest. Her face is set into a deep scowl but immediately shifts when she sees me. Her eyes brighten and a wicked smile spreads across her lips. “You came to spring me, right? Please tell me you’re here to get me out of this place.” I can’t help the chuckle that slips past my lips. She looks so hopeful.

  “I already told you that if you would just wait a few more minutes, you would be free to go. I just have to finish up this one last test,” Rowan huffs from the corner of the room. I had not seen him there when we entered
, having caught sight of Holly so quickly.

  I wink at Holly, who huffs but does not complain further. I make my way over to where Rowan is leaning over some papers and tools that I am unfamiliar with. “Hey, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be getting ready for the big day?”

  He looks up from his work, flashing me a brilliant smile just like his son’s. “I am almost done here, and then I’ll be on my way.”

  “What big day? You didn’t tell me anything was happening today. What’s going on?” Holly demands, hating to be left out of things. I do not blame her.

  Rowan narrows his eyes at her, but I can see the smile still behind them. “Well, you haven’t really given me much of an opportunity to tell you anything, have you? All I have heard all morning is you complaining. Why would I want to share anything with you when you are acting like that?” he gently scolds her.

  Holly opens her mouth, probably to complain again, but quickly thinks better of it. She lowers her head and mumbles “sorry” instead.

  I have to bite back the laughter that tries to work its way up my throat. Willow does not. At her giggle, Holly glances at her, trying to scowl but failing when a small smile touches her lips. Aiming to hide it, she turns her attention back to Rowan. “So what’s happening today?” Her voice is polite now.

  “Well, I am getting married.” I can practically see Rowan’s chest puff out at being able to give this news. This time I giggle along with Willow.

  “Oh,” Holly says. Her face is surprised at first but quickly breaks out into a bright smile. “Congratulations. I am very glad for you and Anna. You both deserve to be happy and together after all this time.”

  “Thank you, Holly.” His voice is kind, his smile so full of joy.

  I cannot help but to slip my arms around his shoulders and give him a quick hug. “We are all so very happy for the both of you,” I tell him softly. I can feel that Rowan is startled by my display of affection. Truthfully, I am as well, but he recovers and hugs me back just as quickly. When we release each other, Willow and Holly are both smiling at us. Rowan clears his throat, sounding suspiciously clogged, before turning back to the task he was doing when we entered the room. Not wanting to embarrass him, I make my way over to Holly’s bedside.

  “So, how are you feeling?”

  “Better. Like myself again.”

  “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” I raise an eyebrow in mock concern.

  “Oh, shut up.” She takes a deep breath before continuing much more seriously. “I really didn’t think it would work.”

  “But why?” Now both of my eyebrows shoot up in confusion. “It has worked before, why wouldn’t you think it would work for you?”

  She shrugs as she picks at the sheet lying across her lap.

  Wanting to ease whatever conflict she is having within herself, I change the subject quickly. “You know what? It doesn’t matter. It worked, that’s all that’s important. Now you can tell Thorne you love him and you two can live happily ever after,” I say conversationally.

  Her head shoots up, eyes wide as she chokes out her words. “W…what are you talking about?”

  This time I shrug but give her a knowing look. She doesn’t say anything, but I can see the slightest bit of pink tinge her cheeks. She is saved from my further teasing when Rowan joins us. He comes to stand on the other side of the bed beside Willow, who had been trying to stifle her laughter the entire time Holly and I were talking.

  We give him our attention. “Well, everything looks normal. Your body is accepting the human blood with no problems. It will take a few days for the disease to begin to work through the new blood, so you won’t need another transfusion until then. You’ll know when the time comes.” He is speaking clearly but I can tell he is distracted, and not by his upcoming wedding. His brows are furrowed and he keeps glancing at the notes in front of him.

  “But…” I prompt, hoping he’ll explain what is bothering him.

  He glances up, seeming reluctant to continue, but after a moment he does. “But, I noticed something odd about your blood. Well, yours and Jessamine’s.” He shakes his head in confusion, continuing to study the paper in front of him.

  We remain quiet, waiting for him tell us what the problem is. When he remains silent and apparently still confused, Holly finally speaks up. “Well, what’s wrong with us?” I can hear the worry in her voice; it mirrors my own. I gently take her hand in mine. I glance at Willow and see that she is just as worried and has taken Holly’s other hand in hers. The thought of something else being wrong with Holly scares me.

  “It’s not that there is anything wrong. It’s just…” He shakes his head again then looks up at Holly. “They are the same. I think you two are sisters.”

  21

  “Sisters?" asks Holly in a whispered breath.

  “I believe so,” Rowan answers softly, kindly. “You have the same blood, including the feral disease within it. That would explain how you both ended up on your own out in the Faery Forest. Your parents were undoubtedly unclaimed as well. They would not have been able to care for you if the disease took control of them. You were fortunate to have been taken in here at the Seelie court by the queen when you were so young. Poor Jessamine wasn’t quite so lucky.” Rowan’s words were not directed at Holly in any way, but none of us miss the wince as well as the guilt that suddenly sets into her eyes. I know immediately what she is thinking.

  “This is not your fault, Holly. You had no way of knowing that you had a sister out there. You were so young when you came here. She was not even born yet. You cannot blame yourself for any of this. Understand?” My voice is forceful and commanding, exactly what Holly needs.

  “Yes, you are right. But that does not mean that I cannot make it up to her.” I watch as Holly’s guilt turns to determination. “Can I be the one to tell her?” she asks Rowan.

  “Of course. She is doing much better as well. I had planned to ask the Queen for a more private room for her today. I am sure she would like to finally bathe and get into some more comfortable clothes. I hear that hospital gown is not the least bit desirable.” He winks, trying to lighten the mood in the room.

  It works. Holly grimaces when she confirms his statement. “It is the ugliest, most uncomfortable piece of clothing I have ever had to wear. It’s itchy and stiff. I can’t wait to have my own clothes on again,” she whines.

  “Well, I will leave and let you do just that. Then you can go tell your…sister the news.” Rowan hesitates but then smiles encouragingly when he refers to Jessi as Holly’s sister. She smiles back. It is tentative but proud.

  We wait while Rowan gathers a few things and nods a quick goodbye before leaving the room. Willow and I both focus on Holly once again. “Do you need any help getting out of bed? Where are your clothes?” I inquire, giving her the opportunity to ask for help if she needs it without causing her any embarrassment over it.

  “No, I think I can get up fine. My clothes are over there in the closet. If you can get them for me, I’ll change in the bathroom real quick before we go to meet my sister.” Holly’s smile is a bit surer this time, but it doesn’t hide how nervous she is about delivering the news.

  “Would you like to be alone when you tell Jessi? We…” Willow hesitates with a quick glance toward me before meeting Holly’s eyes again. “I don’t have to come with you if you would prefer that.”

  Willow has taken to Jessi more than anyone else here. From the first moment, she has protected and cared for her. I am sure that there is a part of Willow that wants to be there for Jessi when Holly tells her, but she also knows that it is Holly’s choice. I can see that Willow understands and respects whatever choice Holly will make.

  Holly is in the process of pulling herself out of bed. She appears a bit weaker than usual but still strong enough to take care of herself. When she is standing beside her bed, arms wrapped tight around the gown she was forced to wear, she stops to look at Willow. “I know how much you care for her, and I think she f
eels the same about you. I would really appreciate it if you would come as well. She may need someone she trusts with her to help accept that what I am telling her is the truth. I do not want to start our relationship with her not believing me or trusting me. Will you come?”

  “Of course! I just didn’t want to impose or be in the way.” Willow looks shyly away as she begins to busy herself with making up the bed Holly just vacated.

  “Willow.” Holly’s voice is soft but demanding Willow’s attention.

  Willow looks up, her cheeks pink, but she does not shy away from Holly’s penetrating stare. “You are my friend as well. I know I may not express it like the others, but you are. Never think of yourself as imposing or in the way when it comes to me. Okay?”

  A wide smile spreads across Willow’s face as she takes step to move around the bed toward Holly. Holly quickly puts her hand up to stop her. “I am not a hugging friend though!” she says quickly and with a bit of fear in her eyes. I cannot help but laugh. Holly has been through so much, just like the rest of us. She has practically laughed in the face of danger countless times. I have rarely seen fear in her eyes, but now when faced with a hug from a friend I can see it clear as day.

  Willow sees it as well, causing her laughter to fill the air with mine. Holly narrows her eyes at both of us. She snatches the clothes out of my hand and stomps off to the bathroom, muttering under her breath.

  Willow and I look at each other and burst into another fit of giggles. “I can hear you!” Holly yells furiously from the closed bathroom. Willow and I try to stifle our laughter, but it is a lost cause. We sit on the edge of Holly’s bed to get ourselves under control. By the time Holly exits the bathroom, looking much more like her old self, Willow and I are finally composed.