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Argument danced in Sophie’s eyes and yet her shoulders fell as she helped ready Wren for bed. No words needed to be spoken. What was done was done.
The air was stifling. Wren couldn’t find the air she needed to breathe. She quickly realized it was because she was in the lake again, she was drowning again, but this time there was no one to pull her out. Panic clawed at her throat trying to rip a scream from her, but the water only rushed in farther. Suddenly, she heard someone calling to her, pulling at her. She was desperate for air.
“Wren! Oh, gods, Wren. Breathe!” She felt someone thump on her chest, and the air released from her lungs. Her breaths came in quick succession and her lungs ached with each inhalation. Dully, she became aware of Sophie fretting over her, moving her hands all along her in an effort to find what was wrong with her. Wren knew she would not find anything and Sophie knew that, too. What was wrong with her could not be seen.
Soon, her breathing became more orderly and she was able to focus on her surroundings. She was in her room in the castle. Sophie was with her since she had slept on the chaise last night. It was still night, the window in her room showed a moon, bright and full, shining down to cast light in the otherwise dark room. Sophie, satisfied that no external injury had befallen her, relaxed slightly across from her on the bed. The bedding was strewn on the floor and there were pillows scattered along the floor surrounding the bed.
“The lake was a death trap, Wren. After it brought you here, the portal was in the process of closing. What was left was a place in-between your world and ours. It was never going to bring you home,” Sophie explained gently.
When Wren remained silent, Sophie left her to her thoughts. Maybe Richard had lied to her, but who was to know what was truth and what was fiction in a place like this when she didn’t even understand why she was there. It all felt exhausting and as if the weight of it would crush her. The only thing she knew was that she trusted Sophie. There had been no sense of deceit in Sophie’s words, only the understanding of loss. It was enough to undo her.
Sophie returned with a small glass of amber liquid as if it could somehow cure her of the wrongs done to her. Deciding that if she were to be awake, at least she could be warm, Wren moved to sit in front of the fireplace. She realized the fire that Sophie had started earlier was only embers now. She stared at them as they lightly flared to life and dimmed again. Sophie sat next to her, also looking at the embers. Wren absently wondered what they meant to her.
“Make them pay.” Sophie’s words were quiet, but full of conviction.
Wren turned towards her, tearing her gaze away from the embers. Sophie was looking at her without any of the reservations she had previously shown as a lady’s maid.
When Wren didn’t answer, Sophie continued. “I know that right now you might not be able to feel the anger that is owed to you, but they deserve to pay for all of it. For bringing you here, for forcing decisions on you that were yours alone to make. They see us as pliable, women can be made to do whatever suits them that day. They made you a princess, to someday be a queen. Make them regret choosing you. Where they sought to use you, show them that women can wield power.”
Wren felt the tears slide down her face. She wished she could match Sophie’s passion, but the hole in her chest was too large. “Why are you helping me, Sophie?”
“Because I find I can no longer tolerate the tyranny of men, and I see something in you that gives me hope for a better day.” Her answer was given like it was a fact, solid and real.
“Thank you, Sophie. I am glad to call you my friend.” She squeezed the other woman’s hand tighter.
“I hope so, my lady.” Wren laughed at the use of the title after everything that had already happened and been said.
“Sophie, if we are to stand against the tyranny of men together, I believe we should call each other by our names, do you agree?” She tried her best to smile, but knew she fell short.
Sophie smiled brightly. “Yes, Wren, I do.”
Wren looked at her, her features set with determination.
“I believe you will be their own damnation and that their greatest mistake was choosing you.”
Wren smiled with more conviction. “You reallyarea terrible maid, Sophie.”
With a conspiratorial smile, Sophie moved to the fireplace and relit the embers. They both watched the reborn flames dance with renewed purpose.
Chapter 7
Wrenspenttherestof the night and the next day in and out of sleep. Sometimes she was awoken by nightmares, but nothing like the previous night. Sometimes Sophie would be there moving about the room or sitting on the chaise. Sometimes she was nowhere to be found.
Occasionally, Sophie would try to wake her up to eat, but Wren only went back to sleep. Eventually, it seemed sleep was through with her as warm light poured into her room. The door to her room opened slowly, and she turned to see Sophie standing there, carrying a beige dress. When Sophie’s eyes fell on Wren sitting up in bed, her eyes flashed with relief.
Sophie brought the dress over to the bed and laid it out. It was very beautiful, albeit a bit plain. The beige was outlined with faint silver swirls running along the outside of the sleeves and gathering in a swirl in the skirts. Wren felt dread looking at the dress knowing that Sophie expected her to leave her rooms. As if she heard her thoughts, Sophie gave her a sad smile.
“The king sent a messenger today, but you were asleep. He requires your attendance at court tonight. He had this dress made for you. The color is rather muted for court fashion.”
“I expect I am to be a docile, obedient daughter then,” bitterness laced each distasteful word.
Sophie met her gaze, unflinching. A challenge and a pact if Wren was willing to take it. “Yes, I expect so.”
“It is a shame that there is too little time to shed expectations.” Wren fiddled idly with the silk fabric of the dress.
“Wren.” Her name drew her attention. “You are a princess. I think a wardrobe change should not be too difficult to muster.” Winking at her, she moved to the door.
Wren was so startled by the action that she felt laughter bubble up in her, and it was not an unwelcome feeling.
