The Fiery Crown Cycle: A Dragon's Rebirth

Chapter 51

Soft, even breaths rose and fell from the nest of blankets. Linda glanced toward the bed.

In the dim light, she could see her lady's arms wrapped tightly around the new girl. Thea's lips were parted slightly, her breathing deep and regular.

So fast.

In all the years she had served her, this was the first time. The first time Lady Thea had fallen asleep without needing Linda to recite the same old stories, a ritual that often lasted for hours. Linda's gaze drifted to the girl held in her lady's embrace.

Who is she?

A powerful curiosity bloomed in Linda's heart, but there were no answers. The girl was a mystery, appearing suddenly in a snowdrift, only to be brought home by a lady who had never before shown interest in anyone.

She shook her head. No matter. The lady's orders come first.

She tiptoed from the room, pulling the heavy door closed with a soft click.

“Head Butler Linda,” one of the maids on watch whispered, her voice low. “You're out early. Did her ladyship not want a story tonight?”

Seeing the undisguised curiosity in the two young maids' eyes, a wicked impulse took hold. Linda adopted the cryptic, teasing tone her lady was so fond of.

“Perhaps,” she said with a faint smile, “she will not be needing them anymore.”

Without giving them a chance to ask another question, Linda turned and walked away. Behind her, she could almost feel the maids' frustration. They wanted to call out, but they couldn't. To make a sound loud enough to wake her ladyship would be a catastrophic mistake. If Thea's sleep was disturbed… the consequences would be terrifying. And as door guards, they could not abandon their post to chase her down.

Walking down the silent corridor, a sly smile spread across Linda's face.

So this is how her ladyship feels after saying something like that.

The feeling, she had to admit, was quite satisfying.

...

“Hah…”

A small hand pushed its way out from under the covers, and Thea let out a lazy yawn. Why did she feel so damp? She touched her own skin. It was slick with sweat. But it was the Deep Winter. How could she possibly be sweating? Her gaze fell to the figure beside her.

On the girl's small hand, the mark that had faded the day before was once again pulsing with a soft, crimson light.

Thea poked Isolde's thin cheek with a finger. It was burning hot. It seemed the hearth in her chambers would not need to be lit for the rest of the winter.

“Linda,” Thea called toward the door.

Click.

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The heavy wooden door swung open, and Linda, her posture ramrod straight in her head butler's uniform, stepped inside.

“Good morning, my lady.”

“Good morning, Linda. I don't wish to move. Carry me to my bath.”

Thea stretched out her small arms.

Linda stepped forward, bent down, and slid one arm under her lady's knees and the other around her waist, lifting her as one would a small child. She is so light. She weighs almost nothing.

She carried Thea into the bathing chamber.

After her bath, Thea sat before the vanity, allowing Linda to gently towel-dry her long hair.

“Linda,” she said, her voice clear in the quiet room. “Did you get the information?”

The towel paused its gentle rubbing. “One moment, my lady.”

“Mm.”

With her lady's permission, Linda set the towel aside and walked to the sofa on the other side of the room. She had placed the documents on the table that morning, while her lady was still asleep. A single sheet of parchment lay there now. Linda picked it up and returned to her lady's side.

“My lady, this is the information you requested.”

Thea took the document. Seeing it was secure in her lady's hands, Linda resumed her task with the towel. Thea straightened the parchment and began to read.

Sam: Uncle. Position: City Warden. His appointment was sponsored by a minor noble. Dissatisfied with his station and his wife; a frequent patron of brothels and gambling dens.

Nerys: Aunt. Housewife. Scorned by her husband for her extreme obesity. Dotes on her son to the point of absurdity; frequently assigns Isolde excessively heavy chores.

Lorcan: Cousin. The couple's only son. Appears to have some form of intellectual deficiency.

Thea set the document down. She had seen all she needed to. A sly, satisfied curve touched her lips. This was excellent information. Perhaps she ought to visit the Fourth Church to offer a prayer soon. It seemed she was being touched by good fortune lately.

Has the light of the Fourth Crown truly fallen upon me?

*****

Ugh… my head hurts.

Isolde pushed herself up with both hands.

So soft.

The sensation was wrong. Her bed was a thin, lumpy mattress, not a cloud. Isolde's eyes snapped open, and for a moment, she could only stare, completely bewildered.

Where was she? The room was beautiful, exquisite. Was this a palace where the gods lived? She sat there, frozen in stunned silence.

Linda's ear twitched. As a Three-Star Windwalker, no sound in the room, no matter how subtle, could escape her notice. The sound had come from the bed. She glanced over her shoulder. The girl her lady had brought home was awake.

“My lady,” she said softly. “She is awake.”

Hearing Linda's words, Thea opened the drawer of her vanity, slid the report inside, and pushed it shut.

“You may stop for now, Linda.”

Linda ceased her work and stepped back.

Thea swiveled on her seat, stood, and walked toward the great bed. The girl was indeed awake, though she looked thoroughly dazed.

Thea climbed onto the bed and sat directly on Isolde's legs, which were still under the covers. She waved a small hand back and forth in front of the girl's face.

Isolde's vacant eyes slowly focused on the waving hand, then followed it up to the face of the person before her.

“You're… Thea?”

Good, she still has her wits. It would have been a terrible bother if she'd gone simple. A warm, kind smile spread across Thea's face.

“Yes. I'm Thea. Your classmate.”

“Then… where is this?” Isolde asked, her voice barely a whisper.

“My home, of course.”

“But how did I get here?” Her mind was clearing now, and the questions came rushing in.

“I found you,” Thea said, her tone light and cheerful. “So… let's be friends.”

Thea took hold of Isolde's rough, calloused hands in her own soft ones and lifted them up.

Staring into the black eyes that seemed to hold nothing but sincerity, Isolde felt a flush of embarrassment and looked away. No one had ever treated her like this. She was accustomed to hardship, not kindness.

“Found me?” she mumbled. “Lady Thea, you mustn't joke with me. How could you have ‘found' me?” She couldn't believe it. A person couldn't be found like a lost coin.

“But it's true.” Thea used her free hand to gently turn Isolde's face back toward her. She looked directly into her eyes and spoke with earnest gravity.

“I really did find you on the road. And,” she added, her voice softening, “I really do want to be your friend.”

Isolde's eyes went wide. “But how is that possible? How could you have found me?”