Claiming The Remnant

Chapter 54

[ Taiya ]

Two weeks had passed since the father and son Healer duo had argued while I was prone on my bed.

Two weeks since their forcing my root chakra into a ‘spiral’, whatever that meant, had caused me to black out.

Two weeks since I woke up and called them a pair of ‘A-holes’. At the time I had cussed them out but now (even though they definitely deserved it) I didn’t even want to think the word. It was unlike me to be so crass. After all, it was not a very Lady like trait.

These two weeks had been on the up and up. Steadily my health had improved. True to the Healers statement, an hour after their healing I was able to get out of bed. Weak and spindly as my legs were, with a lot of support from Han I was able to move to the sitting room and later to the bathroom to bathe and relieve myself.

Nausea and headaches were minimal. The only chill I got was from my body being so skinny and undernourished. A single blanket would have me warmed up in no time. I had only vomited once. Poor Zach had been beside himself with worry and guilt. He brought me icecream and in my excitement I over indulged.

These two weeks had been a breeze compared to the previous three months. Although this morning wasn't feeling so Blessed…

“Ugh, Jojo. What? What are you doing?” I groaned as she pulled me up into a seated position in my bed. “I was asleep!”

“Seriously Esther, stop calling me Jojo.” She grimaced.

“Then stop being so rude!” Eyes still heavy from sleep I rubbed them. “What are you even doing here?” There was something about her that kept me on edge.

“I’m still your escort. Healer Poflorin has given the all clear so I thought you might want to get out of the suite.” She exuded attitude, one hand on her hip as she smirked. Her powder blue eyes were challenging me to say it wasn’t so. I pouted because I knew she had won. Getting out of here. It sounded dreamy. With a scathing look and a roll of my eyes I conceded.

“Fine. Help me up.” I demanded. Josephine scoffed. “Come on, I’m stiff in the mornings.” Not caring that I looked pathetic, my hands stretched out, reaching for Josephine.

“Why would I help you up? I’m a b***h remember?” The day dress she wore swished with her sharp step back. It was such a lovely shade of blue.

“Oh, yes. How was it?” My face split into a grin, a grin that got wider upon seeing confusion on Josephine’s face.

“How was what?” She said with a huff and sharp roll of her eyes.

“Thinking of me while you were riding your boyfriend? Did you scream his name or did you forget and scream mine instead?” Her parting words had not been forgotten. Despite the air being tense between us and my suspicions of our having known each other before in a negative capacity it had still hurt when Josephine had so cruelly flaunted her virial life in that way. I had been dying. I had died!

“I..” The retort died on her perfect lips. Her face twisted, the cool indifferent composure cracking. “Truly, I am sorry.” She dipped, curtsying. “For…” Josephine hesitated, “for everything. I was most ungracious.”

“Forgiven, now in the name of Ye Gods, help me out of this bed and out of these quarters!” I laughed, suddenly uncomfortable with the honesty of Josephine’s apology. It seemed so un-Josephine. “Quickly, before Han comes in. Healers' permission or not I doubt she will approve.”

“Han has the day off.” Jo stepped back within my reach. I still wanted to call her Jojo despite how she seemed to despise it. The nickname seemed natural and comfortable to me.

“What about Grace? She normally steps in when Han is unavailable.” Trying not to wince at the coldness of the floor on my feet or the way Josephine gripped my wrists too hard as she helped me to a standing position I looked into Jo’s eyes while she seemed to actively avoid mine.

“Grace is out of the city visiting some relatives.” Her mouth quirked at the one corner and a spark flashed in amongst the cool powder blue of those beautiful eyes. There was more to this story than she was letting on; I was sure of it.

“And there wasn’t a single other Chambermaid available to tend to me?” We were just standing next to my bed, Josephine’s hands firm on my wrists and my legs feeling feeble beneath me.

“His Majesty thought introducing another, even someone as innocuous as a servant, might make you uncomfortable in your present condition but if you would prefer it I can have one fetched.” No spite or mocking coated her words. A small step and I was leaning my head against her shoulder without really thinking. There was a lovely scent from her dress, or perhaps her skin - lemons and lavender. Ye Gods, I was getting as bad as the rest of them and becoming overly familiar.

“Just the two of us then.” Almost giddy, I embraced Jo. She stiffened but didn’t remove herself. “However shall we fend for ourselves!”

“Well, Lady Esther, I can assure you that I’m perfectly capable of fending for myself.” Amusement entangled in her words.

“Good, I assume then you have called for my breakfast?” Hunger was softly rumbling in my belly.

“Oh, I haven’t. How do I…?” Jo asked me.

“As if I know!” I laughed, struggling to keep my upright position. “Help me dress, then perhaps whichever guard is at my door will take pity on us and give us some direction. Failing that I suppose we could sneak to the kitchens and scrounge something? Although I do not recall how to cook… so I hope there will be fruit and cold cuts or we shall starve.” My mood was light. Today felt like it was going to be an exceptional day.

“I can cook.” Josephine supplied, a little too seriously. It seemed my positive mood was not particularly infectious. “Do you want to pick a dress or shall I just grab one?”

“Grab one, please. I tell you, this must stay between us,” Jo’s eyes snapped to mine, “but I just cannot find it within myself to have any passion for such things as gowns and the like.”

“I could get you trousers and a blouse?”

“That would be lovely but alas I am doomed to don the monstrosities in my wardrobe or risk the wrath of Isha and the scathing tongue of Princess Noèmie!”

"Why do you care?" Jo asked, still holding me up. It was strange that she continued to hold me, after all I would need to either sit or stand on my own if she were to fetch a gown. It was oddly comfortable.

"I have nowhere else to go. Should I fail to retain favour with His Majesty then I don't know what I will do." The thought was absorbing my good mood. "I don't remember anywhere or anyone beyond my time in the castle."

"Well…" Josephine spoke slowly, considering her words, "perhaps you should think about getting some dresses that aren't blue."

"Why? I like blue. No one said I couldn't have blue."

"I know, but…"

"But it is an undesirable shade…" I finished for her. "Blue just calls to me… I don't know why. Do you think the King knew I like blue or is it just a coincidence that he put me in this Suite, or do I like blue because I saw it when I woke here? Do you wear blue for me?" I rambled, hopping from one thought to another aloud.

"No, I like blue too." She hesitated, mouth slightly parted like she had something else to say before her lips thought better of it.

"Why do you like blue?” I asked, entirely engaged. This simplistic, basic discussion of the colour blue had me enrapt. Jo’s beautiful eyes went wide with panic. “Is it your shade?” I whispered low, desperate to know but Josephine didn’t answer. She just stood there looking conflicted.

“I, I should get you a gown.” As she lowered me to sit on the edge of the bed she asked, “You still want blue?”

“Yes…” I rolled my eyes at none other than myself. She hurried off, seeming a little out of sorts but returned as quickly as she left draping a dress in a rich blue over my lap. “Where are you going?”

“Just to the next room while you dress.” Jo replied from halfway across the room.

“While I appreciate the sentiment of respect for my ‘privacy’ and the belief in my recovery, I really can’t do this myself Jo.” My words didn’t move her. Instead she stayed poised midstep.

“I will help with the back once it is on.” She assured, a bob in her throat told me of her discomfort but I also spied something else. Now that I wasn’t terrified, overwhelmed or suffering the sting of pain, I was noticing things.

“Josephine, likely I can manage changing my undergarments by myself, which you also need to bring me by the way, but I will be a tangled heap on the floor within seconds if I attempt this,” I shook the material, so silky in my hand, “on my own. My muscles are weak and stiff, even more so when I haven’t had a bath first thing.” If I was right then this was also the reason for my morning soak being skipped.

“Look, Esther I’m sorry but I really can’t, I’ll, um, get you a maid to assist.” Josephine looked at the floor. The way her eyes studied the tiles and her head hung made my heart swell. She had always appeared to me as strong and confident but today I was circling around her secrets and it was making her… something. I couldn’t quite put my finger on the emotion.

“Jo, look at me.” There was a softness to my words that was both strong and kind. Those stunning powder blue eyes looked my way but they were wary; guarded. Not everyone with blue coloured eyes had that shade of magic but it still made people give you a wide berth or treat you with disdain. “There is something between us, a connection. You’re like a raindrop in my mind that just keeps falling but won’t land. I sense we may not be on the best terms. However, regardless not only am I not judging you,” I touched my throat, lighting a blaze of terror in her eyes, “I am in no position to judge or be picky.” I smiled.

“You - you’re not - It doesn’t bother you?” Her hand held her throat, hiding the offending adams apple.

“No, why would it? You are who you are meant to be, are you not? Everything is as it should be under the Earth and Sky.” She looked close to tears, tears of relief. “Now, please come help me dress! Unless you intend to take my virtue!!” Giggling playfully I used the dress to shield my nightgown clad front.

“What virtue!” Josephine scoffed.

“Oh, so you do know me!” In my excitement I almost slid off the bed.

“No, no, I didn’t say that!” She cried out, the denial giving her away further.

“Oh, oh, you just implied…” I was slow to catch up, “that I was promiscuous, or perhaps even licentious?!”

“Concupiscent beyond belief.” She purred darkly. I believed her even if I didn’t feel like the person she described. It was odd that these words made sense to me when others hadn’t. Josephine fetched fresh undergarments for me, then without another word started stripping me.

“What was I like?” The question helped distract me from the chill now that I was entirely naked.

“You have the wrong impression, we don’t know each other that well. Mingled at a few parties but mostly its reputation. You were always acting shy, typical bored, sheltered Lady swooning from all the attention but you always found a way to procure a moment alone.” Josephine pulled up the panties she had slipped over my legs, her fingers gazed my hips as she let go of the elastic.

“Jo, did - did we procure a moment?” My chest became flushed, my cheeks heated. The sound of my heart pounding in my chest was only growing louder, especially as Josephine’s cheek pressed against my own. Her breath tickled my ear as she whispered.

“Lady Esther and Josephine did not procure a moment…”