Claiming The Remnant

Chapter 65

[ Taiya ]

Lips, soft, tender and unbelievably gentle made themselves at home against my skin. I was falling in euphoria. Awash with all that was sensual. Floating, warm and safe; encased in love.

His lips traveled lower and lower… on my clavicle, my breasts, trailing with intent over my stomach and to my…

There was a screech and I was startled and I was now, most definitely, awake.

“Han! Goodmorning.” I gave the young lady a goofy grin.

- SLEEP WELL? - She signed, returning the silly smile that played on my lips.

“Superbly…” The goofy grin was stuck on my face as I stretched, arms reaching over my head and toes curling. Light streamed in from the window. The curtains being opened were the source of that disturbing screech. “I had the most wonderful dream…well the start of one until someone woke me!” Giggling, I launched a pillow at Han. She caught it before lobbing it right back.

-SPEAK, SPEAK - She signed hurriedly, beaming and eager to gossip with me.

“Oh, Han…” I clutched the pillow with joy. "Sit with me, please sit!" Excitement was bursting from me. Butterflies danced in my stomach. I felt so light, as if I might float away. Han laughed mindlessly. "Yesterday Josephine took me to the Library - bless the Earth and Sky, the strangest thing happened!"

- WHAT? - With violet eyes that were bright and eager Han sat on the bed with a bounce. - WHAT!? - She signed and mouthed before nudging me.

“Soooo, I hit Prince Ethyn, with a book…” Han’s face morphed into shock, jaw hanging loose, “and we had a moment…”

- A MOMENT? - Han questioned with confusion. Her eyes were wide and expressive as she waited intently for me to continue.

“Yes, a moment. Like…” There just didn’t seem to be the right words. I took a deep breath. “Like… I don’t know.” There was no way I was telling her about the voices. “I couldn’t stop staring and the world went quiet - then he was gone.”

- POOF - She giggled silently, shrugged and urged me on. Nervously I raised my hands.

- Z, A, C, P - I spelled. Han gave a huge toothy smile.

- CLOSE - She reached out, taking my pale hands in her delicate but rough textured ones, and took me through the letters. - Z, A, C, K - She showed me where I went wrong.

“But then later I went to the hot springs under the castle. Dr. Heathson had Yila take me, do you know Yila?” She shook her head. “Anyway, Yila got called away and I had to get changed and go by myself. Prince Ethyn was there - I almost sat in his lap!”

- NO! - She clapped, shocked and delighted at the same time.

“Yes! Yes he was there and we had another moment…” I looked into her violet eyes. The intensity of her gaze made me feel like my soul was exposed. “He wrote me a poem. He told me I was ‘a new horizon’. He insinuated that it was love at first sight. He wants to walk with me in the gallery this afternoon!” My voice had grown to a high pitch with a warble of panic thrown in at the end.

- ROMANTIC - Han pretend swooned, flopping all the way down onto the bed. - PRINCE HANDSOME - Her smile had me smiling right back.

“Yes, yes he is.” He was outstanding. There was so much kindness in his face and a whole bunch of hard muscle everywhere else; I’d felt it when our naked bodies were pressed together in the water. “What?” I exclaimed when Han clapped in my face.

- DAYDREAMING? - Her eyes twinkled knowingly. - COME, BATH. - Han began dragging me from the bed.

“Alright, alright, I’m coming!”

Bathed and dressed, Han led me to the balcony for breakfast. It faced east, the sun was new in the sky and it had me looking towards the horizon. I picked at my food but only because I was so lost in thought. Ethyn. What should I do? There was something there, something monumental - something beyond what I could see and touch. I was conflicted.

Could I really pursue a relationship with the Crown Prince? It was my in. A way to retain my place here in the castle. I should be happy, but it made me uncomfortable. Did that mean that I really did like him, because I didn’t want to take advantage? What choice did I have though? If I did nothing my time here would come to an end. If I tried and failed I was out but if this worked? Where did that leave me? Ethyn was a package deal. He came with a crown. A heavy, crushing crown.

And the hair… the affiliated shade. What was I going to do about that? He seemed… aware. Understanding even, of the problem that his magic might present. It wasn’t that I wanted to lie to Ethyn but the choice … Ok, well, perhaps it wasn’t such a difficulty. I was just overly aware of it. It made me uncomfortable.

“Ehem.”

The sound startled me, causing the fork I’d been using to push the eggs back and forth to clatter to the floor.

“Oh, it’s just… you…?” My initial surprise turned to confusion. The figure leaning against the rail was familiar and different at the same time. A figure in blue.

“Esther?” Worried powder blue eyes sought my bright blue ones. The stance was confident though; from the way one leather boot clad foot was crossed over the other, legs against the rail, one shoulder against the stone wall, arms crossed to the raised, defiant chin.

“Jo,” I gathered myself quickly, “care to join me for breakfast?”

“Sure.” Jo eyed me a little suspiciously but took a seat at my little table. Then Josephine helped herself to my yoghurt.

“Would you like some honey with that, Josephine?” Politely I passed the little pot. She cringed a little but accepted what I offered. “I’m feeling much better today, by the way.”

“I see that.” She answered, slightly guarded.

“Dr. Heathson told me you met with the King yesterday, is everything ok?” I pried. Despite everything, the concern that all was not well was resurfacing.

“Actually… that’s what I’d like to talk to you about.” Josephine leant back in the chair, almost sloppily. Very unlady-like. Their voice had a deeper tone too. The blouse, trousers and boots combo wasn’t particularly confusing as I had previously expressed a dislike for the gowns hanging in my closet - and Josphine had seemed to be in accord with me to some degree. What was confusing was the mannerisms.

“Prince Ethyn said that there is nothing to be concerned about.” I blurted. “Over me hitting him with the book.” I added when she looked confused.

“I told you the Prince was a sweetheart.” Josephine said smugly. “You spent some time with the Prince then?” The way she said it was almost a little accusatory. I nodded in response. “That wasn’t what the meeting with the King was about though.”

“Oh, then what was it about Josephine?” She was being rather evasive I thought.

“You remember yesterday.” She touched her throat tentatively.

“Yes… of course Josephine. Is that what this is about? Is there some sort of problem? I will speak to the King - there is no issue here.” I was angry, how dare His Majesty be so hurtful and unaccepting of who Josephine is.

“Lady Esther, I appreciate your readiness to jump to my defence but it is not like that…” Jo trailed off, seemingly unsure how to continue.

“What is it then, Josephine?” I noted the slight grimmance.

“Well, um, this is, err, difficult for me to say…” Jo dipped her head slightly and concentrated on her lap. She fidgeted, wringing her hands. Something itched in my mind. There was something there, a raindrop of a thought desperately trying to hit home. My head ached. I pushed the thought. Pushed hard. The pieces were all right here. I just had to put them together. I didn’t need my stupid, empty brain.

“You are dressed differently today.” I stated the obvious. “You are behaving in a different manner as well. Are…” The way those blue eyes snapped up made me hesitate. I swallowed. “Are you not Josephine today…?” Somehow I was confused but sure at the same time.

“Joseph.” She… I mean he said. Joseph appeared relieved but also worried. “Does it bother you?”

I shook my head. “No.” I said earnestly. “But what does this mean?”

“What do you mean by that?” He snapped, instantly agitated.

“Well, are you going back to being Joseph permanently? And why? Were you not happy being Josephine? Is someone forcing you? Will you be leaving me? Do you want to leave me?” I rattled off a stack of questions without even thinking. They spilled out, practically falling over one another. Joseph smiled at me, genuinely relieved by my response.

“I shan’t be going anywhere unless you’d like me to. No one is making me - this is who I am.” Jo paused. “Not always Josephine and not always Joseph. Today I’m Joseph. If… if you could call me Josephine when I come in a dress and Joseph when I come in trousers… that would be, err…” He trailed off.

“Of course Joseph.” I beamed. “I have a question…” A burning question. It crackled and hissed in my mind, desperate to be answered.

“A personal question?” He sought a little clarification. I could see the tension in his jaw. Joseph almost seemed ready to bolt.

“In a way…” I paused but he waved me on. “Did Joseph and Esther ever procure a moment…?” Jo lit up, mischief across all his features. Whatever he was bracing himself for me to ask - this wasn’t it.

“Joseph and Esther did not procure a moment.” Amusement coated each word. Sliding along with Joseph’s teasing words was a clue. “There is something else…” Joseph said a little shyly. His eyes glowed blue.

“Ye Gods!” I jumped up as the whole balcony burst into life. Thousands of butterflies covered every surface. My chair fell to the floor before every butterfly leapt into the air. They swirled and fluttered, a riot of colour. “Wow.” I reached out to touch them but my fingers only found air.

“It’s just an illusion.” Joseph told me as though there was nothing impressive about the display that had me wide eyed and smiling like a child.

“It’s beautiful.” Grinning, I reached for Joseph’s hand and gave it a firm squeeze. “Can you make them all blue?” I requested excitedly. Joseph laughed without restraint then the air shimmered and all the butterflies became dazzling shades of blue.