laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

Groggy, Kailee’s solid, glowing eyes opened to a hazy room as her nose was assaulted by the fragrant scents of lilacs, roses and the clean quilt that covered her. Confused, she tried to remember what had happened before she went to sleep. Memories were but a fog now as her vision cleared to see the beautiful bedroom surrounding her. Thick, heavy wooden furniture, colorful tapestries, thick bear rugs and wonderfully carved frames to the far door reminded her of somewhere familiar. She couldn’t place it though as she turned to see the rest of the room beyond the canopy bed covered by a white sheet and borders neatly tied at each corner. A large fireplace centered the white marble wall whose mantle supported tall, brass candleholders at each end. Tall windows allowed sunlight in as she noticed the clear blue sky - to the corners they were flanked by large vases full of fresh flowers. Where was she?
Mentally, her brain hurt as she tried to remember friends, family - anyone. No faces came to mind, no mother or father, almost as if she just...was. How odd. Pushing herself up, she drew her knees to her and wrapped her arms around her shins, then noticed the glossy, brass skin. Curious, she raised her left forearm towards her, turning her hand as it neared in bewilderment, almost as if seeing herself for the first time. Smooth, her unblemished skin also held a strength that she could sense, but not see.
As she pondered the wonderous world around her, the door opened allowing a grey skinned, gaunt servant into her room. Kailee’s eyes widened at the stringy, brown hair and sunken, brown eyes as the servant bowed to her and closed the door.

“My lady is ready for her day,” the raspy voice asked. “Your husband awaits you in the great hall as we speak.”

Kailee’s mouth dropped open. “Husband?”

“Yes, ma’am,” she stated as she neared, long bony hands clasped before her. “Did you sleep well?”

She nodded, noting the empty thoughts dedicated only to her duties as Kailee realized she could sense the servant’s life force, emotions as well as delve into her sordid past at will. A realization that caused her eyes to widen more.

“Where am I,” Kailee asked.

Giggling, the servant stopped near the bed. “You’re home, my lady. In your palace. Are you alright,” the skin around the jawline tightly articulated, threatening to tear at any moment as her head cocked to the side in concern.

“I’m just still trying to wake up, that’s all,” she grinned. “Who are you?”

Taken aback, the already emaciated face elongated. “Beatrice, madam. I’ve served you and your husband now for many years. Are you sure you’re okay?”

Kailee nodded as her eyes fell away to the pillowy, deep blue quilt. Why couldn’t she remember any of this?

“I’ll set out a dress for you if you wish to rise now.”

“Of course. That’ll be fine.” Finally, she pulled back the covers and swung out to the side of the bed to finally notice the strands of burning fire which laced around her left arm. Shocked, she tried to pat it out as she jumped from the bed, spinning to see no burning bedding behind her.

“What is it, milady,” Beatrice exclaimed as she ran out from the closet.

“It,” she turned to the concerned attendant. “It’s nothing. I just thought I saw fire, that’s all.” She calmed her breathing as brown eyes studied her quietly. “Sorry.” She watched as a long, grey skinned hand cupped behind her and drew a long, roiling rope of fire into sight.

“Did it look like this?”

Kailee recoiled until realizing that it was her own hair. Frantically, she reached back and drew a thick handful around to the front to study the orange, flaming strands which didn’t even burn her skin. How was this possible? Rising, her white glowing eyes gazed to the quiet servant. “What am I?”

A light chuckle poured from behind yellowed teeth. “You are the queen of Nurmes, milady.”

* * *

She followed Beatrice out of the bedroom, through vaulted ceilings beautifully carved and painted with scenes of starlit skies. Along the walls to her left, paintings of green valleys, flowers, romantic scenes of maidens being courted by handsome nobles, horses watering near a long, winding river which were all lit by the tall windows to her right which looked out over colorful gardens walled in and protecting it from the tall mountains and waterfalls beyond. A feeling that took her breath away as her eyes tried to wrap around her home and why she couldn’t recall any of this before.
Quiet footfalls echoed through the marble hall as they approached an open doorway. “Do I have any children?”

“No, madam,” Beatrice returned. “Not yet.” That was a relief at least, forgetting any offspring would have been worse, she thought as they entered the great hall. Beyond the long, darkly polished table, high-backed chairs and a large chandelier, she noticed the lone man dining out on the veranda. Her heart leapt in her at the sight of him, his darkly tanned features were strong and handsome as she rounded the furniture between them and neared the billowing curtains which framed the wide doorway. Nervous adrenaline pumped through her body as she noted the long black hair, pulled back and laying down behind the broad shoulders, covered by a maroon jacket.

As she stepped out, his face rose and smiled. “Ahh, my darling has arisen finally,” he rose and pulled out her chair beside him and she sat. “How did you sleep?”

“Fine,” she tried to remember him also as he returned to his chair.

“Well,” he placed a strong hand on hers. “You’ve had a busy week. I’m just glad it’s over finally,” he grinned and returned to his breakfast. “Now we can enjoy one another’s company forever without any hindrances. Which, I know makes you happy.”

She half-nodded, still trying to figure out what he was talking about. “What happened?”

He paused between bites. “If you’ve forgotten, then it’s best to let it lie. I love you, darling. I’m just glad that we have more than a lifetime to enjoy one another.”

A bit embarrassed, she looked down to her hands, nervously fidgeting with the silk napkin. “I don’t remember anything. None of this,” she looked around to their surroundings as the dull thundering waves crashed below sight behind the distant wall. “I wish I could,” she looked back to him.

He nodded, compassion in his eyes. “It’ll come back. Don’t worry.”

She hesitated. “I don’t even remember you,” smiling apologetically.

“That’s alright. I was afraid that might happen,” he went back to his meal as Beatrice set a plate before her and retreated. “Like I said, it’ll all come back soon.”

“How long have we been together?”

“Your whole life,” he smiled. “I’ve watched you grow into the beautiful woman that you’ve become and am honored that you’ve come to me finally. My life was empty without you.”

She blushed at the thought of being held so highly. His thoughts however, were hidden from her, almost as if opening a book with blank pages.

His dark eyes rose to her again. “You should eat something,” he motioned to her plate. With all the excitement, she wasn’t sure she could eat.