Chapter 217 - Home is where the heart is (1/2)

For all the rushing forward, Cam froze once she reached the second closest door to hers. Her hand trembled as it hesitated over the knob. Her eyes darted back down the hall to her own room forcing her to swallow hard. {What if whatever caused the noise was still in there?! Nope! Not tonight monsters!} Cam thought as she puffed out her chest and quietly turned the knob. When no sound was made and there was no noise from inside, Cam let out the breath she'd been holding. A faint light helped guide her through the equally lovely room. When she neared the bed, candlelight from the table lit the angelic face of the sleeping boy. Cam nudged his shoulder as she bent closer to whisper, ”Ales, Ales...”

”Hum?” A groggy voice replied.

”I... I had a nightmare... I believe...” Cam whispered.

Ales rubbed at both his eyes as he sat up in the bed. ”Cam?”

She nodded. ”I... I think I heard a noise... or had a nightmare...” Her cheeks heated. ”Could... would it be alright that is... if I stayed in here with you for the night?”

Rubbing the last bit of sleep from his eyes, Ales pulled the covers back. ”Sure, climb in.” He held them up as he waited for her to climb in. Once she was lying flat on her back beside him, he smiled. Flicking one of her two braids, he chuckled. ”Cute, I like them.” He leaned over her and blew out the candle. ”Sleep well, princess.” He pulled the covers over his shoulder as he rolled onto his other side facing away from her.

”Thank you,” Cam whispered as she snuggled into the bed more.

Ales rolled back onto his back and found her cold hand under the covers. He gave it a firm squeeze before lacing his fingers with hers. A smile colored his sleepy words. ”Any time.”

Ales woke at first light, quickly sitting up in his bed and turning toward the tiny warm body snuggled up beside him. Her pale features reminded him of all the angelic art and statues he'd seen during one of the trips he'd taken with his parents. Her nearly white double braids rested on either side of her face-framing it against the dark blue of his bedding. He felt his cheeks heat as her long featherlike eyelashes fluttered open. He quickly turned his face away towards the window, hoping to hide the blush he knew tinted his face. ”It's getting early. I should see you back to your room before the maids come in for the morning.” He whispered hoping his words would move her focus to the window as well, instead of his hot cheeks.

”Ok.” Cam whispered sleepily as she pushed herself up with one hand and covered a yawn with the other. She kicked the covers back and let her bare feet settle on the floor before standing and giving a big stretch.

Ales's eyes bugged and his whole face heated as his eyes landed on her bared calves as she stretched. He quickly rushed forward and retrieved his dressing robe from a nearby chair and gently set it around her shoulders. ”Here, the halls can be drafty this time of morning.” He gave her a nervous smile as he watched her slide her arms through the garment. ”I'll step out first.” He said, turning the knob of the door and looking around the hall. He sent her a smile over his shoulder. ”All clear.” He held his hand out for her, leading her from the room and to her own door a short way down the hall. He stopped before the door and faced her. ”Sleep well, princess. There is still three more hours before the rest of the house is awake and breakfast is served.”

Cam blushed slightly as she looked from him to the door nervously. ”Could... could you come in and check the room first?” She asked. ”I swear I heard something in there last night.” She looked shyly down at their hands.

Ales nodded. ”Sure, no problem. Come on.” He pulled the door open and led her inside. After a quick search of under the bed, inside the armoire, and the bathroom, he sent her a warm smile. ”See nothing to fret about. It was probably only a mouse.” As Ales was about to turn and leave the room, his eye caught a slight indent in the carpet where the dresser on the other wall seemed to be moved. He walked toward it and bent to get a closer look. Two of the legs had been moved but the others seemed to still be in the same place. Ales stood and searched the wall behind the dresser. Everything seemed normal. He shrugged as he turned back to Cam. ”One of the maids must have bumped it when unpacking your bags. Enjoy your rest. I'll see you at breakfast.”

Cam's eyes followed the boy out of the room before moving to the dresser in question. A chill ran down her spine causing her to shiver. She pulled the robe tighter around her as she crawled back into her own cold bed. She laid there for several long minutes unable to fall back to sleep. Letting out a heavy sigh, Cam decided to get up and begin preparing for the day.

”Good morning, dear!” Reighley's sweet voice called out from the far end of the dining room table. ”Come, have a seat, dear. It is only Ales and I this morning, but that is quite alright. It will give us time to discuss your curriculum and allow me to lay out the expectations of a queen in training. She smiled brightly at Cam as she neared the table opposite Ales. ”How was your first night, dear?” Reighley asked once a servant set a covered tray in front of Cam and lifted the lid.

Cam's face heated with embarrassment as her eyes met Ales's from across the table. She swallowed hard as she tried to thank of something to say, but to her surprise Ales answered instead. ”She had a bit of a fright early this morning, but not to fret Mother, I investigated and I'm sure she slept soundly after.”

”Oh? Is that so.” His mother arched an amused brow toward her son. ”You better not let your brother hear of you banishing monsters from beneath his betrothed's bed.” She snickered as she took in Cam's face as it began to flame red. She let out an elegant snort of laughter. ”I jest, dear, I jest!” She rested a hand atop Cam's. ”At your current age gap, I doubt Fern will have much interest in your coming and goings but don't fret when the time is right, he'll take proper notice.” The queen bopped Cam's nose as she straightened back in her seat. ”Anyways... where were we? Oh yes, expectations.” Reighley watched as Cam's nervous eyes moved over the set of silverware on either side of her plate before finally deciding to take one of the shorter forks. ”I see table etiquette hasn't been one of the subjects strongly pushed.” She tilted her head. ”How are your studies, my dear?”

Cam swallowed the large bite of sausage she'd bitten off, before answering. ”I read and write above average, momma says, and my drawing is well. I am also proficient in mathematics. Dauddy saw to that.”

The queen nodded as she continued to study the young girl. Her hair was pinned back, the majority streaming over her back in waves. The pale peach dress she wore accented her pale complexion and light, bright blue eyes; but she could tell the dress hadn't been made for the girl. It may have been altered to fit her but was still slightly too large and the fabric seemed older and worn. ”I believe we will start by having you fitted for some new gowns and slippers. The climate here is far more tropical than what I'm sure you are used to. We will also have you a riding habit made...” The queen stroked her chin thoughtfully. ”Is there anything you can think of you would like or need, dear?”

Ales interrupted. ”OwOw! Bedroom slippers and a dressing robe! The palace gets way too chilly at night.” He threw in.

The queen's lips turned up in amus.e.m.e.nt as her eyes sparkled over to her son. ”Is that why you lent her yours? The maids mentioned it this morning.”

Ales swallowed hard as he turned his attention guiltily to Cam. ”Well, she was cold when she... um had the nightmare...”

”Is that so.” His mother chuckled. ”Best not leave your clothes in a lady's room when visiting at night, son.” She teased as she bopped her son on the nose. She laughed as both children looked at her in utter confusion. ”Heed my advice, it will come in handy when you're older.”

Both children looked at each other in confusion before turning their attention to the queen and nodding.