“Not right now.”
I turn to Elowen. “Maybe we could eat an early dinner.”
“Okay,” she agrees. “Get some rest, Auri.”
I walk next to her as we head back to her room. She doesn’t say anything the entire time. Once we’re in her room, I face her. “Want me to help you onto the bed?”
“No, I’m fine.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “You’re tired; I can tell. Just let me help you.” I watch the emotions play across her face. “I’m more stubborn than you; I can stand here all day.”
She gives an exaggerated eye roll. “Fine.”
I resist the urge to grin and walk over to her side. “How do you normally get into bed?”
“Rauk,” she supplies.
I frown. “What if he’s not here?”
“Elowen helps me,” she admits. “But it’s hard.”
“I can imagine. Why is your bed so high? Wouldn’t it be easier if it was level with your chair? Then you could do it yourself.”
She looks at her bed and then back at me. “I don’t know; it’s just always been this way.”
“Okay. Well, we can’t do anything about it right at this moment. For now, I’ll help you.” I bend over her, and she loops her arms around my neck. “One, two, three.” I lift her and turn and deposit her at the top of her bed near the pillows. I pull up a fur from the end of her bed. “I won’t let you sleep too long, so you can sleep tonight.”
“Thank you.” Her words are soft, and I almost don’t hear them.
“You’re welcome. Get some rest. I’ll check on you in a littlebit.”
I walk towards her door, glancing back once to make sure she’s settled okay. And then I slip away to go see if Elowen needs any help. I find her in the kitchen, per her usual. This time, she’s rolling out some dough. “Do you need help?”
She looks up at me and smiles. “You’ve already done so much. I’m good. I'm going to finish this dough and then I’m going to sit and read for a little while.”
“Okay, let me know when you’re ready to start on dinner.” I pause at the kitchen door. “Do you think it will be okay if we eat early? I don’t want to make things stressful for you with Rauk.”
“Oh, he won’t be joining us for dinner tonight or probably the next several nights. He’s gone on kingdom business.”
I study her. “What exactly does that mean? Kingdom business?”
“It’s not my place to say.”
Her answer annoys me, honestly; but I figure it’s probably not her making the rules. I’m sure it’s Rauk, and I don’t want to do anything to make things more difficult for her. Rauk does that enough already. “Okay. How long do you think he’ll be gone?”
“It’s hard to say. It could be a few days, or it could be a few weeks.”
Nowthatsurprises me. “A few weeks? How can the king be gone for a few weeks?”
She shrugs and continues kneading her dough. “That’s just how it is.”
“Hmmm.” With more questions than answers, I leave the kitchen and her behind. I walk around the huge open area andlet my mind wander. I look at it through the eyes of a girl who’s never allowed outside these walls. Suddenly, it seems more dark and oppressive than it did before. An idea hits me, and I’m moving before I even think about it. I pop my head into the kitchen. “I’m heading out. I’ll be back.” I leave before she has a chance to ask questions. I reach out to Redara as I walk to my room.
Hey, are you bored?
You know I am because I told you so this morning.
She had. Repeatedly. Apparently, Noxlyn had left at the crack of dawn with Rauk, and now she doesn’t know what to do with herself.
