“I have to talk to you,” Erich said, his voice quiet and conspiratorial.
“Why are you whispering? Everyone else has been awake for hours.” She wanted to run up and down the hall, screaming in happiness that Erich had finally returned. She’d nearly died from crying when he’d been shipwrecked all those weeks ago.
“Everyone else hasn’t been sleeping on sticks and stones for nights on end. Aizel and I can sleep all day if we want to, but that’s not the point. Quit distracting me. I’m whispering because I have to talk to you about something.”
Meena felt tears building up in her eyes all over again. She’d missed him so much. “Alright, I guess you can come in for a second.” She rolled her eyes as she opened the door for him to enter.
“Aizel needs clothes,” Erich said as soon as the door was closed behind him.
“That’s not a problem,” Meena responded. “We can send for Mistress Cedrice and Ashlin.”
“I already did,” Erich replied. “But that will take days to fit her and sew new things. I want her to have something now. Don’t you have a few dresses you can spare?”
Meena felt her whole face light up. “You want me to dress her?”
“Yes! Would you?”
“I would love to.” Meena did not have to force her enthusiasm.
“I thought you might.” Erich instantly relaxed. “She likes flowers, especially clovers.”
“Clovers?”
“Yes. You know, those light purple spherical ones that grow in the forest?” Erich explained.
“I know what clovers are,” Meena responded, tempted to roll her eyes again.
“What’s wrong with clovers?” Erich looked offended.
“Nothing, I was just surprised,” Meena replied. “I don’t think I have anything with clovers on it specifically, but I do have a few purple dresses. Those would go quite well with her red hair—”
“Exactly what I was thinking,” Erich cut her off.
Meena clapped her hands. “This will be fun. Go get her now!”
A few moments later, Aizel was sitting on the edge of Meena’s bed, her eyes wide in awe as she stared at the light purple dress Meena held up.
“Do you like it?” Meena asked.
“It’s beautiful,” Aizel said. “But I can’t take one of your dresses.”
“It’s not mine anymore,” Meena responded. “It’s yours. I grew out of it a few years ago, but you're a bit shorter than me.” She held the dress up to prove her point. The hem was a good length from the ground. “Come on, let’s try it on and see if it fits.”
“Are you sure?” Aizel’s words were hesitant, but Meena could see a sparkle in her eyes.
“Absolutely sure!”
Aizel stood from the bed and started to take off her boyish clothing.
“Erich told me you saw Robin?” Meena asked, eager for news of her old friend.
“He said you were the only one he could share that with,” Aizel responded.
“Does she need help?” Meena asked. She had heard Erich and Aizel’s story the previous night, and she needed far less convincing than her father.
“Of course, she does. She’s doing far too much by herself.” Aizel responded, slipping the purple dress over her head.
“I want to help her,” Meena said, helping tie the laces in the back of the dress. “I want to help you.”
