^^ Anna and Beatrice^^

Chapter 31

River's POV

My eyes burned, eyes scorched by the stream of sunlight peeking through the window shades, as I awoke. My hands reached up to block my eyes, eyes blinking furiously, as I groaned.

Ugh, mornings.

A knock resounded from the door as I turned, pulling the pillow over my head as I squeezed my eyes shut.

Go away.

A muted voice could be heard from the doorway but I chose to ignore it as I turned, hoping to land on a warmth I had gained to accustomed to but sadly, to my own dismay, I came to nothing but cold bedsheets.

Poophead left me all alone.

I pouted, pulling the pillow from my face and dropping it next to me. I was too upset to attempt sleep.

Where is he?

I stood up from the bed, feeling my head spin as I laid an unsteady hand on the bed to keep myself from collapsing to the ground. I laid my other hand on my forehead, hoping to ease the twirling in my head.

Shouldn't have gotten up so quickly.

My eyes widened as I took in the room. It was purple. Not the golden room I was familiar with.

What?

I hissed as my head pulsed.

"Your Majesty!" The door swung open and I squeaked as a dark skinned girl rushed in, her dark, brown eyes widened as they searched the room before landing on mine with a relieved sigh.

"You weren't answering the door..." She sighed, hands rubbing against her blue, poofy dress. Lace and satin was all that covered her body besides a white set of pearls shining lightly against her chocolate skin. Her eyes shone with distress as they locked with mine.

Who?

It took me close to six seconds before all that had happened the previous day came back to me.

The carriage. The attack. The estate.

I wasn't home.

Home.

When did I start thinking of the palace as home?

"You're Madame Beatrice's mate?"

She nodded with a bright smile, "Anna," she chirped as she stuck her hand out. I peered at it but before I could make a move she had already enveloped my hand in hers and shook it with a widened grin.

I laughed awkwardly as she dropped it and spun on her heels, "Oh! The tea!" She gasped before fluttering out of the room.

What just happened?

Before I could even lift my hand, she was back in the room with a silver tray and a renewed smile.

"Got it!" She chirped, placing the tray on a nearby chair and sitting down before lifting the top. The smell of jasmine and vanilla wafted past my nose in an array of sweet fragrances as I gave a light sigh.

"You like tea, right?" She seemed momentarily nervous.

I smiled softly and nodded my head. She gave a sigh of relief, clutching a hand to her chest, as she poured a cup and handed it to me. I sat down on the bed and brought the warm teacup to my lips.

I moaned as the sweet tang of hot tea slid past my dry tastebuds.

Aah, what a way to wake up.

"Beatrice and His Majesty are having a meeting of a sort, so I thought why not hang out? There's actually a really cute marketplace around here that sells all sorts of trinkets. I mean, when are we ever going to get a chance to hang out alone again. What with His Majesty's possessiveness and Bebe's fear of crowds," she rambled off between sips. I pressed my hand to my mouth as a giggle escaped my mouth.

She kind of reminded me of a hummingbird, constantly tweeting and chirping away. Always singing a pleasant melody that could bring even the most solemn of people glee. She had a child-like, vibrant glow to her and I could see now why Beatrice had been so excited when introducing her to Alastair. She had such an energy to her.

"So I was thinking..." she peered up at me through her lashes.

"Yes," I laughed, "I'll go with you if that's what you so desire."

Her face glowed, eyes perking up, as her entire face lifted, "Yes!" She jumped from the chair, causing me to slightly flinch before resettling myself.

I took a light sip from the tea as I watched her jump up and down like a gleeful child.

"This is going to be so much fun!" She squeaked, I laughed awkwardly. I wasn't quite sure what to do in this situation so I just drank from the tea, watching her.

She stopped her jumping as she took my hands in hers and dragged me from the bed, almost causing me to drop the tea.

"Let's go!"

My eyes widened, "now?"

She nodded her head profusely.

"I'm not dressed."

She peered down at my silk nightwear.

"Oh!" She gasped.

Did she just realize that I was in a nightgown?

"I don't have anything to change into. Our carriage was attacked on the way here and we left our luggage..." I peered down uncomfortably at my teacup.

I wanted to go, but what was I to wear?

"Hmm," she rubbed at her chin, "one second," she lifted her dress as she ran from the room. I watched with wide eyes.

What was she planning on doing? Borrowing from one of the servants?

I was just placing the empty cup onto the tray, as she entered back into the room with arms full of white and pink fabric.

"I found something for you," she shoved the article into my awaiting hands with a wide smile.

My brows rose as I placed the articles carefully onto the bed. It was beautiful. The material felt so smooth, so soft against the touch. The top was a soft satin as white and smooth as a dove's feathers, gold embroidery ran up the outlining of the soft fabric, along with a matching white pair of pants. Gold embroidery ran along the bottom of the pants, along with a couple gold buttons holding the soft fabric together. It was so well crafted, I couldn't help but run my fingers across the craftsmanship. My eyes caught sight of the pink matching jacket. I almost laughed.

Isn't this quite feminine?

"I thought the pink would suit you perfectly," Anna gushed.

"But I'm a guy," I laughed.

She raised a brow, "point being?"

I silenced. I didn't quite have an answer to that.

"Well," she waved her hands, "go on then."

I gave a small smile, pulling the bundle of clothing into my arms and rushing to the powder room.

I unbuttoned the shirt, pulling it up my arms while peering at the dozens of makeup products along the counter.

Do girls actually put all this stuff on?

I just buttoned the last button on my shirt and pulled the pale pink jacket over my shoulders, as I curiously approached the strange circular containers of strange whites and pinks. I dabbed my finger in a golden container and brought it to my nose. My nose scrunched up as I sneezed, the white powder getting all over the mirror hanging above the freshly cleaned, marble countertops.

Shoot.

I peered wide-eyed up at my equally as stunned reflection. I peered around the room, searching for a towel of a sort, but none was to be seen.

What do I do?

My eyes searched the room until it locked on a container holding a sponge-like object.

Oh, I'll use that.

I reached my hand towards the larger container and pulled the sponge out, bringing it to the mirror and wiping it softly. My eyes widened as a line of white became present across the mirror, where I had just wiped with the sponge.

What?

I peered down at the sponge and brought it to my nose, sneezing.

This is makeup too? Why would someone use a cleaning sponge on their face?

I peered back at the mirror. Where it had previously been slightly blotched in white, now it had a thick, white line running across it. I smacked a hand against my forehead, resulting in more fluttering white powder. I peered at my reflection in the mirror, white powdered flecks dotted my forehead as splotches of white ran across the entire mirror along with a thin layer of powder across the countertops right below the mirror.

I groaned.

"River?" I heard Anna's voice call from the other side of the door like a saving angel.

"Anna," I whined as I slowly opened the door.

"What?" Her eyes locked with mine quizzically before taking in the scene. Her eyes widened before a small giggle escaped her mouth, "how did you even do this?!" She cupped her mouth with one hand as the other held her stomach, "talented," she giggled, "you're one talented being, River."

"Thank you," I mumbled with a pout.

"So cute," she gushed as she pulled me into a tight hug.

She giggled against my shoulder as I awkwardly hung my arms by my sides.

She pulled away with a growing grin, "That's alright, little River," she patted my head, "we'll ask for someone to clean it."

I nodded, hand clenching at the bottom of my jacket.

So embarrassing.

She took my hand in hers and pulled me out the door.

"Oh, wait," she stopped, causing me to almost faceplant into the ground. She reached a sleeve to my forehead a wiped quickly before blowing at her sleeve, "better," she smirked.

I blushed slightly, peering down at my barefooted feet.

Oh.

"Umm, Anna?"

She peered down at me, "yes?"

"I don't have shoes..." I trailed off.

"Oh!" She peered down at my barefooted feet, "hmm, do you know what size you are, River?"

I shook my head.

"Hmm, come," she ushered me out of the room and down a couple flights of stairs. My feet tapped against hardwood as we came to a large door.

She knocked loudly, standing still until the door flung open, a group of men in dirt-covered clothes greeted us.

The servant quarters?

"Yes, Anna?" One of the men spoke, rubbing at his shoulder.

"Do you think anyone might have a pair of shoes that would fit him?" She waved her hand in my direction.

She's talking to the servants so normally. Almost like a friend does to another.

"Hmm," the man turned from the door and peered into the room, "Tom!"

A young boy came running, brown curls going in all directions as he sped towards the older man and wrapped his arms around his waist.

"Tom looks about his size," the older man said, the boy peered up at him through quizzical eyes, "Lend him a pair of shoes, eh?"

The boy looked at me through curious eyes before running back into the room.

Is that a no?

Before I could say anything the boy came running back out and shoved a pair of brown boots into my arms, "here."

I peered from the boots to him, "Thank you," I said softly.

The boy's eyes lit up as a warming smile graced his lips, "you're very beautiful when you smile."

My cheeks heated up, "T-thank y-you," I stuttered out.

"You're welcome!" He chirped.

Anna took my hand and pulled me from the door, "Thanks!" She called behind her.

A series of whispers could be heard behind us as Anna walked at a speedy pace, though I couldn't quite catch many words besides 'mate' and 'majesty'.

Anna gushed about where she was taking me the entire walk from the servants' quarters to the entrance of the estate. I didn't quite pay attention, even as we stepped into the carriage, all that plagued my mind were thoughts of the young lad that had lent me the boots. He was so young. I hadn't known there were children who lived along with the servants. Perhaps it was naive of me to think there would be a special room set aside for the younger children. I was going to bring this up with Alastair later.

I felt the wind brush gently across my cheek like a soft caress as the hustle and bustle of townsmen swept by me. The loud shoutings of shopkeepers could be heard through the sounds of screaming children and the soft padding of hooves. I had never seen so many horses in one place as men traveled by horseback across the marketplace.

"We just got a new shipment from Egypt," Anna explained as my eyes roamed the many horses.

"Even the commoners here can afford them?"

In my town, only those of high standing could ever dream of owning something of such prestige.

Anna laughed before turning to a chattery stand owner. She picked up a gem-laced bracelet, dangling it in her hand as she spoke with a wide smile. My eyes roamed. The market was much more different than what I was used to. It was smaller, less colorful, and the people here seemed to be of higher standing.

My eyes locked on a man in the distance. His dark wear stood out in the herd of browns and beiges. A long, angry scar ran down his right cheek in an animalistic fashion. It looked as if he had attacked by a wild boar and had survived to tell the tale. Before I knew it, I found myself approaching him. I wanted to talk to him. Ask his tale. Perhaps he was a knight or a warrior.

A man bumped harshly against my shoulder, almost knocking me to the ground. My hands locked against my knee caps, blocking me from face planting against the hard stoned path. I gasped, steadying myself. My eyes widened as my eyes searched the crowd.

Where did the man go?

My head turned to and through, eyes squinted as I searched for the black figure. Finally, my eyes locked on a black figure sweeping past a stoned corner.

A voice in my head screamed, demanded I turn around, but my curiosity got the best of me. I'd just peek, I told myself, just a minuscule glimpse.

I rushed past the corner, stopping in my tracks as I saw a group of black-cloaked men surrounded the man. I hid behind a nearby alleyway, back pressed against the hard stone as my ears picked up at the loud shouting.

"Where are they?!"

"We found their bodies by an abandoned carriage."

My eyes widened.

"Where they attacked?"

"No shit, Sherlock."

A growl resounded, "Who?"

"We don't..."

Silence.

My ears perked up, awaiting a sound that never came.

"Come out."

My brows scrunched in confusion.

"You, in the alleyway."

My face paled.

Oh god.

How...how did they know I was here? I could've sworn I didn't make a sound.

I stood, frozen in place as I broke out in a cold sweat. I wasn't sure what to do, so I didn't what I always do.

Run.

I pivoted on my heels, running as fast as my short legs could take me.

Faster. Faster.

I felt my body hit a hard, solid form. My hands went to my head. Eyes peering up as my eyes locked on a pair of dark, narrowed eyes. A pair of large, collapsed hands locked on my shoulders and pushed me harshly against the wall.

I whimpered as the sound of bone against stone filled the small alleyway. Tears began to peek from the edges of my eyes, shaking hands landed on his arms as they attempted to pry his harsh hold from my arms.

The man bent down, cracked lips against my shaking form. A loud, bellowing laugh escaped his throat as his vile breath swept against my cheeks. A shiver ran down my spine as his lips brushed against my earlobe.

"There's no escaping me, little one."