Eadlyn Selects

Where I Can Keep Him Forever

The next day I make it to yoga with Jocelyn, the guard I met in the infirmary. She's so surprised to see me she falls out of some pose she was demonstrating. Then she helps me get set up in the back, so no one can see me without obviously turning around and gaping.

She begins the class and I am able to surreptitiously look around at my classmates. They don't pay me much mind which is unusual and refreshing. There are many different types in the class. All ages, sizes, races, and classes. I, of course, am the only royalty.

I am also the clumsiest one in class. It's startling to be bending and stretching into all these vulnerable poses in the midst of strangers. The wording is what I could never duplicate in private. Everyone has problems to let go and peace to embrace. Jocelyn does not even sound corny saying it. She's so buff and tough up there no one would dare giggle. We're all just there because we want to be. For yoga. Ahren would love it.

After class, I thank Jocelyn and am the last to leave the room. Heath gives me a dubious look and I do not take the bait. I think I know what he thinks of yoga.

A shower and an egg white omelette in my room and I am off to work for a couple hours.

I am especially glad I did the yoga when I finish catching up on the news. It's all bad. Really bad. I should probably do another several yoga classes.

I actually call Eikko and he comes to sit with me. I have too much work for us to chat, but he is a calming presence in the room. He doesn't even ask me why I'm so busy. He sits on my gold velvet settee and reads his orientation manual for castle translator. He seems pleased with the job. I'm just glad to be able to hold on to one friend.

We do take a small break for tea, and I learn how he takes it.

"Sugar, no milk. You?" he asks.

"Milk, no sugar," I say with a smile.

"Really?"

"Really. Is it weird that I asked?"

"Definitely," he says, smiling to ease the teasing. "You will never serve me tea, that's almost as definite as a psychic prediction."

"I might order you tea," I say, with a thoughtful expression.

He nods in agreement. "Alright."

Soon we are parting ways for me to continue my work day in the bigger office with the rest of the advisors. We have a lot to hash out in response to the news.

Before leaving, Eikko hesitates before murmuring, "You saw?"

I nod once and say, "I did." I open the door to my office, my shoulders sloping downward already. I'll miss Eikko's quiet support.

He turns to me and says firmly, "Don't take it on yourself."

I make a noncommittal face.

"He's right," comes a low voice.

"Heath?" I'm shocked that he would say anything, much less in a conversation I didn't know he could hear.

Eikko looks up at Heath. Heath tilts his head and says to me, "It's not your fault. I saw your face as you listened to the news. It's not you they are protesting. It's a system."

"That I head," I say.

"Not yet," Heath replies.

Eikko has no idea what to do. I can sense his confusion. The castle staff are polite to a fault. Usually.

"You shouldn't talk to her like that," he says in a trembling voice. He wants to stand up for me but Heath is huge and always sounds a bit ticked off.