I Am Bree - Book 1

Chapter 22 - Dream Turned Reality

*I listened to this song pretty much on repeat while I was writing this chapter and thought I'd share it with you*

 Two days passed in stifling normality. It was as if nothing had happened at all, but at the same time, the world seemed only to be holding its breath to stop the consequences of that day's events. It was terrible.

King Erik had canceled the other celebratory events for the week in order to mourn Lord Phineas. It was obvious where his heart lay, for Liesl informed me that, ordinarily, such deaths remained a time of private mourning for the family of the deceased. It was as though the king were trying to keep it fresh in the minds of the people.

It was no surprise that I saw neither Una nor Aidan those two days, for I kept myself shut up in my room. I had no desire to face anyone. Every face reminded my of that day in the courtroom, and a part of me was scared something else would happen the moment I crossed my threshold.

As exciting and fun as it had been to play dress up and whirl around a golden ballroom, I was sick of it all. No one ever talked about the price that came with such frivolities. I had never been so forcefully exposed to the cruelty and petty jealousy of the world, and I found myself longing for the peaceful ignorance that was slowly being washed away as reality stole my rose-colored glasses.

Una entered my room on the third day. Her face was drawn and pale, but there was a certain quiet happiness to it, too. She smiled at me as I sat up in bed.

"He's all right." She said. "I thought you might want to know."

I swung my feet over the side of my bed, turning my back to her. The reality that I had held the fate of life and death in my hands hadn't fully set in, and I was honestly worried the knowledge might crush me. I had saved someone's life.

"Bree?" I heard her cross the room and felt the bed sink as she sat down behind me. "Are you all right?"

How was I supposed to answer that? There was nothing wrong with me, but I was constantly tired and felt heavy and useless. Everything seemed so insanely overwhelming. I turned and looked at her, unable to match her bright expression.

For a moment, she seemed shocked, and I could only suppose I looked as bad as I felt. Compassion was quick to take over her surprise, however, and she scooted closer to me.

"The court was a bit of a shock, wasn't it?" She said softly.

I nodded once. Honestly, that was the last thing in the world I wanted to hear—much less think—about. Talking about it was completely out of the question at the moment.

"I've never attended." She said. "It was hard for me to grasp the idea that there could be something so sinister and terrible beneath all the refinement." She paused for a moment. "I wish I could have kept you from having to go."

I didn't respond. I didn't really know how. Somehow, I felt like I'd aged significantly in the past couple of days, and it was almost as though I'd left her behind.

"Enough of this." Una stood up abruptly. "We need to get you out of here." She crossed the room to my closet and flung the doors open. "Fresh air will help you clear your mind. It's far too stuffy in here."

She sorted swiftly through the dresses and accessories. Her hands moved so quickly, I couldn't follow along, so I shifted my gaze to the floor. Maybe she was right, but I didn't want to go out. What if. . .

"Here we are." Her voice had regained some of its luster. "We'll have lunch in the garden."

"Una, I—" I began.

"No," She pulled me off the bed. "I won't hear any protests! Sometimes what's good for you isn't always what you want to do, so I'm going to help you along."