Little Queen

39

Idalia
                                                                       ◊◊◊

Panic fills my throat until I feel like I might be sick. My body is in such chaos that I can't think clearly enough to string together even a few words.

The furniture in the room blurs as I scan around me. My gaze hops between Gio and the stranger so quickly that I can't make out Gio's expression, just that he hasn't moved to get me out of here yet.

Danger. Getoutgetoutgetout.

I stagger back a few steps until the chill of the window presses firmly into my back, keeping me from getting any further.

I can feel air passing through my lips; why is there no oxygen in the air?  Every inch of my body is exploding in time with the rapid drumming of my heart. Oh god I can't even pinpoint where my heart is anymore.

I clutch at my chest begging my lungs to breathe.

My trembling fingers wrap around my wrist as I slowly slip down the wall until my butt drops to the floor with a whoosh of air from Maxen's sweats.

Maxen.

His name gives me a tiny moment of clarity that I desperately claw into.

I am Idalia Rosa Calabrese. I am the daughter of Alessandro Calabrese and Sofia Calabrese. I am twenty years old. I have brown hair and brown eyes. I am Idalia Rosa Calabrese. I am the daughter of Alessandro Calabrese and Sofia Calabrese. I am twenty years old. I have brown hair and brown eyes.

I am Idalia Rosa Calabrese.

I am Idalia Rosa Calabrese.

The skin around my wrist is raw and red by the time I'm able to open my eyes. I rest my forehead against my knees, staring at my lap and trying my best to breathe deeply. When I finally lift my head Gio is watching me with a soft expression and Dr. Sanders is scribbling in her binder.

"May I please see Draven?" I ask. My voice cracks when I say please but I'm glad I got the question out.

"Not now Idalia. We should talk about how strong of a react-"

The absolute exhaustion that somehow filled and emptied my body at the same time left absolutely no room for this woman.

"I was not  speaking to you." I snap, glaring at the frigid woman. "I'm going to Draven's room. Send him up and get her off of this property."

I shove against the glass behind me until I'm standing and head for the door. Gio steps aside with a solemn face.

Every last ounce of energy drains from me as soon as I get in the hallway and my chin wobbles with the desperate need to cry. My hands tangle in my hair, pulling whenever I get too close to letting it all out.

I'm going to cry, I know I need to. But if I start now I don't know when I'll stop and I need to see Draven first.

A single tear drops onto my cheek. I swipe it away with an angry fist before it has the chance to fight each inch of my face on its way to the ground. I slip into Draven's room, using the solid door against my back to ground myself once it clicks shut.

When my heart has finally slowed a few beats, I pace the room, from the bed to the closet and back.

The door bursts open only a few minutes later, making me jump.

"Little one," He sighs when he sees me. He opens his arms and after a half-second hesitation, I fall into them, burrowing my face into his chest.

"What happened?"