Rose's Faerie Tale

The call for Supper

Suddenly Ventane turned himself around. Barely able to control his own magiks from the protecting adrenaline that was rushing through his body, he raised his hands and made the window shut with a soft clap. The curtains stopped moving suddenly. With a wave of his left hand in the direction of each curtain, they slid shut, leaving the room in a dim lighting. Ventane turned to face Rose, who still sat crumpled on the floor.

‘Idiot!’ he felt like roaring. But she was pale, and had been frightened enough for the night.

She was trembling.

Rose dared not look up, in fear that she would be covered with the red vision again. The feeling had returned to her legs. The warmth had returned as well. The robes that had appeared to be turning into something like stone were soft and supple again. She looked up at Ventane with trepidation.

His eyes took on their old appearance again, turning into those deep green pools in the darkness. His hair fell against his shoulders. He furrowed his eyebrows at her. "Lady Rose, I told you that you cannot do this."

Rose didn't answer for a moment as she looked back to the floor. Searching for her voice inside herself, she finally managed to say, "I... I didn't go out into the garden." she protested softly. Trembling, she clasped her hands to her elbows, hugging herself.

"You stepped through the window, Lady Rose. You cannot wander into her gaze." He repeated, "To step into the gaze of Her Highness would be your final act." he was much calmer now that he had removed her from what had seemed to be the 'face of danger'. He knelt before Rose. Looking her deep into her eyes, he reached to Rose's chin, and tilted her face toward him. The magiks in himself were beginning to calm now that she was safe again.

"I wish you no harm." Ventane said gently, "I am only trying to protect you, Lady Rose."

Rose stared at him. Her eyes were swimming with tears. She didn't say anything as Ventane took her by the shoulders and pulled her into an embrace like she had never felt before. Rose didn't know how long she remained within his strong embrace, but she no longer cared. He had frightened her in order to protect her.

Nobody she had ever known before had ever cared enough to do something for her in order to protect her. But had she ever been endangered before? She couldn't remember if she had. She had always wanted to be in the fields. She had always been there because it had felt safe.

The woods had even felt safe, at one time, when she had been a child. But she had never felt nearly the way she did in his arms right then.

Rose looked up at him, pulling away just far enough that she could peer into his features. He was breathing against her cheeks. He smelled sweet. He had long lashes and invisible hairs on his cheeks that Rose could barely see from where she sat.

'Is this what love is?' she wondered, as her heart fluttered.

He tilted his head, "Lady Rose.." he whispered sweetly, "It is time that we should bring you to sup. I understand that our food is finest among Kingdoms." he stroked her hair gently. ‘Thank Goddess you’re alright.’ He thought more privately.

Rose sniffled, and rubbed her face with the back of her hand. She nodded. "I'm not hungry."

Ventane rubbed her back gently, "I understand, Lady Rose, However, it would be rude not to sit at the table with your most gracious Host." He took her arms gently, and helped her to her feet, using his magiks to lift her from the floor. She didn’t seem to notice.

Rose nodded again. She looked down. 'When did I stand?' she thought to herself. Ventane pulled away. He passed his hand over the chair aside them. Sitting on the chair was a pair of what looked to be the most comfortable pair of slippers Rose had ever seen.

Ventane motioned to them. "Lady Rose, these are yours. I brought them for you."

Walking to the chair, Rose looked at them. They had appeared from nowhere, really. As though Ventane had been hiding them in his sleeves and had just dropped them on the chair.

Rose picked one of the silken shoes up and looked back at the blonde young man who had come to her rescue, "Ventane? How did you do that?" she asked. She was afraid to find out, but she had to know.

Ventane smiled gently, keeping his secret behind his green eyes and handsome expression, "Come, Lady Rose. It is time for sup." he said, holding out his hand for her. Just as he spoke, a certain chime range through the halls.

Rose tilted her head. "What was that?" she asked.

Ventane simply smiled again, as Rose slipped the soft shoes onto her feet. He led her from the room, and into the hallway. “That, Lady Rose, was the call for Sup.”