Princess Rainy's Arc

Chapter 11 of 12

Rainy woke in a soft bed. Fur blankets covered her. Firelight warmed the stone walls. For a moment she forgot where she was. Then she saw the small girl standing beside the bed, watching her. Rainy pushed herself up and held the blanket close. The girl had dark hair in a braid. She wore a pale purple dress with puffy sleeves. A tiny tiara sat crooked on her head. She could not have been more than four. She did not run or call for anyone. She only tilted her head and stared. "You're really pretty," the girl said softly. Then she laughed, quick and bright. "I also love your cat." Rainy followed the girl's gaze. Her white lynx lay curled at the foot of the bed. Its tufted ears flicked. It had let the child come close. Rainy let out a laugh of her own. The sound surprised her. She had not laughed in days. "He's a lynx, not a cat," Rainy said. "But he likes you. He doesn't like everyone." The girl beamed. She reached out and touched the lynx's thick fur. The animal only blinked. "I'm Rosalee," she said. "Rowan is my big brother. He carried you in. I saw from the stairs." Rainy's chest eased. So this was Rowan's little sister. The child had no fear of her white hair or her strange beast. She had only curiosity and a warm, open smile. "I'm Rainy," she said. "Your brother is very brave. He helped me through a storm." Rosalee climbed onto the edge of the bed without asking. She settled close and looked up. "Are you a real princess?" she asked. "You have white hair. Princesses in my books have gold hair." "I'm a real princess," Rainy said. "My hair has always been white. Even when I was born." She paused. The old question stirred in her. "I'm going north to learn why." "North is far," Rosalee said. She frowned like the matter was serious. "Mama says the ice past the mountains eats travelers. She won't let Rowan go there." Rainy went still. The ice shelf. That was the path she and Rowan planned to cross. "Your mama said that?" Rosalee nodded. She hugged the lynx's neck. "She's cross about it. She and Papa are talking loud in the big hall. About you and Rowan." Just then the door opened. A servant stepped in and bowed. "Princess Rainy. You are awake. The king and queen wish to see you at once." Rainy set the blanket aside. Her legs held now. Her strength had returned enough to stand. She looked at the small girl, then at the door. "Will you take me to them?" she asked Rosalee. The child slid off the bed and reached up. Her small hand closed around Rainy's fingers. "Come on," she said.