To Destroy an Illusion: A Glass Mountain Retelling by Kendra E. Ardnek

Author:Kendra E. Ardnek [Ardnek, Kendra E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: GiraffeCrafts
Published: 2023-12-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

now

Isobel blinked up at the ceiling, staring at her reflected self lying in bed.

Her bed was too big. Twelve of her could sleep under this blanket and still have room left over. Why was this bed so big? Where was she? Where was…

This was her room. Why was she confused about her own room? This was her bed. This was where she slept.

She squeezed her eyes shut and rolled over, burying her face in her pillow. Her head pounded as though something was trying to crack it in two.

“You were wandering where you don’t belong, dear. You really shouldn’t do that. Be grateful and stay where you belong, yes?”

She stiffened at the voice, balling fists into her blankets as her heart began racing. “You…” she whispered.

Lothilla walked into her line of vision, tattered wings fluttering. “Yes, dear, I came when I realized you were hurt. Oh, dear child – don’t you realize how I worry about you? Now, stay tucked tight and don’t wander away again. This is your castle. Your home. You don’t need to go wandering. Everything you need is here.”

Isobel dropped her head back onto her pillow and squeezed her eyes shut. She winced as Lothilla’s fingers trailed through her hair.

“You’re a very lucky young woman.” Lothilla continued. “There are so many who would give anything to be where you are now. You need to be grateful.”

“I…” Isobel’s tongue felt thick. Why was it so hard to think?

Why was she trying to think? She should listen to Lothilla. Lothilla only wanted what was best for her.

“I know, child,” said Lothilla. “But don’t fret too hard. I was able to find you, and I brought you back to bed. You’re safe now. And you will always be safe as long as you stay where you belong.”

“I didn’t…”

Isobel’s mind swirled with thoughts of dancing and two men whose eyes burned too bright. Kieran. Kieran…

Where was Kieran?

She tried to fight up and out of bed, but Lothilla pushed her down with a suddenly harsh growl. Isobel’s heart stuttered, and she went still.

Lothilla didn’t want her to rise from bed. Why not? What was Lothilla doing here? Who was the other man, and what had happened to him? Where was Kieran!

“Calm down, child. Sleep a little more, and I will bring you some breakfast when it’s time. There’s a dear. You gave yourself quite a fright, so take your time to recover. All will be well. Remember that: All will be well. You’re a very lucky young woman, and you have everything you could want, right here in this castle.”

Her hand left Isobel’s head, and when Isobel opened her eyes again, the fae was gone. She still didn’t dare leave her bed. Instead, she tugged up her blankets over her head and tried to put everything out of her mind.

Why couldn’t she just forget the confusing swirl of thoughts warring in her mind? She was supposed to be good at forgetting. That was the bane of her life – the way that thoughts slid away even when she wanted to hold them close.

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