Wind in the Clouds by C.J. Canady

Author:C.J. Canady
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fairy, Prince, Princess, Dark Fantasy, Adventure, Romance, Dragon, Fantasy
Publisher: C.J. Canady
Published: 2023-05-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17: Nigel

Mikah stands ramrod straight with his arms folded tight and lips pressed in a thin line. He carefully watches the Healer tending to my wounds, dabbing a damp cloth on my head. The Healer’s throat bobs as he steals glances over his shoulder at Mikah, who has been nothing but rude to Pablo since he arrived. Mikah’s fear is that Pablo will ask far too many questions, attempting to pry anything about what had happened to me and where I got this bump on my head. The gossip mill in Quill is without slumber. With yesterday's events—where my legs being exposed superseded the news about our soon-to-be Zepyterian visitors!—there have been whispers flitting about I’ve chosen to ignore.

However, it appears as if that gossip mill hasn’t yet reached the tailor. Lola peers at me from the corner of my chambers, afraid to move. Her eyes analyze my semi-exposed legs through my tattered pant legs; worry creases her brows together. Folded in her hands, she carries a “just-in-case” second pair of matching garments to dress in.

“Perhaps you should shower too?” Mikah shoos the Healer away and inspects my head for any faults. “Looks good. Now, be off, Pablo. And don’t you dare say a word to anyone.”

Pablo bows his bald head to me and scurries out of my chambers.

Lola clears her throat, gingerly shuffles forward, and plants the clothes beside me on my canopy bed. Her eyes are focused on the gilded walls, too afraid to meet mine.

“It’s all right, Lola,” I say gently. “The entire court knows about... this. I’m surprised you haven’t heard anything about it.”

Lola relaxes her stiffened shoulders. “I... I didn’t mean to stare. I-I was only curious—”

“About how I lost my legs?”

“I don’t mean to be rude. But, yes, my Prince,” Lola says.

Mikah smirks at her. I can tell he’s about to create some fable by that wicked lift of his lips alone. “Well, I’m not one to toot my own horn.” He Puffs his chest, and I flop backward onto my bed, already exhausted by his tall tale. “But I saved Nigel from—” he lowers his voice, leans close to Lola’s ear, “—Ogres. Nigel and I were playing pretend when we were about five or six. I played the role of a hunter, slayer of beasts, procurer of fortune, Fairy of mystery.” I groan out my annoyance; Mikah simply continues. “And Nigel was my pipsqueak sidekick. We ventured too far out of the Realm when we were attacked by bloodthirsty Ogres. I had to defend my Prince with all my strength. But those Ogres bested me, and thus... Nigel’s legs were torn from his body and devoured by the Ogres. Had I stepped in a moment too late, our dear Prince here would be as good as—”

“Enough, Mikah,” I grumble, propping a hand on one side of my face. “I wasn’t attacked by Ogres. I was born like this.” Imperfect and all. Will I ever learn to accept this faulty body exactly as it is?

Lola speaks through splayed fingers on her mouth.

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