Page 68 of Of Withering Dreams
I ground my molars together, clamping my eyes and my fists shut for a moment while my mind spun.
“What is it? Are you feeling unwell? Do you need me to make you a potion for nausea?” She placed the back of her hand along my scrunched brow.
A frustrated groan fell from me as I swatted her away and sat on my bed, glowering at the flighty chambermaid. “All this time, I thought you went through the Dormancy like all of us. I didn’t know you had … passed on. That you studied alchemy.” My voice raised to a level I couldn’t control, exasperation vibrating my chest. “That you knew my mother!”
“You seem rather vexed.”
“I am vexed!”
“I know a tonic for?—”
My glare was biting, and she stopped mid-sentence. Derya tucked her lips between her teeth, sitting next to me on the velvet coverlet. “I … I’m sorry, Miss. I didn’t realize that you’d be so distraught or even didn’t know. I’ve been here so long that I often forget how to behave. It’s difficult caring for so many and them not remembering you every turn.” She stroked a hand down my curls, tucking them behind my ear like Mama used to. “I did know your mother. She stayed in this very room many times. She was kind. And thoughtful.Strong. I’ve watched you from afar over the turns. Always such a hopeful, sweet child, you were. It was easier for me to stay away—not bring up Maya because I didn’t want to cause you more pain. I … I didn’t want to carry more pain. I suppose that was selfish of me, it was.” She bowed, clasping her hands in her lap.
I sighed, putting my hand on her shoulder. “It’s all right. I understand. I can’t imagine having to bear your memories turn in and turn out while everyone else forgets. Everyone grows older—mortal reminders of the passing of time. I’m sorry, Derya.”
She swiped her fingers over damp cheeks. “Thank you. I’m always here for you. Quite literally.” A small, watery smile lined her lips.
“Who else, um, resides in Surrelia?” I shifted, crossing my legs, leaning forward in interest.
She tapped a neatly trimmed, bare nail on her lips, looking up in thought. “Well. Most of the seasoned palace workers. Mr. Burlam, of course. He’s a dear friend. Such a sweet man.”
An amused breath fell from my lips as I rested my chin upon my fist, elbow digging into my thigh. “Naturally.”
She continued, completely oblivious to my droll tone. “Ah, and the Elders.”
I jerked up, coughing on my next breath. Derya patted firmly on my back. I wheezed, dragging in air, and croaked, “The Elders live here? In Surrelia? As in their physical bodies are here?”
“Isn’t that common knowledge?”
“Um, no. Everyone believes they live on Pyria Island and are soul-wandering with the rest of us.” A seething heat shuddered under my scar. I breathed in and out slowly, soothing myself.
I had learned more than I bargained for this morning. Although I was frustrated with Derya’s flightiness, I knew she would never cause me harm intentionally. I sighed, flexing my fingers. I’d have to process what she told me later.
“Oh. Oh my. Seems like everything has gone wibbly wobbly today, it has.”
She crushed me in her warm embrace. Sniffling, she held me at arm’s length by the shoulders. “Now, don’t forget what I told you about that wee flower. Hypothetically.” She gave me her version of a jaunty wink—with both eyes because she couldn’t wink with just one. I huffed a laugh as she popped to her feet. “And don’t forget to pick out your dress for the ball today.”
I grumbled, flopping back on the bed as she spun out of my room like the overwhelming whirlwind she was.
“Mind repeating that.I think I just suffered an apoplexy and misheard you.” Kaden crossed his arms over his thick chest, grinding his teeth together.
“The Elders never leave here. They live—physically—in Surrelia.”
“I fecking knew it,” Breena hissed, snapping gowns out of her way as we skimmed the available ball attire.
“What does it matter if they live here or on the mortal plane? I didn’t even think your physical body could be here,” Letti whispered, holding up a pretty white dress.
Kaden huffed, his ears turning a ruddy shade. I put my hand on his arm, leaning into Letti, watching those around us. “It matters because they force their laws upon us. We have to sleep half our lives away. Scrounge for food. Survive. All the while, they live here in a thriving paradise with food aplenty.”
“Oh. When you put it that way … What the void?” she whisper-yelled, her delicate features crumpling. A few curious glances were tossed our way as I covered her mouth, sweeping my head back and forth. She blinked in understanding, and I released her.
“Exactly. Also, it would seem that their ember is so divine that they can be here physically. Who knows?” I shrugged, absentmindedly tugging the only black gown I could find off the wooden racks strewn about the Great Hall. “Did you know most of the seasoned palace staff are deceased and live here in their astral forms?”
“What?!” Letti cried, collecting more than a few curious stares now. I frowned at her, and she grimaced sheepishly, cheeks turning pink.
Breena laughed. “I mean, it makes sense. We are in Surrelia.” My chin lifted, puckering my lips as my brows furrowed. She had a point. “Most of the deceased live in the capital far beyond the Reverie Weald. There is a whole realm outside Morpheus’ little bubble.”
My mouth dropped open. “Bree, how the void do you know all this?”
