Page 19 of Bearly Free (The Emerald Realm 2)

“For what, Father?” Elias questioned innocently. I felt a sudden desire to quiet him and simply pull him away from his father before he changed his mind.

“For putting your mother’s mind at ease,” his father answered smoothly. “You know how she can be. She worries far too much for her own good. Let’s be certain to ensure this is one less thing for her to worry about.” Something about his words sounded almost viperous.

“Of course father,” Elias replied calmly.

“Good. I shall be in my office until suppertime. Be sure to attend your lessons in the meantime,” he commanded. “You are dismissed.”

chapter ten

No further exchanges occurred afterward, aside from the occasional murmurs of passing servants. I returned my attention to the window, continuing to soak up the spring sunshine. My mind fluttered around uncontrollably as I replayed the conversations in my head.

Elias’s family was... sad.

I rested my head on my arms as I leaned against the windowsill. My family had never been picture perfect. They had ignored me, belittled me, and ultimately saw me as a tool in their social game. However, they weren’t cruel. They never hit the servants, they always slept in the same suite, and they weren’t nearly as terrifying or snobbish as Luke and Jenna. I thought back to the story Elias had shared with me about his past, along with his warning about my future. Did he really feel that his life was better now than before?

I shook the thought from my head with a mental scolding. Of course, this was a better life than living on the street. How naïve of me to assume otherwise. At least here he had clothes, food, and a roof over his head. He also had... an education, I suppose? And... Other things, I’m certain. He just didn’t seem to be... Happy? Hopeful? Loved? Maybe that was it.

My thoughts were broken by the sudden sound of the exterior door opening. I quickly jumped from fright and darted behind the bed frame to conceal myself. The second door into the sleeping chamber opened, and I held my breath. The soft sounds of movement could just barely be detected across the carpeted floors. I made myself as small as I could. The sounds grew nearer until, before I knew it, a giant black fuzz ball was standing in front of me.

A broad smile spread across my face as I crawled out from behind the bed to greet Bear. I cast a quick gaze to the door and saw the briefest glimpse of a grinning Elias exit the room. My smile turned into more of a smirk as I realized what he had done. He must have snuck away from his lessons to bring me Bear for company. I scratched adoringly behind the massive dog’s ears. He groaned happily at the touch while thumping his tail on the ground.

“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Bear.” I continued patting him, causing him to lean his weight against me. “Would you care to join me in some bird watching? It’s dreadfully boring, but at least the sun feels nice.” Bear looked up at me blissfully with his big brown eyes.

“I shall take that as a yes, then.”

Hours passed calmly as Bear and I watched the sun set from the window. Mostly I just watched. Bear had taken to napping in the sunbeam for most of the time and now rested upon my lap. During one of his naps, I had taken the time to invert my dress back to its yellow gingham exterior. My hair still held collections of soot around my scalp and ends, so I located a wash basin and rinsed out my hair the best I could. It wasn’t a full bath, but it made me feel a hundred times better. I sat just in front of the window, allowing the evening air to dry off my golden curls. It was the first time I’d let my hair down since I left. The feeling was both freeing and comforting, almost as if I was looking out my own window from home.

The memory stung me for a moment. My “old” home, I meant. I thought back to my old room and allowed the smallest sliver of sorrow to slip through my mind. There had been many days when that space was my only solitude, but it didn’t have to be anymore. I could build a new life free of those stresses and fears. There was no reason to miss what I never truly had.

I looked around Elias’s room, taking it in with new eyes. Was this Elias’s place of comfort? Did he use his room as an escape from reality, too? My gaze moved across the ivy-green curtains and bedspread, then lingered on his wardrobe. A slight gasp escaped my lips. It was the exact same as mine, or the one that used to be mine. The cedar carvings were identical to the ones mine possessed, and the shape and height were the same as well.

A smile crept across my face as I eyed the furniture.

“What do you know, Bear?” I poked at the sleeping mountain on my lap. “His family has good taste in furniture.” I giggled softly as I continued to inspect the room. My father may not have been a stellar parent, but he was an excellent businessman. He certainly knew a good craftsman when he saw one, my grandfather being the greatest of all.

I continued my mental assessment of Elias’s room when a quiet knock suddenly stirred my attention. My breath caught before I could issue a reply. Bear stiffened protectively over me at the noise, then instantly relaxed and shook his tail. I was about to be offended by my failure of a guardian when Elias slowly opened the door.

“Goodness, Elias,” I said sharply as I stood from my seat. “You nearly made my heart stop.” Bear abandoned my side and instantly ran to his master to demand affection.

“Sorry, I tried to knock first.” He chuckled softly as Bear gave him loving licks. When he finally drew his eyes up from the dog, his expression softened. “Wow...”

“What?” I questioned uncomfortably.Why was he staring at me like that?

“Your hair,” he said shyly. “It’s quite pretty.”

A hot blush flooded my cheeks. “I forgot to tie it back up,” I scrambled to explain as I darted for the leather strap I used to tie my hair. His eyes never left me as I fastened my blonde curls into a quick braid.

“Dinner took longer than I expected, so I’m sorry I kept you waiting.” A dash of red speckled his face now as well. “I did bring you some food, though. It’s in the sitting room.”

My ears perked up at the mention of food. All my previous shyness melted away as I found myself sitting in front of a bowl of beef stew.

“This looks delicious!” I shrieked in elation before quickly quieting myself. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Elias replied with a bemused light in his eyes. He sat back in the opposing chair while I dug into my supper. “I hope Bear provided decent company for you today.” A slight smile tugged at his mouth.

“You called him Bear again.” I smirked back.

“So I did.” He pressed a hand to his chin as he grinned. “I’m afraid I have taken quite a liking to it. Bartholomew is the name my mother chose, and it’s the only reason she allowed us to keep him in the first place. The poor boy has suffered long enough from the foolish name. I believe Bear is a far greater choice.” He stretched his hand down to pat the dog curled around his feet.

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