Chapter One (part 3)

When Echo woke up, the light was way too bright. So she just closed her eyes thinking. She wondered how long she had been out of it. She remembered seeing the armed man in the pretty meadow. She remembered how much she had ached and hurt.

Voices were speaking quietly around her. "No sign of waking yet?" Someone sighed in a worried tone.

"No, Miss. And the Prince has been by her bedside for the full week. Hasn't slept till now, actually." This voice also was full of concern. Her voice was light and airy.

-Prince?- I could feel my face muscles trying to move to fit my confusion. And then I remembered that he said he was a prince. His name was Dymetri. But the confusion returned. -And did she just say a week?-

"Miss! Look." The voices were still hushed. "I think she's waking." I could almost feel the eyes upon me, studying my every movement.

"Well...Let the poor girl sleep still. Put two glasses of water and two of wine on the table please and leave them be." Another sigh. This voice was more firm, but had a sweet, motherly feel to it. "My poor son, worried out of his mind." Again I could feel eyes one me. But before anyone moved, I slipped back into a dreamless sleep.

***

When I woke again, it wasnt as bright as before, and I was able to open my eyes. This time I was able to asses my injuries. But there were none.

There were some places where bandages were still wrapped tight, but mainly all I could see were many many scars. I was able to move slightly but I was painfully stiff. The muscles in my shoulders and legs were healed for the most part, but I still ached.

By my right hand, with his head laying on a throw pillow, was the man I had encountered in the clearing. Dymetri's face was peaceful as he slept, except for the line of worry that creased his perfect forehead. There were dark circles under his eyes and I knew that what the woman had said was true. He had not slept in a long time. But a week? That seemed too long.

I looked around the room I was in. There wasn't a lot of light comming in from the window. It was dusk outside and what was left of the sunset was absolutly magical. I was laying on a cloud like matress which rested on a four poster bed frame. The frame was made of oak, and had exquisite carvings of roses and blooming dogwood trees. Honeysuckle vines twisted up the four posts, filling the air with a sweet and lulling scent.

The silk sheets were a light green, only a shade or two darker than the night gown I was dessed in. Beside the bed was a small table where two tall glasses of water sat along side two tall glasses of dark red wine.

Silver, silk curtains fluttered lightly where they hung parted at the window. And next to the wide window was a vanity with a mirror framed in cherry oak with the same rose carvings as the bedframe. The stool that sat by it was of the same wood, and the cushon was the same color as the bed spread.

Everything was clean and tidy. It was a beautiful room and I couldnt think of any way to remodel it if I had the chance.

Dymetri shifted slightly, and instantly I felt terrible for having to put him through this. It wasnt his problem. It wasnt his battle to face. I felt guilty for the fact that he had not slept..no doubt because of me.

His eyes fluttered open to reveal a warm gold. His face lit up when he saw I was awake.

"Thank the Gods." He whispered.

I decided to save him as little worry as I could, and smiled. "You can lie down here. You look deathly tired." I traced one of the circles around his right eye. His eyes closed, enjoying the warmth of my soft fingers. "Just once you tell me where I can use the bathroom."

His eyes opened and he blinked for a moment. "Of course, my lady. Just down the hall, first door to your right. And I dont think it appropriate to invade your space, my lady."

I laughed lightly. It sounded strange, like I hadnt laughed in years. "You wont be invading my space. Im done sleeping. I need to get up and move around. And your right here anyway. Sleep." I said quietly, brushing a strand of black hair out of his beautiful eyes. I rose gently out of bed, making sure not to make a sound as my muscles streched.

I walked gingerly to the bathroom which was spacious and just as designly set as my room I had slept in.

I took my time. After I was done washing my hands, I removed what was left of the bandages to see what damage was still there. All were healed and just covered to prevent rubbing. I threw the bandages in the garbage bin and walked back into my room.

Dymetri was nearly asleep on the bed, lying with the covers by his feet. "I never got your name." he said, yawning at the end.

"Echo." I whispered into his ear as I pulled the silk sheets up to his shoulders. He nodded once, and then was asleep again.

I shifted quietly into a small tabby house cat, streched, and leaped lightly onto the foot of the bed where I curled up, purring, into my preferable position to sleep a little longer.