Other Snips
My room in the servant’s quarters was already lit and the bed ready. It wasn’t a ball, but still a very thoughtful gesture. The boys must have come looking for me after dinner. I closed the door behind me and washed my hands and face in the small basin by the tiny window. The trunk with my few garments inside stood near the edge of my bed, and I sat on it as I brushed out my long hair. I hated it so long, but Aunt Beth refused to let me cut it. Perhaps I needed it long anyway, should Uncle Harrison ever banish me to a tower.
The door handle rattled quickly, and I jumped to my feet.
“Gabby!”
Sean. I relaxed, and so did he. “We missed you tonight. What happened?”
“Jessica happened,” I responded as he stood before me. He seemed to grow taller every day. Was I always only at his chest? “Then Hannah had a party to get ready for.”
Sean nodded with a wide smile. “I see. I am glad you’re back safe. We were worried.” He leaned over and gently kissed my cheek. “From me.” He kissed my other cheek. “From Ryan. Goodnight, Gabriella.”
“Goodnight.”
He closed my door and I donned my nightgown. We felt so strongly about bidding each other goodnight, every night since Angel left. The boys were probably worried to death when they couldn’t find me, afraid that I had followed in the footsteps of my sister and disappeared.
I couldn’t leave. I would never leave. I wasn’t nearly as courageous as my twin.
I shivered as the drafts blew through the tiny stone room. I kept the heavy blanket Anna made for me years ago hidden under my bed, and pulled it out, brushing off the dirt. I remained on my knees, bowing my head in silent prayer.
Soon after, I stood, arranged the blanket and crawled into bed. My pipe lay under my pillow. I licked my lips and blew a few notes before bursting into lively song. I usually played by the tiny window at night, but the day had left me so weary and the night was so cold that I remained where I was.
So, the woodland sprite, Gabriella, played a soft melody to lull the flowers to sleep. Her enchanting music could sooth any fiend…from angriest of giants to the cruelest of goblins. Any ear that caught the sound would become instantly charmed…
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