“You sure you dont have any questions? I can imagine you’re a little overwhelmed right now. Our world is very different from the human world.” Mae leaned on the doorframe, her dark hair and eyes a total contrast to the bright cloud floating over her head.

I stared up at the cloud. It was about 1 or 2 feet wide, fluffy like cotton candy, and was a blinding bright white light. I noticed other people with clouds, when we were driving to the castle, and needed to know more.

I asked Mae about it, and she simply said “They’re our thought bubbles”

I was so confused. When i didnt say anything thing she continued, “Well they’re not actually thought bubbles, we just call them that because they turn different colours based on our emotions.”

“Will i have one?” I tried to sound calm and curious but internally i was definitely beginning to panic.

“Not unless you want one. I only have one because i work for the King. We have them as a sign of respect, to always be open and honest.”

Seemed like a punishment to me, but i kept that to myself. I was just grateful they didnt make me wear one.

“Fleur? Are you okay?” Mae pulled me out of my thoughts.

“No, im good, just yeah, very different. It was just a long trip and im pretty tired” as i said it i realized how true it was, “im going to go right to sleep. Thank you for everything today”

“No problem, im here, if you need anything” she pointed to a bell by the door, then continued “Ill come get you in the morning before breakfast. Sleep well.” She smiled before turning and heading down the long hallway.

I closed the bedroom door and took in my surrounds. The bed was huge and took up most the room. The furtherest wall was all shelves, stacked with books. There were two other doors in the room, one was to the ensuite, and the other opened to a walk-in closet filled with clothes and a vanity. I looked at myself in the huge mirror. I looked exhausted. I was exhausted. I turned away and quickly climbed into bed.

I woke up in the middle of the night, unable to sleep. I pushed back the heavy curtains and looked out the floor to ceiling window. I could just make out the gardens in the darkness except the small pond in the center, shimmering in the moonlight. While i gazed at the water, something moved on the stairs below and caught my eye. Someone was sitting on the stairs. Someone with a cloud above their head.

I peered out at the person below, he pushed his blonde shaggy hair back out of his eyes while he fiddled with something in his hands. I saw a spark then the warm glow fell over his face, he was smoking something. I starred at the cloud above his head, it was a dark grey and looked nothing like Mae’s, much smaller.

He sat there on the stairs, smoking, and i watched as his cloud changed colours. The cloud turned to a lighter grey, then went through a procession of different colours before staying on white. The man then stretched out on the stairs, leaning back. He looked so relaxed I couldnt look away.

He was a picture of peace. I couldnt think of a time in the last 3 years that ive felt peace. I also havent had sketched in 3 years but i was suddenly worried i hadn’t packed my leads.

I lost track of time and before i knew it he was snubbing out whatever he was smoking on the step next to him then. He stood up, stretching a little and began to slowly turn around. His face finally coming into the light. I could feel my heart beating in my chest. He was beautiful. The angles of his face were sharp, exaggerated by the castle lights.

He turned in a full circle, then stopped. Facing the gardens again. Then all of a sudden he spins around and stops facing my direction. I hold my breath and nervously take a step back, can he see me? He clocks the movement and we lock eyes. He can see me.

He holds my gaze as he steps forward, then performs a melodramtic bow, one someone would do at the end of a play. He looks back at me as he stands up, winks, then heads up the stairs into the castle.

I pull the curtains close and take a couple deep breaths as i climb back into bed. I nestle into the pillows and close my eyes, but my mind is reeling. Who was that?