Free Awake by Riana Lucas

and enjoy your evening. We’ll meet for breakfast in the morning, and I will give you your answers. Will that do?”
    I am stunned for a moment that she has agreed to explain things to me. I recover before she can change her mind. “Yes. That will do fine. Thank you. Oh, and Willow is going to dinner as well,” I say quickly.
    Willow shoots me a nervous look but I shrug.
    The queen gives me a small smile and nods before turning to walk back down the hall, leaving Willow and me in silence. We both stand there watching her until she disappears down the hall.
    Willow is the first to break the silence. “I’m sorry, Poppy. I didn’t mean to cause trouble.”
    Turning back toward her, I lock my arm with hers once again and lead us toward my room. “You did no such thing, so there is no reason for you to apologize. Besides, I got what I wanted. I will find everything out in the morning. And you get to go to dinner with me.”
    â€œThank you,” she says softly. I smile at her, but it does not quite reach my eyes. Now I am the nervous one, unsure if I really want to know the answers to my questions after all.
    Knowing there is no sense in worrying about this now, I return my focus to the present as Willow and I reach my room. Telling her I am going to bathe first before I pick out my dress, I go into the washroom to do just that. While in the room, I take the opportunity to try to recall my dreams once again by using a little magic, but my body and mind must be exhausted from the tra ining session because it does not work. Frustrated, I wash up quickly. When finished, I pull my hair back before wrapping myself in a towel.
    When I step through the doorway into the main room, I stop in my tracks. Dresses are thrown all over the place. Pink ones with ruffles, some with purple sequins, others that are made of plush red velvet, and even some in black satin are covering every surface of my room. Some are long; some are short, and some are extremely fluffy. In all of this, I do not find even one I like. I begin looking past the dresses for Willow. I finally notice her standing by the wardrobe, holding a dress behind her back, smiling mischievously at me.
    â€œWillow, what is all this? I thought we were going to look together. And how is it possible you were able to make such a mess in such a short period of time?”
    â€œI know. I’m so sorry, but I couldn’t wait. I was so excited! I found the perfect dress.”
    â€œOh, how wonderful. I am sure you picked the best one. I know it will look wonderful on you.” I turn to look at all the dresses once again with a frown on my lips. All of them are horrible.
    â€œOh no, Poppy. I picked the perfect dress for you. ”
    I snort before I cover my mouth and nose with my hand in disbelief. I cannot believe I just did that. Willow begins laughing, making me laugh as well. Soon we are both sitting on the bed, wiping tears from our eyes, trying to catch our breath.
    â€œI am so sorry, Willow.” I hiccup between words, trying not to laugh. “I have no idea where that came from. It was very un- warrior-like of me.”
    â€œIt’s okay. That was rather funny,” she giggles again and rests her hand on her stomach as if it hurts from her laughter.
    â€œSo, are you going to show me the dress or what?” I am unsure of how we ended up in the situation we are in, but somehow the dress got lost in all of the confusion and laughter.
    â€œOh!” She jumps up and begins digging around looking for the missing dress. “Aha!” she announces triumphantly, lifting a length of fabric into the air in front of her. The dress is still on the hanger so I am able to see the full length of the front.
    The black dress reaches about mid-calf with a neckline that scoops down in a flattering way without being revealing. The bodice is fitted with a deep-red belt which cinches at the waist, allowing the rest of the dress to