Despite everything she was saying the entire day, once nightfall came, it became clear that Oriana was not completely fine.

  No matter how much she tried, she simply couldn’t fall asleep.

  Every time she closed her eyes, she felt someone’s presence even though there was nobody else in the room. If she tried pushing through the foreboding feeling, rationalizing that it’s just her mind pying tricks on her, she would eventually start seeing a silhouette leaning over, reaching out to gag her. Then, no matter how much she tried to control it, she’d break out in a cold sweat and her eyes would snap open, the phantom image still lingering under her eyelids.

  She would just sit in bed, accompanied by the loud, panicked thuds of her own heart, hugging her knees and trying to suppress the burning tears gathering in her eyes.

  She had spent her entire life in this very room. As far as her memory could reach, it was her safe pce. Somewhere she would run to so many times, hiding from all the sorrows and scares of the outside world. It was a pce that she could be herself, to unwind and rex.

  Just a day ago it was a pce full of happy memories, where the dim light of the nterns felt magical, comforting and cozy, not threatening and oppressive.

  Within minutes, all those happy memories were torn to shreds. Her safe haven vioted, turned into something she couldn’t recognize. Something alien, cold, unsafe. A pce where even the rustling of the curtains sounded like danger.

  In a desperate attempt, she even tried closing all the windows and doors to the balcony, despite the oppressive summer heat. That, however, not only didn’t help, but in fact made her feel even worse.

  The stiff hot air and the unbearable silence of the room turned it into a prison.

  With every passing moment, she felt like the room was getting smaller, as if the walls were slowly closing in, trapping her inside. The floor started shifting, swaying like a ship in a stormy sea.

  She felt dizzy, the nausea sent her to her knees.

  Her lungs grew heavy, forcing her to fight for every shallow breath.

  She wanted to scream, but her throat tightened, resisted.

  Her vision blurred.

  The crazed beating of her heart against her ribcage became the only sound she could hear. Deafening. Disorienting.

  Run. The thought suddenly popped in her head.

  Run!

  Run. She had to run. She had to get out.

  The Princess pulled her numb body off the floor, her shaking legs barely able to hold her weight.

  She threw herself at the door, her palms, covered in sweat, struggled to turn the knob.

  RUN!

  Her own mind yelled at her, screaming to hurry up. But her body was slowly losing control. What used to be a simple gesture, a flick of the wrist, became an impossible obstacle.

  RUN!

  She couldn’t breath.

  RUN!

  She couldn’t see.

  RUN!

  She couldn’t move.

  RUN!!!

  Finally, with a click of the lock, she broke free and stumbled into the hallway.

  The cool night air caressed her flushed face, pouring into her lungs, as she desperately caught her breath.

  She was free. She could breathe again.

  With that thought, her body reached its limit. Her legs gave in under her, but before she could hit the ground, arms enfolded around her and secured her.

  — Oriana! What happened?!

  She looked up, guided by the familiar voice.

  — Valeria… — she whispered weakly.

  She couldn’t tell if it was the result of the terror she just felt, or the relief of finding herself in the safety of Valeria’s embrace, but the st dam keeping her emotions locked crumbled, letting them through with full force.

  Oriana clung tightly to her savior, hid her face in her shoulder and allowed herself to unravel completely.

  — It’s alright. I’m here. You’re safe — Valeria kept repeating softly. She didn’t know what to do. She was certain there was no danger in the Princess’ chambers, since she kept watch the whole evening. She made sure to monitor the area and watch for every suspicious sound or scent.

  — I was so scared — the Princess blurted out, once she was able to speak again. — I couldn’t breathe and the room felt so… dangerous — she raised her head to look at Valeria — I thought I was going to die — a new wave of tears rolled down her cheeks.

  — It’s over now. I’m here and I won’t let anyone or anything hurt you — she cupped her face, looking deep into Oriana’s eyes — You’re safe.

  If anyone else were to speak those words, it would do little to calm the Princess down. But when it came to Valeria, she knew that she meant it. That she would do anything in her might to make them real.

  During the years they knew each other, every time she needed it, she was there protecting her, shielding her from harm.

  — Thank you — Oriana whispered, resting her head against Valeria’s chest.

  Once the Princess calmed down, Valeria went inside to inspect the room.

  Just as expected, however, she found nothing that would lead her to believe that there was an intruder or any other danger awaiting Oriana, with the exception of, maybe, a heat-stroke caused by the complete ck of airflow.

  — Everything looks in order. I don’t think there was anyone inside, except for us — she said upon leaving the room.

  Yet, the Princess didn’t look relieved.

  She stood in the same spot Valeria left her, casting an anxious gaze towards her bedroom.

  — I don’t want to go back — she said looking away.

  — Should I get Her Majesty?

  — No. I don’t want to worry her. She already has too much on her pte. I don’t want her to think there’s something wrong with me…

  — Then… — Valeria hesitated — do you wish to stay with me for tonight?

  Oriana’s eyes snapped back to the Commander. She could swear there was a faint aura of pink dusting her ears.

  — Can I? — her eyes lit up.

  The Princess didn’t want to admit it, but the truth was, since the moment Valeria hugged her, she didn’t want her to leave her side. Spending the night in her quarters was even better. She could immediately feel the weight being lifted off her shoulders.

  — Of course. I have to warn you though — Valeria smiled — my bed isn’t nearly as comfortable as yours.

  — Really now? — the Princess clicked her tongue — I guess I’ll have to order a proper one to your room tomorrow.

  Valeria raised her eyebrows.

  — Oh? Is Your Highness pnning to make this a recurring event?

  — And what if I do? Do you have anything against it?

  A teasing smile bloomed on the Commander’s face as she pretended to ponder the question with great intensity.

  — That depends — she answered after a long pause.

  Oriana gave her puzzled look.

  — Depends on what exactly?

  — Do I have to sleep on the floor?

  Cheeky.

  Oriana couldn’t hide her amusement.

  — Well… — she begun pyfully — you did save my life. I guess, being the benevolent mistress I should give you some privileges in return…

  — Your Highness is too kind! — Valeria bowed with theatrical excessiveness, causing the Princess to burst into ughter.

  For the first time this evening she felt unburdened, as if the previous events suddenly became distant memories. She knew that the only reason behind it was Valeria.

  It was always Valeria.

  Just like that time she saw her in the cabin. The moment their eyes met, Oriana knew that everything is going to be alright. That she was saved, safe.

  Because with Valeria, even the worst nightmare was bearable.

  That’s why, deep down, she knew that falling for her was inevitable. No matter how much she tried to ignore it or pretend that she hated it, the truth was her heart had chosen a long time ago, and there was nothing she could do about it.

  However, with that realization came another, a much more mortifying one.

  She was currently heading to spend the night alone in the same room, in the same bed!, with the woman she loved.

  For a moment, she thought that it wasn’t too te to turn back, but the perspective of staying in that pce the whole night quickly knocked the idea out of her head.

  Recognizing the predicament she got herself into, she suddenly became conscious of how she was acting, and what’s even worse, what she was wearing.

  Her favorite, perfectly innocent voile nightgown in a fsh started feeling more revealing than a harlot’s dress.

  She haphazardly covered herself with the delicate, airy and completely see-through robe.

  Besides, she started rationalizing internally, what could even happen? We’re both girls, after all!

  And perhaps this line of thinking could be helpful if not for a fact that not so long ago, the Princess, completely accidentally and absolutely unintentionally, purchased a copy of a scandalous novel titled “Passions of Laurentina”. Having read (more than once) the book (that was now safely stored under a loose floorboard by her nightstand) Oriana became very well aware of the things two women can do in bed.

  Or on a table.

  Or in a bath.

  Or against a wall…

  — Are you cold? — asked Valeria, seeing that the Princess kept hugging herself tightly, and without waiting for an answer took off her uniform jacket and draped it over Oriana’s shoulders.

  — n…YES! Very cold!

  The Commander reached out and touched her forehead, properly startling the Princess.

  — Hmm… You do feel slightly warm. It’s probably the body’s reaction to intense emotions. We’re almost there, you’ll be able to y down soon. — she held out her hand — In the meantime you can hold onto me if you’re feeling unwell.

  — No need! I’m fine. The jacket helped, thank you.

  Valeria didn’t seem fully convinced, however, the Princess didn’t appear to be in an immediate need of healing, so she let it go.

  Using the opportunity that freed her from the tight and, frankly, way too warm for the weather, uniform, she unbuttoned her shirt just enough allow for more skin to enjoy the night breeze and let down her hair.

  Little did she know, that seemingly small and insignificant gesture sent poor Oriana on the verge of overheating.

  Despite her greatest efforts, she couldn’t stop sending furtive gnces to the side.

  The loose, white shirt contrasted with tall bck boots and fitting beige trousers, that clung tightly to her long perfectly sculpted legs. Together with her silky white waist-long hair swaying alluringly with every step, it gave off a casual, yet sophisticated look that Oriana simply couldn’t take her eyes off of.

  As a result, the Princess spent the rest of the way to Valeria’s quarters mentally preparing for the moment they would inevitably get in the same bed together. She used her fertile imagination to go through every possible scenario and pn her reactions accordingly.

  That’s why when she finally stood before Valeria’s bed, she felt ready. She had a pn for every circumstance. She perfected every tactic and fleshed out strategies just in case. That night, there was nothing that could catch her off guard.

  — Oriana! — Valeria’s voice snapped her back to reality.

  — Huh? Yes? — she looked at her confused.

  — I asked if it’s going to bother you if I keep the candle on. It’s a little bit easier to write this way.

  — Write? Are you not going to bed?

  Valeria brushed her hand through her hair and sighed.

  — I would love to, however, since I’ve been quite busy tely there’s a never ending mountain of documents waiting for my review — she pointed to the desk that was almost completely covered in reports, invoices, applications and other bureaucratic amalgamation. — I was pnning to go through them tomorrow, but — she grinned — since my benevolent mistress decided to grace my humble abode with her presence I thought to use this opportunity to deal with this tonight.

  — Oh… — to say that Oriana was disappointed would be an understatement.

  Every time she imagined this moment, she was expecting there would be more of: “We shouldn’t…”, “If you keep looking at me like that I’ll…” or at least “Your eyeshes are so long…”.

  “I’m sorry, I’m busy with the paperwork” was not on her list!

  DannyTheDaikon