10 The Art Room

They stayed for another hour at the cliff. It did not rain but the stars didn't appear as usual either. They went on talking on random stuff, lighter, just like when they were 10. She felt better but her curious mind as restless as it had been the whole day. She parked her car home and took out her shopping from earlier. She will paint tonight.

Karl was nowhere. Of course her brother knew she was with Marco and as her best friend said, babysitting her. Karl could be sleeping already.

Up in her room she cleaned herself first. Its like a ritual before she went to work. To refresh her mind and put her into a calm state. She stared at herself in the mirror. And began to notice a different her. Her face more flushed than usual, her eyes a darker gray. Did her hair grew longer? Curled as it is, but seemingly longer than this morning. She smiled, checking her teeth as a ridiculous thought crossed her mind. Of course she didn't turn a vampire! She laughed at her silliness. Even if they exist she hasn't been bitten. She also seemed fairer but brushed the thoughts aside. It must be the lights in her bathroom.

Changed into comfy shorts and tshirt she went on to her Art Room. Its a huge studio room. The only furniture is a large rectangular wooden table at the center and a divan by the corner. A mural on one side, of an old wishing well with wild flowers to it. She imagined her own secret garden when she was painting it. She might have wished for a knight in shining armour in her painted well that it gave her a dream prince instead. She laughed, and smirked after. She never wished for a goblin.

The other walls showcased her favourite pieces, of various sizes. She wondered if anybody would ever lay they eyes on her work apart from Nanny, Karl and Mar. As nobody else have ever been in the mansion.

The room is maintained by Nanny of course. Getting it immaculately clean like a gallery after she smeared the floor with paints or coffee. Even the cream divan has not lost its class. She turned on all the lights in the room. Tonight she wants to work on a fully illuminated place. Contrary to her blurred thoughts.

She started arranging her things. And composed herself. What would her fingers draw for her tonight. A pixie? A goblin? A silver dress? Or sleeping beauty?

Lost in thoughts she started choosing her colors and mixing them. Somewhere in the night, she made herself a coffee and turn the music on her phone. Symphony. And she danced in circles around the room. She is not a good dancer but hey no ones watching anyway. When she turned though, her prince is smiling at her.

Franchesca slowly dropped her hands at her side and stared. This cant be real. She is sure she did not fall asleep and dreaming. She watched him walked to the divan and gestured for her to follow. Which she did.

"Am I dreaming?" she asked. He shook his head No.

Stunned and unable to ask some more, she sat beside him.

"This is going to be brief. I can't stay long." He said

Still lost at words she looked at him. She wants to ask a lot. Who is he? How did he get here? But her mouth remain shut.

"You're not dreaming. I want to explain everything but I'm already risking a lot showing myself here. Please burn that canvas you are making now."

"What?!" how dare him tell her that? She is not sure how long she had been working on her canvas but it is halfway done.

"It gives all that you saw yesterday away. They must not know. Karl, Marco and your Nanny must not see. Please, honey" his eyes pleading.

She don't understand. What had she been working on precisely? He continue to speak.

"I am part of a clan your kind hates and I'm sure your brother will be beyond furious seeing me here. It is what they have prevented all along. For us to meet. I shall collect you on the next full moon. At the cliff. You must go there alone."

"Wait a minute. Why should I? If your an enemy of my family why should I trust you?" But her resistance is weak. Her heart is overjoyed to find him real. God, he is beautiful. Much more than her dreams.

"Have I not told you your dreams are real? That this life your living now is your dream? I will meet you in the next full moon. Please come with me then. And you would awaken to what is real. We are destined to be together."

"Why should I burn my work then?" her resistance is melting like cream. But this is not how their first meeting should be! Her heart wants to throw herself to his arms and forget everything else.

"They suspect. That we are seeing each other. They knew somebody came to see the sleeping you. ."

"So that is me?" unbelievable. Her eyes wide with shock. Shocking to see as it is, she thought it as her sister or her doppelganger at the worst. But her?

"Yes, hon. It is you. And how it came to be you, you will know soon. But now we must protect the you that is awake and living. They must not know."

"The goblin?" she stuttered.

"Is an ally. We must be careful. Your art speaks your unspoken desires and thoughts. One look and they might put you to sleep too" he said sadly.

He gestured towards the artwork and she nodded approval. He opened his right palm and out came a small blue flame. A slight touch and her canvas vanished. Her jaw dropped.

"I must go. Please be careful here. I cannot come and go here as I desired." He walked to her again and took her hand.

She looked at him questioningly. She doesn't even know his name! For all she knew she is talking with the devil himself.

"Cedric."

"Who?" as if he spoke Russian suddenly.

"My name is Cedric. Don't let them know." And kissed her hard on the lips. Her first real kiss. He held her tight. She's afraid to let him go. Can't they go now? Why wait next month? Her thoughts left her as the kiss consumes her even deeper. And then he is gone.

She heard her music playing. But her coffee had gone cold. Her canvas missing. Only her throbbing lips still taste of him. No scent, not even of a faint fire. Only the burning of her heart.