Surrounded by huge piles of books, Simina was there asleep, head lying upon an open book. Nar came in to check up on Simina since she'd been there for a while. He walked in and found her asleep, lying on a book, sitting at the table. She slept so soundly; Nar did not want to disturb her. He was about to wake her in a nice manner, but at that instant, Nar heard a loud, WHACK!
Simina jolted awake, squeaking. Nar glared at Oliver as he watched him whack another bookshelf with his cane. WHACK! Simina looked all around and realized that she'd fallen asleep while reading. She placed a hand to her head.
“Oh dear...” She yawned sleepily, covering her mouth. Nar cleared his throat.
“Oliver,” he said. Oliver turned towards Nar.
“Yep?” Oliver responded.
“I'd appreciate it if you'd stop whacking my bookshelves with your cane,” Nar said through gritted teeth.
“Well, whatchu want me to whack em with, my hand?” Oliver drawled. Nar sighed irritably.
“No Oliver, I don't want you to whack the bookshelves at all,” Nar said, scowling at him. Oliver grumbled and strolled away. As he was walking away, his cane quickly snapped up and whacked one of the bookshelves. WHACK! Nar groaned.
Simina started even more at the sound of Nar's voice behind her. She turned around and saw Nar. She yawned.
“Oh. Hello,” Simina said sleepily to Nar. Nar proceeded to sit next to her.
“I see you've been doing some light reading.” Nar's voice dripped with sarcasm. Simina smiled and chuckled.
“Yeah. I really enjoy reading,” she told him. Nar nodded.
“I do too. Which genre is your favorite?” Nar asked Simina. Simina rested her head on her fist.
“It varies, from time to time. But right now, my favorite genre is myths and legends. Folklore. I also really like fairy tales,” Simina gushed. Nar propped an arm on the table, leaning back in a certain way that made him look like he was posing, like a model. Nar found her genre interests intriguing. Nar liked many things about her. He liked her sweet, shy personality, yet she was also brave and resilient.
Nar also liked the fact that she didn't swoon over him like any other girl. She wasn't like other girls. He admired that she was different. Nar liked the way her lips moved when she talked, the deep lusciousness of her chocolate brown hair, her plump rosy cheeks, her bright coffee-colored eyes and thick lashes. And the rest of her was just as beautiful. Nar couldn't take his eyes from her.
“You know, if you actually think about it, I feel like we're in a fairy tale.” Simina fidgeted in her seat as she tried to constantly avert her eyes from Nar. She felt a blush rising in her cheeks.
“How do you mean?” Nar's mellow voice was like the softest breeze, pleasant in Simina's ears, sweet and alluring. She liked the sound of it. It wooed her.
“Well, you know...I'm the peasant girl, and you're the handsome prince...” Simina trailed off. Nar smiled.
“Yes, I guess it seems that way, since I also live in a castle,” Nar agreed. Simina pulled at a string on her dress.
“So...do you like to read?” she asked Nar. Nar nodded.
“Of course. I enjoy poetry and romance novels,” Nar told her. Simina's excitement grew.
“Me too!” She nearly jumped out of her seat.
“Ever read any Shakespeare?” Nar cupped his chin in his hand. Simina's smile kept growing wider and wider. She placed a hand over her heart.
“Yes! I love Shakespeare! I've read Hamlet, Julius Caesar, and Romeo and Juliet!” Simina felt so happy that someone else besides herself actually enjoyed reading, just like her.
“I also really love Edgar Allan Poe! He's one of the best Earthen writers!” Simina began to obsess. Nar nodded with agreement.
“Yes, yes he is. May I ask you a question?” Nar narrowed his eyes. Simina nodded, feeling a little wary.
“If you don't mind me asking...what is your age?” Nar didn't know for sure her actual age. He wanted to make sure she was suitable for marriage. Simina grew suspicious as to why he wanted to know her age.
“I'm sixteen,” she answered, lowering her voice down to a quieter tone. Nar smirked. Perfect, he thought. He tried to remain inconspicuous. He dropped his gaze.
“And are you...married? Or possibly engaged?” Nar gazed back up at her with glowing purple eyes. Simina shook her head.
“No, I'm not.” She wondered why he was asking her these questions. “That's the reason I came here. Because I am not married,” Simina explained. Nar was curious and wanted to know more, but before he could ask, he heard the grandfather clock in the library strike four thirty p.m. Simina heard it too and immediately jumped to her feet.
“Oh, my goodness! I need to get home! Aunt Lyda will be wondering where I am!” she cried. Nar also stood.
“Can I borrow a few books?” Simina asked timidly.
“Of course, take as many as you like.” Simina took three, holding them in the crook of her arm.
“I will take you home, if you like,” Nar offered her. Simina glanced up in surprise and also in confusion.
“Umm...sure,” Simina said uncertainly. Nar held out his hand to her. Simina accidentally made eye contact with him.
“Take my hand,” Nar said softly. Simina gulped, staring down into his open palm, the pale, ivory skin of his hand. She raised a slow, tentative hand and gently placed it in his hand. Nar's smile grew wider. His skin felt cool and smooth against hers, soft. Simina's skin tingled. He curled his hand around hers, tugging her slightly closer to him. She squeezed his hand back.
“Are you ready?” he asked Simina. Simina cocked her head to the side in confusion.
“Ready for what?” Simina didn't know what he was talking about. But she didn't let go of his hand.
“I'm going to instantly transport you to your house. So, you might want to hold on,” Nar explained. Simina blinked in realization.
“Oh. Okay. I'm ready. Simina prepared herself, feeling jittery and nervous. She breathed out. Nar counted to three.
“One. Two. Three.” As soon as the word three left his lips, Simina saw a swirl of dark glittering purple mist flurry around them both and she felt her feet leave the ground. Simina gasped as she felt herself floating, floating without the need of the ground, floating without falling. Even though there should have been wind, there wasn't any. Simina felt no wind, her hair wasn't swirling about her face. But Simina never let go of Nar's hand. She still left her hand clasped in his. Frankly, Simina was scared to let his hand go. She decided she'd rather not let go for fear of falling.
As Simina looked across the way, she barely made out the shrouded figure of Nar, cloaked in purple mist. Simina saw all of this in a matter of seconds because all of it happened in an instant. Within seconds of that happening, Simina felt her feet touch back down on solid ground again.
Relief flooded Simina at the comfort of feeling the solid ground beneath her feet. The glittering purple mist stopped flurrying about them and disappeared. Everything cleared about them. Simina saw her hand still clasped in Nar's. She stared at him standing across from her. His purple eyes glimmered a smile to her.
“You're home,” Nar said and gently dropped her hand. Simina took her hand out of his and put it back at her side. Now her hand just felt cold from the absence of his hand clasped in hers. Simina looked around and realized that she stood at the front door of her house. Befuddlement clouded Simina's mind. She looked back at Nar, wondering. How did he do that?
Simina did not ask however, her tongue frozen in her mouth. Simina became tongue-tied. She cleared her throat and opened her mouth. She managed to speak.
“Thank you, Nar,” Simina croaked out in a soft voice. Nar placed a hand over his heart and bowed to her.
“You're welcome, my lady. Enjoy your evening,” Nar bid her kindly. Simina waved him goodbye just as she watched him disappear in a puff of swirly purple smoke. Simina reached out to touch the smoke with the tips of her fingers, but it dissipated before she could reach it. A little tiny wisp extended towards her finger, but it evaporated.
Sighing, Simina walked towards the front door. She knocked, holding her three books in the crook of her left arm. A few moments later, her aunt opened the door. She looked surprised to see Simina standing on the doorstep.
“Oh. I didn't know you were back, Simina. I didn't hear your carriage pull up,” Aunt Lyda said, stepping aside to allow Simina entrance. Simina walked in.
“Uh...Nar took me home,” Simina said a little awkwardly. Before her aunt could say anything else, Simina quickly scurried upstairs to her room so she could be alone to read her books.