I looked around the garden, but nothing there was as beautiful as what I held in my arms.
Something about her was different from any other elf I'd met. She was strong even when she was scared. She managed to laugh even in the rough times. Her breathing seemed to slow down time as I looked around the ethereal garden.
Her short blonde hair laid still as she slept. Even though I couldn't see them I knew the familiarity of her crystal blue eyes. She wore casual clothing, she always told me that dresses were too stiff for her. She laid with her hand between my chest and her head.
I laid my head back trying not to disturb the sleeping Zera. She needed the rest especially for what's about to come. I picked her up and carried her bridal style. Her head against my chest while I use my big arms to support her back and to hold her legs. I walked down the halls of the castle which were surprisingly empty for the middle of the day.
The only person I bumped into on my way to my room was Mrs.Donna. She was like a mother to me and Zera when our parents were not around. She had long gray hair, Light green skin and brown tree bark like eyes. She turned around and saw me with Zera in my arms.
"She fell asleep in the garden again?" She said, raising an eyebrow. "Yes, she always seems to fall asleep in the garden." She nodded "Take her to your room. I'll be in there in a minute to change her outta those uncomfortable clothing." I shook my head and walked to my room.
For a castle room it was messy. The bed was not made, My desk had papers everywhere. Don't even get me started about the bathroom. I layed Zera in my bed and pulled the covers back. It was just like when we were kids. Having sleepovers and sleeping in my room.
Except I no longer see me and Zera as little kids so it would be awkward for us to have sleepovers like we did in our youth. I gave her a quick little kiss on the forehead making sure not to hit her with my long teeth.
She smiled in her sleep, it was an adorable little smile that now I only got to see. I wonder what she dreams about to make her smile like that. I back away from the bed. Mrs.Donna walks in as I am walking out.
The castle here is rather empty. Not too many maids/butlers. Nor many cooks. It was only Me, my mother, and my father they needed to care about. Why waste their time when they could be living normal lives in the village.
Speaking of the village reminded me of something my parents had mentioned the other day. "Zaz you have to get married soon." My mother said from across the dinner table. "Why should I?" My mother frowned. "I don't want you being lonely your whole life. There are plenty of kind young women in the village."
"I don't wish to marry anyone right now." I said shutting the conversation down. "What about that girl you grew up with? What's her name…" "You mean Zera?" She snapped her fingers "Yes! That's her name!" "I would never marry Zera, she's only a friend to me." I turned to look down at my barely touched plate.
"Why not? She's pretty, we are friends with her parents, and she seems like a mature young lady."
"That's not the issue mom. I don't like her like that." That sent a pain through my chest.
My mother huffed. I stabbed my fork into the chicken on my plate. Eating as fast as I could to avoid any more of that conversation. Why would they think I like Zera? We've been friends since birth basically. Friends like that can't be together… right?
I walked back to my room, Zera laid asleep on the bed still. She had the cover pulled up over herself. Not realizing it I looked in the mirror and a smile was tight across my face. I decided that in order to get my thoughts together I hopped in the shower.