A Hole in the World (23 page)

To most, it would be disgusting and disfiguring, but to Alexandra, Bianca has never looked more beautiful.

She knows that long ago, when she slept beside Bianca in a bed not unlike this one, in a small bedroom with a conical hat in the corner, hidden from a mother’s sight, the darker haired girl would watch her sleep; attempting to figure out where she came from and where she was going; whether she was sane or not; whether she was a danger to herself or others.

Bianca doesn’t watch her anymore; she knows where she came from and that she’s never going anywhere ever again.

It’s okay for her, she thinks. She’s sure; she knows Alexandra won’t leave, but the princess isn’t so certain.  One day, Bianca could miss
her
world. She could miss her parents and brother and want to return home to them.

There are two rooms in the castle that keep her feeling safe; the one Daisy and Cory sleep in and the one Scotty sleeps in; the two rooms containing the second most important things in Bianca’s life.

Alexandra hopes she’s the first.

She reaches out and brushes her pale fingertips over the scar. Bianca complains about it sometimes, much like the ovular ones on either side of her shoulder. She says it’s an eyesore and wishes she could get rid of it somehow. But to Alexandra it’s the most beautiful part of her lady love.

It’s the proof that, for Alexandra, Bianca would risk life and limb.

‘Go back to sleep,’ the girl in question mutters, from where her face is pressed into the pillow. ‘You’re over-thinking again.’

‘I’m watching you sleep,’ Alexandra replies. ‘Am I not allowed to do so?’

Bianca looks up at her. ‘I’d prefer you wake me up and we can tire each other out and go back to sleep together, but whatever rocks your cradle.’ She turns onto her back and stretches out an arm. Alexandra settles into her embrace, head resting on the scar on Bianca’s shoulder.

‘I love you,’ she whispers.

‘I love you too,’ Bianca replies, kissing her hair.

‘Do you ever miss your family?’ Alexandra asks, quietly.

Bianca pauses. ‘Yes,’ she responds, after a moment. ‘But, if given the choice; I’d choose you over them. They packed me off to boarding school, they never even noticed I was harbouring a fairytale princess in my bedroom. I don’t need them if they don’t need me.’

‘If Scotty, Cory or Daisy were to return home, would you go too?’

‘Never.’ She kisses Alexandra’s hair again. ‘
You’re
my home and that’s never going to change.’

Alexandra settles down into Bianca’s arms. ‘I love you,’ she says again.

‘And I love you,’ Bianca replies.

And in that moment, Alexandra realises that’s what matters. For even if Bianca were to return to her world; Alexandra would go too. And they’ll never be separated again.

Fin