Sorrin (Yellow Dress II)

Five-year-old Sorrin smiled to herself as she deftly hid behind the large silk layered couch in the anteroom joining her bedroom with her parent's large set of rooms. It was early morning, the sun still not fully up while she had sneaked past her usual caretaker's door in favor of finding a certain Captain of Adarlan's aerial cavalry.

She spotted her mother's red cloak near the fireplace, placed upon the lounge chair like she didn't care that it covered the handmade pattern underneath. In truth, her mother wasn't very fond of luxury and would prefer attire that was comfortable and easy to fight with over dresses and jewelry, something the young witchling tried to emulate when she could. Looking behind her to make sure no servants came into the room, Sorrin tiptoed across the tilled floor to hide behind the same lounge chair she had been eyeing. Though there was still no sign of her mother, the girl knew better than to show herself, keeping her head low to the ground and her body in a crouch.

Even when she should've been concentrating on her stealth, the little witchling couldn't help but reach up and stroke the soft fabric of her mother's crimson cloak, watching how the light from the fire contrasted prettily against the material. She had once asked her mother for a similar wear to which she had been pointedly denied, saying that if she wanted one she had to get it herself. Sorrin had not been surprised since most of her mother's answers warranted independence and whenever the little girl needed something she would first try to get it on her own. It was what was expected and she didn't want to disappoint.

Dropping her hand, Sorrin slowly stepped toward the open doorway of her parents' main bedroom, tilting her head to look inside, careful not to touch the door less she accidentally move it. It was rare for her parent's to both be in the castle at once. Usually the King would stay with the little girl while her mother would be out and about, a free spirit, 'untamed and wild' her father would say with a smile.

Her own widened.

Today was different. Her mother was asleep, while her father was out visiting the neighboring kingdom. The only thing visible under the sheets on the large bed was the lovely strands of white hair slipping out from the very top and over the side. Still, Sorrin took her time, knowing that any sound would wake the witch. Like her aunt Asterin taught her, Sorrin glided over the carpet, knowing that it was the quietest way to get to the bed.

When she was close enough to touch the sheets, she held her breath, glancing at the sleeping figure, noting the soft movement of the sheets, the even breathing. A look back to the door to make sure no one else was there.

Perfect.

With a shout of glee, Sorrin jumped into the air and unto the bed, slamming into her mother's body with all her weight, laughing at the ensuing grunt.

"Good morning, mama!" She yelled, her peals of laughter bouncing off the walls of the room at the responding growl and grinning with a missing tooth at the glare sent her way.

"The sun is barely up," came the gruff reply, "go back to bed."

But Sorrin only climbed higher, pushing back at the sheets. "But I am in bed," she giggled as she straddled her mother, feeling as triumphant as she looked in her pale blue nightgown.

"Sorrin."

The smile didn't falter. "Mama."

There was a few seconds of silence as gold eyes met an identical pair of gold. Manon raised an eyebrow, her eyes narrowed in a squint. "Do not act so prideful. You failed. You shouldn't have touched my cloak, I heard the fabric move."

"What? No you didn't!" She had been so quiet! How could her mother have heard her from all the way over here?!

"If you'd pay attention in your lessons you would have known not to touch anything."

Sorrin groaned dramatically, throwing herself on the spot next to Manon, staring at the complicated designs on the high ceiling, her eyes following the pair of wyverns flying with their tails tangled together despite them looking in opposite directions. "I was so quiet," she whispered harshly, covering her face in frustration. "You're too good, it's not fair."

Manon huffed as she turned on her side. "Nothing in life is fair." When Sorrin pouted, Manon patted her head. "Get used to it." When the girl kept quiet, Manon spoke again. "Now, go back to bed."

The pout remained, in fact, it became more pronounced in a way reminiscent of a certain King. "Papa isn't here. Can I stay with you?"

"You have your own bed."

"But-"

"When I was a child, I had to sleep-"

"On old hay or cold stone, yes I know," Sorrin said, exasperated. "And you had no mama, or papa, or food, or aunties, or friends, or Abraxos…" As she trailed off, she caught the observant look on her mother's face. "But," she bit out, her trademark smile returning, "you have me now! So how about I pretend to be your mama for today and we can sleep together!"

Before Manon could speak, Sorrin had already leaned forward to hug her, burying her face in her mother's neck, her small hands fisting around her hair. For a second it seemed like Manon would push her off, but Sorrin smirked, letting out a pleased sound when she felt the sheets being placed around her, giggling again when her mother's hands followed.

"Just for today then," Manon muttered into her daughter's dark locks, letting her get as close as she wanted, hiding a smile when the girl patted her lower back. Sorrin knew that those words held no truth, for the very next day she did the exact same thing only to have it end in the exact same way.

I felt as though Manon deserved a moment with Sorrin after the first fic featured Dorian. It's surprisingly fun to write the little witching, I hope you like her as much as I do.

Lady Elvira – As always, your review was amazing and a pleasure to read. I hope you keep enjoying the series ;] Also your responding PM was interesting, I really like the way you think.

– I'm in love with Manon and Dorian too!

Guest – Not sure if I'm going to write much of Manon and Aelin together, but a scene might pop up in the near future. Who knows?

SaphraChan – I'm glad you liked the arc! There is no guarantee I will write a third part to Disobedience, but I'm not averse to it either. I hope you enjoyed Yellow Dress II.

Thank you all for reviewing, following and favoriting. I can't express enough how much it means to me that you take time off your day to read my stories. I hope you enjoyed.

PS: The reason I was so specific with a date last time was because it's my birthday today (July 9th) ^ . ^ This is like a little gift for myself.