Safe

Okay, Ethan…deep breaths. You can do this.

Ethan tried to unclench his fists as he stood outside the dining room where his parents were waiting, but meeting with delegations from the other cities always made him so nervous. It was silly, really; they had all come to Whitecrest more times than Ethan could count at this point. He was on a first name basis with many of them, but he always got so worked up before these breakfasts. He closed his eyes and focused on calming his breathing.

It’s okay. You know these people. These are your friends. You’re safe.

Ethan opened his eyes and repeated the words out loud to himself.

“You’re safe.”

With that he took a deep breath and walked into the dining room.

The king and queen were already seated at the ornate wooden table. They smiled warmly at Ethan as he entered the room.

“Good morning, son,” the king said. “I trust you slept well?”

“As well as ever,” Ethan shrugged. “I suppose our guests are still on the way?”

“They should be joining us shortly,” the queen said. “Please sit, Ethan,” she added, gesturing to the chair across from her.

Ethan crossed the room and sat. It still felt so strange to sit in a position of such honor - practically at the head of the table. He knew that he should be glad, but such a position only meant that soon, dozens of eyes would all be turned in his direction. “Sorry I’m still so weird about these things,” he said, clenching and unclenching his fists.

“It’s okay, Ethan,” his father said. “You’re doing just fine. Honestly, just showing up is the most important part.”

“It’s just…it’s been nine years, and I’m sitting here shaking. See?” Ethan held up his hands to prove it. The queen unhesitatingly took them in her own, and Ethan was pleased to find that he only flinched a little bit.

“I see. Do you think some deep breaths would help?”

“I’ve been trying that all morning. And the affirmations, and…”

Before Ethan could finish his sentence, the doors opened wide, and the doorman Alder was announcing the delegation from the Flaming Woods. Ethan gave his mother a quick glance before letting go of her hands. She smiled and nodded encouragingly, sat up a little bit straighter, and turned to greet their guests.

Ethan closed his eyes briefly and told himself one more time:

You're safe.