A Court of Shift and shadow

LVIII

Galads POV: 

Even if I had been in the room where Azriel worked on Teran of my own will, I always felt dirty when I left it. The sun had gone down, and the last days of summer were fighting to stay. I flew over Velaris one more time before landing at our home. Katie sat on the sofa with a book and a cup of tea. She just watched me as I undressed and walked towards the bathroom. She knew that I didn't want to talk right now. I entered the Bathroom and closed the door, finding that a bath had already been prepared.

There is a warm dinner when you are done. Her mind touched mine, so gentle, so clean.

Thanks. I scrubbed myself to get rid of the invisible dirt, and walked back out to meet her. She still sat with her book, her red blond hair in a loose braid.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" She asked, closing the book.

"No... Not tonight." I said back, Katie got up and walked into my arms.

"Good, for I have some other things to talk about." She said and kissed my chin. "The formal invitation to Belinda and Vankas Ceremony has arrived."

"They already know that we are coming..." I said. "Why invite us again?"

"Ooooh you really wanna know that? It is Mor that has planned this one..." Katie said back and walked to the table, and the food on it. "I want to believe that this is her way of redoing our lack of ceremony." The invitation was... A lot.

"Half of the city is invited..." I stated "I know that my sister has a different preferences to me when it comes to parties, but this... this is."

"A lot." Kaite said and sat down. "Am I allowed to be glad that you and I never really did that?"

"You are, and I will join you in that feeling." Katie and I, we had just told our families, and then nothing more. Not even gone to the prestes in private. Mor had been crazy about it for some years after, but calmed down after Katies third relapse into her sickness. And not talked about it after. "And if we ever wanted one now... I am convinced that she will take it to a higher level than this."

"Do you want a Ceremony?" She asked and got up. I hadn't really thought about it.

"Maybe, if we could skip the grandures." I said back and smiled at her. "But in the end the important thing is to be with you." She smiled and took my hand.

"I can agree on that. Do you think I will need to have a new dress for this?" Katie asked, bringing me back to the table. "I should have a new one right?"

"Just wait, I have a feeling that Mor will give you some instructions." We started to eat. "What was that book you were reading? Research for the next mission?"

"No, not this time. It is actually a book I used to read a lot when I was in Spring... The tale of Julan and Romena. The two lovers that fight for a unified world only to fail." She said,

"I remember that one, he got poisoned and she stabbed herself to be with him if I remember correctly."

"Yes, I used to think that it was a stupid tale. No one could love someone to the point that they would kill themself if the other died!" She moved her hands up, laughing at herself. "I was so wrong."

"Would you have done it? If I had died in the battle?" I asked, the words just slipped out.

"If I had been alone, yes, and if..." She hesitated, closing her hand and looked down. "If I hadn't lost it... I would have stayed alive and hoped that he or she had your eyes. And if not... Then I would have joined you." I took her hand.

"You would never have been alone. You do know that." I said. Her hand was warm in mine.

"I would have been alone without you." She looked up. "Something less serious, your birthday."