CACKLE- Book 1

Chapter Twenty Four

Huxley stopped Remi on her way. "Remi, I'm glad I found you." He said.

She looked up at him as though seeing another person was an oddity and yawned. "Hux, hi."

"I've been looking for you, where have you been hiding all day?" He asked.

She looked to the book in her hand and back at him. "The library?" She said, as though it should be obvious. The sass in her voice was a clear indication that she was growing hangry. "Anna had me researching Theo's symptoms today, I'm sorry I never made it to watch you train."

He chuckled and took the book from her. "It doesn't matter. Come on, I wanted to show you something."

"But... I need to..." She began.

"I'll run this back to your room. Meet me in the gardens." He said, and then he was off. Running up the hall.

Remi shrugged. Though she had been sitting most of the day that didn't stop exhaustion from flickered around the corners of her eyes. Every yawn felt like it was going to take her away with it. She held the banister tightly as though the steps would melt away beneath her feet, as she descended the main steps to the foyer.

Rounding the corner she saw pink and gold light streaming in through the windows leading to the garden doors. When she was finally outside she took in a deep breathe of fresh, spring air. The sky had burst into shades of flame red, candy pink and smoldering blue hues. It was lovely. The air instantly began to refresh her tired eyes and renew her energy. She could hear quickened, heavy footsteps approaching from behind her. They could only belong to one person. She turned and smiled at Hux. "What a beautiful sunset." She said.

Hux smiled back. "Hold that thought." He took her hand and pulled her down the pathway that winded through the gardens. Her cheeks felt as warm as his touch. She did her best to focus on the feeling of his hand squeezing around her own, instead of the thrill her magic felt as his hand held hers.

Flowering bushes gave way to choppy grasses and rocky edges. As their pace slowed they entered a flat clearing with a steep drop off into the sea below. The cliff side was windy and the sunset made everything around them glow with warmth. The vision before her was another form of newness that she had not been prepared to experience.

The world she grew up in was dry and rocky. There was no ocean, no bodies of water. The sun had scorched the Earth. Only the small pool of fresh water at the base of her volcano remained, sustained by the magic contained in those cave walls. This view was overwhelming to Remi.

Billowing clouds spread over an infinite body of water. Waves crashed along the rocks below while gulls sang their evening songs across the sky. There was no end to the ocean, it stretched across the horizon, and she wondered how it could had ever dried up. There was simply no stopping the beauty before her. The sound of the water was like a sweet voice whispering to her, welcoming her home.

"This is my favorite spot on the castle grounds. Ryker and I came here a lot as kids, he was the one who showed it to me. It's rare that nobles will venture this far from a source of alcohol." Huxley chuckled. "Isn't it a beautiful sunset?" His voice was soft and calm. When she didn't respond he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Hey, what's wrong?" He asked.

His thumb brushed Remi's cheekbone and she felt a wet streak beneath his touch. She was crying. It was almost painful as he tilted her face away from the most beautiful sight her eyes had ever seen. He looked into her eyes, searching for answers. She looked back, the molten honey shades in his eyes encapsulated the glow of the sunlight. Golden tendrils danced in his iris' while the expression of concern he wore creased his brows.

"It's just... this place... it's so beautiful." She said. Her words came out in a whisper. She wanted to say more, to tell him how much would soon be lost. How much was weighing on her shoulders.