Dark of the Tide [Shadow and Bones]

Chapter 20

Arabella POV

I woke up with a scream and looked around the room frantically, my breathing uneven.

"Bella! Bella, it's okay. It's okay, love. I'm here." Kaz ran into my room and hugged me close to him, rubbing my back and calming me down.

"What happened?" He asked, looking at me.

"I-I went back to the Fold. He pulled me back there." I stammered out, shaking slightly.

He sighed, laying on my bed and pulling me up against his side, holding me close to him and stroking my hair.

"How often does this happen?" He asked gently.

". . . not too often. Once or twice every few weeks." I replied, settling my head above his heart and tracing small shapes on his bare chest with my finger.

"You okay?" He asked.

"Better now." I admitted.

———

"Lovely. There goes my "going out" day. It's raining pretty hard out there." I peered out of the window and looked at the downfall with a frown.

    "Want to read a book?" Kaz suggested, looking up from the couch with a book in hand.

    "What books do we have?" I asked, lying down on the couch, resting my head on his leg.

    "I'm reading The Odyssey. Nina said I would enjoy it. Want to read it with me?"

    "Sure. Doesn't look like the rain is letting up anytime soon." I replied.

    He smiled and continued where he had left off, this time, reading aloud to me.

    "'For them the famous minstrel was singing, and they sat in silence listening; and he sang of the return of the Achaeans—the woeful return from Troy which Pallas Athena laid upon them. And from her upper chamber the daughter of Icarius, wise Penelope, heard his wondrous song, and she went down the high stairway from her chamber, not alone, for two handmaids attended her. Now when the fair lady had come to the wooers, she stood by the door-post of the well-built hall, holding before her face her shining veil; and a faithful handmaid stood on either side of her. Then she burst into tears, and spoke to the divine minstrel: "Phemius, many other things thou knowest to charm mortals, deeds of men and gods which minstrels make famous. Sing them one of these, as thou sittest here, and let them drink their wine in silence. But cease from this woeful song which ever harrows the heart in my breast, for upon me above all women has come a sorrow not to be forgotten. So dear a head do I ever remember with longing, even my husband, whose fame is wide through Hellas and mid-Argos." Then wise Telemachus answered her: "My mother, why dost thou begrudge the good minstrel to give pleasure in whatever way his heart is moved? It is not minstrels that are to blame, but Zeus, I ween, is to blame, who gives to men that live by toil, to each one as he will. With this man no one can be wroth if he sings of the evil doom of the Danaans; for men praise that song the most which comes the newest to their ears. For thyself, let thy heart and soul endure to listen; for not Odysseus alone lost in Troy the day of his return, but many others likewise perished. Nay, go to thy chamber, and busy thyself with thine own tasks, the loom and the distaff, and bid thy handmaids ply their tasks; but speech shall be for men, for all, but most of all for me; since mine is the authority in the house." She then, seized with wonder, went back to her chamber, for she laid to heart the wise saying of her son. Up to her upper chamber she went with her handmaids, and then bewailed Odysseus, her dear husband until flashing-eyed Athena cast sweet sleep upon her eyelids.'"

I hummed softly to myself, looking at Kaz. "Am I the only one, or does rainy days make you drowsy?"

    He looked down at me, closing the book and setting it down. "You're not the only one, Arabella. Same for me, and my leg is acting up badly."

    "Why?" I asked, rubbing my hand over his bad leg.

    "Don't know. It just always acts up when it rains." He replied.

"Huh,"

    Matthias came through the room and saw Kaz in a grey sweater and black pants, and me in a tan, slightly-baggy sweater and black leggings.

    "Chill day today?" He asked.

    "Yeah. It's raining pretty hard out there." I replied.

    He nodded. "I'm sure it'll let up eventually. Just give it time."

    "Going to see Nina?" Kaz asked.

    "Jesper, actually. You know where he is?" He asked.

    "Since it's raining, I'd probably say in his room, or gambling at the nearest pub." Kaz replied.

    "I'll find him. Thanks," Matthias said and walked back towards the stairs, heading up the creaky stairs.

I stretched out across his lap and set my hands on my stomach as I looked up at him with a smile.

"What are you smiling at, Arabella?" Kaz asked.

"You,"

"Me?" He asked, an eyebrow raised.

"Yeah. You're cute." I replied.

"How dare you say I'm cute. The audacity." He chortled.