Chapter 20
Nora slowly rose from her seat without anyone noticing her from around the table. Udara and Arsenio poured over the many books in front of them as Afet spoke to another fey about the children's condition. They had lost two more little girls that day and the probabilities of saving the third one was slim to none.
With a heavy heart, Nora passed by Afet and began to head towards her room. She toyed with the gold ring around her finger as she took the route through the infirmary to check in with Noor for the night. By the time Nora arrived, all the children had been put to bed and the lights were switched off.
"Noor," Nora whispered as she approached his bed in the dark.
"Yeah?" The little boy whispered back, lifting his head.
"Good night, little man," Nora kneeled beside his bed and pushed her hand into this dark hair. "Sweet dreams."
"Good night, Nora," Noor laid back against the pillow and pulled his covers up to his chin.
"I'll see you tomorrow," Nora ran her thumb over his cold cheek.
"Are you going to go off the island with Nioc again?"
"No, I don't think so," Nora frowned. "Why?"
"Can you bring me chocolate?"
"Chocolate?" Nora smiled. "Do you have a hidden sweet tooth too?"
"I like the ones I can keep in my mouth for a long time."
Keeping her voice down, Nora giggled. She shook her head and leaned over to place a kiss on the boy's forehead.
"I'll bring you some chocolate," she promised. "Now, go to sleep."
"Good night," Noor smiled.
Nora unfolded the bottom half of the blanket around Noor and tucked him in. She adjusted his pillow and placed his brown bear under his arm before turning on the small night light under his bed. By the time Nora finished, Noor had drifted off to sleep, thinking about his chocolate.
In the dark, Nora once again began to play with her ring as she walked out of the infirmary. The halls were silent, making her uneasy and eager to get to her room. She hurried down the halls and ran into her room before locking the door behind her and immediately turning the ring around her finger, summoning a portal.
With the portal hovering an inch off the floor, Nora grabbed her wallet and stepped through. She instantly regretted not bringing a jacket when the chilly winter air began to blow against her. Her painful chill ran up her nose, making her eyes water and her body shiver. Nora tightly wrapped her arm around herself and hurried into the warm bakery in front of her.
The old man behind the counter, clearly wrapping up to close up for the day, looked up with annoyance. He was impatient to get home before the snow began to fall, but as his eyes began to recognize Nora, a small smile formed on his lips.
"Your boss wants Baklava again?" The baker asked, laughing.
"Yes," Nora nodded. "Please tell me you have some."
"I have some in the oven I made for tomorrow."
"I'll take two dozen," Nora pulled out her wallet. "Could you also box up some chocolate cupcakes?"
"Will do."
As the baker prepared her order, Nora turned and looked out the window. The sun had set behind the dark winter clouds and the street lamps were beginning to come on. She stared at the few pieces of snowflakes on the cars parked outside and marveled at how much her life had changed since the last time she had stood in the same baker buying baklava.
