The Stones of Jade

chapter 8

Asteria's eyes flutter softly. Her vision is clouded with the immense daylight beaming right into her eyes. The beautiful daylight never seemed closer. The rays that tell her she survived another day, and she will fulfill her parent's legacy. The beauty seems to fade when her lungs begin to close on her, her chest suddenly tight and barely able to get anything but a wheeze out of her throat.

Am I dying?

No. Not yet exactly. But she does need air. Fresh dewy air from the outside world.

Asteria pushes the thin blanket with the distinct smell of an old closet from her body. Her legs are slightly visible from her dress being pulled up. Small purple bruises and cuts are scattered across them, reminding her of the night before. She is going to need new apparel. As Asteria stands up, her head spins from the movement. Her heavy legs carry her to the door, and she opens it not only to find the view of nature but Rowan.

Rowan's tan skin reflects the rays of the sun. She looks like the sun took human form. Her expression is soft, even when she notices Asteria. She takes continuous sips of whatever liquid is in her mug and lets the breeze run through her brown hair, let down for once. How can a human this beautiful be such an ass?

A mutual silence falls between the two girls. A silence like no other would imagine. It is comforting. Asteria is comforted by Rowan's presence. How so? Asteria has no clue. Maybe it's the calmness of the water in the distance, possibly the slight attraction? Who knows?

Asteria coughs. "So, how long have you stayed here?" She looks towards Rowan motioning to the wood cabin.

Surprisingly Rowan isn't annoyed by this confrontation but responds. "I do not live here."

What?

"But don't you sleep here and such?" Asteria's eyebrow rises with the question.

"I do, on occasion. But this place has never been much of a home." Rowan balances on the beam to the porch.

"Doesn't anywhere a person resides count as a home?" Asteria asks.

"Do you know the feeling of coming home to a home after a long day?" Rowan is slightly unsettled but continues. "The feeling of putting your feet up on a table and feeling comfort of your family or even the home itself?"

"I would say so."

"I have never once had a home. Never have I once felt that feeling except for the small cottage I lived in as a child." Rowan stares deep into the woods with this response.

"Oh wow."

"No pity needed, I am 19 and have better things to worry about than the comforting feeling of a few pieces of brick." Rowan turns to Asteria but Asteria senses something off. Rowan is showing emotion other than a slight sarcasm. Her face has lightened, almost as if she has found out her parents have passed but it is hidden with the sudden mood change.

"Come on then, let us head inside. I smell the burner." Rowan turns on her foot and walks inside with Asteria following right behind her.

How does one not have a home? If Rowan sleeps and eats here, how does she not live here? How does that make any sense? All Asteria knows is that if she is going to want to have a decent experience with this woman, she is going to have to figure Rowan out. She is so closed off and reserved but has so much to tell. Asteria needs Rowan to tell her story.

As soon as the door opens, an overwhelming smell of herbs fills Asteria's nose. Glancing over Rowan's shoulder, she spots Will in the kitchen brewing what seems to be tea. Rowan walks to Will and he hands her a cup, nodding his head towards Asteria motioning Rowan to hand her the cup. Asteria nods a "thank you" to Rowan and takes the cup into her own hands. Warmth fills her body like a small fire being spread.