The Portal

V 5.4 Reaction

Hannah rode until the wind messed up her hair. She rode until the cold froze the muscles of her face, until her back started to hurt. When she was already far enough away from Shailaja, she got off the horse. She took off her shoes and put her bare feet in the fine sand. The strong waves hit the sand and created a white foam. She unbuttoned the dress and let the sleeves slide down her arms. Her body wanted to shiver, but she concentrated. She hadn't done that for weeks and she knew how important it was. When the dress fell to the ground, the wind touched her warm skin, and she felt a chill. She stared at the waves and began to walk.

She let the tip of her foot touch the water and soon regretted it. It was colder than she had thought. With an impulse, she ran, her feet splashing water on her legs, and pierced a bigger wave coming ahead. She felt the shock of the temperature and moved her arms, going deeper. She opened her eyes, the salt making them burn, but saw nothing. It was already night in Shailaja. She swam even further, holding her breath. Finally, she emerged to catch air. She opened her arms and legs and floated. She let herself stay for a moment like this, after the break of the waves, feeling the cold water mistreat her skin, looking at the stars and thinking about how much of this torture would be necessary to recover the lost time.

***

It was past the first hour of Bahija and Hannah had not returned. The hall was empty. Noa Rariff had another shot of whiskey on the balcony. He could not rest until he knew where Maël was. He was so distressed. He saw that she had come out furious. Noa imagined she would take the horse to clear her mind, as he knew she did, but several hours had passed... It was already dark.

Was she unaware of the danger? A young woman walking around so late, alone...

He began to think that she might not be alone... Certainly, she was accompanied. But Rariff had not yet discovered who was the traitor that was meeting his family's enemy.

He wanted answers.

The earlier event made no sense. Daria was too fragile to answer more questions and Noa had decided to leave her alone. But Hannah had threatened to kill Adaeze, and a good reason would be necessary. First, he wanted to know what Adaeze had done to unleash such fury. Then, he needed Hannah to understand that she couldn't go around threatening people like that. She was putting her own safety at risk. She wasn't loved or admired at court and would only make her situation worse by creating more enemies.

Finally, Rariff heard light footsteps entering the hall. She was already climbing the marble staircase when he approached her.

- Where were you? - he asked, right to the point.

- Good evening, Mr. Rariff - Hannah turned around. Her features were serene, and she stopped at the second step, keeping her eyes at the same height as his.

- Answer my question - he demanded, in a low voice.

- I'm sorry to inform you that it's none of your business.

- It's past Bajiha's first hour - Rariff pointed out sharply.

- That's why I'm going to bed. Have a good night - Hannah replied, starting to climb the rest of the stairs.

Rariff followed her, not giving up.

- Can't you see the danger of going out at this hour? - The voice was deep but low. He didn't want to draw an audience to this inquisition.

- Well, I'm glad I'm back in one piece - Hannah said not even looking back.

Rariff took two long strides and stopped in front of Hannah, blocking her way.

- Do you think this is a joke?

She sighed.

- Rariff, what do you want?