Battle Scars

The distant horizon

"So, how did it go?" Rhys asked as they all sat down for dinner. "Was alright," Eve shrugged. "And the problem was solved. Theodore was very understanding and respectful, unlike Finnick," Mor added. "Theodore seems like a good male," Eve thought out loud. "He is, I've talked to him a couple of times and he seems to charm me every single time. Even his subordinates have good things to say about him," Mor said making Eve smile at her choice of acquaintances.

"Where is Feyre?" Eve asked, she had not seen her since morning and even Az was here when he usually was the last person to come. "She was feeling tired," Rhys said making Eve nodded her head, "spent too much time with you today huh?" Rhys glared at her while the others chuckled a bit.

"You are coming back, girl," Amren commented making everybody immediately straighten. Eve shrugged even as she felt the need to gulp as everyone looked at her along with Amren' gaze. "Brick by brick, I guess," she said making Amren grunt in response; satisfied.

Az, who was sitting beside her, gave her a side look which she ignored- she could not bear look into his eyes when they were so full of worry. "About time you stopped with the wallowing, we are glad," Elain said just as everyone was about to go back to their meal. Eve did not miss the subtle reference to when she had something similar at Nesta' place but shrugged it off, deciding to take the high road. "How are the gardens coming, Elain?" she asked sweetly... maybe she did not care about the high road that much. Az gave her a tilt of head- already picking up over the fact that something was going on.

"Amazingly well, I was just showing Az the new peonies that just bloomed," she answered. Amren looked between the two curiously before going back to her soup. Before Eve could retort, Cassian butted in, "when are you joining me in the field?" he asked. Eve shook her head, "quarter to never." He frowned at that, not liking the response one bit. "Why?" he questioned. "Because I do not want to," she said in a tone that ended the conversation.

"Mor, are you going back to the docks tomorrow?" Mor shook her head, "no, I concluded the matter today itself." "Why?" Az asked, speaking for the first-time during dinner. "I am going again tomorrow. I have nothing better to do anyway," she replied, giving him a small smile which he gladly accepted, safely tucking it in his heart. "And do what?" Elain asked, finding her lack of work as a topic she could taunt her about. "Visit Theodore and the Finnick' workers and see if they like the new rules Mor set better. After all, I was the one who had talked to them today," Eve replied, not missing a beat.

"Theodore?" Rhys asked, his eyes gazing over Az who now had a frown etched unto his face. "We got along," is all she said. Az gulped before excusing himself from the table. It was not that he was jealous over her talking to another male, no, never but, it was getting harder and harder to ignore his instincts to tell her about the bond. And maybe, he was a just a tad envious of said Theodore though he was over the moon that Eve had found a new friend and that triumphed everything else.

Later, Eve joined him on the porch as he stared up at the night sky. "Are you okay?" she asked. He nodded, stealing a glance at her as she sat diagonally to him. "You seemed a bit off during dinner," she pried a bit further. His shadows had all but gone towards her, seeking her comfort like he wish he could too. The only thing that kept him in his place while his shadows jumped back and forth between the two was that he knew she did not mind his shadows anymore, in fact she welcomed them once again.

"I am just a bit tired," he lied. Eve frowned, "when was the last time you slept?" she asked. He kept quiet. 60 hours.... He was exhausted. "Do you know how long a person can go without sleep before hallucinations start?" she asked, her frown deepening even as a stern look took over her face. He gave her a small smile, hoping to soften her but it did not work. " Around 72 hours. And even if you are an Illyrian and a mighty Shadowsinger, it does not exclude you from this," she continued. He nodded, his shadows now hiding behind him. "I will sleep soon," he offered. Eve shook her head, "right now."

And even though he scowled at that, he could not help the warmth that entered his body at the thought of her caring about him. "Ok," he sighed and got up, making Eve finally break into a small smile. "Goodnight Az, sleep well," she said, standing up with him. He nodded, "you too."

*********

Theodore waited for her as she went to get some snacks for the two. They had abandoned the harbour for a small shop nearby which sold delicious berry milkshakes. "How does it feel? To travel so much? Don't you get homesick?" Eve questioned, sipping on her smoothie. "Sometimes," Theodore admitted. "Then again, I would not trade it for anything else. I love the sea and the feeling of unknown- it gives me a sense of excitement, makes me look forward to a new day." Eve hummed, silently contemplating his words.

"Have you visited the other courts?" she asked. He nodded, "my favourite was Winter and their snow cones," Eve perked up at that. She had not had a snow cone in so long! "How is Day?" she asked. Theodore took in a breath, "it is magnificent. The High Lord spared no expense when it came to the architecture and some of the most important buildings have a gold shine to it. It is really the Day court." Eve nodded again, her eyes sparkling as she tried imagining all the things he said. "Then there are the libraries, tons of them, everywhere. The food is a bit spicy for my taste nevertheless, it isn't half bad."

"I would like to visit once," Eve said, thinking out loud. "What's stopping you?" Theodore questioned and Eve did not have an answer. It was not like she had a job or career here and the Inner Circle did not need her.....

"Nothing," she blinked. Theodore gave her one of his rare, genuine smiles. 

Happy reading :)

XOXO,

the amazing author 

P.s: The longest recorded time without sleep is approx. 264 hours. But after only three or four nights without sleep, one can start to hallucinate.