Within Their Reach

21. Eat

I finally reached the peak of my sanity yesterday when I realised, I was stalking my crush's social account. Please tell me it's not just me. (个_个)

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Ava.

I sighed as I walked through the gardens. Every step I took felt heavier than the other. Even though how much the workers have cleared the path the snow kept on showing again.

I was following Merida to lord knows where just like the last four days. I have nothing else to do. Aiden and Silas, both told me not to work anymore which leaves me to do nothing at all.

That day when I woke up in Aiden and Silas' arms, I was avoiding them like plague. I couldn't face them after knowing how I had reacted to their touch.

I was so embarrassed to speak with anyone knowing they can hear small things in the castle. Even talking with Merida felt embarrassing. The poor lady just acted as if nothing happened but her pink cheeks told me otherwise.

The two vampires had told me that I shouldn't be ashamed of my actions and that it was likely to happen sooner than later.

I remember Aiden said with a smirk on his lips. "Why avoid what is forthcoming soon?

Nothing has happened other than that. Just a few lingering looks or brushing of fingers. Nothing else.

I wrap the familiar black cloak around me as I huff and follow Merida.

I wanted to itch my skin feeling the wet mud on my feet getting dried and caked from an incident in the stables. Seeing the other workers' conditions, I didn't complain about my muddy feet.

But now, I couldn't keep it in.

I'm feeling dizzy.

-because someone decided to skip lunch altogether.

I was not hungry at the time.

-For all four days?

I sigh at Esmeray's words.

"Merida?"

"Yes, Ava." She looked over her shoulder as we entered the castle making me immediately hug myself with warmth.

I never liked the cold.

"Could we...umm...go to my room, I need to wash my feet. Not that I can't handle dirt or mud it's just that it's starting to itch and now that it is almost dinner time we can-"

"You do know that I can never say no to you?" She laughed, stopping my rambling.

I looked down at my feet feeling embarrassed. I nodded as we both went to my, or we can say Aiden's, and Silas' bathing chambers.

I had tried to move back into my old assigned room but every time I shifted my things; they would be back to Aiden's room by night.

For three days I did that and then I let it be. I was just wasting my time knowing all the work was done by me and then one of them would just tell the workers to do the shifting.

Getting out of the clothes after the water was warm enough, I dipped my body in the soapy water, and soon after Merida started to rub oil on my hair.

I had gotten comfortable with her over the days I have been here. We do talk sometimes but I usually prefer silence after having a worn-out day of doing nothing.

I plopped my ankle above the water and rested it on the tub as I admired the anklet. When it was gifted, I should have realised there must be a trick to make this another misery for me.