The Inner Circle | A Midnight Quartet

Chapter 24 | Carmen Foster

 The sun is set by the time they reach the docks of Aurelia and Carmen can barely keep his eyes open. He squints into the sparkling lights on the coast of the city and finds himself wondering if they plucked the stars from the sky. In his dreary haze, he follows Grace and Warren up the docks, past a large gated entrance, and up thousands of stairs. His feet ache with each step and he can't help but think, How many flights of stairs must I walk until my body simply gives up!

The flicking lights lining the white hallways causes a thumping to begin in Carmen's head. They end up in a large corridor, with four doors on each corner. Grace leads the girls to one side and Warren marches off to the other side, not bothering to wait for him or Miles. He can hear Grace chattering with the girls as they are shown to their rooms. Warren doesn't say a word, instead shoving Miles into one room, and Carmen in the other.

He trips through the door, narrowly avoiding the basin to his left. Stumbling into the center of the room he takes in the large windows looking out over the coast. He places his hands on the glass, his breath fogging up the surface. It is beautiful. The colorful houses, the large garden in the courtyard, the moon shining off the ocean, the- and he is about to fall over. His body sways and he pushes away from the glass. Kicking off his muddy shoes, he sinks into the plush bed. He can't remember the last time he'd slept in a proper bed. The cot at Derowen barely counted and he kept finding himself asleep on things such as a jail floor, a tree, a couch--wow, he's complied quite the list-- but this is heaven. He can almost hear Darcy say, It is not right to be so content when so much has gone wrong. But that's the beauty of life, isn't it? Finding joy even when your life isn't even close to perfect? He's got a girl and a place to sleep. I think I'll be alright, he thinks with a tired smile on his face. His vision fades and his body eases. And then he is asleep. Again.

The next morning feels eerily quiet. There are no servants chattering, no bells being rung, and nothing being asked of Carmen. This, I could get used to, he thinks as he watches the sun rise from the crystal blue ocean. He eases his aching body up and stretches, a loud yawn pulled from him. Padding over the marble tile, he looks out the window he was admiring last night. It is just as magical in the daylight. There are large columns laced with growing vines, fountains and ponds dotting the courtyard, and an ethereal glow covering the entire city. A flash of movement catches his attention and he glances down. There stands Darcy. Her hair is pulled into a messy bun at the base of her neck, her dress a soft white, making her look like an angel in the morning sun. He sits there for a minute to watch her, well aware of the goofy grin spread across his face. What he did to make her love him is beyond his understanding.

Her dainty fingers run along the lavender flowers and she tips her head up to the sky, a smile on her lips. His breath catches and he runs to the closet, looking for some fresh clothes to change into. He finds it loaded with cotton shirts and linen trousers. He decides upon a few and quickly slips into the new clothes. Rushing down the stairs, he tries to remember how to get out of the grand castle. After a few dead ends and awkward conversations, he finds the double door entrance to the garden. He looks around, searching for Darcy. When he finally spots her, he creeps up, only pausing to calm his racing heart. She is humming the tune from that first night they danced.

"Hi." He says.

She gasps and spins around, placing a hand over her heart. "Stop doing that!"

He grins and moves to wrap his arms around her. "You know, for a spy, you are way too easy to sneak up on." She laughs and softly elbows him in the ribs.

He gently sways them side to side, and she starts up her humming again. A week ago, he never could have imagined all that had happened to them. Despite the princess dying, everything had turned out okay. Sure, they were probably wanted for treason in Derowen, but at this moment, Carmen couldn't care less.

Grabbing Darcy's hand, he spins her around, swirling her through the lavender flowers. He plucks one from its stem and swings her back to him, gently tucking it into her hair. She blushes and his heart stutters. He leans down, relishing in the fact that he can finally kiss her whenever he likes. Her lips taste like raspberries and morning rain. They part but he keeps her pressed close to him.

"How are you feeling?" He asks softly.

"Good." She responds. "How's your neck?"

He had nearly forgotten about that. "A little sore, but I'll survive."

She pulls away, suddenly serious. "Listen Carmen, I never got to- I just wanted to-" She squeezes her fists at her side. "Carmen, I am so sorry."

He frowns. "What are-"

"I am sorry for dragging you into all of this. I-it was never my intention to hurt you or anyone else. And now you are going to have that scar forever, a constant reminder of my betrayal an- and-" Her delicate resolve crumbles before his eyes.

"Hey, hey, hey." He wraps her up in his arms, kissing away the tears streaming down her face. "Love, I would not change a thing." She sniffles. "This," He gently grabs her hand and places it on his throat, "is not your fault. You were not even there. I do not blame you." She bites her lip and looks down.

"Darcy, surely you must know." He tucks his finger under her chin, bringing her eyes to his. "I live for you." Her chin trembles under his touch. "I would be nothing without you. When I look at these scars we share, all I will be reminded of is how much I love you." He wipes a tear from her eye and softly presses his lips to hers, reaffirming his words. He holds her, waiting for her face to dry and her heart to begin to believe she is loved and safe.

"Why are you so perfect?" She finally mumbles into his damp shirt.

He barks a laugh. "If I am perfect, you are simply a goddess."

She pulls away and smiles at him with tear stained eyes. "You are too good to me."

"I know, love. I know." He gently kisses her forehead. "Now will you please stop crying? There have been far too many tears shed this week."

She sniffles and wipes at her nose. "I'm sorry" She laughs. "It has been quite a week though."

He rests an arm across her shoulder. "That, it has." He leans down to press a kiss to her temple then spots Miles and Aspen sitting by the fountain. Darcy turns to look and smiles.

"Shall we?" He asks, holding out his hand for her to take. She nods and takes it, intertwining their fingers.

They walk through the garden, hand in hand, together at last.