Storm's Rapture | Storms Series: Book 1 (This is a Co-Write)

Chapter 95: Rosanna

AN: No Piarari Key needed this time. Be sure to drop some comments as you read. Enjoy!

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That night, I heard the pitter patter of raindrops on the balcony and thought of my own rainstorm. Cyris Castellan. His inky black hair... his gorgeous hazel eyes... his strong arms as they embraced me. I wasn't sure what it was, but something in me compelled me to go out and stand in the rain. So I did. I went out onto the balcony and let the rain wash over me. It was as if he was here holding me in his arms.

I closed my eyes, feeling his presence around me. Cyris was the water, and he was here in every single raindrop that landed on my skin. The raindrops felt like soft kisses. His soft kisses. I let out a sigh of contentment. My heart yearned for him, my soul ached for him... I missed him... I longed for him to be here with me.

I thought I heard a faint knock on the door of the master suite, but I couldn't be sure. I was too focused on the rain and the way I felt as it washed over me.

"Rose?" I heard a familiar voice call out. Sidra was here, but I ignored her calling out to me, choosing instead to bask in the feeling of the rain and thinking of Cyris as I did. "Queen Rosanna?" Her footsteps got closer and I figured she was standing at the entrance of the balcony. I'd left the doors open after all. "Rosanna!" she cried out in panic.

My eyes were still closed as I stood in the rain, lost in a sense of euphoria.

"What is it Sidra?" I asked. I knew my hair was soaked at this point and I was just enjoying the feeling of the raindrops as they ran down my face, soaking my clothes in the process.

"Get in here! Cyris would kill me if you got sick!" Sidra exclaimed. She wrapped me in towels and my eyes flew open as she forced me inside. I sighed and let her drag me back into the master suite.

"Sidra...did you need something? Why are you here?" I asked, slightly annoyed that she'd ruined my moment in the rain.

She smiled. "Don't be grumpy, I know you love the rain, but think of the baby."

She dried me off and got me some warm clothes to change into. She helped me get dressed while we talked.

"I just came to check on you, see if you needed anything," she admitted. "There's no specific reason for me being here. I worry for you."

"I appreciate your concern," I told her. "But I'm fine. I just... I miss him... Sidra. And being in the rain...it makes me feel like he's here with me and has his arms around me. I've been working so hard because my heart is hurting in his absence and I want him to come home to everything as it should be. I don't want him to regret choosing me as his Queen."

Sidra placed my wet clothes in the laundry basket, then came back to sit down next to me by the fireplace.

"Rose, you've done a phenomenal job so far!" she assured me. "Don't doubt that, and Cyris loves you so much! He could never regret choosing you as his wife, or as his Queen."

"There was a time when I wondered what he saw in me," I admitted. "I wasn't always one to let people in easily, Sidra. And I'm still not. Cyris and I have a long and somewhat intricate love story... While I know he loves me with all his heart, it doesn't mean that I don't have doubts sometimes."

Sidra held my hands in hers, trying to bring me some comfort.

"I understand. I just want you to know, you're amazing and I don't want you to be too hard on yourself," she stated.

"I'll try not to be..." I replied as I felt a soft kick against my stomach. I let out a soft chuckle. "Wonderful...my own child is scolding me now."

Sidra laughed.

"Sidra...tell me more about yourself... I know we don't usually get a lot of time to talk," I told her. "Sorry, I know that was random..."

Her eyes widened in surprise.

"Oh, no, it's fine... Well, Ren and I are on Cyris' mother's side, so we didn't grow up as royalty," Sidra explained. "His mother and our mother are sisters. Before our aunt married Cyris' father, we lived a quaint life as a middle class family. We weren't wealthy, but we were much better off than some."

I listened intently, and Sidra smiled as she continued.

"Once the royal wedding happened, the King was more than generous, and granted our mother lands of her own and moved us into a more prestigious area, and into a house fit for someone royal, in my opinion. Ren and I were only toddlers, but I remember when Cyris and Circe were first born, Ren and I were so excited. We felt like we were getting another sister and brother."

"Did you ever fall in love?" I asked, but as soon as I said it, I realized I may have gone too far. "I'm sorry that's really personal." I bit my lip, hoping that I hadn't offended her.

"Once... And she felt the same," Sidra admitted, not taking offense to my question. "But she chose honor over love. Her parents felt that being with me, a woman, would get their daughter nowhere. And so Tara made her choice." Sidra averted her eyes, then started fidgeting with her fingers. I could tell she really didn't want to talk about it.

"I'm sorry to hear that. No one deserves to be separated from the one they love. There was a time where I thought I'd lose Cyris forever...so, I know how you feel."

"Thanks Rose... It was years ago, but I haven't had a serious relationship since. I've tried dating, and that's a nightmare." Sidra said with a small laugh.

I laughed along with her.

"I understand not being able to find someone that suits you. But why do you say it's a nightmare?" I asked, curiously.

"Just a few bad experiences is all. But those few experiences make me anxious to try again."

"You shouldn't give up, Sidra. Maybe you'll find someone at the Day of the Water Spirits celebration. I'm sure there's someone out there for you, Sidra. Maybe they'll be at the ball."

The Day of the Water Spirits was a festival where Esporians honoured their ancestors and celebrated their magic. I'd never experienced this festival, but I was excited for it. More importantly, I needed to plan the royal celebration for it, thankfully Sidra and I had gone over it during our lessons, and I knew some of the traditions. However, there was still a lot of work to do to plan for it, and I'd need to get some of that done tomorrow.

"Yeah, right! But thanks for the encouragement," Sidra mused. She laughed it off and stood up, ready to leave. "Are you sure you didn't want or need anything?"

"I'm good...thank you," I assured her. "I mostly just need my husband to come home."

"Just a few more days Rose." she smiled.

"You're a good friend Sidra. Sometimes I think if Mirella was alive, she'd be as caring and protective as you. You're like a big sister."

That was true. Sidra was six years older than me and she'd taken me under her wing without asking any questions. She helped me learn about Espor, and helped me settle into my role as Queen; I'd be forever grateful for her kindness.

Sidra blushed as her eyes widened. Then she broke into a huge grin.

"Rosanna... I... I'm honored. And I'm proud to say you're my friend too. Goodnight, My Queen." She said and dropped into a curtsey.

"Goodnight Sidra," I told her.

She left the room, closing the door behind her. I looked out at the clouded sky, wondering if Cyris was out on a balcony in the Riofaltan palace looking at the sky too.  

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AN: Be sure to drop some comments and vote!