Dust to Dust | ✓

4 || A Taste

Aiko marveled at how quickly time passed despite the constant, nagging ache in every part of her body. She could have sworn the soles of her feet had been rubbed completely raw, her back was permanently bent from the weight of her bag, and her shoulder now bore a mark from the strap cutting into it. At first, she thought it would take an eternity to make any progress, especially with how much she lagged behind Felix and forced him to slow his pace. Somehow, a week had already passed, and she was so deep into the northern forests that she could no longer see Crocea behind her. Her heart ached for the absence of her homeland, but her skin began to prickle with excitement for the unknown that lay beyond it. She had never been so far out from the city—the Core kept her locked away in the cage that was Niveus, but now, she was free. She could go as far as she desired.

No ache or pain was enough to stop her, and her weariness faded to the back of her mind as she trailed at Felix's side.

She shifted her staff to her other hand, allowing her fingers to uncurl for the first time in an hour or so, and brushed Felix's shoulder as she matched his pace. "When do we plan to stop?"

He hummed and titled his head back. Dappled sunlight spilled across his face, illuminating his pale skin in its warm, evening glow. Her heart fluttered at the sight. "When we find a good place," he said plainly.

Dry leaves and fallen sticks crunched under her boots and the amber leaves around her glowed like fire in the light. It was a world entirely removed from the evergreen of Niveus; nervousness mingled with her excitement, lessening the prickle that lingered in her skin. "How far away are we from Ienaeus?"

Felix laughed—the sound stirred butterflies in her stomach. When he looked at her, his emerald green eyes were alight and his cheeks were dusted with a faint red hue. "From the border of the whole kingdom or from a town? Those are two different things."

"I know that," she grumbled, turning up her nose at him. A chuckle tumbled from his lips; it warmed her face with embarrassment. "Fine," she said. "How far are we from a town, or are we doomed to traipse through these autumn woods forever?"

"Is it not to your liking?"

"It's cold." As if she had summoned it, the breeze whipped past her, dragging its icy claws across the exposed skin of her face. She screwed her eyes shut until it passed. "It was never this cold in Niveus. The Core kept it warm year-round." Though its warmth will no longer protect the ruins of the kingdom.

Felix stopped, his gaze sliding over their surroundings. A thoughtful frown pursed his lips, but it lasted only a moment before he turned to face her again. He slid his pack from his shoulder, dropping it in the leaves with a crunch. His fingers smoothly undid the silver clasp of his cloak before he shook it free from his shoulders. "Here," he said, draping it over her and clasping it shut around her neck. With a smile, he brushed a stray curl behind her ear—she hadn't even noticed it had fallen in her face. As soon as the tips of his fingers brushed her skin, however, he stiffened and backed away, clearing his throat. "Keep it as long as you need to."

Aiko looked down at the midnight blue cloak draped around her, fingering the soft fabric. It was too long and pooled awkwardly at her feet, already caught in dirt and leaves. Nicks, tears, and holes scarred its body, and the faint outline of blood stains marked the numerous battles it had survived. Despite that, it smelled of pine and the wood from the hearth; it no longer carried the sharp tang of blood. A slight smile pulled at the corners of her lips. Affection tugged at her heart, twisting her stomach into all kinds of knots. "Thank you. I'll take good care of it."

"Don't worry about it. It's hanging on by a thread at this point anyway." He scooped up his bag and turned sharply. Leaves crunched beneath his steps as he walked away, carrying his steps from her on the muffled melody of the autumn forest.