Astral Lands

✧ CHAPTER FIVE ✧

"If I knew that I had that big of an effect on you, I definitely would have done it sooner." Astor says as soon as the doors to the library close.

I spin to face Astor, forcing him to stop in his tracks. "You," I say definitely, pointing at him before softening my voice. "Are not the only reason why I can't focus. This case, I don't know Astor. It's not right." I start to head in the direction of the kitchen.

Astor comes to walk next to me, forcing my neck to pitch up.

"I know what you mean." He says. "It's like what I was saying on the ship. This could be bigger than us, Elara."

"That's exactly what I'm worried about. If this case is bigger than any of us have ever seen, then there is no one else that can solve it but Etorus.

Did I just use the case as a way to distract Astor from our personal conversation? Maybe.

Astor put a hand on my shoulder, and even though I was trying to walk around the topic of our personal lives, I couldn't help but relish the comfort that another member of Etorus was as worried as I was.

Astor's eyes shifted to the jewelry in my ear. The stacks of silver I had going up the cartilage must have caught the light.

"You never did tell me how you got these." He traced a finger along the shell of my ear and I suddenly couldn't breathe.

We had stopped walking at this point. The both of us facing each other as the only souls in an insanely long hallway.

I didn't know what to say other than the truth. "I did them when I was twelve to look older for clubs." I said in a rushed breath as the wind somehow found my lungs.

Astor's finger stopped. "Seriously?" He queried an eyebrow.

"Seriously." I found myself smiling.

Astor shook his head in resolve as he dropped his hand, continuing forward towards our destination. "I don't think I'll ever understand you, Elara."

I laugh. "But wasn't it mere moments ago that you claimed to know me?"

"That's different, You could know someone a lifetime and never, not once, understand them."

"I think I understand you." I said defiantly.

At that Astor's voice got soft. "But do you know me?"

I tried to answer but ended up falling short.

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"Here you go." The kind woman in the kitchen handed over five delicious looking cakes. There was already icing on the small desserts, with flowers and stars carefully piped in intricate designs.

"Thank you, really." I tried to grab three plates, but not before Astor learned directly over me and plucked off of the inside of my arm where I was balancing it.

"Yeah, I can just tell that that is going to be a disaster." I was left with two plates while Astor went to balance three.

I scoff at him. "Even at cake holding you have to be the best." I pause as I walk to the door. "But I bet you can't be first." I then turn and sprint down the hall as fast as someone carrying small cakes can.

I hear Astor protest in the distance as I speed ahead of him, letting a smile escape my lips.

To no surprise I was the first to make it back to the library. Already giving a cake to Nyla and taking a bit of my own before Astor burst through the doors, and stopping once he saw me.

"What took you so long Astor?" Dakel asked with a smile. I did commend him for being on my side no matter who it was against.

"Ha Ha, guess I'll get two cakes then." Astor held Dakel's cake high above his head. The group taking part in the fun as laughter started to fill the usually quiet library.