Everly~
The day carried on for far too long, so much so that I found myself grateful to see the sun set.
Talon has been so focused on monitoring the perimeter of the grounds that I had barely seen him all day. He wore his battle leathers and paced the magical barrier, tapping it with his sword every few minutes to make sure it was still intact.
Wrapping a blanket around myself after eating dinner alone, I made my way downstairs and outside.
"Everything alright?" Talon's deep voice echoed from the tree line.
"Yes. I'm off to bed."
Giving me a nod of approval, Talon glanced up at my window briefly.
"Sleep well."
"Not likely." I said, tossing the words over my shoulder as I made my way back inside and up the stairs to my room.
It was lonely there. The only signs of life other than my own breathing was the quiet chirp of crickets from outside my window.
When I closed my eyes, it was almost as if I was home in my bed. My ears searched the quiet night air for Aiden and Kisha's voices or the heavy footsteps of my father, but found nothing...just quiet chirping.
Tears gathered in the corner of my eye as I rolled to face the window, clutching a pillow. And for the first time since I had been captured, I wept. I wept for my family and my village, I wept for my mother, I wept for myself and the danger I had put myself in. It all hit at once and for the first time I let myself feel it.
My quiet sobs and sniffles were muffled by my pillow and warm tears rolled down my cheeks, soaking the fabric.
From my curled position in the bed I looked toward the window up at the night sky, wondering if my family could see the same bright stars.
It was then that I noticed the black ash that Kaes had left behind start to move. At first I thought it was the wind, but the longer I stared the more I realized that the movements were synchronized and intentional. The black ashes swirled and rose up like a serpent ready to strike before slithering down over the stone ledge of my window.
Lifting my head in disbelief, I watched the small black line disappear over the edge, wondering if I had hallucinated. Seconds later it emerged from beneath the window, slithering toward me like a snake, only this time it held a single red rose from the gardens below. The ash wrapped itself around the beautiful bloom and carried it across the room steadying it in front of me.
With the smallest smile I reached forward and took the rose, wiping a tear from my cheek.
Once the blossom was in my palm the ashes puffed and fell lifeless again. Looking down at the black ash and dust that now coated my blankets, I huffed out an irritated sigh and brushed it onto the floor.
"Even his gifts are obnoxious." I muttered under my breath.
From the deepest corner of my mind I heard a low chuckle that sounded more like the purring of a cat.
Rolling my eyes, I focused on forcing the fortress of my mind to tighten and lock, forcing Kaes' voice to fade.
You may be giving me a peace offering but I still don't trust you with my thoughts. I still don't trust you at all.
Turning over in bed, I tucked the blankets tightly around myself and begged sleep to take me. After over an hour of restlessness, my tears began to flow again. I was exhausted, physically and mentally, but the Gods refused to grant me rest. I sniffled and gasped as I sobbed into my pillow and suddenly, I didn't feel as sad. Nothing had changed, but my body started to feel more relaxed. A wave of calm washed over me as if it were a thick blanket, wrapping around me tightly. It almost felt like arms pulling me in for a tight hug. I should have questioned it for I knew the emotions weren't my own, but it felt too good. I leaned into the sensation and closed my eyes, relaxing against the bed as my heart rate slowed and my breathing evened out. It was the most peaceful sleep I had experienced in weeks, maybe even longer.
***********************
The next morning I made breakfast for Talon who I knew hadn't slept much, but didn't look tired in the least.
Giving me a nod of gratitude, he took his breakfast outside leaving me alone in the kitchen to enjoy my tea. The peace that had swallowed me the night before still lingered in my veins as I sipped the warm liquid, but my solitude was quickly shattered when I heard the door slam and heavy footsteps from within the house.
Talon wouldn't have let anyone inside, it must be Kaes or Ronan.
The sound of metal armor and weapons against the hard floor made me jump with surprise, nearly spilling my tea.
Definitely Ronan.
Rising to my feet, I ran my fingers through my long hair, smoothing it where it had kinked before I moved to greet him. Being left alone with my thoughts had changed my perspective slightly and while I still didn't trust him, I did owe him a debt of gratitude for not leaving me in that arena and speaking to the king on my behalf.
With a smile on my face, I moved toward the sound of his voice.
"Morning. Would you like some..." His massive body brushed past me as if I were invisible and silent. "...tea?"
He looked furious and had dismissed me completely which didn't exactly surprise me, but it irritated me nonetheless.
"You look rested." Kaes purred from the doorway.
"I suppose I should thank you for that?"
"Me? Whatever for?"
"The flower, the...and you know comforting feelings...the..." Kaes grew nearer with intrigue on his face at my words as if it was the first time he had heard them.
"The what?" He asked, smirking at me as if he had no idea what I was talking about which made me feel slightly insecure.
"The hug?" My voice was meek and I regretted my admission the second that laughter exploded from Kaes' chest.
"Dearest Everly, if someone hugged you in your bed last night, perhaps you should be Thanking Talon. He was the only soul here. I made sure of it."
Dropping my brows, I glared at him, disliking being made fun of in a moment of vulnerability.
"I do see that you received my little gift." Kaes grinned at me as he reached forward, brushing a spec of ash from my cheek.
"It was unwelcomed." I snapped.
"Yet you received it all the same."
Kaes shot me a wink that made my eyes narrow with irritation.
The sound of doors slamming and heavy footsteps stole our attention, causing both of our eyes to drift up toward the ceiling.
"What's wrong with him?" I scoffed.
"Give him some grace. He just spent the past twenty four hours listening to the king and his most trusted advisors discuss the most excruciating ways to kill you."
My smile faded instantly at Kaes' vicious words and I felt the air leave my lungs.
"Don't you worry your pretty little head, Ronan would have never allowed it." Kaes crooned as if I was a child.
Leaving my side, Kaes turned to find Talon outside of the front doors.
"What was their decision?" I asked desperately.
"I'll let Ronan give you the details. But I can tell you right now...you're not going to like it."
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Okay lets hear your predictions! I have loved your theories so far!
