The Incandescent | Book 7 | The Fairy arc

Chapter 16 ~ The Evidence of an Iredescent Multiverse

The lack of warmth was what woke her. The bedsheets rustled as Ireyna turned on her side, feeling cold despite the long sleeve shirt and cotton pants she slept in. It hadn't been a nightgown kind of night, since Ireyna went to bed alone shortly after coming home. Mara and Drave were already in bed, but Killian and Erasmo weren't home. Ireyna assumed it was due to Killian's work, since he sometimes stayed up longer than usual, so Ireyna changed into simple night clothes and went to bed, assuming Killian would return home later that night.

Steel blue irises appeared from underneath dark lashes, confused by the absence of Killian's arms. He usually held her during the night, her body nestled comfortably in his warm embrace as he cuddled her, but there was no warm embrace, no cuddle, no hug, no kisses nor touches, nothing but the rustle of the bedsheets as Ireyna moved, finally waking up.

Worry arose when Ireyna realized Killian hadn't come home; he was gone the entire night. Ireyna sent him a message before she set the comect on the nightstand and got off the bed.

Daylight entered the bedroom, sweeping its prismatic rays in a delightful flourish. Ireyna looked in the mirror as she brushed her thigh-length hair, using her power to form purple roses in her hair. She changed into a dress of crimson red and fluorescent purple, with jewelry to match the roses, before picking up the discarded clothing from last night.

Among those clothes was the dress she wore at the library. Ireyna removed the butterfly communicator from the dress pocket, thoughtfully studying the device. Casim's words appeared in her mind, reminding Ireyna of the tangible hope he offered. The hope Ireyna accepted and held in her hand, contemplating the future endeavor.

Time passed before Ireyna heard Mara's voice call out her name. Startled out of her trance, Ireyna hurriedly placed the butterfly communicator in her pocket on her thigh, her long hair pushed forward on her body to conceal, just as Mara entered the bedroom. Ireyna crouched to pick up the dirty clothes, saying pleasantly, "Good morning, Mara. I was just taking these clothes to the laundry."

"Well, hurry up. I want to have breakfast with you," said Mara, grabbing the dirty clothes from Ireyna and tossing them in a laundry basket in the hallway.

Mara seized Ireyna's hand, taking her downstairs. Ireyna looked in surprise at the stack of blackberry pancakes with rose petals and saffron. It was Killian's recipe, one that Mara perfected with the addition of amaretto crème.

Mara made Ireyna sit down at the dining table before she poured the tea into three cups, leaving an extra cup for Killian in case he showed up. But Killian didn't show up, and neither did Erasmo.

Ireyna's gaze went towards the countertop. She frowned, recognizing the white silken chamomile tea sachets atop the cake container. "Where did that come from?" Ireyna asked, motioning towards the cake container.

Mara didn't hesitate, instantly telling the truth. "Casim gave it to me. I visited him last night."

Ireyna nearly dropped her tea cup in surprise. "You visited Casim?"

"Of course I did. I'm a private detective. I investigate any suspicious person. Casim ranked high on the suspicious person list, so naturally, I wanted to make sure he wasn't doing anything that would result in an arrest. A tiramisu gift wasn't worthy of an arrest." Though Mara kept her words light, there was a harsh undertone that implied she would not hesitate to take action if things went south.

Silence followed before Ireyna asked, "He gifted the tiramisu? And you accepted it?"

"He was kind and hospitable, showing no ill intentions. So yes, I accepted it."

To further prove her point, Mara retrieved the cake container and set it on the table. "Let's enjoy, shall we?" Mara said, reminding Ireyna of Killian in the way she spoke.