Beyond The Sands of Time

Chapter 7: Embracing the Daylight

As the morning sun's rays gently caressed my face, I stirred awake. My initial instinct was to sit up, but then I realized that a warm hand was wrapped around me. I turned my head to the right and found Ivan embracing me tightly.

I made an attempt to extricate myself from his grasp as discreetly as possible, hoping not to wake him. Unfortunately, my efforts only resulted in him pulling me closer than before.

"Morning," he greeted me, his voice still heavy with sleep.

"Morning," I replied. "Could you let go, please?"

Ivan responded with a teasing smirk, "Can I?"

I couldn't help but think that he was a far cry from the rude persona I had initially expected. I muttered to myself, "I thought you were supposed to be rude or something."

"That's quite a rude assumption, sweetheart," Ivan retorted.

"Tell me you didn't—"

"You were loud enough for me to hear," he interrupted with a knowing grin.

I blushed and sighed in exasperation. "Ugh."

"Well, how are you feeling this morning?" Ivan inquired while tenderly tucking a few stray strands of hair behind my ear.

"I actually feel much better. Maybe the change of environment is doing wonders for me," I replied sincerely.

"Sorry for being so engrossed in my work that I didn't pay enough attention to you, Raven," Ivan said in a softer tone.

I reassured him, "I understand you have a lot of responsibilities, so don't worry, and you don't need to apologize."

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I'll make it up to you," he promised.

"Make it up to me by letting me go first. I need to use the privy," I teased.

He chuckled and carefully released me. After freshening up, I ventured out of the privy chamber and realized Ivan was nowhere to be seen. I strolled toward the balcony, captivated by the breathtaking view that awaited me.

Beyond the threshold, the world unfolded in all its morning glory. The sun, a radiant sphere of golden warmth, had just begun its ascent in the vast cerulean canvas of the sky. Its gentle rays spilled over the picturesque town below, infusing every corner with a soft, inviting glow.

As I stood there, a gentle breeze played with tendrils of my hair, carrying with it the earthy scent of dew-kissed gardens and the faint, melodious chirping of awakening birds. The town, nestled in the embrace of rolling hills, revealed its charm with each passing second. The rolling hills seemed to stretch endlessly, cloaked in a tapestry of wildflowers that swayed in the breeze. A sense of serenity washed over me as I took in this panoramic view, a tranquil haven untouched by the chaos of the world.

It was a vista that spoke of a quiet beauty, a place where time seemed to slow, and worries faded into the embrace of nature's wonders. In that moment, I couldn't help but feel a deep appreciation for the world outside, for the simple and profound beauty it offered under the gentle caress of the morning sun.

A knock at the door broke me out of my reverie, and I returned to the chamber to welcome the visitor.

"Eliza?"

"Your husband asked me to bring you some clothes and breakfast," she said, wearing a mischievous smile.

I tried to suppress the smile that had been playing on my lips since I woke up. "It's not what you think."

Eliza chuckled and set down the clothes and food before enveloping me in a warm hug.

"I've missed seeing that smile on you, Cass," she admitted.

I held her tightly. "Have you told Kay about it?"

"No, I haven't, and I don't plan to. I know it might seem selfish, but I have a second chance to be with him, Cass. I won't let it slip away," Eliza's eyes welled up with tears.

"I understand, Eliza. You deserve to be with him more than anything else. Trust me. I've decided to let go of the past and embrace the present, to enjoy the time we have here."

We shared a meal and chatted, mostly about Ivan and my experiences from the previous day, with Eliza playfully teasing me.

"I told you, Cass, he has a softer side that's reserved just for you," Eliza said with a smile.

I felt a blush creeping onto my cheeks. "I'm starting to see what you mean."

"Who would have thought there'd come a day when Cass blushes, and all because of a real, non-fictional man?" Eliza remarked.

I couldn't help but laugh. "Well, if you think about it, we're living in a bit of an extraordinary tale, and Ivan here is like a character my brother conjured into our narrative."

Speaking of my brother, I continued, "By the way, where is he? You and Kay mentioned something about leaving town for a few days."

Eliza nodded. "Yes, we have some work out of town. Don't worry, though. You'll have your husband to keep you entertained. And I'll make sure Kay sees you before we leave, okay?"

"Sounds good," I replied, and she left the room so I could take a relaxing bath and change into fresh clothes.

Author's Note:

In this chapter, we see Cassandra and Ivan's relationship continue to evolve. Cassandra is adjusting to her new life and embracing the present, while Ivan's caring side becomes more evident. As the story unfolds, stay tuned for more surprises and revelations.

Thank you for being a part of this journey,
Ivory