House of Dreamers | book 1

𝐱𝐢𝐢

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟐

𓆱

A week had passed since the last time Ophelia had been in the courtyard, since she told Caspian she'd been scared of his shadows. Ophelia sat in her room after her training with Caspian, arms wrapped around her legs as she stared out of the window, cheek pressed against her knees. She watched the gentle breeze pushing against the trees planted in the expansive yard of the castle.

Ophelia breathed lightly, pushing herself out of the chair. She unlatched the window, pushing it open. The window shifted her hair. She shut her eyes, breathing the fresh air deep into her lungs. Ophelia stood up straight, studying the greenery beneath her room. She leaned forward, pressing the palms of her hands against the smooth wood of the window sill.

"I thought I'd find you here."

Ophelia spun around, pressing her back against the window. Caspian leaned a shoulder against the door, arms crossed over his chest as he watched her. She walked towards him, ignoring the flutter in her chest. She gently turned his face to examine the purple bruise blossoming on his jaw. "What happened?" Ophelia looked between the bruise and his eyes. Caspian reached up, wrapping his fingers around her wrist. "It's nothing. Are you alright?"

Ophelia gave a soft nod. "I'm okay." Her voice was low. Caspian's eyebrows lowered, looking as if he were going to speak. Ophelia carefully pulled away from him, dropping her hand to her side.

"I'm sorry about a few days ago." She said, feigning nonchalance. Caspian hummed, pushing away from the wall behind him.

Ophelia held his gaze before glancing around the room, the wind blowing in from the window  shifting her hair over her shoulder. "I think scheduling a set time when we train would be best." Ophelia moved to place one of the armchairs in between them, the rust-colored skirt shifting around her legs. Ophelia turned her back towards him, pretending to look through the bookshelf on the wall adjacent to the window. She closed her eyes, counting to ten before turning back towards Caspian. He stood behind the armchair, hands pressed against the back. She gasped, pressing back against the bookshelf, the wood biting into her spine. Caspian raised an eyebrow, humor sparkling in his eyes.

Ophelia took a careful step away from the bookshelf, shifting the off-the-shoulder white top she donned. Ophelia breathed deeply before looking back up at Caspian.

"I thought that meeting at regular times would be more beneficial instead of..." She trailed off. Caspian nodded. "Whenever you feel like you're ready to try again, find me.." Caspian pushed off of the chair, heading for the door of her room.

"Caspian, wait!" Ophelia called out, rushing around the chair. He stopped, turning to face her. Ophelia stopped, chewing on the inside of her cheek before sighing. He waited, eyes pinned to her face. Ophelia shook her head, pursing her lips. "I... I'm sorry. Nevermind, it's...nothing."  She turned away, cursing herself. Caspian walked away, the door snicking shut behind him.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid!" Ophelia hissed, pressing the heels of her hands against her eyes. She slumped into the armchair, groaning.

The temperature in her room dropped. Goosebumps appeared along her arms. Ophelia tensed, shifting in the chair. The soft slip of shoes against the floor of her room forced Ophelia into motion. She shoved from the chair, spilling towards the place Caspian had stood mere moments before.

Her breath caught in her throat. Perseus stood in front of the shut door, running his finger along the details carved into the wooden surface. A smile forced its way onto his face as he carefully tapped his fingernail against the silver handle.