House of Dreamers | book 1

𝐱𝐱𝐱

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟎

𓆱

𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐀

𓆱

Ophelia had never felt both tired, and well-rested all at once. She'd turned over, hours later, staring up at the ceiling high above. She'd wanted nothing more than to find a quiet place in the corner and hide from the silence that pressed in all around her.

Ophelia closed her eyes. She knew if she searched for the room Caspian had shown her, he would easily find her.

Ophelia's eyes slipped open. She watched Caspian as he slept. He was in pain, Ophelia knew that. She saw it in the crease in between his eyebrows when he shifted. Anger flared in her chest. She forced it down. She shifted the pillow behind her, breathing lightly. Ophelia turned onto her side, studying Caspian. He looked younger, his dark hair covered his forehead and brushed his eyelids. His breathing was even, and Ophelia smiled softly to herself. She ghosted her fingers along his arm, taking him in. She closed her eyes, counting his breaths — one, two, three, four.

Such a small detail brought her a large surge of comfort.

Ophelia adjusted, closing her eyes as she matched her breathing with Caspian's. She turned onto her back, resting her hand on her stomach, and evened her breathing again. Caspian shifted beside her, and Ophelia peeked one eye open. She watched him, waiting for any more movement. He stayed still. Ophelia closed her eye again, shifting again.

"You're not exactly subtle when watching someone."

Ophelia jumped. She opened her eyes, staring at Caspian. His chin was resting on the top of his hands, head tilted to the side. Ophelia's face flushed. Caspian chuckled, pushing himself into a sitting position. He had changed his bandage. Ophelia sat up, watching him closely.

"Are you feeling better?"

"I should be asking you that," Caspian smiled. "Yes, I am feeling better." Ophelia sat up, crossing her legs underneath her. "How are you feeling?" Caspian repeated her question, smiling wider. Ophelia shrugged. "Like I can run a thousand miles and sleep for a thousand hours. All at once." Caspian let out an airy laugh. He shifted in his seat. "Well, do you want to stay here and rest for those thousand hours, or would you like to take a walk with me?" Ophelia slipped her legs over the edge of the bed. "A walk? Where?"

Caspian hummed. "I was thinking we'd go around the courtyard." Ophelia stood, grasping his hand.

Caspian carefully pushed himself to his feet, holding tightly to her hand. Ophelia watched him, eyes snagging on his shirt. "What about your wound?" Caspian shook his head, smiling. "I'm all healed. See?" He pulled up the hem of his shirt, showing her a pale scar along his ribcage. Ophelia brushed her fingers along the scar. She met his gaze, dropping her hands to her sides.

Caspian dropped his shirt, holding out his hand. "We wouldn't want you to get lost." Caspian said, smiling playfully. Ophelia shoved his shoulder.

"Are you saying I'll forget where I'm going?"

"We can never be too sure, Princess."

Caspian reached down, grabbing her hand tightly. Sparks danced along her arms. Ophelia hoped her face wasn't as red as it felt. Caspian stared ahead, lightly clearing his throat. Ophelia let him pull her along, towards the foyer, through the door leading to the courtyard.

Leaves had fallen with autumn thick in the air. Ophelia let out a soft gasp, looking around. Autumnal flowers had bloomed — cornflowers and goldenrods and asters swayed in the cool breeze. She felt Caspian staring at her back. "It's not something I ever get used to, no matter how many times I see it." Ophelia looked over her shoulder, smiling widely.