Cursed Sorcerer King Of The Arcana

Chapter 8

Gojo stood before massive ornate doors with his hands in his pockets. After yesterday's little tease, he had returned to his room and now the next day he was called to Nadia's chambers. Gojo knocked and heard Nadia's allowing permission to enter. He took notice of the tiredness of her voice. Gojo entered and saw Nadia's figure posed on the floor. Her back arched and her head tilted with her hands holding her up, she was facing him upside down. Her hair fell in cascades onto the floor, she opened her eyes and when they landed on Gojo she smiled in relief. 

Nadia: Ahh~ Asura. You are like a soothing summer breeze to my troubled mind. Thank you for agreeing to meet me.

Gojo:'This woman puts not-so-innocent thoughts in someone's head with such postures'

She rose gracefully to her feet, only for her to adopt another pose as regards him, arms lifting toward the ceiling. She seems to be doing stretching to loosen her muscles and help her relax. Gojo's six eyes caught a glimpse of something.

Gojo:'What's that?'

Nadia: Especially considering how very busy you must find yourself of late going to and fro at my whim.

Finally, she straightened and extended a hand, curious Gojo took it. Her fingers gently curled around his hand, well she tried to but failed given that his hand was far bigger than her's but Gojo found her attempt cute.

Nadia: Did you receive the emerald that was sent for you? I remember sending it for you last night. Perhaps you lost it?

Gojo: No. I do have it but-

Nadia: Ah that must be it, you're right, of course. The green would clash most horrendously. I send for rubies or sapphires next time, how about both? Maybe diamonds? I imagine would bring out your features most fetchingly.

Suddenly pain cuts across her features. She draws back from him, a hand lifting to rub gently at her brow. Gojo lightly grabs her and helps her to the bed.

Gojo: Are you alright?

Nadia's features relax as she looks at him with a slight blush and smile.

Nadia: Your concern for me is touching and here arrives the real reason, I called you to my chambers this morning.

Nadia clears her throat and twists her waist as she holds one arm in the other and looks at him with a serious expression.

Nadia: You are aware I suffer from a malady most common, are you not?

Gojo: Your headaches? 

Nadia: Just so. Yet I have not been entirely truthful with you as to their cause. I must confess something to you in absolute confidence. Can I trust you to keep a secret, Asura?

Feeling the seriousness of the situation Gojo slowly nodded. Nadia pushed herself off the bed bringing a hand to her chest and bending a knee her other hand stretching out behind her. Gojo stretches a hand out towards her. Nadia smiles at him and takes his hand.

Nadia: You shouldn't trust anyone so easily. While yes, I would not seek to hurt you anyway and you are safe within my walls. We are unfortunately among jackals all the same.

Gojo: Don't worry. They are too weak to ever gain my trust.

Nadia: Oh? What about me?

Gojo: You're different.

Nadia's face brightened at his words.

Nadia: Why thank you. However it would not do well to give the beast an easy target.

Gojo: Agreed.

Nadia: I am beginning to suspect, I do not have all the pieces yet to the puzzle of dearly departed Count's death.

Gojo: You found that out very quickly and it's only been three months since you woke up.

Nadia looked surprised at his words and questioned.

Nadia: So you had your suspicions as well?

Gojo: Yes. When you showed me the doctor's desk my suspicions began there. Why would someone as smart as the doctor would leave such clear evidence? Was it to distract us from his original goal, if so what were his true intentions? Given that he never returned to clear the evidence, he could if he wanted as he had been in the palace many times before the Count's death, he must know the way in and out of the palace along with being in a coma. None of it adds up to me.

Nadia: I see. Then until we know for certain it is best to be cautious. 

Gojo moved and his hand still held Nadia's. He led her towards the carved chaise beside the tall bedside windows. Nadia settled down on the chaise with a soft sigh, Gojo sat beside her waiting for her to talk.

Nadia: What I tell you must not leave this room.

Gojo said nothing again and just waited. Nadia closed her eyes and took a deep breath in.

Nadia: I have large gaps in my memory. It seems as if every time I try to recall them, another headache arrives to block the attempt.

Gojo: I know what you are talking about.

Nadia looked surprised at his words.

Nadia: You do?

Gojo nodded.

Gojo: There are vast gaps in my memory. The gaps are large enough for me to know that year's worth of memories are missing. The only memories I have are of the last three years and I can't recall anything before that. I can't remember how I had gained my powers, whenever I try headaches flood like a disaster trying to stop me. Even refreshing my brain doesn't work.

Nadia: I see, even you suffer from the same symptoms. Tell me Asura what is the first thing you remember?

Gojo: A bright sunny day, chirping of birds and forest greenery. If I push back hard at most I remember a man.

Nadia: A man?

Gojo: A massive golden man, towering over me, taller than any tree I had ever seen in my life. His limbs were so long and massive as if he wanted to he could just pluck the stars out of the night sky,  His bright eyes held such power if he were to just look at something it either bow or be erased. The important part however I remember as clear as water.

Nadia: What would that be?

Gojo looked at Nadia and spoke in such a serious tone that she had never heard from him before.

Gojo: He was staring directly at me.