Sol knew his brother would have several words for him. Probably very long words strung together with a fair amount of disappointment. But he was having too much fun whistling sea shanties to care. It felt good to be back in the physical world. The discordant rhythm of things made him feel more alive. He wanted to drink in every moment, the waves lapping against the boat, the wind that played with Asha's hair, the salt that imbued the air. He breathed in deep but was met with nothing. He smirked to himself; Look don't touch.
The girl across from him shivered, illuminated by the stray rays of moonlight poking through the clouds. They had passed out of the hurricane some time ago, but she was still soaked to the bone. His lips pressed thin, and he stalled in his rowing. Her eyebrow raised before his cloak landed heavy against her lap.
"I don't need it," Sol resumed his rowing in the loose wool shirt hidden underneath.
Asha accepted it, silent as she wrapped it around her thin frame. She hugged it to herself for a minute before shivering again and disentangling herself, "No offense," her teeth clacked together as she disrobed, "But this is like cuddling up to a gale of wind."
"Oh," the boy shrugged, "None taken."
He began whistling again as she folded the cloak over and laid it in the seat next to her. She brushed the sapphire fabric with her fingers. The boy reached the end of the tune and threw himself into another one.
"You've already done that one," the girl mumbled, still picking at the celestial garment.
His whistling petered out, "You know, you never explained why you need all that power. Can't I talk you down to something more reasonable? Like magic equal to that of dragons?"
The girl snorted, "Nice try, I'm not taking you home with me for something 'more reasonable.'"
"But why do you need that much?"
The girl looked past the boy and out the water beyond, "It's complicated."
"Well, if you haven't noticed, we've got nothing but time."
"No, we don't," the girl's breathed in relief. She pointed over his shoulder, "There's Rosas!"
He turned to follow her gesture, but saw nothing but gray water beyond, "Uh..."
"It's as clear as day!"
He glanced back at her, "Ok... how much sea water did you drink before we talked?"
She shook her head, "Come on now, it's dead ahead!" She moved to sit next to him on the narrow seat, her legs facing toward this salt-water induced illusion, "Just bare left. You see that cave coming up on us, right?"
He looked behind him, making out the vague shadow looming out of the oppressive dark, "Sure..."
"Aim for it but watch your head."
He stared at her, incredulous, "Are you going to answer my question?"
The corner of her lips rose in challenge, "When we make landfall."
The boy laughed at the counter, his strokes growing stronger, "Well then, I better hasten."
"You better."
Through some negotiating between the waves and the rock wall, Sol was able to maneuver the small vessel into the grotto. He looked around the small cavern, glistening with millions of water droplets. The dim space only lit by a small opening which they were fast approaching. The boat thumped against the rock floor and Asha was quick to tie off the mooring line. She finished her task with a satisfied nod before looking over at her effervescent guest. His eyes were pinned to the small entrance.
YOU ARE READING
Of Stardust and Wishes (A Wish Rewrite)
Fanfiction"Salvē!" The golden specter repeated. She was in shock. That had to be it. All that tossing around in the water must have shaken her insides around enough to make her see things. She blinked a few times, but he was still there, looking even more con...
