The Awakening

Chapter Seven

Avelon absolutely hated doing the dishes. Absolutely despised it- not because of the actual work she had to put in, but because of the time she had available to spend rummaging through her own thoughts as she washed and cleaned and packed. Rinse, think repeat.

A growl escaped her lips. She was frustrated beyond measure.

Ever since she had left Uisce with Balor, all that she could think of was her new life as a slave. Balor consumed her entirety- so much so that she had completely forgotten her own life, her own birthday. Her birthday had been the day after Balor had retrieved her, and it had never once crossed her mind until now.

The day that altered her life completely.

Soapy hands, silence and racing thoughts was all that she had at that moment. Silently, sombrely- she grieved her own life, her life before Balor. Her birthday had not been too important to her- the day itself had been nothing particularly worth remembering. That did not particularly bother her- No, it was the fact that she had given up on herself so quickly, that had her spiralling into self-loathing.

Tears mixed with the water in the basin. Her throat had burned from her silent sobbing. Very rarely, Avelon had allowed herself to feel the way she felt in that moment. To allow her feelings to crush her before she could continue. Normally she would find the time during bathing, but since coming to Teine the occurrence had been rare.

She had no idea how much time had passed since she walked into the kitchen. Nobody had checked on her, not Balor and certainly not Brianne, and although she was thankful for it, it bothered her.

What did they expect from her? What was Brianne's problem with her? She loathed the constant questions consuming her. The fact that she had been crying for Gods know how long and that she felt utterly weak was even more loathsome.

As a last cry of frustration racked through her, she threw a plate into the basin in frustration, shattering it completely. She would not allow herself to think of whatever consequences that shattered plate would bring, as she stared at the broken pieces littering the basin. With shaking hand, Avelon opened the basin tap and angrily splashed ice-cold water onto her face- an attempt to clear her thoughts and ease the swell she felt in her cheeks. She could feel the warmth in her face ease slightly, but not entirely.

Avelon leaned heavily onto the basin, taking deep calming breaths while gathering her thoughts. All while trying to listen for any footsteps or sounds emanating from outside. Nothing. Avelon was met with utter silence, apart from her own breathing. She cringed at the thought of her sobs echoing through the halls. However hard she had tried to keep quiet; some sounds were bound to escape her.

Pacing, she steadily stared at the entrance of the kitchen. Idly debating, Avelon made a swift decision. She refused to scrub any more plates, and she would not wait for Brianne any longer. Without sparing a moment to second guess herself, Avelon stormed out of the kitchen and tried to retrace the pattern that she and Brianne had walked.

Sheer determination swelled in her chest- fatigue clouded her brain. She needed to get to bed. Time had eluded her, however she knew enough time had passed that it was well after sunset. The darkness in the halls, illuminated by flickering torches, had been proof enough that most of the palace had probably already retired to their rooms for the evening. Thankfully she had not witnessed any of Balor's wrath for the day.

Muttering under her breath, cursing Brianne and Balor with a string of colourful words, Avelon hurried down the hallway. A chill slowly creeped up on her causing her to pause. A chill. In Teine. The hair on her arms rose slightly.

Slowing almost to a complete stop, Avelon inspected her surroundings with vigilance. Nothing seemed out of place. She must have been imaging it. It was impossible for a chill to pass her when she was in the hottest place in Vexar.