Eclipsis: Water

Chapter 36

When they were out of earshot of the two guards, Kōri lent his head a fraction closer to Alara's. She tried not to look as though she were breathing in his smell.

"Did you have to kick him so hard?" He asked in a lowered voice, even though there were no other guards around.

She scowled. "He spat on me. I think I had every right to."

"Yes, but still. A nice elbow to the stomach would've sufficed, no?"

"I wasn't really thinking when I retaliated," She replied irritably. "I'll do that next time, though."

"That's exactly what you were doing: not thinking. You need to control your temper in here otherwise you're going to get yourself killed. Or both of us, if someone works out what's going on."

She knew he was right, but it didn't stop her from thinking how angry she felt being spit on. She unconsciously reached to wipe her cheek again with the back of her hand.

Kōri noticed, and sighed. "I'm sorry on Zael's behalf. Not that he would ever apologise to you, but it was truly disgusting what he did."

She shrugged. "Better than being punched."

+

The relentless wind had numbed Alara's skin so much she could barely feel the chains against her wrists. Kōri had his hood up, concealing his face somewhat, and she wondered whether it was so the Moons wouldn't recognise him as they passed.

"We're going to make a quick stop," He whispered to her, and she tried to protest but he shushed her. She didn't like being shushed.

The "stop" consisted of buying a warm-looking cloak. The shopkeeper stared at Alara's chained hands as Kōri browsed, trying to choose one that would fit her. When he placed it on the counter along with some coins, the shopkeeper held it up, looking back at him.

"A tad small for you, sir, no? I didn't think this was really your style."

"It's a present for someone." He answered impatiently.

The shopkeeper grinned, showing missing teeth. "A lady-friend. Nice."

Kōri laughed good-humouredly. "Don't tell anyone."

The shopkeeper laughed, too, taking the price-tag off and handing it back to him, and Kōri led Alara hurriedly back outside. He pushed it into her hands. "For you."

"How exactly am I meant to put it on if my hands are tied?" She asked.

"Oh, right, yes." He hurriedly draped the cloak around her shoulders, undoing the chain so she could put her hands through the sleeves, then bound her wrists once more.

The cloak was already beginning to warm her, and she looked up at him. "Thank you."

He blinked, then smiled a little. "Don't thank me just yet. We still need to find your sister."

They walked quickly, the flat of the blade pressed against Alara's back. When they reached the prison building - she tensed up - Kōri pushed against one of the doors to open it. He marched her past rows upon rows of identical cell doors, all with one guard stationed in front of each. Each door had a name and species plastered on it, of the occupant behind it.

He had told her to look out for Ondine's name, but had guessed she would be on a higher floor, as the lower ones were usually for more low-level criminals. Even though Ondine was not an actual criminal, she was still being treated as one, and Alara felt a scowl settle into her expression. She wanted to find the King and make him pay for what he had done - taking her sister from her. She knew it was a stupid idea, it would never work, but it didn't stop her from thinking about hurting him.