Saharabi: Awaken the Veil

Embrace

The morning light filtered through the open door. Feeling a sudden desire to bask in the light, I stepped outside. Dariya's beauty was tremendous. The light cast a gentle glow on the city and through the forest canopy. I took it all in, the beauty drawing my memories back to yesterday's festival. The colours, the music, the laughter—it all felt like a dream. But the most vivid memory was the moment with Adil, that now lingered in my mind and heart.

I stretched out after taking in enough when I felt his arms wrap around me soothingly, enveloping me in his warmth that I would never tire of— I much preferred it to the coldness of his skin when he died. Would I ever stop thinking about it?

I had to. I wanted to— to focus on nothing more than his new life; our life together.

My heart beat a little faster as he drew his face closer to mine, nestling his face in the crook of my neck, inhaling deeply.

"Adil," I said softly, "how are you today?"

"Well, I find myself in uncontrollable need this morning," he said, his hands beginning to roam, leaving heat waves swirling around the areas his hands touched; from my stomach, he slowly dragged his hands up the sides of my torso to my shoulders. He caressed up and down my arms.

Up, down, up, down, he went softly over my exposed skin, dragging his fingers up to my neck ever so lightly.

"Nia..." his voice was lower than a whisper in my ear. My eyes fell shut as my desire for the sunlight transformed into something new, hot and raw, burning inside me as I basked in the traces he made on my body.

I felt his warm breath on the back of my neck, "beautiful," he murmured before planting a kiss close to the nape of my neck. His fingers traced over the same spot his lips had touched.

"The others are waiting at the edge of the forest. We're training before we leave. I'll wait for you." He pulled away from me.

"Adil...is everything okay?"

His eyes seemed to hold so much restraint, like he was pained, hurt maybe. "Are you hurt?"

"No, I'm fine. Go, I'll be here."

I wanted to press on but decided not to. I hoped he would tell me eventually.

Standing over the bowl of cold water, I looked at my breathless reflection. Inserting my fingers into the coldness, I wondered if this was how I looked last night; my darkened eyes and parted lips. Was that what Adil saw?

I was transported to our moment in the forest when the water splashed across my face. The feel of the cool night air brushing my skin. The drink we shared last night, tasty as it was, had warmed me so unexpectedly that I craved the air. Leaving the group, I sought an open space. I could hear Siya asking what the drink was—Arak Bali was what I had heard. He must have felt the same way I did. We never had something so strong in Saharabi. There was, but we never tried. Only the elders and survivors of Salwing drank so often. Even the guests that entertained them made an effort to drink less. They all wanted to stay healthy just in case they were chosen. It was hard to believe that Salwing and the reign of those councilmen were so easily resolved. It seemed like the only thing that occupied my mind for so long. Stopping the festival was my only purpose but now...now, there was more. So much more.

At the edge of the city, closer to the beach, I sat quietly thinking about how far I had come until Adil approached me. Turning me to him, his eyes warm and kind.

"Nia, you were incredible. Your magic, your strength... I'm in awe of you."

He spoke with an unexpected boisterousness, like Siya would, not with his usual calmness. I blushed, feeling a mix of pride and shyness.