Mystical Saga - The beginning

44. Icy Apologies (Z)

A/N

This story is unedited so apologies for grammatical and spelling errors if any.

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Zachary (POV)

As I arrived at Fiora's place, the sound of loud singing echoed through the air, signaling that a party was in full swing. I hesitated at the door, not wanting to intrude on the celebration. Calmly, I tried to connect with Fiora, but when she didn't respond, a wave of anxiety washed over me. My heart began to pound in my chest as I tried again, my voice tinged with worry. "Fiora... Fiora?"

"Yes?" Her voice finally came through, sweet but oddly distant, like honeydew strained of warmth. "Where are you?" I asked, a mix of hesitation and guilt seeping into my words.

"At the waterfall. Do you need anything?" she replied, her tone cool and formal, almost like she was talking to a stranger.

Confusion knotted in my chest. Why is she talking like a corporate employee? "Didn't you go home?" I asked cautiously, trying to understand what was going on.

"I did, but my father was busy with his friend, so I didn't interfere and came here instead," she answered. Meanwhile, I was already sprinting towards the waterfall, a sense of urgency pushing me forward.

"Why didn't you come back?" I asked, my voice laced with concern. There was a brief pause on her end before she finally answered, "I didn't want to be a burden."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, making my heart ache. I instantly knew I had messed up. When I reached the waterfall, there she was, sitting alone, staring at the cascading water. She looked so small, so isolated, that it twisted something deep inside me.

I approached her quietly, trying not to startle her. "Hey," I said softly. She jolted slightly but then turned and smiled at me—though it didn't reach her eyes. "Oh! Hi," she replied, her voice light, almost too light.

I sat down next to her, trying to steady my racing heart. "It's a little hot here. I was thinking... maybe we could go to our snow lake house? Could you help me get there?" My heart pounded in anticipation, bracing myself for rejection.

To my surprise, she agreed, but there was something off. Her smile seemed forced, and her eyes remained distant. She created a vortex with almost mechanical precision, then gestured for me to enter, her demeanour unsettlingly formal. Frustration bubbled up inside me, and Theo—who usually shared my emotions—was disturbingly silent. Had I messed things up this badly?

Fiora followed me into the vortex, her hands neatly clasped in front of her. The cold air hit us as we arrived at the snow lake house, and I noticed her shivering slightly. I cursed myself for forgetting how sensitive she was to the cold. "Oh! I forgot. Let me get you something warm," I offered, turning to fetch a coat.

"No, no need. I'm leaving," she replied, her voice polite but distant. "Whenever you want to come back, just call me." She gave a polite smile, then began to position herself to open another vortex. Panic surged in me, and without thinking, I grabbed her arm, stopping her in her tracks.

"Where do you think you're going?" I asked, my brows knitted together in concern. She avoided my gaze, trying to pull away, but I tightened my hold and, in one swift motion, lifted her into my arms.

She didn't protest or say anything—just let me carry her in silence. This wasn't the Fiora I knew. She was always strong, always fiery. Seeing her so subdued, so quiet, was tearing me apart. I took her to my room, gently setting her down on the bed before pulling out a crocheted fur coat to keep her warm.