The Quest for Normania #1: The Door of Andrios

45. Farewell Passions

Nora knew that even though the library was relatively quiet now, there was still some tension in the air around her.

She looked at the woman beside her, Teresa, who sat reading a book, both of them on the cool floor. 'Oh, the floor is growing colder by the minute,' she thought. 'Does Milvana sama realise it?' She looked around. 'Maybe we should start folding rugs –'

On the other side of the room, Eurin Cassandra was pacing the floor, a hard unreadable expression on her face. Near the window were Agatha, Cecil, and Lawrence.

"What's the matter, Nora?"

She turned to see the older girl staring at her with a small smile and a pleasant expression. "Oh, um, nothing. Just getting a bit cold, that's all."

"Ah yes, it is, isn't it?" The younger girl thought Teresa glanced momentarily sideways. "Well, I'm sure it's the enemy's doing. Whoever it is, they seem to be bringing in Winter, just as the prophecy said."

"Oh yes, the prophecy." Nora cleared her throat. "I've heard of it. Been having terrible nightmares since."

Teresa's expression turned to that of concern. "What? Nightmares? About the prophecy?"

Now, Nora felt uncomfortable and wished she hadn't mentioned it. "Er, something like that." She shifted her gaze, just as Cassandra began to make way in their direction, but she thought nothing of it. "Just – you know, bad dreams."

Teresa nodded in understanding, her cheeks going slightly pink for some reason. "I understand that. That happens to me, too, sometimes."

"Oh, does it? Oh!" Nora gasped as Cassandra stood directly in front of her, staring down at her with the same hard expression. The younger girl gulped. "Oh, um, hello Eurin Cassandra."

"I'm no longer a eurin and will no longer be," announced the other woman grimly. "Say, I came to request you for a favour."

Surprised and secretly pleased, Nora nodded. "Oh? Please go on."

"Can I borrow Teresa sama for a moment?"

'Teresa sama? Oh dear,' Nora tried not to let her eyes go wide, 'isn't she nervous!' Outwardly, she blinked and nodded. "Y-yes, of course! I won't wander – be right here!"

Teresa gave a small graceful curtsy and took Cassandra's hand which she held out, and followed her towards the book racks and behind it.

"I know what you're thinking," the older woman said, her voice soft as velvet, "and I know what you want. Though, I assure you: We're not going to die."

Cassandra nodded, slight relief showing on her warrior's face. "I know, I know. The worst is yet to come. I'm just – still worried."

Teresa moved closer just a little bit. "About what?"

"That I..." she faltered, her mind on the verge of switching off, watching her kham's graceful sexy movement, subtle though it was, "won't be able to see you again?" The rest of the line came in a ragged, breathless whisper.

"Oh, is that all?" She raised an arm and touched the younger woman's elbow. Slowly, ever so slightly, she grazed the tips of her fingers down the arm, to the wrist, and the palm. Cassandra shuddered at the pleasure, her eyes half-closed.

"No," she rasped, "that's not all. I'll... I'll miss your touch... your kiss... your arms around me... your whispers... your taste... your scent..."

"Oh, you will, will y –"

Cassandra cut her off when she pounced on the smaller woman and they tumbled to the floor; she made sure to put a strong arm under Teresa's head, so the impact will be felt only to her. Teresa gave a muffled giggle, but the giggles turned to low moans, as Cassandra began to kiss her wherever she found a spot—her eyelids, her forehead, her temples, her ears, her nose, her neck...