The Awakening

Chapter Twenty Six

Inside the stables, the familiar scent of hay and the soft rustling of horses greeted them. Pepper nickered softly as Avelon approached, her large, gentle eyes glowing in the dim light. Avelon reached out to stroke the horse's velvety muzzle, feeling a soothing warmth spread through her chest.

Pepper neighed affectionately, making Avelon believe that Pepper was excited to see her.

"See? Even Pepper knows you need a friend right now," Lugh said, his voice a quiet murmur as he stood a respectful distance away, giving Avelon space to connect with the horse.

She glanced at him, a hint of gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you for being here," she said, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Even though she had originally wanted to be alone after her heated argument with Ernin, the presence of a friendly face was comforting.

Lugh's smile was soft and reassuring. "Anytime. You don't have to go through things alone."

Avelon smiled thoughtfully, her eyebrows knitted in confused surprise. She enjoyed the calmness that radiated from Lugh. She had not expected him to be as thoughtful as he was the first moment she had met him.

The two of them settled into a quiet calmness, the sounds of the stables around them becoming a comforting backdrop. Avelon picked up a brush and began brushing Pepper, allowing herself to relax for the first time that day. Each brush made the tension of her encounters with Ernin slowly melt away. She leaned against Pepper's sturdy side, her mind wandering back to the unsettling thought of Balor and the questions that remained unanswered. She knew she had to get back to the library. She also knew that a question hung in the air that needed an answer to.

The weight of everything was a constant, crushing reminder. Shadow crept over every moment. She hated that Balor had that type of hold and control over her. Casting a quick glance toward Lugh, she met his already lingering gaze.

"Well," Lugh said, breaking the silence, his gaze intense and searching. It was as if he could feel the weight of her thoughts just by observing the tension on her face. His footsteps crunched softly against the ground as he moved toward the stable door.

"Once you're done here, there's something I'd like to show you. Something that might distract you enough from everything that's been weighing on you." He said, his voice low and soothing as he leaned against the wooden frame of the door, its rough texture visible under the fading light.

Her curiosity piqued. "What is it?"

The smile she offered Lugh was warm and filled with excitement, though the back of her mind prickled with the lingering voice of caution.

Lugh's eyes twinkled, mystery swirling within them. "You'll see. It's not far from here, and I think it might help to clear your mind."

Be on your guard. Her inner voice seemed to whisper.

She turned back to Pepper, the mare's velvety coat gleaming in the dim light. The horse's large, inquisitive eyes seemed to study Avelon, as if questioning her decisions. She extended her hand, her fingers brushing against Pepper's warm neck. The mare responded with a soft snort, stepping back into the dim shadows of the stable, her hooves making gentle clops on the wooden floor.

"We should go before it gets dark," Lugh said abruptly, jolting Avelon from her thoughts. She frowned subtly but turned to follow Lugh out of the stables.

Glancing back at Pepper, she tried to interpret the mare's silent, shifting gaze. She seemed uncomfortable, which had Avelon perplexed. Did Pepper know something that she did not?

"Yeah, we should go," Avelon replied absently, her mind still lingering on the stable while following Lugh out into the open dusk air.

The sky was the most beautiful hue of deep orange and yellow as they emerged from the stables. The brilliant hues cast a warm glow over the palace, making it seem more alluring and inviting. One thing that Avelon found breathtakingly beautiful in Teine, were the sunsets and sunrises. She took a deep breath as she continued to admire the work of art in the sky. Neither of them said a word, yet she remained cautious. They casually walked toward the gates that lead to the never-ending sand dunes just beyond. Despite enjoying Lugh's company, Avelon could not help the little voice within her that relentlessly whispered for her to keep her guard up.