Exile || Sebastian Sallow

39 | The Ticking Clock

───•~❉᯽❉~•───

"If our love is tragedy, why are you my remedy?
If our love's insanity, why are you my clarity?"
- Zedd & Foxes

───•~❉᯽❉~•───

39 | The Ticking Clock

Belle's Perspective

9:00 am

Though the morning was still frigid, early February spring wafted through the window before me, the lace curtains swaying inwards and brushing my arm. Goosebumps rose on my arm, my nightgown not enough to keep me warm. But unlike the other times, it was a welcomed cold. I couldn't help but think about it as a sign of good fortune as I reread Sebastian's first letter from our exchange last midnight.

Dear Eurydice,

Happy birthday, my beautiful girl. I wanted to be the first one to greet you.

If only I could be there with you tonight, I would, but alas I got caught up with a few tasks today. I promise I will be there at the party. I've got a few surprises for you, which I hope will expiate for my absence the past two days. It will be worth it all.

With love,
Orpheus

I leaned my head against the window frame and grinned. Even after knowing each other's identities, we still used our aliases. It was a tradition at this point.

I'd asked him again and again after this letter what exactly he's got planned, but he outright refused to tell me. Which was fine. I loved surprises. I never knew with Sebastian but it was part of the thrill.

Embracing the letter to my chest, my eyes flickered down to the study desk in front of me, which was full of books about ancient magic and potion experiments. I hadn't managed to read the rest of Isidora's letters yet, the ones Sebastian had found in his solo ventures. I'd grown tired and fell asleep too quickly last night. My grin faded away at the knowing thought, melancholia shadows overcoming the sun touching my skin.

Sebastian had been occupied with his tasks again since I last saw him two days ago, so I was paranoid he'd been off going on dangerous adventures by himself again. Though he had ensured time and time again he was fine, so it eased some of my paranoia. Besides, what was a relationship if we had no trust? He'd explained to me that should anything arise, we'd tackle it together anyway.

After almost two years of being in the grave, we'd resurrected what we had with each other and more. How could I ever let go of such a thing? The strength of what we had was evident even in such a delicate little thing like this letter.

Sighing, I sat down on the desk and placed the letter to the side. I took a quill and parchment, steeling myself to speak to him.

Trust and promises. Sacred things I needed to grant now or never.

I had meant to tell him these last few days—last few weeks actually—but there was never a right time. Our schedules had clashed way too much, and then the only time I saw him was during his birthday. I wasn't going to tell him on such a special day.

But since it was MY birthday today, I could choose how to use it. No one could ruin it except for me, but it wasn't ruining it if I was just wanting to talk, was I?