Paradox Interluder (Usurper #2)

22

Kaid, you need to wake up NOW.

The words echoed with urgency, spoken over and over in his head yet there was no physical urgency on his end. There wasn't, simply because he couldn't. His thoughts, dreams, and reality had been purposefully scattered. When he finally felt his body shake gently awake, hearing the sound of crashing waves and birds chirping, nothing felt different.

Yet, something was different. The air in the Sand Castle felt wrong, almost as if it had been manipulated, carefully cultivated to be a heavy dark presence on such a wonderfully white and bright place.

His heart rate slowed upon feeling thin fingers gently combing through his curls, most likely the reason why he had woken up.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," Jessamine laughed, "You hardly moved in your sleep."

"Mm," Kaid groaned, slowly adjusting his body to face her. She sat on the side of the bed, now moving her hand down to his beard to gently trace the hairs there.

"How are you feeling?"

"Okay, I think. Still slightly groggy. I feel like my body got rest, but my mind did not," he answered, moving his good hand to rest on her thigh.

"Did you have any nightmares?" she asked, almost as if she could still sense a bit of his adrenaline spiked, racing heart.

"I don't remember," Kaid sighed honestly, soon sitting up slightly before kissing her forehead, "What did I miss last night?"

"Not much. I will say this life is rather dull without you to keep things going," she leaned into his touch, "It got better when most of the squabble left. I learned more about Ryu and Persephone. I know she's been dealing with a lot of stress on not knowing how to make her mark on the world. I think she will find purpose too. It was funny, though, Ingrid had an old relic from Ryu's tribe just sitting in one of the rooms. Alec's room, I think. She brought it out and Ryu joked that we were all now cursed. It was a good laugh."

"Sounds like I missed out."

"Mhm, but plenty to make up for today. You did well last night with Cadize. You kept good composure...unlike myself later in the evening," she sighed, "I'm sure that might make headlines in Arilla, assaulting one of the richest women in the entire Continent."

Kaid still felt his head was in a fuzz, only smiling softly at her comment but even Jessamine could tell his mind wasn't exactly computing her words. This, coming from the man who had listened and interpreted every syllable she'd utter, whether it was just incoherent rambling or venting, or even the most soul searching of discussions.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Jessamine now was worried, "I can get Cadize."

"No, I'm sure I'm okay. Sorry," Kaid insisted, "Something just feels off, almost...wrong."

"Well, what remains the same?"

Kaid blinked, reaching for his Oblivion to slow time. He still possessed that. He could admire the worry in Jess's blue eyes, the gentle curve of her nose, or just the beauty of her thin lips. All of that remained. His memories were still intact. He remembered the day he first saw her in Caladin and later in Uhkhtar. He wouldn't trade anything in the world to have those precious memories removed.

"You're still beautiful so-"

"Oh shush," Jessamine laughed, leaning close to kiss his lips gently, interrupting him.

"I will be okay. It could just be a lingering dream I can't remember," Kaid excused, moving his hand to stroke the crimson red strands of hair, "You will always be beautiful, that will never change."