Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 64: Salty Breeze~

Jiu woke up the next morning, his eyes a haze. As he glanced to his side, he saw the sleeping face of Leora; curled up next to him, her breaths soft, and gentle. Jiu's hand gently made its way to brush a strand of hair out of her face as she slept, marvelling gently at her features. Leora let out a small hum in her sleep in response to the touch, but simply nuzzled deeper into the bed. He let out a long sigh, rolling onto his back and staring up at the ceiling. It would just be her and him at the manor from now on. He smiled, despite himself; going back to the Underworld felt like the least of his worries at the moment, even considering the risks the two worlds would face if he stayed. He didn't care. He would watch them burn into nothingness, if it meant having Leora Mohan by his side.

The Autumn month rolled by, and as expected; Henry and the new Lady Mohan left for London, to live in a house bordering the Thames. Not to mention, now the festivities of the wedding was over, her grandparents slunk back into the shadows of the fourth floor; only allowing Edward and certain servants to access it. Jiu preferred it that way. As long as Henry was unaware, Leora was free. And it had never felt better. Jiu often took her out of the manor to enjoy the village and its many beautiful sights, yet today, he wanted to do something special for the girl. See, he'd found Leora spoke about the sea quite fascinated to him one night over dinner, and he couldn't help but indulge her fancy. So, one cold, Sunday morning; Jiu led the girl to the front of the manor where a carriage was waiting.
"Are we going somewhere?" Leora tilted her head, confused, as Edward helped her put on a coat.
"Yes," Jiu smiled," I think you'll quite like it, love."
Leora's eyes shone at the thought.
Soren, who was waiting by the door to bid them farewell with Edward; raised an eyebrow," How long do you think you'll be gone."
"Perhaps a whole day, it won't be more than two days, at least," Jiu shrugged.
Leora's eyes shone with trepidation," I've never slept somewhere else than this manor before."
"Well then, perhaps today will be your first," Jiu smiled.

Steam rolled out of the manor chimney as the servants were likely preparing the morning food. Jiu held Leora into the barouche carriage, before he got in himself, closing the door behind them. Leora was already settled facing forward, glancing out of the window as she propped her head onto her hand. Jiu sat beside her, gently pulling her under his arm; languidly playing with a curl of her hair.
"You look nervous," Jiu hummed.
Leora cast her gaze out, looking at Edward and Soren, who were still standing at the doorway," I can't remember the last time I went to a place for the night without Edward."
"Well," Jiu gently squeezed her shoulder," He shall be here for you when you return."
The general tapped the top of the carriage, signalling the driver to ride. Leora's lips parted as she listened to the coachman snap the reigns, and watched as the little carriage rumbled away from the manor she'd lived in for before she could remember. Perhaps it was because her life was changing so quickly: her brother had left home and married, and she had found someone she loved, but Leora looked distant that drive. Her gaze didn't leave the countryside travelling past them, outside, as she stared out with a slightly broken and pale expression. She'd been pale since the morning. Well, no, technically Leora was always extremely pale; it was moreso that the usual blush that graced her cheeks had vanished in an instant. Perhaps Jiu should have paid more attention to the signs... perhaps then, none of this would have ever happened.

The little carriage rolled up on the town road, and the coachman eagerly stumbled down; helping Jiu and Leora out of the carriage. Once he was certain their necessities had been met, he stumbled back into the carriage, to wait until they wanted to go back home. Leora glanced at the view with wide eyes. The crashing waves upon the sand, the slightly grey skies and the cold wind that nipped. All of it was beautiful.
Jiu shivered," I didn't anticipate the weather would be this chilling, my apologies."
"No," Leora shook her head, eyes wide," I prefer it this way."
Jiu smiled, weakly, and helped her onto the beach as the wind dug into their faces and hollowed in their ears. Leora grasped his hand as she, practically unconsciously, stumbled into the shallows of the water. She stared in awe as the weaker waves crashed down onto her feet.
"I've never..." Leora whispered," Been here...ever. I've always wanted to. It's...so pretty..."
Jiu smiled, softly, squeezing her hand," I'm glad."
Leora stared at the horizon, where the sky seemed to meet the sea.
"It's like the world ends just there..."
Jiu chuckled, fondly," You would think that, though I hear they proved such theories wrong in Shakespeare's time."
Leora hummed in response, her gaze fixed on the distance.

Jiu kissed her cheek," I'm glad you like it, though."
He paused, taking a few steps back, his eyes wide. Leora was... crying?
"What's wrong?" He muttered, his hand finding its way to her back.
Leora glanced at him, confused.
"Leora, you're crying..."
His hand went to wipe her tears away, Leora rubbed them away, roughly.
"I... I'm not sure..." Leora whispered," Why am I crying? I cry...but I should be happy..."
"Perhaps they're happy tears?"
"No...I don't think they are...I don't know what's wrong. I'm not sad. I'm not happy. But I'm crying," Leora whispered, urgently.
Jiu gently grasped her arms, and glanced around, hoping to find something light in the sea side town for them to do to take her mind off things. On a lamppost nearby, he spotted a poster for a town circus that had opened up nearby.
"You told me you read a story about a circus once, let's go see one," Jiu murmured, gently ushering her out of the waves helping her slip her shoes on.
Leora wiped her tears once more," A circus?"
"It should be something fun and light," He smiled, softly; kissing her cheek.
Leora nodded, looping her arm in his, as they made their way out of the beach back to the main town. Though, Leora couldn't help but find her gaze lingering back on those crashing waves; lost in thought. My chest...feels tight.