Until We Fly: The Guardian Legacy

Chapter 25: Somnium

≈Köleil≈

Burning.
Burning my flesh harsh like the firepits of hell as my body froze within the tainted flame.
Ice.
I was unmeltable ice in a fire that would never burn out, a heat that would never cease.
For the only flame that could ever be burned out was my own.

A weak candle.

With only my eyes to guide, I found myself staring at the window that sat beside my bed. The curtains drawn open to the grey sky outside as rain silently plummeted against its surface. Each drop collecting as one to crawl down the shield and out of view.

It looked wonderful.
I wonder how it sounded...

Like the tip tap of innocent fingers against an oaken desk, awaiting the arrival of such an honour known as their lunch. Like the endless tears of the humans sorrow each plummeting to the ground as they desperately attempt to catch them and bore them back into the eyes from whence they leaked. Desperate to keep such tears hidden.

Or perhaps just the sound of rain.
Yes.
I much prefer that memory.

It was raining the day we met, me and James. Even within the confines of my unconscious mind I could feel each cold, sharp wave of the ocean gliding over my legs. I could feel each grain of sand I lay upon, searing into the pores of my frozen skin. Each drop of rain beat me like the fist of an unforgiving parent. Each breath scraped the caves of my throat raw until the metallic taste of blood was the most prominent thing my failing body held.

Those days went by so fast. Days, weeks, months, I don't even remember. Only the rotten familiarity of hatred kept me going, kept me running without aim.
Why was I running?

Honestly, I've completely forgotten. But with the amount of times I found myself running, it's not exactly a shock.

Though it stung my chest to do so, I took a deep, slow breath before looking to my side. My face was still wet with tear stains soiling the surface of my flesh.
In the flickering glow of the candlelight I could just make out Jake's face. His hand still entwined with my own, his head lay against my mattress beside my legs. With slow breaths and his mouth open, just a little, I watched him sleep for a moment.
He looked so peaceful.

He'd been so tired lately, this was the least he deserved. After all, Jake was the only person to have stayed by my side throughout this whole thing, near enough. His hand grasping mine as the only one that could.

I didn't understand at first. Perhaps I was panicking or generally unable to process it all at once. I'd begged for James to hold my hand, wanting someone I loved so dearly to be my comfort. And I'll admit, I shattered inside the moment he stepped away.

It was like for the first time ever, I'd truly been abandoned.

Though it took some effort, Jake eventually managed to help me understand a few things. Unless someone was pure or mostly Dark, our skin couldn't come into contact.
It must have been horrible for James to see me like that...

I can definitely say, being deaf is not fun at all.

As the light of the candle flames licked the walls around us both, I saw Jake's phone flashing on the desk. With gasps of pain, I forced my body up, sliding my hand out from under his grasp and picked it up.

Nim?

'Sorry I haven't been answering your messages. I've been out on business duties. I'll be attending Kakadelia's annual ball tomorrow. We can speak there. Wear a suit.
Nim x'

Ball?
Had Nim been missing?

Jake had refused me the right to leave my bed so I'd had no idea.
But a Ball certainly sounded fun...

He'd be pretty angry if he knew...but I will not simply lay like a dying flower until my condition ceases. I still want to be me, still want to go out and enjoy myself.

Resting his phone back down, I limped over to the door with weak legs, giving Jake one last smile before sliding away.

And as I sneaked down the hall, past James's door I paused to smile and whispered to myself.

"...see you at the castle..."