Silver King

Chapter 14 - Mare

The first day flows quickly, easily, nobody interrupted Cal, I think they were all a little impressed or shy. They'll get more talkative later, I have no doubt. I tell Cal all that, it's good news, I say. He nods along, not really daring to smile, but I can see he's relieved and happy of how it turned out. So am I.

I feel like there's always a discomfort, an unspoken, hovering in the air, like an elastic cord with an end tied to each of us. It stretches and doesn't break. Someone would need scissors and a lot of good will to tear it through. Scissors I am not ready to take out. I think he feels it, too. He's the one who tied it there, almost by mistake but tying the knots very tight. He knows he's responsible. And he aches to rip it away. But he's careful. He unlooses the knots slowly. And I've got to help him. So I untie my side of the knot a bit, I let him sleep in his bed with me. It's huge, and so we are miles apart that night, but his heat reverberates through the covers and the mattress, and it's delicious.

Weeks lazily pass. Like I predicted, the members start talking a lot more, making their opinion heard, except Elane who takes notes even more meticulously than the rest, speaking only to vote. I don't blame her, I probably would do the same in her place.

The laws for the election are made within a month, and given to the population immediately. A president will hold his or her title for 4 years, with the possibility of a second election. There is a period of an ultimate maximum of 9 years for a president to be in power, regardless if the mandates were served back to back or not. A president must have at least 51% of the votes to be elected.

The rules go on and on for a dozen or so pages, and are received well by the population.

The council is kept for emergencies, in case in the next two months there is a crisis and a decision to be made. Cal didn't want to be absolute ruler.

At night, I still have nightmares, and when I do, I still seek refuge in Cal. I roll over to him, and I know he doesn't mind. If his back is to me, I snuggle my head in his shoulder, and if he is facing me, I lay my cheek on his strong chest. Sometimes without even opening his eyes, he wraps his arms around me without a word. He doesn't need any words to comfort me.

The cord is starting to get very loose, as I see him go at day and at night.

By day, I see that he has changed. He has proven his courage, and went against all he was raised for, and he fights to make Norta a democracy. By night, I must see he still has affection for me. I dare not think the 'L' word, I have been deceived too much by it. But I feel it so much, pounding in my chest, bursting for him, and I want to calm myself down, I'll only be hurt. I'll only be hurt. I repeat that a lot.

And my heart says the complete opposite just as much.

Author's note: I'm so sorry it's been such a long time since I last posted, I was really busy, and it's probably going to be like that for a little time. I hope you enjoy this part nonetheless, and thank you for all the nice comments! ❤