Because This World is Loved

Chapter 17: Caleb's Side

Caleb felt exceptionally listless in the days following the incursion on Eldiel's lab. He didn't feel like moving or doing anything in particular, and spent most of the day in bed. Not even his impromptu romantic event with Fenne was enough to keep him going. Alrai had been bringing his meals in to him, but today, the prince seemed to have more of an agenda on his mind. "Caleb, can I talk to you?"

Caleb shrugged from his bed. "I don't know, can you?"

Alrai gave a small sigh of exasperation. "I'm going to. Hope you don't mind a little company." Caleb made a noncommittal noise as Alrai sat next to him on the bed. He wasn't entirely sure if he did or didn't mind. "You know... you don't have to keep beating yourself up about what happened with Eldiel. I think you more than redeemed yourself when you helped us take him down. We all still love you."

"Do you?" Caleb gave a short, sharp chuckle. "I don't know what to believe anymore. I've got a bunch of weird feelings swishing around inside me and I don't like it." He paused, then added, "Did I ever tell you what happened with Fenne?"

"What happened with Fenne? No, you didn't tell me about anything like that," Alrai said. "Can you tell me?"

"I came in to check on her after the visit. I told her that everything she heard me say was true, that I really loved her. She seemed... receptive, or flattered, or something. We ended up kissing a few times." Caleb tried to hide a small smile at the thought of how Fenne's lips felt against his.

Alrai arched an eyebrow. "Did it go any further than that?"

"Before you get any big ideas, the answer is no," Caleb scoffed. "We laid together for a little bit, and I dozed off. When I woke up, I was alone in her room." He exhaled heavily. "I don't know how to feel. Ever since that day, I've felt like everything is upside down, or like I'm seasick, or something."

Making a thoughtful noise, Alrai adjusted himself on the bed. "Fenne has come in to see you since you decided to hide out here, right?"

"Yeah, but nothing interesting has happened since that time. If anything, she's been kind of awkward with me, and I want to know why." Caleb put his hands behind his head and sighed. "She really did seem happy at that time. I don't get what's changed."

"You should talk to her again," Alrai said. "I know she'd talk to you, if she thought you were up for it."

"Maybe that's it," Caleb said. "She doesn't think I'm open to further discussion. Dammit, how could I have been so stupid? Hiding here isn't going to solve anything. I'm going to greet her when she comes home." Grumbling, Caleb began to pull himself up, disentangling himself from his covers.

"That's the spirit," Alrai said. "Is there anything else that's bothering you?"

"Meh." Caleb shrugged. "I'm kind of over the Eldiel thing, I guess. I know why I did what I did, and in a roundabout way, it got me what I wanted anyway. I wish it hadn't been so much hassle, but what's done is done." He headed over to his dresser and began rummaging around for a decent shirt. "Eldiel was doing some pretty interesting stuff, even with all the nasty side effects. I wonder if Esci will let me join her at her lab. I don't think I'd mind continuing the magiscience thing."

"Wow, I really managed to light a fire under your ass," Alrai said. "That was too easy. Something's up."

"Not really," Caleb said, finally pulling out a shirt and slipping into it. "I guess it all just kind of clicked into place for me. That happens, you know. I think the hardest part will be waiting for Fenne to come home. She's been hanging out with Agila a lot. Not that I blame her. The bird girl was really important to her as a kid, and I'm glad they managed to reconnect."