When hearts meet

Chapter 17 ~ Secrets on the Sidra

The stars were their only lights as the boat rowed further onto the meandering Sidra. They left the city behind, a beacon of joy they'd later on return to. But for now, it was just the two of them, the Sidra breeze, the stars and moon.

Ciana couldn't help but stare at the muscular arms that eased the boat forward onto the river, forby a curve, leaving the city completely behind now.

Ciana smiled as the willows and oaks and pines danced on the shore, and how the mountains on the horizon stole her breath. 'Beautiful isn't it?' Brion's calm and soft voice said suddenly.

The princess of fire only now realized he'd been staring at her as she took in their surroundings. 'It is. In Terrasen the rivers aren't this blue, not even at night. It's like magic come alive.' 

'I thought you could use some magic and calm after today.'  Ciana gaped at him.

'That's why you did this? For me?' Brion chuckled low. 'Don't be so surprised, Ana. Of course I'd do anything for you. And I may or may not love to just float on the river.' 'Well, thank you. I definitely needed this.'

They rowed in silence for a few minutes, just inhaling the scent of the night, and pine. 'The pines remember me of home. Oh Brion, you should come visit us soon! We can stroll through Oakwald, I can show you the Little Folk, they mean a lot to us.'

starlight and ebony swirls erupted and took over the rowing, so Brion had both hands free. He leaned in to her, to pull a string of silver hair out of her face. His fingers graced her skin for only a second, but it ignited a fire in her. A fire that was constantly ablaze whenever he was near.

'I would love to visit more. I love Terrasen. But first I need to make sure everyone here is safe and okay. I can't leave them here.'

'So honorable.' She chucked. 'I understand. Besides, I ain't going anywhere if danger is here. You all may need a fire wielder in your midst.'

The stars flickered bright and the sighs of the trees caressed their ears. And in this calmness, Brion asked her the question she knew was burning on his tongue.

'Why didn't you tell me about the nightmares?'

                             ~

It had gnawed at him the second he'd found out about her nightmares. He could've eased her worries, helped her with the fear. He could've been there for her.  But instead she had decided to hold that information for him.

'I mean, we tell each other everything, and this isn't nothing, Ana. I could've helped you through it.' 'Well, maybe I don't want help all the time and maybe I didn't want to worry you with my weird dreams.

Brion shot forward, gripping her hands, his magic rowing the boat over the river. They turned a corner again, and Brion knew the lake was nearing.

'Don't call your own dreams weird. If I've learned one thing from my family, it is that dreams, awake or asleep, are always valid.'

Her turquoise golden eyes narrowed and she gulped. 'Hey, Ciana. I can see it's effecting you. Talk to me, share it with me.'

'I just, I have the feeling it isn't a dream, but a message. Especially because the soldier of the burning night, whatever the fuck that may be, also started about the ravens.

I've never been afraid of birds, but now every time I see a crow, I get goosebumps.'
And surely as she talked about it, they arose on her skin.

Brion inched even closer, his knees now touching hers as he held her small hands in his. She wasn't a particular small person, he was just tall.
"What did those Ravens do, that scared you?"