Alliance

Chapter 21- Patere

Patere

Latin

to stand open

-

who sits within
the scope of your sweet voice and

of your laughter
which stirs the heart
within my breast

-

"Focus on me." Brown eyes bore into brown. "Me, my voice, me holding you, anything- I'll be your anchor- just think of the ice turning to water. You can do it."

Sanya was trying. She really was. She was doing her utmost best to rid her mind of all thoughts and keep it blank, but it was really hard! She couldn't even control her normal thinking, being able to stop her overthinking was a laughable idea.

After realising that berating her lack of ability would do nothing, she sighed, closed her eyes and decided to think of one particular thing.
Edmund, perhaps- he was her anchor, after all- but thinking of him would distract her entirely from her goal. Something else, then...
Water, and its colour. Clear blue- pristine sapphire- greenish blue- deep green- like Jem's eyes- she wondered if his outing with Mr. Fox was going well- Mr. Fox was so cute- all animals were, really- hm, she wondered if Diana had had more pups- puppies, she should ask Edmund if she could have a puppy here- she loved puppies- and dogs- cats too- rabbits and horses and spiders and doves and crows- all animals, actually- hm, did Edmund like animals-

"Ugh!" Her eyes shot open and she kicked out at the sand in frustration. "I can't concentrate at all!"

"Would looking into my eyes help?" Asked a voice from behind and she turned her head quickly around to face the speaker.

"Oh, Edmund. Hi." She said, tucking back a wet lock of her- she had gone for a dip after her 23rd failed attempt at focusing, and as a result her clothes were soaked and her hair was damp.

"What are you doing?" Her husband asked, looking around- had she been to swim? At evening, in late September? The water must be bloody cold!
Oh, but of all people, it would be Sanya who was mad enough to go.

"Trying to practise." She sighed, sinking down onto the soft sand. "Hydrokinesis."

"Pardon?" Edmund's brows furrowed- it was rare, but he didn't know what the word meant- as he sat down beside her.

"Manipulating and controlling water. I came across it in a book in your Library."

"Our Library." He corrected promptly, and a smile bloomed on her face as she leaned in to press a short kiss to his eager lips.
As she pulled away, the rest of what she’d said registered in her mind and he asked worriedly, “You’re practicing it? Are you sure it’s wise, Moonshine? Last time you fainted-”

Sanya rolled her eyes, “No, I didn’t!”

"You collapsed in my arms, Moonshine, and went nearly catatonic." He gave her a look. "That sound better?"

"I don't think that's exactly how it went..." By this point she was mainly teasing him, honestly.

"Because you weren't conscious!"

"Oh, calm down." She said, casually patting his leg. It was weird how relaxed and free she could be with him now- it was almost as if they were friends, first and foremost, instead of husband and wife.