Scarred

Chapter 46

Eva's POV
"Do we really have to get up now?" Cas yawns, resting in my arms in his dragon form. "Like can't we have a slightly longer lie in."
"If we could, I'm sure we would, but the rebel base is about an hour from here and when Cassie called up Sammy again, she suggested we meet at about eight o'clock," I say, stroking his head. "And of course we need to eat breakfast and stuff before leaving, so six seems like a good time to wake up if you ask me."
"I guess... what if none of this goes to plan? What if we don't capture the attention of Pures?"

"Then I have a backup plan. I don't know if I really want to resort to it, but I'm sure it will work out in the end."

Suddenly, he hops out of my arms, turning into his human form as he lands on the floor, and begins to run ahead to the dining room. It appears no one else is awake or done getting changed because the room is completely empty, par for the two of us of course. "We might as well do a big breakfast if we're gonna be walking all day," I say as I walk into the kitchen off the side of the room. "Problem is, I dunno how to make much more than toast."
"I mean, I've made cake with Charlie before, but that isn't really appropriate for breakfast, and I don't have a recipe on me that I could use," Cas replies. "And that can take some time to make. It  also depends on what food is available."
"Hmm... I dunno what to suggest..." I sigh, sitting down on the counter. "We might just have to have a boring breakfast after all-"

"Don't even consider it!" Cassie smirks, bursting into the room. "I am a master at making pancakes, they were the most interesting food I'd ever get to eat at home, so I ended up making them a ton."
"Which type of pancakes? Like the real thick ones or crepes?" I ask.
"Crepes, I've always preferred those. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and some sugar too and boom, they taste delicious," she continues. "So, do you two want them? Or will you be boring and stick to toast like usual."
"Well I'm choosing the pancakes. And you Cas?"
"I'll have them too, if that's alright."

Thankfully, all of the ingredients Cassie needs are easily found in the kitchen. Even the addition of lemon juice doesn't cause us any issue due to the fruit bowl on the side, though I don't know who would willingly eat a lemon by itself.

"How was talking with Rose the other day?" I ask, lowering my voice as Cassie pours the batter onto the frying pan. "I haven't had the chance to ask about it since."
"It was weird," she replies. "But in a good way. I've never seen her so dressed up before, and it's weird to think that she's queen and that... and that you and I are technically sisters, but none of that is necessarily bad. The worst part is the whole queen thing, it means she won't get to come home."
"Yeah... I guess I know how it feels. But I'm sure it'll be okay in the end. Once this is all over and done with, there's a chance that she may be able to visit you every now and then, or even better, she'll get to go home with you! But that's just me trying to be optimistic, who knows how this will go."

Soon, the other three arrive, and Cassie's making breakfast for all of us. Mine and Cas' are done first, considering the fact we were the first to ask for them, and Flynn sits with us in the dining room as he waits for his to be ready.

"Oh, by the way, happy birthday Flynn. We don't have much time right now, but I'll give you your present if we get a chance later on," I say, taking a bite from my food.
"It better be a good present," he laughs.
"Maybe, maybe not."

The pancakes have a sense of familiarity to them when it comes to taste. Charlie would frequently make them, and whenever I woke up and smelt them from my room, I'd want to run downstairs immediately. It's a routine that I certainly miss.

"I think I'm getting closer to making my decision."

And one that I might not ever get to experience again. As I said before, there's going to be both happiness and disappointment either way, I just hope that Maven is happy with whatever choice he makes in the end. But either way, I'll get to see both Maven and James tomorrow, and that's enough for now. When all this is over, I just want to stay home for a bit, no more travelling, no more rebels, no more palaces. Just home, just comfort, just warmth.