The Seelie Curse

Chapter 59

Kyma lets Ro lead the way out of the water to the riverbank, but she almost regrets it after a moment. The other girl's pace picks up in excitement and Kyma can't help but smile, although she would prefer not having to move quite this fast. She stumbles a bit on the gravel shore and almost falls when Ro pulls on her arm again. Kyma lightly wacks her friend's arm.

"Calm down there! If you make me fall, I won't be happy."

Ro looks back, her eyes gleaming happily. "Then don't be clumsy!"

"Rude!"

Ro laughs and lets Kyma keep the pace a bit slower until she manages to escape the shifting gravel. But when they leave the gravel behind, she breaks into a run, still gripping Kyma's arm. Ro practically flies over the forest floor, Kyma scrambling to keep up. When she manages to glance back, she is astonished to find Astrila struggling to maintain their pace. She really doesn't want to know how Ro is able to move this fast right now.

Astrila should be nowhere close to being slower than Ro, yet she is struggling to keep up. There has to be something going on here. Otherwise, nothing makes sense. Ro doesn't stop until she's right at the door of the house of her cridhe. It's then that she lets go of Kyma's arm and the younger girl stumbles back, panting. She can't get enough air into her lungs. While Ro stands at the entrance, Astrila crouches at Kyma's side.

"You alright?"

Kyma shakes her head, her mouth gaping open. Her breath rasps in and out of her lungs. Astrila touches Kyma's shoulders to get her to look up.

"What's wrong?"

"Can't . . . breathe."

Astrila nods. "Inhale." Kyma tries, and the air does seem to come more easily, but her breathing is still laborious. "Exhale." The air whooshes out. "Again."

With several repetitions, Kyma manages to regain enough use of her airway to function properly. She looks away from Astrila's concerned face and frowns. Either not much time has passed, or Ro is suddenly nervous. SHe's just staring at the door, not moving. Kyma nudges her friend with her foot and croaks.

"What are you waiting for? Go on."

Ro glances back, an apologetic shadow flickering across her face. "Did I hurt you?"

Kyma waves her off. "I'll be fine. I just need a few good breaths."

Ro doesn't look sure, but she turns back to the door regardless. After a moment, she lifts her hand and knocks against the wood. There is silence for a few moments before the door is thrown open. Kyma watches as Ro tenses for a moment before her posture sags at the sight of Camden. He frowns down at her, his eyes sparkling.

"You want Andrian, don't you?"

Ro flushes but nods regardless, stepping back. Camden ducks back inside and shouts into the house.

"An! Cáel, get out here!"

Kyma's eyes widen and she steps back, trying to slip behind Astrila. With a quiet snort, her cousin swiftly moves to block Kyma's moment, leaving her in the open just as the first kelpie boy darts out of the house. At the sight of him, Ro lunges forward and wraps her arms around him.

Andrian strokes the girl's red hair, murmuring to her. Kyma doesn't know what he's saying, but he sounds slightly alarmed. Ro pulls back after a moment and stares at him before she kisses him. Kyma smiles a the sight, happy for her friend. The poor girl needs something for herself right now, or she's going to tear herself apart.

Camden yells again. "Cáel, get your arse out here!"

Kyma shakes her head, trying to speak. "That's not necessary."

Camden just smirks at her and mouths, 'Too late.'

Kyma groans just as Camden reaches inside and pulls his brother across the threshold, pushing him down the steps towards Kyma. Cáel looks back and snaps at his brother as he stumbles down.

"What was that for!"

But then he trips and Kyma lunges forward to catch him. She releases him almost instantaneously, feeling like her hands are aflame. He crumples to the ground and she turns red in embarrassment. He looks up at her, eyes almost glaring, but then they widen in shock. Kyma flushes deeper if it's even possible. She can feel it spreading down her neck, her skin burning despite the coolness in the air.

She mumbles, "Hi?"

Cáel gapes at her for a moment, still shocked. It isn't until several moments have passed of her growing progressively more flushed when he smiles. It's more of a smirk really, full of mischief.

"Do you always dump people on the ground?"

"I didn't- Wh- It's not-"

She looks down at the ground, wanting to sink into it.
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Ro went fast. What do you think about Kyma wanting to hide away? Why doesn't she want to see Cáel? Why do you think she's reacting to him like this? Beyond them being cridhe, I mean. Tell me your thoughts!

Happy reading and I'll see you next chapter!

~Goddess of Fate, signing out