บท 38: Drenched
A smirk played on Eydis' lips as she descended deeper into the ocean. Nobility, witches, academic vultures, a kraken, monstrous beasts – she'd conquered them all. Yet, here she was, adrift in a bathtub of her own flesh, a prisoner of gravity and biology. "Free will," she scoffed, the salty water mimicking her bitterness. Choice? A predetermined dance orchestrated by DNA and experience. Upgrade? Rewrite? Unlike a PC, she was stuck with this clunky hardware, this aching, groaning chassis.
As the ocean enveloped her, she contemplated the prospect of approaching things differently. Adam's face, etched with the same youthful hope she once wore, swam before her eyes – a mirror reflecting her own shattered dreams. Was this why she let him lead, let him grow, a silent apology for a path never taken?
Solitude, once a fortress, now felt like a crumbling cage. The ocean mirrored her internal storm, each wave a lash against her isolation. But it was the surge of empathy, raw and unwelcome, that truly threatened to drown her. Was this sudden yearning for connection a sign of weakness, or the emergence of the real Eydis, the brave girl who defied fate to save a duke?
The day's horse carriage ride had exacted its toll on her body. Natalia, as endearing as she was, only intensified the pain. Skull throbbed, each breath a rasping torture. Her limbs, leaden weights, trembled with the phantom echo of the fall. Darkness, thick and suffocating, engulfed her. No moon, no stars, just the crushing silence of the ocean and the dull throb of her own pain. It was a welcome oblivion, a release from the shackles of choice, consequence, and the aching burden of her own existence. As the world faded away, Amelia surrendered – a fallen angel in the cold heart of the sea.
And darkness embraced her.
**
A phantom kiss, fleeting warmth like embers against frost, sparked a cough that ripped water from her lungsin a gushing torrent. Her eyelids, heavy with exhaustion, battled the urge to stay closed, until a familiar scent embraced her. Ocean, yes, but wovenwith an exotic blend of spice, cardamom, and an intense fragrance of sandalwood.
Instinct led her hand upward, meeting silken threads so real her will surrendered, pulling her eyes open to the blinding light. Dawn, it was, bleeding violet across thesky like an alien sunrise. But amidst the celestial canvas, an even more breathtaking wonder welcomed her: an ethereal figure, hair shimmering like stardustspun into silk, eyes pools of twilight violet, hoveredabove.
And then, the face — porcelain sculpted by moonlight,etched with an emotion so unexpected it stole her breath: concern. Concern? Or was death this beautifulthese days, an illusion spun from her elusive roommate's disdainful mask, softened into a surprising tenderness? This close, she saw the constellationsfreckles in Astra's violet eyes, the vulnerability beneath the moonlit skin, and a blush creeping like sunriseacross her cheeks.
Astra, catching every single word of Eydis' treacherousthoughts, averted her gaze. A warm flush tinted her cheeks, accompanied by a gentle chuckle that escaped her lips, carrying a subtle huskiness in its laughter.
"Seems you're not quite gone yet. Your humour survives." Astra remarked. Water, diamonds glittering inthe dawn, cascaded from her silver hair, each drop a spark of warmth on her skin. Eydis found herself lying on silken ivory sands. Above her, inches away, Astra hovered, she could hear the rhythmic thump of Astra's heart, a calming counterpoint to the storm's dyingechoes on the horizon.
Eydis's lips curved into a smile. "My humour, and apparently, my lungs. Still functioning, both of them." Her gaze lingered on Astra, where shadows flickered beneath the amethyst depths of her eyes, whispering ofanxieties quelled and secrets yet untold.
Lowering her voice to a hush, Eydis's sincerity burned through the playful facade. "For that, truly, I am grateful."
A storm of emotions churned within Astra's eyes, a silent language of concern and a flicker of something warmer, unfamiliar. With gentle determination, she sat up, offering a hand. "Try sitting," she whispered, her voice comforting against the echoing silence.
Eydis met her gaze, the glint in her usually sharp browneyes softened with a new vulnerability. "I don't think I could," she quipped, the purr in her voice teasing yet edged with an undercurrent of seriousness. " I felt likeI'd been hit by a…horse carriage. Looks like you'll have to carry me, after all."
Despite emitting a playful growl, Astra turned towardEydis, intending to offer assistance. Instead, a teasing tug pulled her down onto the silken sand. Both lay sprawled, bathed in the golden hues of the newborn sun, their eyes reflecting the celestial drama unfolding above. In shared silence, a fragile peace settledbetween them, an unexpected truce born from thestorm's fury and the quiet promise of a new dawn.
In the hushed space between breaths, a melody unlike any heard before filled the air. A genuine, uninhibitedlaugh, rare as a desert oasis, spilled from Eydis' lips, painting her face with a radiant glow.
Wiping a stray tear, her voice laced with mirth, Eydis said, "You know, our most profound conversationsseem to involve us getting…drenched." Her grin widened, catching the sunlight that cascaded across Astra's delicate features.
"Not true," Astra began to counter the provocative remark, a spark igniting in her violet eyes. "There was this one time in our room…"
Eydis's grin softened, a flicker of understanding in hergaze. "Right, my memory must have taken a swim." Astra couldn't decipher the truth behind that veiled look, but it felt like sunshine through stained glass. She settled back, savouring the fragile peace.
"Why the temple?" Astra asked, the question surprisingthem both.
"Honestly," Eydis sighed, her voice a husky whisper, "Ishouldn't have. The ride alone..." she trailed off, then met Astra's gaze. "Sometimes, it's nice to be swept away, you know?"
Astra's annoyance flickered, replaced by a spark of concern that warmed Eydis despite the shivers. Without a word, she shed her cloak, the damp wool heavy in herhands. But before draping it over Eydis, she let her fingers linger on her shoulder, a fleeting brush that sent a jolt through them both.
"Did you have a death wish, or something?" she muttered, her voice barely above a breath.
Eydis's heartbeat raced, breath catching in her throat as an unexpected, yet welcome emotion surged within. Astra's touch lingered, a ghost of heat on her skin. "Careful there, Lady Astra," she drawled, relishingthe warmth despite the chill of the cloak. "Trying to sweep me off my feet, are we?"
The corner of Astra's lips curved, a playful glint in her eyes. "I didn't have to try," her husky voice purred, hergaze catch Eydis's ambers. "You've already fallen."
Eydis blinked, heat flooding her cheeks. Had she heard right? It was the first time Astra had met her teasings with such… fervour. And honestly, it was intoxicating. She leaned in, her lips a whisper from Astra's ears, but before she could voice her question, a crimsonwhirlwind descended upon them.
"Eydis! Eydis!" Natalia's voice cut through the fragile peace, shattering the unspoken promises hanging in the air. Eydis started to recognise a recurring theme.
Astra shot to her feet, her mask of indifference slippingfor a heartbeat, revealing a flicker of something rawbefore it was swiftly masked again. Eydis, engulfed in Natalia's fiery embrace, felt the warmth radiate through her, chasing away the chill of the dawn, yet this time, itleft a different kind of shiver in its wake.
"Are you alright?" Natalia's concern was genuine, tingedwith a subtle edge of suspicion as she glanced between Eydis and Astra. Her eyes, bright with worry, lingered on the damp cloak draped over Eydis, the memory of its earlier use a whisper in the sand.
Eydis, caught between the fading embers of a newfound vulnerability and the rising flames of Natalia's scrutiny, offered a sly smile. "Just a little…drenched," she muttered, the double meaning hanging heavy in the air. "Same old, same old, right?"
Her grin deepened at the subtle flush colouring Astra's ears as she walked away.
**
"CRUISE TRIP!" Joseph roared, the proclamation bouncing off the damp timber deck like a barbarian'schallenge. He charged towards his comrades. Theseweren't exactly teammates anymore, not after thenear-death tango they'd shared, but something, someunspoken pact forged in the forge of terror, boundthem together.
Emma, usually as expressive as a stone statue (it was a good pun, honestly!), surprised everyone with a giggle,like she'd stumbled upon a hidden switch marked"personality." Anna, the once-intimidating fortress, started to thaw. Elias, the guy who believed only Adam existed in the universe, cracked a joke—mind-blowing stuff.
Adam had transformed post-treasure-hunt. No more fidgeting or hunching, just an aura of quiet confidence. Eydis, on the other hand, had pulled a vanishing act from breakfast. Probably had a date with a sandwich or something.
He mentally slapped himself for even contemplating a marriage proposal to the elusive brunette. Sure, she was smart, stunning even, and a sandwich artist extraordinaire, but there was an air of unattainability about her. A commoner who somehow bewitched nobles. Even Elias had a sparkle in his eyes when he saw her, the kind of sparkle he used to save for Adam. Thankful that she saved their lives, but Joseph knew he stood no chance.
"Hurry over, Jo!" Anna urged him on, breaking his train of thought. Slightly flustered, he joined them at the "we almost died but didn't" winners' table. On the other side sat Lady Astra, casually munching on her fifth sausage roll—appetite goals! A woman after his own heart!
Joseph's excitement bubbled as he sat across from the moon goddess, a radiant ice queen shining so brightly that he felt like he might burst into flames. Ah well, he could combust regardless, definitely not Eydis's personal torchlight, he might add. Returning to LadyAstra, admiring her from a distance had its charm, buta small hope lingered – dreaming of the day he could run his hands through those silver locks. The curiosity sparked: what kind of guy could capture her attention?Perhaps someone as majestic as Prince Adrian.
A feast materialised – winners' privilege – pastries piledhigh, cured meats glistening, cheeses groaning, andevery beverage imaginable, including beers for those who've levelled up to the sipping age. A significantupgrade! The second round, they were told, was for bragging rights, not elimination, but it gave them the power to pick partners for the next round. Sweet deal,right? Spotting an empty seat at the table, Joseph nudged Adam, genuine curiosity battling with breakfast envy. "Where's Eydis this fine morning?"
Adam, as black-haired as an eclipse, just shook his head. Lady Natalia, her cheeks stuffed with cheese,chimed in, "Busy with Princess Athena, I gather."
Joseph swore he saw Lady Astra's eyebrows do a briefdance, but it was probably a trick of the light. "I didn'tknow they were friends."
Natalia shrugged, cheese crumbs cascading down hershirts. "Her Highness practically sleeps in Eydis's roomnow. Can't even get a decent visit in!"
This time, Astra reacted. The sausage roll assaultpaused, face unreadable. Could it be... did she, too, yearn for the royals' attention?
"What could they be doing so early that Eydis skipped breakfast?" Joseph asked, voice a touch whiny. Nothing, not even royalty, came between him and his meals!
This innocent question ignited a riot of reactions—most of them blushing like tomatoes, some nervous coughs,and Lady Astra gracefully stood up, abandoning hersausage rolls. Joseph, however, was more interested in how he could snag those half eaten rolls without looking like a total pig. Indirectly sharing a meal with his heroine? Count him in! With that grand plan in mind, hewent about executing it with stealthy precision.
The feast raged on, fuelled by gossip, competition, and stolen pastries. And for Joseph, it wasn't a bad day to be alive, almost dead, or somewhere in between.
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