The waves rolled steadily in the distance, the peaceful sound filling the space between us. After a while, Safyrr broke the silence, her voice light but purposeful. "How about we head into town? We need to grab some supplies for tonight's dinner."
I looked at her, a little surprised. "Oh. What are we making?"
Safyrr smiled, standing up and offering me her hand. " You'll see. Come on, I'll show you the market. We'll grab some fresh ingredients there, then stop for lunch at a beachside café. What do you think?"
"Sounds perfect," I said, feeling a spark of excitement. I followed her inside to change, looking forward to the day ahead.
The town was lively as always, the streets filled with the scent of fresh produce, spices, and the hum of conversations in multiple languages. We made our way to a local market, where the air was thick with the smell of herbs and flowers. Safyrr expertly guided me through the stalls, picking out ingredients for the evening's meal, some I recognized, others unfamiliar, each more colorful than the last.
As we walked through the market, she told me stories about the different flavors she loved to use, and how certain herbs had magical properties, enhancing the taste and mood of a dish. I listened, intrigued by how effortlessly she connected cooking with magic, as though they were one and the same.
After gathering everything we needed, we walked down to a nearby beach café, the sun overhead casting a soft glow on the scene. We sat at a table near the water, the breeze cool and refreshing as we ate. The seafood was fresh, the dishes light, yet satisfying. We talked about everything and nothing: life, magic, the town, and even a few stories about Safyrr's travels.
Once lunch was finished, we made our way back to the house. The ingredients we had collected now lay out on the kitchen counter, waiting to be turned into something spectacular. Safyrr seemed eager, already planning the dishes in her head.
She motioned for me to join her, her smile warm. "Time for another lesson, then?"
I laughed, a little nervous but excited. "Ready when you are."
Safyrr's eyes twinkled. "This one will be fun. Let's start with something simple. You'll see how it all comes together."
And just like that, the afternoon was spent in the kitchen, me learning to craft a meal with Safyrr's steady guidance, as we laughed, shared stories, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself enjoy the moment.
As night fell and we sat down to eat, I felt a quiet sense of calm settle in. The chaos of the world seemed so far away, the warmth of the fire and the food comforting. After dinner, we retired to the living room, where we sank into the soft couches near the fireplace. The fire crackled, and the weight of the day finally let go. We talked for a while, the sound of our conversation blending with the soft crackle of the flames. Eventually, I drifted off, lulled by the quiet and comfort, feeling safe in the warmth of the moment.
I woke slowly, the warmth of the fire still flickering in my half-conscious mind. My body felt at ease, but there was something different. My head rested gently on Safyrr's lap, her fingers moving through my hair in slow, soothing motions. It felt almost… familiar. The touch, the tenderness, the way she seemed to be calming me.
For a moment, I closed my eyes, drifting back into that surreal dream, the one I had when I drank the potion she gave me. I could still hear the soft hum of a lullaby, the soothing notes that had put me at ease. A strange sense of déjà vu washed over me, and the thought surfaced again, the woman in my dream.
I broke the silence, my voice still thick with the remnants of sleep. "When I drank the potion you gave me... I was in the same position," I said softly, lifting my head slightly to look up at her. "There was a woman, caressing my hair, singing me to sleep. Do you know who that woman was?"
Safyrr's fingers stilled in my hair, and she met my gaze with a calm, knowing look. "I know who she is," she said quietly, her voice soft but firm. "And you know her too. Your mind and heart just aren't ready to admit it yet. Your consciousness wouldn't have conjured that dream if you didn't already know her."
Her words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. I didn't speak right away, the truth of it sinking in slowly. It felt like something I should have known, but wasn't ready to understand. Safyrr had been dropping hints about who I was and where I came from since the beginning. All I did was stash those pieces of information in the corner of my mind, not ready to face them. I thought knowing everything would help define me, but I wasn't ready. I welcomed every distraction that kept me from confronting it.
I had been afraid. Afraid that knowing the truth would change everything, afraid it would force me to confront a part of myself I wasn't prepared for. I feared that if I dug too deep, I'd end up like Lara, consumed by my quest for answers and putting myself in a dangerous position.
At this point, I didn't know how I knew, but I could feel it- Lara was digging for answers about her real parents, desperate to uncover the truth. And I understood the hunger she felt. But I didn't want that for me. I didn't want to lose myself in that search, to risk everything just to piece together a past I wasn't ready to know.
I took a deep breath, still feeling the weight of Safyrr's words. She was right. And when the time came, I would have to face it. But not yet. Not today.
I let out a slow breath, feeling the weight of everything still pressing on me. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, I spoke, my words thick with gratitude. "Thank you, Safyrr. For spending time with me, and caring for me. You don't know how much it means to me."
Safyrr's fingers gently brushed through my hair, her touch warm and steady. She didn't respond right away, but I could feel the sincerity in the silence that followed. It wasn't just the moment or the comfort she was offering. It was the way she had been there, guiding and supporting me, even though we barely just met.
Finally, she spoke, her voice soft but filled with reassurance. "You don't have to thank me, Athena. I'm here for you, always."
I reached out, taking Safyrr's hand in mine. For some reason, it felt familiar, like I had known this comfort, this connection, all along. We sat there in comfortable silence, the warmth of the fire and the soft sound of the waves creating a sense of peace. The weight of everything from the past few days felt a little lighter, as if the world outside didn't exist for a moment.
The quiet lasted until the front door creaked open. Zarich's tall figure appeared in the doorway, a tray of breakfast in his hands.
"Good morning," he said, a small smile tugging at his lips. He set the tray down on the nearby table, revealing fresh pastries, fruit, and hot drinks. "I thought you might need a little something after a long night."
I smiled, grateful for the gesture. "Thanks, Zarich. You didn't have to."
He waved it off, settling into one of the chairs near the fire. "It's nothing. I figured I'd bring breakfast while I fill you in on the Council meeting."
Safyrr raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "How did it go?"
Zarich leaned back in the chair, crossing his arms. "It went as expected. The Council's aware of the situation with Cole, but they're hesitant to act until they have more concrete evidence. They're still not convinced this is an immediate threat. I've made sure to stress the urgency, but they're focused on the bigger picture."
I frowned, feeling the frustration rise again. "So they're waiting for what exactly? Cole to make his move?"
"Basically," Zarich replied, his tone more serious. "They won't act on speculation. But they're keeping their eyes open. In the meantime, I've requested additional resources to keep tabs on Cole and his movements. They should be sending a team soon to monitor North Lowmere."
Safyrr sighed softly. "The Council can be so slow to act. But at least they're taking it seriously."
I nodded, trying to digest the news. "So, we wait."
Zarich nodded, his expression grim. "For now, yes. But we won't stop pushing. The more we learn, the more we can convince them to act faster."
The weight of it all settled back over me, but there was something about being here, with Safyrr and Zarich, that made it easier to bear. The fight wasn't over yet, but at least we weren't facing it alone.
"Thanks for the update, Zarich," I said, finally reaching for one of the hot beverage, trying to shake off the uncertainty. "And thanks for breakfast."
He smiled, the usual warmth returning to his face. "No problem. We've got a lot of work ahead, but we'll figure it out."
As we ate and talked, I allowed myself a moment of peace, knowing that, even in the midst of the uncertainty, we were moving forward.
We spent the rest of the day, taking in the sights of this part of Lysoria from the uptown hills. The view was breathtaking, offering sweeping vistas of the city, the ocean glimmering below us under the sun. We snacked on some local food, savory pastries and exotic fruits, as we wandered through the charming streets, absorbing the unique atmosphere of the city. Safyrr, ever the guide, pointed out the little gems tucked between the grand architecture, explaining the history and the hidden stories of Lysoria.
After a while, Safyrr took me to the shopping street, where the hustle and bustle of the market reached its peak. The street was lined with countless shops, each one bursting with colorful displays of clothing, jewelry, and trinkets. The vibrant atmosphere was contagious, and I couldn't help but smile at the variety of things around me.
"Let's find something nice for you," Safyrr said, her voice light with excitement as she led me from one store to the next.
Zarich trailed behind us, his hands full of bags from the shops Safyrr insisted on visiting. He didn't seem to mind carrying the purchases, his usual relaxed demeanor never wavering.
As we walked through the crowded streets, I couldn't help but notice that Zarich was drawing the attention of the ladies. It wasn't just his good looks; it was the quiet confidence he carried himself with. More than a few women couldn't help but glance his way, some even offering shy smiles as we passed.
Safyrr caught my eye and smirked. "Seems like you're not the only one getting attention around here."
I chuckled softly, glancing at Zarich, who was oblivious to the attention he was receiving. "He doesn't even notice, does he?"
"Not a clue," she replied with a wink. "He's too focused on keeping up with us."
Under Safyrr's guidance and Zarich's steady presence, the day felt like its own little adventure. I found myself laughing more than I had in days, and for a moment, the weight of everything lifted, even if just briefly.
By the time we were done, the sun was beginning to dip low, casting a warm glow over the city. We made our way back to the beach house, packing up our things to head back home. This weekend had been a perfect escape, but it was time to return to reality, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of bittersweetness as we gathered our belongings.
We were soon on the road, heading toward Lysoria's City Centre. Zarich dropped me off first, the car slowing to a stop in the driveway. I turned in my seat, reaching for Safyrr's hand. "Thank you again for this perfect weekend. I loved every moment of it."
Safyrr squeezed my hand, her smile warm. "Anytime, my child. My door is always open for you."
Her words wrapped around me like a comforting embrace, and I knew I'd carry this moment with me for a long time.
Zarich stepped out of the car, helping me gather my duffel bag and the shopping bags from the backseat. He carried them easily, the weight of them seeming light in his hands.
We made our way to the front door, and as we reached it, he handed the bags over to me with a small, reassuring grin. "Good night, Athena," he said, his voice steady.
I gave him a small smile in return, feeling the weight of the day finally starting to settle in. "Good night, Zarich. Thanks for everything."
He gave a brief nod before turning toward the car and walking away. I stood there for a moment, watching him drive off, before stepping inside.
As I made my way toward the stairs, I noticed the soft glow of light spilling from the kitchen. I paused, seeing Myrren sitting at the kitchen island, eating dinner alone. She looked up at me, her gaze flicking to the bags in my hands. A brief smile appeared on her face.
"Well, looks like your weekend went well," she said casually, her eyes lingering on me.
"It did!" I replied with a genuine smile, "Had a lot of fun."
"That's good," she nodded, before I asked, "How was the Gala?" My curiosity got the better of me.
She gave a nonchalant shrug, taking another bite of her food. "Nothing eventful. Pretty standard."
I didn't know how to respond to that, so I glanced around and asked, "Where's Lara? Don't you two usually have dinner together?"
"Oh, she went out with some friends," Myrren answered, not looking up. "She should be back soon."
I gave her a tight smile, nodding in acknowledgment. "Right. I'm going to crash. Good night, Myrren."
With that, I made my way up the stairs, but as I reached the top, my thoughts shifted to Lara. Was she really out with friends, or was she with Cole? At this point, I didn't know. I just hoped the Council did their part and tracked Cole down as quickly as possible. The uncertainty gnawed at me, but all I could do now was wait and trust that things would move forward.
Monday rolled around sooner than I wanted. The weekend had felt like a fleeting moment of peace, but now reality was settling back in. Ezzy came to pick me up this morning, despite me telling her I could manage getting to school on my own.
I didn't want to be a bother to Ezzy, having her pick me up and drop me off all the time. Not that she ever complained. She was always there for me, the kind of friend who never hesitated to help. I knew she was just being a good friend, but it didn't make me feel any less guilty. One of these days, I promised myself, I'd get that car and give her the break she deserved.
As I climbed into the car, Ezzy gave me her usual grin, like she was ready to take on the world. "Ready for the new week?" she asked, her voice light.
I forced a smile, trying to shake off the weight of everything. "As ready as I'll ever be."
The day passed by with no unusual events, just the usual flow of lessons and new assignments being handed out. Lunch soon arrived, and I met up with my Ezzy andd Jade at our usual table. The usual chatter filled the air, but my attention kept wandering to the spot where Riven would normally sit. I hadn't seen him since this morning, and I found myself looking forward to seeing him again. I was hoping we could talk after lunch.
Since my conversation with Safyrr, I had been doing a lot of thinking about Riven. I realized how much I'd been overthinking, how much I'd been holding back because I was scared of getting hurt. I thought that maybe it was time to stop running from the possibility of something real. So last night, before sleep finally claimed me, I made up my mind. I was going to give Riven a chance.
Jax and Zion joined us shortly after, but Riven was not with them. As they settled into their usual spots, I glanced around, trying to find him. He was nowhere in sight.
I turned to Zion, who had already caught my eye. "Hey, where's Riven?" I asked, trying to keep my voice casual, though there was an edge of concern in it.
Zion looked at me intently, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, after a brief pause, he responded, "He had to head back to South Lowmere. Family emergency."
The words hit me harder than I expected. I tried to mask my disappointment, but something in his tone made me wonder if there was more to the story. "Family emergency?" I repeated, not sure whether to press further or leave it alone.
Zion's gaze softened slightly, but he didn't elaborate. "Yeah. I'm sure he'll be back soon," he added, though the uncertainty in his voice made me wonder if that was entirely true.
I nodded, the knot in my stomach growing. Whatever it was, I hoped it wasn't anything serious.
As I headed for my last class of the day with Ezzy and Jade, my mind kept drifting to Riven. What the hell had happened? Would he ever come back? Would I ever see him again?
I tried to focus on the conversation happening around me, but it was like my mind wouldn't leave him alone. The uncertainty gnawed at me, making it hard to concentrate. Something didn't sit right, and I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this than just a simple family emergency.
Despite myself, I tried to focus on what the professor was saying, but my thoughts kept circling back to Riven. The minutes dragged on, and I found it hard to stay present. The sound of Jade's voice pulled me back to reality, and I glanced over at her.
"Hey!" she whispered, nudging me gently with her elbow. "He's gonna be alright. Riven's a badass, and that guy has it bad for you. He'll come back."
Her words were meant to comfort, and part of me appreciated the effort, but I couldn't shake the knot in my stomach. Still, her optimism gave me a little relief. Maybe she was right.
I gave her a tight smile, trying to push aside the worry. "Yeah, I hope so."