It had been a day since his last visit with Caeli.
A whole day in the archive with Syll and he had not told her what happened.
He worked studiously but he would be lying if he said his heart was in it.
The answer seemed clear at this point. The Catcher was non-negotiable. That would be how he saved Caeli. And the only way.
He knew Syll would try to stop him, but he also knew that he had made a promise. And even if the risks were high, Caeli deserved her best chance at life.
The day ended and he dismissed himself from the study. Syll acknowledged him with a distracted wave of her hand as she hunched over a scroll.
It took everything in him to make his way slowly across the room.
Once through the doors, his steps quickened.
Perhaps this time Caeli would remember him.
Perhaps this time he would get to speak to her more.
He knew that there was more questions he had for Ventus, but he also knew that with each visit he had very little time.
It looked as though he would be forced to choose. Befriend Caeli or palaver with Ventus.
He wasn't sure how many times he could use the Catcher and not lose himself. Each visit would need to be seen as a precious opportunity. Not to be wasted.
He made it to the infirmary just a few minutes after the last shift of grovelings had come by to tend to Caeli, still the only occupant in the infirmary.
He sought out the same groveling that he had a night ago and asked him to do as he had before, wake him just a few hours before dawn. Whatever it takes, he must be awake before dawn.
The groveling nervously nodded.
Coruscare left the small foliage-like creature and quickly made his way to Caeli's bedside.
He bent to reach under her hospital bed and pulled the Catcher out of its hiding place.
He once again lifted Caeli to take her place in the bed and lowered her on top of himself.
With a deep breath and eyes closed he left his world and entered Caeli's, taking him back in time.
He appeared in the all too familiar flower field but this time, Caeli was waiting for him.
He found her sitting amongst the tall grass and bright flowers, she waved and smiled at him invitingly.
He made his way to her, unsure of how she knew he was coming but glad to see her either way.
"I felt the earth move and knew you'd be coming. It happened last time as well. I thought perhaps you'd rather have a picnic this time so that you can eat something before you go.", she said smiling up at him as he came to a stop at the edge of the flannel blanket she had laid out for them to sit upon.
He waited silently for the impending questions.
"How are you getting here and back?", "where are you from?", "why are you back?", but no questions came. She simply started pouring tea into two cups for each of them and pulling various things out of a wicker basket. A couple slices of ham on a porcelain plate, a loaf of bread, herbed butter, honey, figs, and a variety of nuts.
She glanced at him for just a moment.
"My lord, it is not my place to ask you probing questions. You are a friend to my family, and surely the Folk. I trust that if the answers to the questions I have could be easily disclosed that you would have done so by now.", she gave a noncommittal shrug.
He lowered himself onto the opposite end of the blanket.
"Can you read minds Caeli?", he asked, chuckling nervously. That would make things complicated.
She shook her head.
"No. I've always had a good perception of the feelings of those around me. My mother calls them auras. Whatever they are, I can see them. And different colors mean different things. I suppose I make assumptions based on them.", she replied whilst slathering herbed butter onto a hunk of bread. She offered it to Coruscare and he shook his head.
"None for now, perhaps in a moment after I've rested.", he said smiling as she licked a bit of butter off of her index finger, completely unabashed about doing so in the company of someone other than herself. The act was performed with such obvious innocence and obliviousness that Coruscare had to wonder, enviously, how it felt to be so un-apologetically oneself every waking moment.
"You must to many places, my lord. My mother tells me that as the king of the continent you're often on the move?", she asked as she took a bite of her own buttered bread and raising her eyebrows expectantly.
He nodded slowly, unable to look away from her. Here she had become so real that the wind lifted her hair and she could eat and taste the food.
A powerful young woman indeed to be able to project ones spirit into a place in the past. While also funneling enough magic into making oneself so real that it is as if they're physically there. While also maintaining ties to ones mortal body.
While sleeping.
Coruscare was astounded.
Now that he was here with her he didn't know where to start.
And the fact that she was powerful and exquisite in the sunshine amongst the wild flowers certainly didn't help.
"Uh well yes. I suppose I am not always in the mountains. I am often trying to maintain peace in Ausia which usually requires that I travel to different parts and tend the people.", he said. "What about you? I'd like to here about you."
*Smooth*, he thought to himself sardonically.
She smiled, her brow slightly furrowed, obviously confused.
"Like what, my lord?", she said, reaching for a slice of ham and talking a small bite.
"Well, let's start with your favorite color.", he said hesitantly.
He couldn't be sure what would set her off to the fact that he did not belong here, but he needed some way to start conversation.
She slowly chewed her ham as she looked around her, lost in thought.
After a few moments of silence, and one slice of ham gone, she squinted up at the large dragon.
*Is she always this comical?*, he thought humorously to himself. The combination of her facial expressions and attitude made him laugh.
"Well, I suppose it depends on the time of day, or the weather, or how I'm feeling. I cannot say that I have many individual "favorite" things. I also could no sooner choose a favorite constellation in the sky, for in the spring I adore Virgo the most, but in the fall I would choose Cassiopeia. I suppose that's not a very good answer.", she finished sheepishly and turned her face slightly away so that she could hopefully hide the flames she felt in her cheeks.
He was awestruck.
In his very, very, long life, he had never heard such a reply.
"Caeli, how old are you?", he tried not to whisper.
"I am 19, my lord.", she said stoically. Unsure of where the conversation was going.
She leaned forward and lifted her tea to her lips. After taking a sip, she looked in the dragons direction, had he not heard her?
Coruscare frantically tried to piece his heart back together.
He had asked this girl for a glimpse into her character, and in response she had written poetry that allowed him to step into her soul.
"Are you always so matter-of-fact?", he choked out.
Caeli watched him carefully as she took another drink of her tea.
She nodded slowly, a shadow of disappointment flashed across her face and was gone again the next second.
"My mother says that I am. She said I am a perfect combination of silliness with no censorship and lots of information. I've always thought in part that it was due to my ability to read auras. I feel it is only fair to be honest to others as they typically have no choice but to do so with me. It is very difficult to hide intention or feelings. Harder than you'd think.", she said setting her cup back on the blanket and wiping her hands on the apron that covered her dress from the waist down.
How different she was here in this safe place.
Her companions had told of how Caeli had dodged the prying questions of this Callon character and had moved quickly from the city, how she had withheld details of herself and her past. The Caeli of his time did not trust easy, and rightfully so.
Caeli was hardened by the world she had grown up in, Eli was softened by hers.
"I think such honesty is an admirable trait. Most people would find it difficult to do such a thing.", he said, looking across the expansive field filled with wild flowers.
She smiled thoughtfully at her lap.
"Thank you, my lord. That is very kind of you to say.", she said softly.
They sat in silence for some time, listening to the wind fanning across the long grass and flowers. The hissing of the plants rubbing amongst each other the only sound other than the blowing wind.
"Caeli, what is it like here? Living with your parents?", he asked. He reached out for the piece of bread to see if he could feel it. His hand became phantasmal as it passed through.
Not yet. That was good.
"It's lovely. I know most women my age are married by now, if not already mothers. I find it… difficult to get along with others so I'm not ideal marriage material. Many find me strange but I am happy. I suppose marriage and children are not as important to me as it is to other women my age.", she said sheepishly.
Coruscare wondered if this idea was one she had developed here or if it was one so deeply ingrained from her physical life that she continued this belief even now.
He couldn't imagine anyone here had treated her as if she were strange. Although he wasn't sure that there was anyone around. He did not recall any other inhabitants near the cottage that Faron and Ventus now inhabited.
He would need to tread lightly, he couldn't risk her trying to recall things from her life that would make her realize her dream state.
"I don't believe that this would be considered a marker of strangeness. But even so, what do you find important then?", he asked, looking down at a woman who seemed incredibly small but also very strong.
He watched as she straightened her back and her eyes lit up.
"Reading and learning are some of my favorite things to do, so in turn are important to me. My family as well, and perhaps, becoming a talented witch like my mother. A great warrior like my father. In defense of the Folk of course.", she said smiling excitedly.
"For the Folk? Is this because you're also Folk?", Coruscare asked, trying to hide his hope. Perhaps it would be this simple, she would realize at this moment she is half drake and she would awaken in their time.
"I know witches and wizards are not often considered Folk as they're made and not born of magic but I hope to be as powerful a witch as my mother one day and I'd like to think that makes me one of the Folk.", she said obliviously optimistic.
"It is true. Your mother has been a great champion to the Folk of Ausia, without her there is much that could have been lost to its people.", he said slowly nodding in agreement.
"Will you tell me a story of one of her conquests? She often avoids speaking of it although I'm not sure why.", she said curiously.
*Ventus likely avoids speaking of it knowing that her service to this country is what will separate her from her daughter for the rest of their lives.*, he thought sadly.
The idea made him realize that there must be a past child version of Caeli here at the same time. He wondered how Ventus kept them from seeing each other. He couldn't imagine the possible repercussions should both Caeli's encounter each other. He would have to ask the next chance he got.
"Well, I recall one time, before your mother and father had met, that I had asked her to travel to the Cheshire Wood before it was called that. Reports of a malignant spirit taking the lives of humans and Folk alike had taken up residence there. Upon arrival she was immediately faced with the creature, the body of a deer and the face of a human. Ventus had used her magic to make the spirit docile and asked it for the reasoning behind its actions. In short the spirit had been displaced from its original home and had settled in the Cheshire Wood. The spirit had angrily watched as others passed through the forest, shamelessly taking more resources than they required, killing the small game and waste fully taking more than they needed from the food producing flora. After watching the offenses against the forest, the spirit had become angry and defensive. It would trap the offenders inside of the forest, an endless green maze, the precious food and water hidden and withheld from those considered unworthy. Intruders would wander for days before death would take them. It was your mother who soothed the spirit. She convinced the spirit to test the souls that came to the Wood before taking their life. A test of their kindness and courage. In one visit to the Wood she had made sure the spirit still had a home, but also ensured that those with a pure and good heart would survive the trip through.", he said chuckling. "I remember how astounded I was, it was one of the first missions I had ever given her. She came to me as a young witch and no reputation, vowing allegiance to the Army of Fire and Light. She looked a lot like you do now at the time. And just as passionate. She is a wonderful friend and an even better warrior. She is kind and considerate, and does her best to find the best solution to any problem she is presented. She always helps those in need without a second thought.", he said smiling at a particular cloud that resembled a cat.
Much of how he described Ventus reminded him of Caeli's companions retelling their adventures as they had made their way to he Ausia mountains.
Even raised without her mother for the majority of her life, it would seem she still grew to be much like her. It was a comforting thought. He would have to let Ventus know.
After a few moments of silence he turned to Caeli to find her eyes wide and her mouth slightly open.
"My lord… I never knew… does she know? Does my father know?", she whispered the last part.
He raised a confused eyebrow.
"That you are in love with my mother?", whispered frantically.
Coruscare leaned back as though someone had splashed him with acid.
"Good Goddess above no Caeli, I am not in love with your mother, nor have I ever been. She is a dear friend but I have never harbored such feelings towards her. Faron made it known very early on that she was his and he would fight to the death with anyone who challenged that. And I supported them both in there relationship. They are well matched. But no, heavens no. I have never nor do I currently love your mother in anyway other than as a friend.", he said hastily.
Caeli's expression went from shock to embarrassment in a flash of red cheeks.
"I apologize my lord, it was not my place. I mean to say that I should not have assumed. I just saw a faint change in your aura that I've seen in my parents when they come together and I just thought…", she explained quickly as she tried to clean the tea form her apron. Upon realizing how greatly she had overstepped she accidentally tipped her tea onto herself. She proceeded to frantically pat at her lap with the edge of the blanket.
Coruscare reached out and rested his comparatively large clawed hand on hers to make her still.
Her head snapped to attention to meet his gaze.
"I am so, so sorry.", she said softly.
He shook his head.
"No need. I am curious though. Can you tell the difference between affectionate love and true love? I guess more specifically, are the two emotions two different colors?", he asked curiously. It would make sense that she would see affection in him when discussing her mother, she was a long time friend and they had grown close over the years but things between them had been strictly platonic. Faron and Ventus had met not long after her entrance into the royal guard.
He still remembered what Faron had said after their first interaction.
"I am going to marry her, no matter what it takes. She will be mine and I will be hers.", Faron had said reverently as they watched her walk away.
Coruscare could recall understanding the sentiment, although at the time he had been more concerned with securing his people's safety against the impeding threat of humans that continued to grow. Ventus was indeed beautiful and exceptionally intelligent as well. What's more she was kind to those around her and could never walk away from anyone in need. He understood Farons attraction then, and he could understand it now.
Especially with her miniature having permeated his life in so many ways, he could hardly draw air without thinking of Caeli.
In that moment he realized two things. The first being that he was able to feel Caeli's small soft hand under his.
"Caeli, I will need to go soon. But know that I would enjoy another visit with you, if it pleases you that is. And I know you to be honest so should you not like to see me again I trust that you will say so now.", he said quickly. He knew he was rushing her but he did not have long, the clock was ticking and soon he'd be abruptly back in his time.
Caeli's brows raised in surprise before her cheeks flushed slightly.
"Well of course my lord you're always welcome here.", she said kindly.
Not quite the response he was hoping for.
*Your hopes are too high. Take it easy.*, he thought to himself.
"And it would please me indeed to enjoy a meal with you again. I appreciate your company very much.", she said smiling up at him.
Suddenly the flowers were a richer purple, her hair a deeper mahogany, the sky a clearer blue.
He smiled broadly at her and gently ran his thumb across the top of her hand. He had already done the deed by the time he realized what he had done.
He watched as her face become even more red than it had been, but to his relief, her smile had gotten bigger.
His heart was soaring.
She opened her mouth to say something when suddenly Coruscare was sitting in her bed in the infirmary. Caeli of his time was unconscious and propped against his chest.
Once again his face was wet and a shaking groveling stood at the side of the bed.
He raised a hand silently indicating that the groveling had done well and need not fear.
He reached for a dry towel next to her bed and dried his face before inspecting Caeli to make sure none of the water had gotten on her.
He dabbed at a drop on the side of her cheek before lifting her with one arm and standing by the bed.
He pulled back the blanket and tucked her snuggly back into her spot on the mattress.
He nodded to the grovelings as he headed for his personal chamber.
It was just as he reached the double doors when he realized that Caeli had not answered his question about the aura she had observed around him and around her parents when they were together.
No matter, he had bigger things to worry about.
In particular, the second thing he had realized whilst sitting next to her in the flower field.
She had not seen love for Ventus in his aura. She had seen the love he held for her, for Caeli.
And that was a very big problem indeed.