Raven sighed heavily and approached Caeli's door.
He reached for the knob and stopped just before touching it.
He dropped his hand after rethinking going after her.
*Dammit.*, he thought to himself.
He turned and decided to go to his study instead.
Of course Caeli had to know that he was no saint, but he couldn't help but feel overwhelming guilt and shame at her comments.
It was indeed true that Raven had sometimes commissioned dresses for some of his female companions in the past. None staying longer than two or three weeks.
It had been years since he last entertained a female guest. The woman having been well before Caeli was even born. Even before the formation of the refuge.
So why did he feel as though he'd betrayed her?
Perhaps because he knew that Caeli was the only one for him, and would be for the rest of his life, no matter that he was immortal.
He entered the study and took a seat at his desk, resting his head in his hands.
How could he make her understand his feelings for her without inadvertently pushing her away?
How could he make her understand that not a soul in existence held a candle to the beauty of her heart and soul?
He leaned his head back on his chair and closed his eyes.
Her vision came to him immediately, as it usually did.
Her long hair swaying as she walked, brushing against her hips. Her large brown eyes sparkling as she found a new and interesting creature or place.
He almost felt sorry for Coruscare, a moment of empathy came across him as he considered what it would be like to be continents away from the woman you care for.
Remembering what it felt like, in fact.
He almost felt sorry for the excruciating pain it must be causing the king, the feeling uncomfortably familiar.
Almost.
——————————————————————————
Caeli awoke, and an hour later, Lynx and Calliope came to the room, two galaxian women in tow.
"Good evening, my lady. Your dress has arrived. You should try it on and ensure that everything is in order before the feast tonight.", Lynx said as she guided the two women to the sitting area, one of which was holding a large box.
"Good evening, it's a pleasure to meet you.", Caeli said smiling from her seat at the table.
"Lavendera is unable to come today as she has prior obligations. This is Feldi and Vay, they will be making any necessary adjustments.", Lynx said. The two women curtsied and smiled warmly.
"I appreciate your efforts. I understand that this is all very last minute.", Caeli said smiling sheepishly. Still feeling an imposition thanks to her most recent "episode".
The women began right away and the dress was found to be in perfect order.
"Would you like to see my lady?", the woman named Feldi asked.
Caeli shook her head.
"If you all believe his lordship will like it, then I trust that it looks very nice. I'm sure I'll take a gander before the feast once I'm dressed. I'm sure you'd all like to be on your way so that you may prepare as well. Thank you very much for your time.", Caeli said with a warm smile.
The two women helped her undress, all the while shocked and pleased at the young lady's consideration.
The women helped her dress quickly and efficiently.
"I will return with Calliope this evening to help you get ready. Is there anything else for now my lady?", Lynx asked as she finished hanging the new gown.
Caeli shook her head. And said goodbye to her maid and friend, along with the seamstresses who had been, apparently but not surprisingly, unnecessary.
Caeli stepped out onto the balcony of her quarters and breathed the spiced air heavily.
Autumn in the forest was bordering on arid, the rains having halted entirely for quite some time.
She could almost taste the spice of the fallen leaves and it comforted her immensely.
She found herself to be nervous about the following celebration set to happen that very night.
She had yet to finish a meal without making a mess and her arms progress had came to a halt altogether.
Her stamina was greatly improved but no where near where it had been.
Her body still ached and the wound in her shoulder continued to throb.
Certain movements caused her pain no matter her care and caution, pulling at the edges of her full thickness wound.
Lynx had told her that it was customary for honored guests to bow at the foot of the table before taking their seat at the high table.
Her face had creased with concern and Caeli quickly insisted that she would be quite alright.
By the end of the talk, they had compromised. Caeli would be escorted by Bat and would use him for assistance whenever necessary.
Otherwise, as long as she didn't dance, and ate very little, she might not make an utter fool of herself.
Caeli approached the full-length, gold mirror and stared at her arm in its sling.
She pulled the arm free of its cloth cradle, tremors from her effort began to vibrate the limb.
"Mmmfff.", Caeli huffed, her breaths deepening and her heart beginning to race from the pain.
She suspended the arm straight in front of her for sixty seconds before she allowed it to drop, limp and swinging, by her side.
"Dammit.", she huffed to herself, bringing her good hand over to put her throbbing wrist in a vice grip, hoping to silence her screaming nerves and muscles.
Bat whimpered and she turned to give the creature a roguish smile.
"No need to worry my dear friend. Soon I'll be good as new.", she said with feigned hope. Confident that she would never be able to use the arm in the same capacity as before.
Her heart shattered, her hopes dashed, she made her way to the bedside table and retrieved her journal and quill, gingerly placing them in her bag.
"How do you feel about a small walk Bat? I could use a diversion.", she asked the creature, her heart lightening at his excited growls and purrs.
Bat quickly, and carefully, dove between her legs and lifted her off of the ground and onto his back.
With a giggle and a pull of the doors rope, they were on their way.
——————————————————————————
Raven stood outside of Caeli's room attempting to work up the courage to knock.
It had been three hours since their last encounter and he thought he could stay away in his study.
He had sat and tried to turn his mind to other matters, with no success.
With each passing minute it became more difficult to do.
He would sit to compose another executive order or go over blueprints for new public facilities and find himself deep in thought about what he would say to Caeli. How he would address what she said.
He stood in dismay, knowing that he still wasn't sure what he would say to her. Only knowing that he could not continue this way.
He was sure that it was foolish to seek her out without some form of explanation, some idea of what he would say.
But he felt the anxious urgency rising with each passing minute and knew the only way to relieve himself of such torture was to face her.
Raven knocked softly once.
Then twice.
Then a third time.
Still no answer.
"My lord?", Calliope squeaked behind him.
Raven reigned his shock at the woman's sudden appearance.
Ever since he'd met Caeli his senses were not what they once were.
Or more precisely, his mind was constantly preoccupied, making his senses dull.
Raven slowly turned and nodded at the stout woman.
"My lord, if it is Caeli you are looking for, she left her room some time ago. Her and Bat left through the front doors of the castle and have yet to return.", Calliope said apologetically.
Raven cleared his throat, suddenly abashed at being caught red-handed at Caeli's door.
"Thank you.", he said to the maid nodding and stepping around her to make his way to the castles front doors.
Calliope smothered a giggle beneath her hand and went on her way, thinking to herself how exciting having the lady around was making things.
Raven went to the steps of the castle and stood, helpless.
He could easily track the girl but felt it an invasion of her privacy to do so.
Just as he began rubbing his neck, fraught over what to do next, he realized the gardeners had stopped working and began to stare at him.
"Is there something we can do for you, my lord?", Fuschia asked hesitantly.
"You didn't happen to see Caeli come by here did you? I've something to discuss with her.", he said through a tightening throat.
He couldn't recall when last he felt so foolish.
Raven, intent on avoiding eye contact with the workers, missed the small smiling glance between them.
"In town, my lord. She stopped only a moment to bid us a good night before stating she intended to venture into town and… what did she say Cultivars?", Fuschia asked.
"'To learn and write about the people of the Forest'", Cultivars said, his eyes still wide as he stared at the king.
Raven gave a curt nod and made his way to town.
Cultivars and Fuschia shared a glance before returning to their work.
Neither needed to speak to know what the other was thinking. They had never seen their master in such a state.
Raven made his way through the first village closest to the castle, curtly nodding in greeting to all that bowed or bid him good night.
He searched for some time until he noticed a crowd gathered outside of one of the local inns that many favored for their traditional dishes and music.
He stood in the back, easily towering above the others, to see inside.
Caeli sat with a stringed instrument in her lap, laughing and easily strumming the four strings on the small apparatus.
Others surrounded her with their own instruments, signing and playing along with her.
Caeli herself began to sing.
"And my dear,
Never fear,
For the Folk will be there,
Gifts in hand they will warm your hearth,
And join your mirth,
Easy now, easy now,
For the Folk will be there,"
Her voice rang out light lilting.
Raven was shocked to see her use the damaged appendage as she so often wore it in a sling. Being her host, and thus privy to her progress, he could hardly believe his eyes.
The song ended and, all present, clapped and cheered boisterously.
Caeli nodded in appreciation, smiling and laughing, and Raven thought to himself, *I could watch her like this and never tire of it.*
He instantly reprimanded himself.
He was sure she wouldn't appreciate him watching her, unknowingly in the shadows.
With a bittersweet taste on his tongue, he turned to make his way back to the castle.
Their talk would have to wait.