Amicia,
Perhaps you didn't get my letters, or you're just ignoring them, so I'm writing to you again.
It's sad seeing how little you care for your family, especially as I have been watching your parents grow frail and fragile in the weeks you have been neglecting to do anything to save them. They may not have much time left, considering you're not doing much to help them.
Your sisters are stronger, but soon enough they'll end up in the same state as your parents. Perhaps you have always been jealous of them so you don't care.
Just know that you have time left. Come to the castle and surrounded yourself to the King.
Save your family.
~Unknown.
I tried hard to keep my breathing in check. This was the fifth one I had received over the course of the past few weeks. At first I thought they were trying to trick us into coming back, but the letters come with more and more detail about my family and even information about me, so I can't help but take them seriously now.
As I stuff it in the breast pocket of my dress I hold my hand to my chest, feeling my heartbeat through it.
"Amicia? Are you okay?"
I look up with a smile once I hear Blasius's voice. I didn't know how or if I should approach my friends on the subject of the letters so I had been keeping them stashed away in a bedside table upstairs. We hadn't left the original house we settled in, but I wondered if I should tell them solely for our security. Then again, the letters may be threatening, but they were better than someone coming in and taking us back, so it was a troubling decision to make.
"I think I just need some fresh air."
"I was about to go on a walk and survey the area a little bit more. Come with me." His invitation is tempting, and although I really wanted to be alone to take more time to think about the situation I'm in, I cave and agree to go with him.
The walk was slow and casual, not to mention quiet. I liked it though, I didn't know if I could hold a conversation with all of the thoughts running through my head right now. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Blasius look at me every few minutes, but he didn't say a word. I wondered if I was being too transparent. Could he see right through me? Was he aware something was wrong? Did he know I was hiding something?
I knew I needed to tell him and the others. Blasius in particular had always been observant since I had known him and it was just a matter of time before he found out on his own. I didn't want him to think that I didn't trust him, or that I was the untrustworthy one.
My thoughts were interrupted by a glinting up ahead. I put my hand up, shading my eyes to get a better look. In the distance sat a little pond with the reflection of the sun glimmering off of the water. To the right of the pond stood a giant willow tree. The scenery was so beautiful it made me momentarily forget everything that was going on. The only think I could do was point and whisper, "Look!"
Blasius's eyes followed where my finger was pointed and took in all that was in front of us. Then he smiled back at me.
"Let's go sit there," he suggested, and I just nodded.
Our pace was much quicker this time and it took only a few minutes to reach the small pond. There was nothing that was especially unique about it, but after being underground so long and then not being able to go outside often for safety reasons, I felt joyful about the small things. This being one of them.
For a few minutes, I did and said nothing except take in the view and the smell of the algae and fish that accommodated the small body of water. A smile danced on my lips without me even knowing. When I looked at Blasius to see if he shared the same expression, all I saw was furrowed eyebrows and a slight frown.
"What's wrong? If this view doesn't make you happy then ... I don't know what will. It's beautiful here."
He nodded, "I agree. The nature is nice. That's not the problem."
"Then?"
"I suppose I just wish we were here under different circumstances. This would make a nice spot for a date, but it isn't as if something like that is doable right now, given that we're hiding from the king and all," he explained.
Date. Date. My mind practically froze after hearing that word come out of his mouth so casually. It seemed so surreal that my legs almost gave way, causing me to collapse. I wondered if my cheeks were red, considering the way that they had heated up in a matter of seconds.
Him and I. On a date. In the middle of a field, so calm and peaceful, surrounded by nothing but nature and without a single worry in our heads. I could already picture it in my mind. It was flattering that he implied that, and I could only hope that he meant it in the way that I took it.
Did he think that way about us?
"I wish so, too," I agreed. The only thing I could manage to mutter with all of the fantasies swirling around my head, making me dizzy with pining, yearning for any one of them to become reality.
He simply sighed and sat down on the dry grass, looking at me with anticipation. I sat down next to him and stared out at the pond with an empty head as he did the same. I didn't even know how long we had sat there, but at some point the sky had started to turn orange and I knew it had been at least a few hours. Blasius seemed to notice this too.
"We should start leaving now so that we get back before it gets too dark," he told me.
As Blasius begins to get up, I grab the sleeve of his shirt and without even processing my actions, press my lips to his. Admittedly, it isn't as suave as the kiss he initiated outside of the castle, but when I begin to pull away he tugs me back towards him and kissed me back. His enthusiasm left my embarrassment to melt away until the only thing I could focus on is the way his lips move against mine.
Eventually, he pulled away, resting his forehead against mine for a split second as he breathed heavily, as did I. When he finally stood up all the way, he reached a hand down toward me and when I took it, pulled me up with him.
Maybe I was childish, but I was left a giddy, blushing mess as he held it the entire walk home.