"My King, today you should spend the rest of it trying to get to know Kya better. There were other monster women in the town, but I think that you should focus on her. The others are surviving, but Kya is out of her element. She was driven from her home by a lustful lord that abused her, and now she has no home. She trusts no one, but you are no one, my King," Fiona explained as she adjusted my clothing.
A hint of concern laced her voice, and I couldn't help but feel the same way. Ever since I'd met Kya, the mysterious Lady of the Lake, I'd been unable to stop thinking about her tragic story. Her sorrowful eyes and guarded demeanor weighed heavily upon my heart, and I knew that if there was any chance of helping her find peace, I had to take it.
"Thank you, Fiona," I murmured, clasping her hand for a moment before heading towards the castle's entrance. "I'll do my best to gain her trust and see if there's anything I can do to help."
As I stepped outside, the sun started arching back down in the sky, casting long shadows across the landscape. The air held a stillness as though the world was holding its breath in anticipation of some great event. It felt strangely fitting, given the task that lay ahead of me.
Making my way through the village, I smiled at the people I passed, but most people looked away or gave me a fearful look. I decided I wouldn't let any of that get to me today. I had a task, and I needed to steal my confidence.
I had been surprised that Lachlan hadn't come to threaten me, but maybe he was busy doing something for once. I still wondered about him and why he was the way he was, but that wouldn't likely be an answer I would get any time soon.
Once I was through town, I made my way down to the river where I'd first encountered Kya; I found her sitting at the water's edge, staring out into the running water with an expression of deep longing. Even from a distance, her ethereal beauty was undeniable – her luminescent skin seemed to glow beneath the sunlight, and her flowing dress clung to her slender frame like a second skin.
With a steadying breath, I approached her slowly, unwilling to startle her or make her feel threatened.
"Kya?" I called softly, stopping a respectful distance away from her. "It's Azriel. May I join you?"
She turned to face me slowly, clearly surprised by my presence. But after studying my features for a moment, she nodded wordlessly, granting me permission to approach.
Sitting beside her, I tried my best to converse without delving too deeply into her past or personal life. We spoke of the desolation surrounding us, the birds that soared overhead, and the fish that darted playfully beneath the river's surface. As we talked, I couldn't help but notice that Kya's eyes seemed to hold a certain sadness – a quiet pain that made me ache to comfort her.
But I also understood that gaining Kya's trust would not be an easy feat. After all, she had been through, she needed time and space to heal, and I didn't want to push her further away by coming on too strong.
So, instead of prying on her thoughts or feelings, I simply sat beside her and enjoyed her company, feeling a growing sense of contentment in our shared silence. And while it may seem odd to take pleasure in such small moments, I couldn't deny that they held a certain magic all their own.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky with vibrant hues of orange and pink, I decided to broach a more delicate topic.
"Kya, I know that there is much pain and suffering in your past," I began cautiously, choosing my words carefully. "And I understand it might be difficult for you to open up to someone new. But please, know I am here to help you in any way possible. If there is anything you need or wish to discuss, don't hesitate to reach out to me."
Her eyes widened slightly as if surprised by my sincerity. She gazed at me for a few moments before finally breaking her silence.
"I… thank you, Azriel," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the gentle roll of the river. "Your kindness means more to me than you can possibly know."
Moved by her heartfelt response, I reached over and placed a reassuring hand on hers, hoping to convey my unwavering support.
"In this life, we rarely encounter those who truly have our best interests at heart," I told her gently. "So when we find them, it's important to cherish that connection and allow ourselves to be vulnerable – even if only a little."
As the last light of day faded from the sky, Kya turned her gaze back towards the shimmering waters of the river, her fingers entwined with mine as though seeking solace in our newfound bond.
As the darkness enveloped us like a comforting embrace, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in what we'd accomplished thus far. Though it was only the beginning of our journey together, our slow-burning connection promised untold possibilities and the hope of healing for us both.
Gently squeezing Kya's hand, I stood and offered her a warm smile. "Come on, let's head back to the castle. Tomorrow is a new day."
To my surprise, she nodded and rose with me.
"I am not giving myself over to you, but if you are offering me a place to stay for the night, I will take you up on the offer," She said slowly, and I nodded with a smile.
"It is a very large castle, and I am pretty sure I haven't even been in a third of it yet. Fiona should have no trouble finding you a room," I chuckled and offered her my arm.