The next morning broke clear and blue. Twyla stood in a patch of sunlight savouring the warmth before heading into the tiled bathroom. The cold floor sent a wave of memory through her. Her apartment. Hers and Sofia's. Those cold, icy cold, marble floors. That dark, fashionable place that her best friend had chosen just to please her. Oh, Sofia. Loss washed over Twyla and she couldn't stand anymore. She crumpled onto the floor and wept for Sofia. But also for the days of going to classes, trying new pancake houses, meeting up with her friends, even Latin. What was Twyla doing?
She wasn't some hero who went out on an adventure and saved the princess and the world and did all the things. She was just a history student. Sobs ran through her.
Her bird pendant fell forward and she grasped it. It soothed her. Hunter would help. Hunter would make everything right. She just needed to help Hunter. He would stop the bad things from happening. She just had to remember that.
Twyla stood up and turned on all the taps. She threw in lemon soap and watched the bubbles form. She slipped into the bath and under the water. It was calm here. No troubles. No noise.
But she did need to breathe. She surfaced and as she washed she thought about what Hunter could be doing that he didn't want her to go outside. What would take up so much space that she couldn't even look out the windows? And why would it be so bad? What was he hiding? She had to know. Also, when would be the right time to find out? If she went too early, she might find out nothing. But if she went out too late, again, she might get nothing. Should she follow him? How would she do that? Wait for him to visit her? What if he didn't visit her?
Twyla sighed.
There were simply too many unanswered questions. Too many possibilities. She just did not have enough information. It was her fault. She should have been doing more research. Not having picnics.
She ran the soap up her arm, savouring the silky feeling. The fresh lemon scent surrounded her, waking her mind up.
Maybe Iynx would help? Twyla knew Iynx was unhappy about something but if they talked it could help… Unless whatever Hunter was hiding was the thing Iynx was unhappy about.
Twyla sat on the step at the edge of the bath and soaped her legs. She started at her thigh and worked her way down.
Soon, the bath was more soap than water. Twyla rinsed with fresh water and towelled dry. Her necklace gleamed in the light.
Today felt like a bright day and Twyla picked a sunny, knee-length dress. She tied a matching ribbon into her hair and smoothed down her dress.
Knock knock
Hunter!
Twyla's heart sped up and a stupid grin plastered her face.
She ran to the door and yanked it open.
"Hi!" she whispered, breathless.
"Good morning, Twyla," he said, smiling down at her. "Ready for breakfast?"
"Yes!" she exclaimed, stepping into the hallway.
He offered her a hand and she took it. Again, he didn't waste time but took them straight to the dining hall.
The mood in the dining room was different, boisterous. Sure, it was always loud and active but today it verged on hostile.
As soon as Twyla and Hunter stepped into the dining room, the noise level died down and everyone looked at them. Should she let go of Hunter's hand? Was that it? Hmmm, weren't they holding hands at dinner? A few people growled. Not the growl Hunter gave Twyla sometimes, this was… scarier. Threatening.
Arke was at their side. "Why did you bring her here?" Arke muttered angrily, pulling them towards the emptiest, furthest table.
"What? What did I do?" Twyla complained.
"Nothing. It's nothing," Hunter brushed off.
Twyla could clearly see that it was not nothing.
"It will be fine for breakfast. They can handle themselves," Hunter told Arke.
"Can you?" Arke asked Hunter pointedly, raising an eyebrow. Arke was clearly not happy with this situation.
Was this really because Twyla and Hunter were holding hands? Was it because Hunter was their leader? Was there some kind of status thing? Was he supposed to date someone with a better rank? Or magical blood? Not just a human?
"Not that they were dating," Twyla reminded herself. They had made no promises. They definitely had not had the talk. Maybe Hunter was um… busy with a fair few other people… That would explain all the snarls. Twyla felt a stab of… something. Definitely not jealousy. She had no right to be jealous. They weren't "exclusive" or whatever it was called these days. And, she didn't have any feelings for him, did she?
Would it be so bad if she did?
"Are you listening, Twyla? This is not the time to fantasise about human nonsense or whatever it is you are doing," Arke hissed.
"Um…" Twyla had not been listening. She had been staring at the way the sunlight reflected off the gold strands in Hunter's hair while she ruminated about their situation.
"Just because Hunter thinks that it's a good idea to put you down here with this lot, does not mean it is. Hunter just wants to show you off, like a trophy. You need to keep yourself safe. Stay in your room for the next few days. Do not leave. If you need anything, call me or Iynx or even Dimitri; even though he… isn't the most helpful. Do not call for Hunter. Do not look for Hunter."
"Why What's going on?" Twyla asked, scared.
Arke and Hunter exchanged looks.
"Tell her," Arke commanded. "She deserves to know. She is not just some play thing that you can drag around and use, Hunter."
Hunter kept silent.
"I know you and Iynx had a falling out about Twyla too. Iynx never gets mad. So, you must have done something serious. I will not be a part of this," Arke vowed and left.
Iynx was mad about her and Hunter? What had made her mad? She had made the necklace? She wouldn't have done that if she thought that Twyla and Hunter were a bad idea. So, it had to be something else related to them. What was Hunter not telling Twyla? Unless Twyla had unintentionally done something… Was she supposed to have told Iynx that she and Hunter were a thing? They weren't a thing until that tea, though. And Iynx was already mad then…
Hunter let out a long breath. "I am sorry, Twyla. I think it is safer if you do not know."
"I think you should trust me enough to let me decide. I think I'll go back to my room now."
The walk back to her room was silent. Why wouldn't he just tell her what was happening? Why did he not trust her?
"Twyla. I… will be away. Out of reach for the next few days. Arke is right. Call one of them if you need anything. Anything at all. They are all willing to help you in any way."
"Okay," Twyla's voice came out in barely a whisper. Was he going away? Was he going to come back? Was he going to someone else?
"I l- care about, Hunter."
"I care about you too, Twyla."
And then he was gone and she didn't know when she would see him again. If she would see him again.