The next morning, I woke up with a fire in my veins. Determination buzzed through me like electricity, giving me the kind of energy I hadn't felt in weeks. Today, I was going to fix things with Aeliana. No more misunderstandings. No more avoiding the truth.
The first rays of sunlight pierced through my curtains, and I threw them open, bathing the room in golden light.
I practically jumped out of bed, my feet hitting the cold stone floor with a satisfying thud. "Let's do this," I muttered to myself, more of a pep talk than anything else. I had a plan, and I wasn't going to waste any time executing it.
I stepped into the shower, the water running hot against my skin, steam filling the air. I let it cascade down my back, closing my eyes and breathing in the warm, misty air.
As the water washed over me, I felt a strange sense of calm settle in my bones, like the storm inside me had found its eye. I'd let things go too far yesterday; I'd let my pride and my frustration get in the way. But today… today was different.
I scrubbed my skin until it tingled, letting the heat soothe my nerves. I could almost see Aeliana's face in the mist the hurt in her eyes, the tears threatening to spill. I gritted my teeth, cursing myself for letting things get to this point.
"Idiot," I muttered under my breath, turning the water off with a sharp twist. I stepped out, quickly drying off and pulling on fresh clothes.
I chose something less intimidating today, softer a simple black tunic and pants, instead of my usual leather. If I wanted to talk to Aeliana, really talk, I couldn't show up looking like I was ready to pick a fight.
With one last glance in the mirror, I focused on the castle in my mind. A shiver of magic raced down my spine as I teleported, the air warping around me. I landed in the grand hallway of Leora's castle, startling a few of the staff who jumped back with a mix of fear and surprise.
I could feel their eyes on me, whispers following in my wake as I strode through the hallways. "Where is Aeliana?" I asked a maid, who looked like she might faint on the spot.
She stuttered, "M-Miss Aeliana hasn't arrived yet."
I clenched my jaw, resisting the urge to growl in frustration. "Fine," I muttered, turning on my heel. I'd wait for her. She had to show up eventually, right?
I found my way to the courtyard and decided to wait there, tapping my foot impatiently. I paced back and forth, trying to burn off the excess energy surging through me. The morning sun was rising higher, its warm light slowly heating the stone beneath my feet.
A gardener walked by, looking at me with a raised brow. "You look like a caged animal," he chuckled.
I shot him a glare but couldn't help the small smirk that crept onto my lips. "I'm waiting for someone," I said, as if that weren't obvious.
He nodded sagely. "Ah, waiting for a girl, are ya?"
I rolled my eyes. "None of your business, old man," I snapped, but there was no real heat in my voice. I couldn't help but feel the absurdity of it all.
Here I was, the great Ciara, feared and respected by many, reduced to pacing like a nervous teenager.
The minutes dragged on like hours, the sun climbing steadily in the sky. I sighed, leaning against a stone pillar, crossing my arms. Aeliana still hadn't arrived. What was taking her so long? I was about to go look for her myself when I heard a commotion at the castle gates.
Finally. I straightened, trying to look as casual as possible, but my heart was pounding like a drum in my chest.
The gates opened, and there she was. Aeliana. She was walking quickly, almost as if she was trying to escape something or someone. As her eyes met mine, her expression hardened, and I saw the way her steps quickened, her body tensing.
My stomach twisted. She wasn't going to make this easy, was she? I pushed off the pillar and started towards her, determined. "Aeliana!" I called out, trying to keep my voice steady, not too demanding.
She turned her head sharply and kept walking, her shoulders set, and her chin high. Ignoring me.
"Aeliana!" I called again, louder this time, breaking into a light jog to catch up to her. "We need to talk."
She didn't even look at me. "I have nothing to say to you," she replied, her voice tight, strained.
I felt a flare of frustration, but I swallowed it down. "Look, I know what you think you saw—"
She cut me off, her voice icy. "I don't want to hear it, Ciara."
I stopped in my tracks for a moment, feeling a pang in my chest at the way she said my name. There was such finality to it, such distance. I hurried to catch up again, sidestepping a servant carrying a tray of flowers. "Please, just give me a chance to explain."
Aeliana quickened her pace, almost breaking into a run. "I don't owe you anything," she said, her voice shaking now, either from anger or hurt or both.
I was losing her. I could feel it. Panic bubbled up in my chest. "Aeliana, please. Just—"
She spun around, her face flushed, her eyes blazing with emotion. "I do not wish to talk to you," she said firmly, her voice loud enough that a few nearby staff members turned to stare.
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I stood there, frozen, staring at her, my mouth open but no words coming out. She turned on her heel and walked away, her back straight, her hair catching the sunlight like a halo.
I felt the blood drain from my face. This was worse than I'd thought. Much worse. And I had no idea how to make it right.