As I lay on the floor, the cold marble against my back, I couldn't shake off the sensation of Ciara's hands on me. It was infuriating, and yet, the way her touch had sent shivers down my spine was something I didn't want to admit to myself.
Why did it have to feel so intense, so electrifying? I hated her for making me feel this way. She was supposed to be a heartless flirt, someone who never took anything seriously. How could I be matched with someone like her? The thought made me groan inwardly. I couldn't let myself get carried away by these unwanted emotions.
I shook my head, trying to dispel the lingering warmth that her touch had left. I needed to focus, to keep my composure.
Letting Ciara affect me like this was dangerous. It was clear she was just as frustrated and confused by this situation as I was. But that didn't make it any easier. Why did she have to be my perfect match? It felt like some cruel joke the universe was playing on me.
Leora's voice broke through my spiraling thoughts. "You two now go back to Ciara's castle. Aeliana, bring her in your car, please."
Ciara's expression was thunderous, but for once, she didn't say anything. I took a deep breath, pushing myself up from the floor. "I'm not finished with my work," I protested weakly, knowing it wouldn't make any difference.
Leora dismissed me with a wave of her hand. "You can finish it later. Go."
The journey to my car was surprisingly calm, a stark contrast to the chaos inside my head. Ciara was brooding beside me, her silence a tangible presence. Just as I was starting to think we might make it out of the castle without further incident, Nathaniel appeared.
"Aeliana, hey!" he called out, jogging over with his usual easy smile.
I managed a smile in return. "Hey, Nathaniel. What's up?"
"Just wanted to check in. How are things going?"
Nathaniel leaned against the wall casually, his gaze lingering on me with a mix of curiosity and admiration. "You know," he began, his voice smooth and warm, "I've been thinking a lot lately about how lucky I am to run into you. You've got this way of brightening up even the dullest days."
I felt a shiver of warmth at his compliment, though I tried to play it cool. "Really? I'm just doing my best to get through the day like everyone else."
Nathaniel's smile widened, and he took a small step closer, making the space between us feel suddenly intimate. "Oh, come on. I've seen you handle everything with such grace. It's impressive."
I blushed at his words, feeling the flutter of his attention like a gentle breeze. "Thanks, but it's not like I'm doing anything extraordinary."
He chuckled softly, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, maybe not to you. But to me, it seems like you're always on the brink of something amazing."
There was a playful glint in his eyes as he leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a more conspiratorial tone. "You know, if you ever need a partner in crime for those extraordinary moments, I'm just a call away."
Before I could respond, Ciara cleared her throat loudly. "Could you two stop flirting? Some of us have places to be."
Nathaniel frowned at her. "We weren't flirting," he said defensively. He turned back to me with a softer look. "Catch you later, Aeliana." He winked, causing a blush to creep up my cheeks.
Ciara made a dramatic gagging noise. "Seriously? You two are gross."
I glared at her. "You know, you could try being civil for once."
"Why bother?" she shot back, her tone sulky. "We're perfect matches, remember? Lucky us."
Ciara's mood swings were like riding a roller coaster with a blindfold on. As I drove, she seemed to oscillate between mock horror and exaggerated amusement, making every second feel like a live performance of a dramatic play. Her constant commentary turned the car into a stage where she was both the diva and the critic, and I was her unwilling audience.
"Are you sure this car is roadworthy?" she asked, peering at the dashboard as though expecting it to spontaneously combust. "I mean, it's not like you picked it up from a junkyard or anything."
I rolled my eyes. "It's perfectly fine. It gets me from point A to point B, and that's all that matters."
She scoffed. "Point A to Point B? Is that your philosophy on driving? I'd expect a bit more flair from someone who clearly has no clue about style or substance."
I grinned. "Oh, I see. You want flair. Should I start doing donuts in the parking lot? Maybe add some synchronized music?"
"Very funny," she said, crossing her arms dramatically. "Maybe you should enroll in a driving course for people who lack basic charm."
I chuckled. "I didn't realize charm was a requirement for operating a vehicle. I thought it was just being able to turn the wheel and press the pedals."
Ciara glanced at me with a look of exaggerated horror. "And you're telling me you can manage all of that at once? I'm impressed. Really, I am. You should add 'multitasker' to your résumé."
I tried not to laugh, but her antics were contagious. "You know, I might just do that. 'Can drive, can handle sarcasm—professional level.'"
She raised an eyebrow. "Oh, and don't forget to mention 'Can deal with impossible passengers with grace and patience.'"
I shot her a sideways glance. "That's an essential skill, isn't it?"
"Absolutely," she said with a wink. "And I must say, you're doing an admirable job of hiding your frustration."
"Why would I be frustrated?" I asked. "It's not like you're making this any easier."
Her lips curled into a mischievous smile. "I'm just testing your limits. Think of it as a game. How much can you take before you snap?"
"Glad to know I'm your personal challenge," I replied, trying to keep the tone light. "Does this mean I get a prize if I make it through?"
"Only if you survive my critique," she teased. "You're doing okay so far, but let's see if you can handle my next level of torment."
"Oh joy," I muttered. "I can hardly wait."
As we drove, Ciara continued her commentary, this time focusing on my driving habits. "Do you know how to use a turn signal, or is that something reserved for people who actually care about other drivers?"
I flicked on the signal just to annoy her. "Is that better?"
She sighed dramatically. "Barely. But at least you're making an effort. Maybe there's hope for you yet."
A few moments later, she added, "And what's with this music? Are you trying to put me to sleep with this drivel?"
I raised an eyebrow. "You're lucky I'm not blasting classical music. I could have gone for a full orchestra."
"Ugh, please no," she said, shuddering. "Anything but that. I've got standards, you know."
I couldn't help but laugh. "Standards? From the person who's currently trash-talking my driving?"
"Hey, I'm just a critic," she said with a smirk. "It's my job to have standards and to make sure you're aware of them."
"Well, I'm glad to be of service," I said. "Let's just get home before you decide my car needs an exorcism or something."
"Fair enough," Ciara conceded, though she was still grumbling under her breath. "But you're not off the hook yet. There's always next time."
As we neared her castle, Ciara's mood seemed to shift again, this time to a mix of reluctant admiration and resigned humor. "I suppose you're not the worst driver I've ever had to endure."
"High praise," I said dryly. "I'll add that to my list of accomplishments."
"Don't get used to it," she warned, a twinkle in her eye. "This is just the beginning."
When we finally arrived, Ciara made a show of dramatically sighing as she got out of the car. "Well, I survived. Somehow."
Finally, we arrived at her castle. I parked the car and turned off the engine, glancing at Ciara. She was staring out the window, her expression a mix of anger and something else I couldn't quite place.
"Well, we're here," I said softly.
Ciara sighed and opened the door, stepping out. "Yeah, thanks for the ride," she muttered, her tone begrudging.
I got out as well, following her up the steps to the grand entrance. The tension between us was palpable, but there was also an unspoken understanding. We were stuck in this together, whether we liked it or not.
As we entered the castle, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of relief. Maybe, just maybe, we could find a way to make this work. But for now, all I could do was take it one step at a time and hope that we wouldn't kill each other in the process.