Lying on my bed, I couldn't help but laugh out loud. The scene I had witnessed through my little purple flame demon was absolutely priceless.
Nathaniel, that idiot, running around like a headless chicken while trying to catch my mischievous creation was a sight to behold. The little demon had done its job perfectly, creating chaos and confusion, just as I had intended.
"Good job," I said, reaching out to the tiny creature. It flickered its flames happily before I made it disappear with a snap of my fingers. I was still chuckling to myself when the door to my room creaked open, and Aeliana stepped inside.
I quickly composed myself, shifting on the bed and feigning a pained expression. "Ugh, these injuries are killing me," I groaned, holding my side dramatically.
Aeliana raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying my act. "I know what you did, Ciara," she said, crossing her arms and looking at me with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.
I put on my most innocent face. "I have no idea what you're talking about," I replied, trying to suppress a smirk.
Aeliana rolled her eyes. "You sent that little purple flame demon to disrupt my date with Nathaniel. Don't pretend you didn't."
"I'm innocent, I swear," I said, widening my eyes in mock surprise. "Maybe the demon just has a mind of its own. You never know with these things."
Aeliana shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "Really, Ciara? You're going to stick with that story?"
"Absolutely," I said, nodding earnestly. "In fact, I think you should be thanking me. Nathaniel is a bore. I saved you from a dull evening."
She let out a sigh, but I could see she was trying not to laugh. "You are impossible."
"Thank you," I said with a wink. "I do try."
Aeliana walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge, her demeanor softening. "You know, it was actually kind of funny," she admitted, shaking her head. "Seeing Nathaniel run around like that..."
I couldn't help but laugh again. "See? I told you. I'm just providing entertainment."
For a moment, there was a comfortable silence between us. I watched as Aeliana's smile grew, lighting up her face. There was something about her smile that made my heart skip a beat, a feeling I wasn't entirely comfortable with. But as much as I tried to push it away, it lingered, making me feel things I wasn't used to feeling.
Aeliana looked at me, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "You're such a troublemaker, Ciara."
"Someone's got to keep things interesting," I replied, trying to keep my tone light despite the unfamiliar emotions swirling inside me.
She chuckled softly, shaking her head again. "Just try not to get us all into too much trouble, okay?"
"No promises," I said, smirking. But even as I said it, I couldn't help but feel a strange warmth spreading through me at the sight of her smile. Damn it, I really didn't want to feel this way. Not about her. Not about anyone.
We sat there for a while, just enjoying the rare moment of peace and camaraderie. As much as I hated to admit it, Aeliana's presence was comforting, a steady anchor in the storm of my chaotic life. And for now, that was enough.
As Aeliana got up to leave, I couldn't resist one last quip. "Just make sure Nathaniel knows he owes me one for that little adventure."
She laughed, shaking her head. "I'll be sure to pass along the message. Get some rest, Ciara."
"Yeah, yeah," I grumbled, but there was no real annoyance in my tone. As the door closed behind her, I let out a sigh, staring at the ceiling. I couldn't deny it any longer. Aeliana was getting under my skin, and there was nothing I could do about it.
I lay there, replaying the events of the evening in my mind. Despite the pain from my injuries, I felt a strange sense of contentment. Maybe, just maybe, having Aeliana around wasn't such a bad thing after all.
Still, I couldn't let her know that. I had a reputation to maintain, after all. With a determined sigh, I resolved to keep my feelings in check and not let her get too close. But deep down, I knew it was already too late.
Aeliana re-entered the room, her expression firm. "It's time to go eat," she announced, folding her arms and looking at me expectantly.
I groaned and rolled over, burying my face in the pillow. "I don't want to get up," I muttered, my voice muffled.
"You're feeling much better than before," she pointed out, walking over to the bed and giving it a gentle shake. "So, you're getting up, and I'm not feeding you this time."
I peeked out from under the pillow, scowling. "You're really going to force me, huh?"
She nodded, not backing down. "Yes, I am. Now, come on."
Grumbling, I reluctantly pushed myself up, wincing a little as my muscles protested. "Fine, fine," I said, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. "But don't expect me to be cheerful about it."
Aeliana smirked, clearly satisfied with her small victory. "I wouldn't dream of it."
I managed to stand up, still feeling a bit sore but significantly better than before. Aeliana waited patiently, watching me with an amused glint in her eyes as I struggled to get my balance. "Need help?" she asked, a teasing tone in her voice.
I shot her a glare. "No, I got it."
Once I was steady, Aeliana led the way out of the room, and I followed her down the hallway. "You know, you could have at least brought me some food in bed," I complained, trying to keep the irritation in my voice light.
"And let you turn into a complete sloth? No way," she replied with a chuckle. "Besides, you need to move around a bit to fully recover."
We reached the dining room, and I couldn't help but feel a bit grateful for her persistence. Despite my earlier grumbling, I knew she was right. As much as I hated to admit it, I needed to be up and moving.
The smell of food hit me as soon as we entered, and my stomach growled in response. I shot Aeliana a look. "Okay, maybe you were right," I said grudgingly.
She smiled, clearly enjoying this moment. "I usually am. Now, sit down and eat. You've got to keep your strength up."
I rolled my eyes but complied, taking a seat at the table. As I watched Aeliana sit across from me, I couldn't help but feel a strange mix of annoyance and gratitude. She was infuriatingly persistent, but maybe that wasn't such a bad thing after all.