After Ciara saw me naked, I wanted to bury myself alive. What the hell just happened? My heart was pounding as I stepped into the shower, hoping the hot water would wash away the embarrassment. How could I have been so careless?
But more importantly, why did her gaze linger on me like that? It made my skin tingle in a way I wasn't ready to acknowledge.
I took my time in the shower, trying to regain my composure. When I finally got out, Ciara was gone. Thank the heavens for small mercies. I dressed quickly, choosing a conservative outfit that made me feel like I had armor on. I couldn't afford to think about her—about us—right now. I had work to do.
The journey to Leora's castle was uneventful, but my mind was anything but. Flashes of Ciara's smirk, the way she'd looked at me—like she wanted to devour me—kept intruding on my thoughts. By the time I arrived, I was already exhausted.
Leora greeted me with her usual warm smile. "Good morning, Aeliana. Ready for another day of paperwork and rogue demon reports?"
I forced a smile. "As ready as I'll ever be."
We dove into the work, reviewing the recent spike in rogue demon activity. I tried to focus, but my mind kept drifting. Every time I looked at a map or a report, I saw Ciara's eyes, her confident swagger, the way she'd smirked at me this morning. It was infuriating.
"Aeliana, did you hear me?" Leora's voice cut through my thoughts.
I blinked, realizing she'd been speaking to me. "Sorry, I... what did you say?"
She frowned. "I asked if you've seen any patterns in these reports. You seem a bit distracted today."
I sighed, rubbing my temples. "It's just... a lot on my mind."
Leora studied me for a moment. "Does this have anything to do with Ciara?"
My heart skipped a beat. "Why would you think that?"
"Aeliana, I've known you for a long time. I can tell when something's bothering you. And considering you've been living with her for a week..."
I shook my head. "It's nothing. Just adjusting to her... eccentricities."
Leora didn't look convinced, but she let it go. "Alright. Let's focus on these reports. We need to figure out where these rogues are coming from and why."
I nodded, trying to push thoughts of Ciara aside. We spent hours going over data, maps, and reports. My head was spinning with numbers and locations, but it was better than thinking about her.
By lunchtime, I was barely keeping it together. Leora noticed my unease and suggested we take a break. We walked to the courtyard, where the castle staff had set up a small lunch area. The fresh air helped clear my mind a bit, but it wasn't enough.
Leora looked at me over her cup of tea. "Aeliana, you know you can talk to me, right? If something's bothering you..."
I sighed, staring at my sandwich. "It's just... Ciara. She's so..."
"Intense?" Leora offered with a knowing smile.
"Yeah, that's one way to put it."
Leora laughed softly. "She has that effect on people. But she's not as tough as she seems. Underneath all that bravado, there's a person who cares deeply about those close to her."
I raised an eyebrow. "You really think so?"
"I know so. I've seen it. Just give her a chance."
I nodded, though I wasn't convinced. The rest of the day passed in a blur of paperwork and discussions. We identified a few potential hotspots for rogue activity and planned a strategy to deal with them. But my mind kept wandering back to Ciara. Her confidence, her teasing, the way she made my heart race. It was maddening.
By the time evening rolled around, I was exhausted. Leora noticed and suggested we call it a day. "You've done enough, Aeliana. We can pick this up after a little break."
I nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Leora."
She smiled. "Come on, let's get you home."
Before I could protest, she grabbed my hand and teleported us both to Ciara's castle. The sudden change in scenery was disorienting, and I stumbled slightly as we landed in the main hall.
"Leora!" I exclaimed, trying to steady myself. "You didn't have to—"
She cut me off with a wink. "Consider it a service. You need to relax."
With that, she disappeared, leaving me standing there, feeling even more flustered than before. The castle was quiet, the only sound the faint crackle of a fire somewhere in the distance. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart.
As I walked towards the room, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Ciara was a force of nature, and being around her was like standing too close to a wildfire. But there was something else, something I didn't want to admit even to myself. A part of me was drawn to her, to the challenge she represented, to the intensity of her presence.
I reached the room and found it empty again. Thankful for the solitude, I started to undress, ready to wash away the day's stress. But as I stepped into the bathroom, the memory of Ciara's gaze on my naked body flashed through my mind, making me pause.
What the hell was wrong with me? I needed to get a grip.
The hot water felt good, soothing my tense muscles. But it couldn't wash away the thoughts swirling in my mind. Thoughts of Ciara, of her intense eyes, her confident smirk, the way she seemed to know exactly how to push my buttons. It was maddening.
I took my time in the shower, hoping the steam would clear my head. When I finally stepped out, I felt a bit more grounded. But as I dried off and dressed, the tension didn't entirely dissipate.
Back in the main room, I found Leora waiting for me. She had a knowing look in her eyes, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she handed me a cup of tea and gestured for me to sit.
"We've got a lot of work ahead of us," she said, her tone light. "But I think you're up for it."
I nodded, taking a sip of the tea. It was soothing, a familiar comfort in the midst of all this chaos. "Thanks, Leora. I appreciate it."
She smiled. "Anytime. Now, let's talk strategy."
We spent the next hour discussing our plans, mapping out potential responses to the rogue demon threat. It was a welcome distraction, a way to focus my mind on something productive. But even as we talked, I couldn't shake the feeling of Ciara's presence, the way she seemed to linger in my thoughts.
As we wrapped up, Leora looked at me with a thoughtful expression. "Aeliana, I know this week hasn't been easy for you. But I think it's important. Ciara... she's a lot to handle, but she's worth it. Trust me."
I nodded, though I wasn't entirely convinced. "I'll try, Leora. Thanks."
She smiled, patting my shoulder. "Good. Now get some rest. We've got a lot to do tomorrow."
I nodded again, grateful for her understanding. As I made my way back to the room, I couldn't help but wonder what the next day would bring. But one thing was certain: with Ciara around, it would never be boring.