The infirmary was quieter than usual, the soft hum of the distant breeze outside filtering through the open windows. Sunlight streamed in, casting warm patches of light on the stone floor, and I felt the warmth on my skin as I sat on the edge of the bed, watching the nurse finish her examination.
She had a gentle touch, her fingers cool against my skin, but my mind was elsewhere, drifting to thoughts of Ciara.
"You're healing well, Aeliana," the nurse said, her voice pulling me back to the present. "Another week here, just for observation, and then you'll be free to return to your daily life. Maybe even go back home if you feel up to it."
I nodded, a small smile playing on my lips at the thought of leaving the infirmary. It had been comforting in its own way, but I was eager to be out, to feel the freedom of moving through the castle without restrictions.
But more than that, I was eager to be around Ciara again, without the awkwardness that had been hanging between us since our last conversation.
"That's good news," I said, trying to sound nonchalant, but I could feel the anticipation bubbling under the surface.
The nurse finished her examination, giving me a reassuring pat on the shoulder before leaving me to my thoughts. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding, glancing towards the door as it creaked open.
And there she was Ciara, leaning against the doorframe with that familiar smirk tugging at her lips, her eyes locking onto mine.
"Finally getting out of here, huh?" Ciara's voice was teasing, but there was a softness in her tone that she rarely let slip through.
"Almost," I replied, trying to match her lightheartedness. "Just one more week of being poked and prodded, and then I'm free."
She pushed off the doorframe and sauntered over, her movements fluid and confident. There was something different about the way she looked at me now, something that made my pulse quicken.
We had been spending more time together, training and sparring in the courtyard, our bodies constantly in motion, testing each other's limits. But it wasn't just physical. There was something else, something unspoken, that lingered between us.
Ciara stopped a few feet away, her eyes scanning me as if she was assessing my strength, her smirk growing as she noticed the small blush creeping up my neck. "You know," she said, her voice dropping slightly, "I'm almost disappointed. I was starting to like having you all to myself here."
The comment caught me off guard, my heart skipping a beat as I tried to think of a response. But before I could say anything, Ciara's smirk widened, and she took another step closer, the tension between us thickening.
"Relax," she said, her tone playful. "I'm just messing with you. But seriously, it'll be good to have you back in action. Can't have Nathaniel thinking he's the only one who can handle you in a fight."
There it was again Nathaniel. His name hung in the air between us, adding a layer of complexity to whatever was brewing between me and Ciara.
I could see the flicker of something in her eyes when she mentioned him, a brief flash of irritation that she quickly masked with another teasing grin.
"Speaking of lunch," Ciara said, changing the subject smoothly, "I figured you'd be sick of the infirmary food, so I had the kitchens prepare something a bit more… edible. Care to join me?"
I raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "What did you have in mind?"
Ciara's grin widened as she gestured for me to follow her. We walked through the castle, the familiar stone walls offering a sense of comfort as we made our way to a more secluded area, one of the smaller dining rooms that was rarely used.
Inside, a table was set with an array of dishes, the rich aromas filling the room and making my stomach growl in anticipation.
There was roasted chicken, the skin golden and crisp, paired with herb-infused potatoes that looked perfectly seasoned. A fresh salad sat to the side, vibrant greens topped with slices of ripe tomatoes and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
There was also a platter of assorted cheeses and fruits, and a loaf of freshly baked bread still warm from the oven. It was a feast compared to the bland soups and broths I'd been surviving on in the infirmary.
Ciara pulled out a chair for me with a mock bow, her grin never faltering. "M'lady," she said, her tone dripping with exaggerated formality.
I rolled my eyes, unable to suppress the smile that tugged at my lips. "Such a gentleman," I replied, sitting down and taking in the spread before me.
Ciara sat across from me, reaching for a piece of bread as she gave me a pointed look. "You know," she said casually, "I've been thinking."
"Oh?" I took a sip of water, raising an eyebrow at her. "That sounds dangerous."
She chuckled, breaking off a piece of bread and popping it into her mouth. "About us. About this... friendship thing."
I froze for a moment, my heart thudding in my chest. The word 'friendship' had been a band-aid, something to cover up the confusing mess of emotions between us. But it was clear neither of us was comfortable with it.
I could feel the tension simmering beneath the surface, the way her gaze lingered on me, the way my breath hitched whenever she was close.
Before I could respond, the door to the dining room creaked open, and Nathaniel walked in, his presence instantly changing the atmosphere. His gaze zeroed in on me, and he offered a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Mind if I join you two?" he asked, already making his way to the table.
Ciara's expression hardened slightly, but she quickly masked it with a grin. "Sure, the more, the merrier," she said, though there was a sharp edge to her voice.
Nathaniel took a seat next to me, and I could feel the tension between the two of them as they exchanged looks.
I tried to focus on my food, but it was impossible to ignore the charged atmosphere. The teasing banter that had flowed so easily between Ciara and me just moments ago had evaporated, replaced by an awkward silence that pressed down on all of us.
"So," Nathaniel said, breaking the silence as he reached for the salad, "I heard you're almost ready to get back into training, Aeliana. That's good news."
I nodded, trying to keep my tone light. "Yeah, the nurse says I'm healing well. Just a few more days, and I'll be back to normal."
"Good," he replied, his eyes lingering on me a moment longer before he turned his attention to the food. "We've missed having you around."
Ciara made a sound that was somewhere between a scoff and a laugh, drawing both of our attention. "Missed having her around?" she repeated, her tone mocking. "What, did you need someone to boost your ego after sparring with you?"
Nathaniel's eyes narrowed slightly, and he leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "I don't need to boost my ego, Ciara. I just like having competent partners to train with. Not that you'd understand."
Ciara's grin widened, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Oh, I understand plenty, Nathaniel. I understand that you're just trying to impress Aeliana, but let me give you some advice: she's not the type to be wooed by pretty words and flattery."
The tension in the room ratcheted up several notches, and I could feel my stomach twist into knots. This was exactly what I had wanted to avoid being caught in the middle of whatever unspoken competition was going on between them. I opened my mouth to try and defuse the situation, but before I could, Nathaniel leaned forward, his gaze locking onto Ciara's.
"Maybe," he said, his voice low and steady, "but at least I'm not hiding behind sarcasm and bravado. At least I'm willing to be honest about what I want."
Ciara's eyes flashed with something dangerous, and for a moment, I worried she might actually start a fight right here in the dining room. But instead, she leaned back in her chair, her grin turning cold and sharp. "Honest, huh? Is that what you call it?"
"Enough," I said, my voice firmer than I intended. Both of them looked at me, surprise flickering in their eyes. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "I don't want to be the reason you two are at each other's throats. We're supposed to be friends, remember?"
There was a heavy silence after that, both Ciara and Nathaniel staring at me with unreadable expressions. I could feel the weight of their gazes, the tension still thick in the air, but I refused to back down. I wasn't going to let them turn this into some sort of twisted rivalry.
Ciara was the first to break the silence, letting out a slow breath as she pushed her chair back and stood up. "You're right," she said, her voice softer than before. "We're friends. I'll see you later, Aeliana."
With that, she turned and walked out of the room, leaving me alone with Nathaniel. The tension lingered, but it was different now less charged, more uncertain. Nathaniel watched her go, then turned back to me, his expression unreadable.
"I'll give you some space," he said quietly. "But just know that I'm here if you need anything."
I nodded, watching as he stood up and left the room, his footsteps echoing down the hall until they faded into silence. I sat there for a moment, alone with my thoughts, trying to make sense of everything that had just happened.
Friends. It was supposed to make things easier, but it only seemed to complicate everything.
I had wanted to keep things simple, to avoid getting caught up in emotions that I wasn't sure I could handle. But the more time I spent with Ciara, the more I realized that there was no going back to the way things were before.
I stood up, pushing my chair back as I walked towards the window. The sun was setting, casting a warm golden light over the castle grounds, and I let out a long breath, trying to clear my mind.
There was a storm brewing, and I wasn't sure if I was ready to face it. But one thing was certain I couldn't keep pretending that everything was fine. Not when it was so painfully obvious that nothing would ever be the same again.