I was forced to stay in bed for two days so that I could heal easier so I spent my time drawing and talking with Madeline. Nymbus and Lyren went to the border for some untold business. I just hoped that they were safe. I looked at my recently completed drawing. A full-body portrait of Nymbus in his underthings with as much detail as possible.
"Lae!" I called, setting my sketchbook aside. I hung my legs over the side of the bed, minor pain entering my side and ankle. I had stitches across my ribs and probably some on my ankle, but the bandages on my ankle were more of a cast so I couldn't see. Lae came shuffling into the room. "I would like to go to the garden."
"Lord Nymbus hasn't cleared you to leave your room yet." She frowned slightly.
"I'm bored and ready to walk around. I want to see the garden." I replied. She seemed hesitant, smoothing out her apron. "I will tell him that I made you."
"Alright, Miss Nimre." She went to my wardrobe and pulled out a pale purple dress. I stood and she helped me put it on. It was a V shape at my chest and my shoulders were exposed. It tied like a corset just under my breasts. She pulled my hair so that it was out of my face and pinned it with a butterfly pin.
"Do you require assistance walking?" She held her hands out like she was prepared to catch me.
"Just don't let me fall." I smiled awkwardly. I pulled my dress up enough so that I could walk without tripping. Lae walked next to me, keeping a watchful eye on me as I limped. When we finally made it outside, I found a wooden bench to sit on. There was a light breeze that blew through my pale, purple dress. Lae stood at a distance while I looked at the flowers around me. Pinks, purples, reds, oranges, and blues. I could see every color and every color I had never seen before. I wanted to draw it. No. Paint it. The colors and warmth of the sun filled me up with such a bright feeling. I leaned to the side, touching the petals of a blue flower. They were soft against my fingertips.
"Lae?" I looked up from the flower. She stepped forward, my sketchbook and pencil in her hands. "You know me too well."
"I believe you will need a new drawing pad soon." She handed me the items. "You should ask the High Lord."
"I wouldn't want to waste his time finding me a new one." I opened the book to a new page. Each page was filled with different sketches to maximize the space.
"I'm sure he wouldn't mind." She smoothes out her apron. "He seems to be enraptured with you." I looked up at her.
"Yeah…." I blushed and looked down at my book.
"Do you feel the same?" She questioned. I paused, thinking. I didn't have to think much because the feelings were fresh inside me.
"I do."
"How exactly do you feel?"
"I… can't explain it. I always want to be near him and drawing him isn't enough." I explained. She seemed to smile as she looked down and smoothed her apron again.
"Well, I will leave you to draw." She backed away into the cover of flowers. I began to draw the flowers around me before drawing Madeline with flowers in her hair. Feeling curious, I drew Nymbus and Madeline in human clothes. Studying the picture, I decided that I liked Nymbus in jeans.
"Enjoying the flowers?" A deep voice questioned. It startled me enough that my hand jerked, causing me to draw a line across my picture. I looked up to see Nymbus. He wore a black tunic with silver embroidery. I closed my sketchbook a little quicker than I meant to. I wasn't particularly excited to show him the version of him with human clothes and flowers in his hair. He didn't look so intimidating this way.
"Y-yes. The flowers are nice." I nodded. He looked at my sketchbook and then my face.
"Hiding things, are we?" He smirked slightly.
"No. I just… wasn't expecting you." I answered.
"DId Lae bring you out here?"
"I made her. I got bored in my room." I placed my hands on my sketchbook. He nodded, looking to where Lae had been. "I try not to ask for much, but I wanted to come outside."
"How are you feeling?" He asked.
"I… good." I studied the side profile of his face. Flawless skin, golden hair that sparkled in the sunlight. Lyren approached us just as he turned to me.
"Nym, there have been sightings of Ashuras crossing into our lands." Lyren said before Nymbus could say anything to me. Ashura? Madeline had told me about them. A species of lethal faerie, born and bred to rip everything apart. Nymbus's face grew hard.
"Lae, get Nimre inside and stay inside." Nymbus ordered.
"Wait, but-"
"Don't argue with me, Nimre." Nymbus spoke, making my face scrunch up. I stood and Lae grabbed my arm gently. I couldn't bring myself to tell him that Madeline was out there on her usual stroll. He looked at me with his golden eyes. The intimidation almost stopped what I did next. I did it to make him happy, but also because watching him leave into unforeseen dangers tore me up inside. I wanted him to come back to me. I pulled free of Lae's grip and went to Nymbus.
"Child-" Lae was interrupted by what I was doing. I stood on my toes and hooked a finger in his collar so that I could pull him down to me. My free hand touched the side of his neck and jaw, guiding his head to me. Pressing my lips against his, I kissed him passionately. Time seemed to slow as something inside of me snapped into place. Like a lost puzzle piece completing a puzzle. He placed his hands on my hips, pulling me close while growling against the kiss. It rumbled into my mouth, seemingly making the kiss more intimate. I pulled away after several long moments, staying only inches away.
"Be safe…. Come back to me." I nearly whispered. He didn't say anything and I released him. He stared at me before he and Lyren walked away.
"Come now, child." Lae herded me into the house after I grabbed my things.
"Maddy is out there. Someone has to warn her." I informed her.
"I will send someone out." Lae nodded.