A World Away

33. Dinner plans

Eve sighed and tossed the book she had been reading to pass time aside. The book was predictable and boring whose protagonist was so god-like that it made her hate them. She groaned and was about to get up and find Lucien to pass time when Az entered.

"What took you so long?" she asked. After they had come to his room and Eve had settled into the cover, Az had gone out to get her some food. "Ran into people who like to gossip," he said with a lopsided smile. Eve snorted, "you are the biggest gossip I know, Spymaster." Az sent her a deadpanned look.

"Is that waffle?" Eve asked, scrunching up her nose. Az nodded, "thought you would like chocolate dessert." Eve shook her head, "I am having an aversion to chocolate these days. They make me want to throw up."

"Oh, sorry, I will just get you something-" Az started.

"No, it's okay, just.. stay here," Eve said. She did not want to spend next few minutes alone in Az' bedroom. For some reason, she felt a bit better when he was around- with him the constant hole that had been created by the absence of Mike became a bit bearable. He grounded her a bit. "Alright," Az replied and hesitantly sat near her.

They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Az started shifting in his seat. He wanted to talk to Eve and ask her questions and comfort her but didn't know how to start. "Just say it," came the reply when he looked at her for the third time before averting his eyes again. His shadows were still unhappily at bay- it was as if they didn't want Eve to see them.

"I- how are you doing Eve? I know you are hurting; we all are after- after Mike. Genuinely," he asked. Eve started to turn around. "Don't turn away from me, please." He said catching hold of her hand.

"I- I don't know. I am angry at Hybern, at Fae, at myself and at Mike. He left me. I do not feel anything at the fact that I am changed except anger at the King who forced me into this body. The Cauldron isn't any better- it hurt me and it helped me- it is a manipulative animate son of a –" Eve inhaled sharply.

"What happened in there?" Az asked softly as his guilt started coming to the surface- he hadn't been able to stop it.

"I- it was dark," Eve's voice became muffled as she pressed her legs against herself. She started rocking a bit. "As if all the shadows in the world had decided to meet and bury me in them," Az inhaled- this is why the shadows didn't come near her these days. "Then- I- I ..... don't want to talk about it," and standing abruptly, Eve hastened out. Az sighed, mentally kicking himself, he might've pushed her too far. Getting up, he went to follow her but she had vanished into thin air.

Eve walked out. She had been opening up to Az but Mike's pale face had come back and she hadn't been able to say anything except run away. Az made her want to open up- she hated that he held that kind of power over her. While escaping Az comforting presence, she ran into someone. "Oh, sorry," but the figure didn't move. She looked up and was met with the concerned face of Lucien.

"Hi," Eve blinked in surprise; she hadn't seen him in so long. "Hey, where were you hurrying off to?" he asked. "Nowhere. Come on, you look as bored as me," and with that she took Lucien' hand, guiding him even when she had no destination in mind.

Turns out, her subconscious wanted to visit the wine cabinet. Lucien stood as Eve ransacked it. "It is afternoon, do you really want to drink now?" He was honestly worried for her. "How did the talk with your mate go?" she asked him, knowing it would strike a nerve. Lucien scoffed before saying, "just one drink."

It was on her third drink and his second when they were interrupted by Az.

Az had made up his mind to apologize to Eve and inform her about the dinner which would happen at the House. He first went to the library but was met with Nesta' glare. His shadows then informed him about Eve's whereabouts and he instantly got worried. When he saw her with Lucien with a drink in her hand, he got annoyed. She had run away to seek solace with Lucien? The same person who had stayed by Tamlin? He scoffed.

"It's afternoon," Az stated. "I don't think she cares," Lucien commented earning a glare from him. "No, she doesn't.... Hey! I should go visit Bri!" Eve said, the idea popping up suddenly. "Maybe when you aren't tipsy," he suggested taking her glass away. Eve glared at him but didn't move or fight.

"Want to join?" she asked instead. Az rubbed his forehead and sighed. "No but you should probably stop if you don't want to have a headache during dinner this evening when everyone will be joining us here." That got Eve's attention who was busy staring into space. Muttering profanities, she got up and walked away. Az sighed, looking at her retreating figure.

"Give her time," Lucien said softly. How much time?

******

Eve had spent the rest of her time in the library where she met a priestess named Gwyn. They shared a few wary smiles but other than that, kept out of each other's way.

After changing into one of Mike's hoodies, she made her way to the dining hall. Nesta was already there looking like death incarnated. She entered the room just as Cassian hurried of towards the wine cabinet.

Eve looked around for a moment. Her first wish had been to sit beside Lucien but then she saw Nesta glance once between her and the empty chair beside her. Eve got the message- sit with me please. And so, she did.

"You're a real piece of work." Amren commented looking at Nesta just as Eve sat down.

This is going to be great. Eve thought as Nesta opened her mouth toprobably spit fire. 

Happy reading!

XOXO,

the amazing author