Love and Revolt

Chapter 9 - Whispering beats

The cold night air was biting in Thalassia, the wind howling through the narrow streets and alleys. Quinn shivered; her arms wrapped tightly around her as she made her way towards James' bedroom.

Pushing open the door as quietly as possible, she tiptoed through the dimly lit kitchen, her eyes adjusting to the darkness. She made her way around the kitchen without waking James up and carefully opened the bedroom door where she found Erika fast asleep, her chest rising and falling softly. Quinn couldn't help but feel drawn to Erika's peaceful form, the warmth emanating from her like a beacon in the cold night.

The sound of Quinn's soft footsteps resonated throughout the room, interrupting Erika's peaceful slumber. Erika stirred and blinked, her eyes slowly adjusting to the dimly lit surroundings. "Quinn?" she muttered sleepily.

Quinn approached her bed and whispered, "I'm sorry, but I was wondering if it would be okay if we sleep upstairs again?"

Erika looked Quinn up and down, taking in the sight of her arms wrapped tightly around herself. The cold night air crept into the small room, wrapping around them both like a chilling embrace. "Are you cold?" Erika asked, her voice soft and concerned.

Quinn hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond. Was she really cold, or was it simply the longing to sleep surrounded by magic once again? "Yes," she finally replied. "I'm quite cold sleeping down here."

Erika felt her heart twist in her chest. She enjoyed having the company of someone in her special room, but was it the right thing to do? Was she getting too close to Quinn, as James had warned her? Her mind was a jumble of conflicting thoughts and emotions as she tried to sort through her feelings.

Lost in thought, Erika barely noticed as Quinn began to turn to leave. "Sorry," Quinn said, her voice filled with a solemn sadness. "I'm sure you're tired. Go back to sleep."

But Erika's hand shot out, grasping Quinn's arm and stopping her in her tracks. She leaned in close, her breath warm against Quinn's ear as she whispered, "We just need to be careful not to wake up James."

Quinn nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips.

As Quinn and Erika snuck past James, the chilly air of the night sent shivers down Quinn's spine, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around herself. The creaky wooden floorboards beneath their feet were a constant reminder that they had to be careful not to make a sound. Every step was deliberate and calculated as they made their way outside to Erika's secret magic room.

Scaling over the rubble, they finally reached the entrance of the upstairs room. Quinn's heart was pounding in anticipation, hoping to see the enchanting room that she remembered. But to her disappointment, the room was dark and appeared to be just another broken room. Her eyes drooped in defeat, feeling the weight of her expectations crashing down around her.

Erika noticed Quinn's change in demeanor and knew she had to do something to lift her spirits. "Watch me," Erika whispered, her voice laced with magic. She began to move her arms strategically, her fingers twitching as she reached out to touch the ether. Magic danced around her hands, illuminating her face with an otherworldly glow.

Quinn watched in awe as the room began to transform before her very eyes. Balls of light and fire burst forth from Erika's hands. It was as if the magic was coming to life under Erika's touch, bringing a new vibrancy to the once-ruined space.

"Exsolvo," Erika chanted, and suddenly magic flew from her fingertips and began to fill the room. The air was thick with energy as the magic enveloped everything in its reach. The once-ruined room was transformed into an enchanted and breathtaking space, just as Quinn remembered. The walls were adorned with intricate designs that glimmered in the light, and the air was filled with a sweet scent that made Quinn feel as if she was in a dream.