Of Winds And Quakes

50. The Cloak

50. The Cloak

Year of the Roses
Floral Season
The Market
Altsas

Alysia

THE BUSTLING MARKET makes me uncomfortable; all the gruesome memories of that day comes rolling back; the trader's banter, the woman's dyed finger, the harsh ropes, Mavli...

Lady Gin-Gin neighs under me softly. I hold on to the reins firmly. Honestly, I still feel very nervous about riding her even though we have already bonded. Kyan watches me warily from the corner of his eyes, he insisted we ride Fire together maybe he is scared I'll gallop off again. But I won't, I barely know where we are headed.

My eyes open with a start. I jump out from my bed. Sunlight is already steaming through the part in the curtains. I'm going to be late. I am late. I'm sure Kyan has left without me.

Grateful that I had packed the day before, I grab the beaded bag and make a race for the door. The door swings open slapping at the side my face. I groan, ready to shoot daggers at whosoever is responsible. Lysia peeps in, her face droops when she sees my expression.

"I'm so sorry!" She rubs her hand gently on the forming bruise," I'm so sorry," she repeats.

"It's okay," I say. "It doesn't hurt that bad." It is a lie. It hurts too bad, and I think I am tasting blood.

"I was in hurry, I thought you were still in bed. Kyan is ready to leave." She begins to drag me out of the room and down the corridor.

"Where's Rosa?" I want to say goodbye before I go. I know I'll never see her again.

"She's busy," Lysia says with a dismissive wave, "it's just a few days, you'll see her again."

I don't say a word because it's not true. It's not a few days. I won't see her again.

Kyan is pacing impatiently in front of the throne room. He looks up with a cloudy expression on his face. "It's about time."

Lysia slaps him playfully at the arm then stands on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. He doesn't flinch, or still or roll his eyes instead he wraps his arms around her.

Lysia embraces me warmly after wiggling out of Kyan's embrace. "I'll miss you so much," she whispers into my ear, her breath ticking me.

"I'll miss you too." And I will miss her. I know I'll never get to see her again and it's going to hurt.

"Well," she sniffs, her eyes are already watery, "it's just a few days." She giggles nervously.

Kyan and I exchange a look. Something shoot across his eyes and he turns his gaze away. Tears threaten to break out of my eyes too. "Yes," it's a tiny squeak.

"You have to get going," she says and plants a big kiss on my cheek.

"Bye." And I turn away following Kyan as he crosses the corridor with his lengthy strides. I think I hear Lysia sobbing. And my heart breaks.

Once we are outside, Kyan opens his leather rucksack and fumbles inside. He retrieves a black cloak and pushes it to me. "Wear it."

I eye the cloak carefully before collecting it. "Why?"

"So we will be discreet." He says with an eye roll.

I bite the insides of my cheek. I will not allow him to tell me what to do. If I have to wear a cloak then he has to too. Besides, it will be much better if we are both discreet.

"No," I offer it back to him, "I'm not wearing it."

"Why?" He eyes me like I've lost my mind.

"I'll wear one of the veils I packed."