A warm feeling fills my chest. Like all my problems are melting in front of the sun.
Finally, someone is proud of me.
It might not be one of my parents, but it is her.
Eliane is proud of me.
And that makes me even feel better.
“Let’s use my tele ability right now,” I continue, not wanting to let her know how much those words mean to me.
She nods her head in agreement, and I start to think maybe she knew I could have just used that, but she let me enter the water anyway, and I am kind of thankful for that.
“I need to get my clothes on first.” She grins and I wink.
“Oh you didn’t want to climb the mountain half naked. How strange,” I tease. She throws my shirt at me teasing, sticking out her tongue as my eyes trace her wet, silk bra. I pull my pants over my hips and ruffle my hand through my sticky sweaty hair.
“Thank you,” I breathe out seriously. She doesn’t interfere any further, she just grabs my hand and I let the tingle rush through my veins.
Chapter 41
Eliane
Within a second, I feel myself switch between space and time, everything collapses, mixing between the different colors life offers. I am still kind of confused how he does this as my feet land with a stutter on the ground. I open my eyes, still holding onto Braxton tightly. I had no idea he was that scared of water, but I am proud he did it. How could they torture him like that? The scar under his heart as a reminder for the trauma he possesses. It is just awful. He might have killed a boy by accident, but he isn’t a murderer or the monster his father named him to be. He is nothing like that at all. I look forwards, the top of the mountain being only a bit higher. Braxton coughs and I look up at him.
Only then I realize I am still wrapped around him. I release my arm fast.
“Sorry.” I chuckle, stumbling over my own tongue, my cheeks turning red.
As strange as it might seem, I haven’t come across anyone. I can see the top of the mountain. He could have just dropped us offthere, but I don’t ask about it. Somehow, just like that, he slipped into my mind.
Of course he did.
“I still don’t want the king to know,” he breathes out, tidying his backpack. I nod in confirmation.
The mud makes it heavy for my feet. My calves burn with every step, probably mostly because of the exhaustion my use of magic yesterday caused. I didn’t even need to climb the whole mountain, so I keep my mouth shut wisely. Cold air brushes my neck and I shiver despite the sweat on my forehead, hair stuck on my face. At this height there aren’t many trees anymore to block the fuming wind that comes these days. The sun stands high, to the south as I expected, but as we reached the mountain, I let the compass disappear, not needing it anymore.
My theory was right, though.
Some soft murmurs and chatting fill my ears. I can’t make out words, but I feel the need to turn.
I look over my shoulder to see what is happening.
At the bottom of the mountain, two people fight.
They roll on the ground, but they don’t look much bigger than insects from above here.
I can make out a dark figure.
Caleb, I assume.
Fighting a girl, from the small posture I can tell, dunks away from him.
Aaliyah.
I tap Braxton on the shoulder.
“Look.” I nod my head in their direction and Braxton follows my eyes. He lets out a proud huff, but says nothing to it. If they are only there, are we the only ones on top?
