CHAPTER 19
WITH THE GRADUAL RISE of the music, the party lifted back into a jubilant state. Lively conversations filled the air, and the tension was forgotten.
“I’m sorry you had to see all of that, Lenore. You must’ve had such a long day already.”
Arisa’s voice made her turn her head. Their eyes met.
Lenore’s arm jerked against her instinctively—seized in a cold so brutal she thought she was lost in the throes of winter’s merciless grip.
Ashen skies flashed through her vision, eternal frost swallowing everything in sight. A distorted shadow flickered where Arisa stood, phasing in and out of Lenore’s vision. The pain spiked, relentless until she was nearly on the brink of collapse.
Like a fire lit in the night, warmth suddenly surged through her, fighting hard against the bitter cold. The cold melted away, and a soothing heat bloomed within her chest. Her limbs moved freely, as if she had never been shackled in the first place.
Pip.
The light sprite’s arms pressed against her, its magic sending steady waves of light through her.
“Is something wrong?” Arisa asked, voice laced with concern. She was normal in Lenore's eyes again.
But Arisa’s worried facade peeled back, exposing the darkness beneath—it was all a lie.
“... Sorry, I’m not used to seeing an animal get turned into dinner up close.” Lenore shook her head lightly. “I just had a bit of nausea.” Her fingers brushed against the base of her throat and across her black choker. “Probably made worse from, uh, all the discomfort from earlier.”
“Oh, stars, that’s awful.” Arisa frowned. “If you need to rest, please do so.”
“You as well—” Lenore paused, feeling Pip pushing her leg again, urging her to go. “I know I’ve only just got here, but I can already see how dedicated you are to Auden. I hope you can get a little rest in between.”
“Nice to see someone else recognizing the lady’s effort.” Ryker chimed in, and Arisa playfully dismissed him with her hand.
“Thank you. The stress of trying to relay things back and forth is killing me. And it doesn’t help when a certain someone is breathing down my neck about it.
” She dragged her hands down her face, groaning before she clicked her tongue.
“If Edmund gave you a hard time today, I completely understand.”
“It does make me feel better that I’m not the only one put under his, um, strict standards.” Lenore rubbed her arm, silently apologizing to Edmund for using him as a getaway topic. “On that note, I am extra tired from learning from him today, so if it’s alright, I think I’ll go now.”
“Oh, of course! If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask! Rest well, Lenore.” The pair exchanged farewells, and Lenore gave Ryker a quick nod to say goodbye. She turned on her heel and departed—making sure not to walk faster than normal.
Her eyes widened when Azelf came into view. Their gazes met as they approached each other on the same path. He carried two wine bottles in each hand, but she didn’t comment, and she quickly turned her head away.
His figure passed her from the corner of her eye, and she heard Arisa’s enthusiastic yell, shouting for Azelf to join her.
Azelf and Arisa are friends then. Lenore held her hands tightly. She kept moving, not allowing herself to think or look back.
The festive environment eventually disappeared, leaving her underneath the quiet canopy of tangled trees and sparse lanterns lit on either side of the cobbled path. Distant howls echoed behind her. Not a single soul lingered nearby.
Pip flew out of her pocket, curving through the air to hover by Lenore’s face. She smiled softly at the light sprite, the magical glow of its body reflecting against her blue irises.
“You saved me back there, Pip.” Lenore reached out to pat its head gently with her finger. “Thank you.”
Pip responded with a few backflips, squeaking excitedly.
“... But now we’re back to the same question.
” She sighed heavily, tilting her chin upward to stare up at the night sky.
The scattered stars were distant speckles, their light engulfed by the dark.
An icy breeze fluttered through her silver waves.
Her guarded disposition shattered at that moment, and all the vulnerability beneath exposed itself through the broken cracks.
She clasped her arms tightly, a slight tremble to her body.
Pip flew close, hugging the top of her head.
Out loud, she asked the same question when she met Pip, knowing there was no answer to come. “What’re we going to do?”