Eternal

The next morning, I was up bright and early for guard duty. Normally, I was dreading the watch, long hours of staring at nothingness, and the salt that stained my lips, but today was different.

Today, I got to see her.

I got to see that girl that was beautiful and deadly, the one that reminded me of Jasey Rae. To say that I loved her would be not true. You can’t love someone you just met! As much as all the sappy stories say, it’s just not true!

I trotted down the crumbling path towards the falling tower, trying to hide my excitement. No one would notice my disappearance. In my arms were a bundle of books, a blanket, and some food. As I entered the tower, I knocked softly to let her know I was entering. There wasn’t a sound to be heard.

As I entered the first floor, I slowly climbed the steps to the next level. I knocked again, in case she didn’t hear me before. I didn’t hear anything, again, so I peeked my head around the corner.

She was still sleeping soundly in her corner. Lily had discovered a hairbrush and had straightened her autumn brown hair. It was spread out on the blanket I had given her. She was still curled in that big chair near the window. I smiled a little and sat in the opposite corner. Taking out one of the books, I began to read it for the third time.

It was The Mountain in the Sea and was a tale about a girl who discovered an island in the middle of the sea. She goes to live on it, thinking it’s uninhabited, but the girl discovers a band of necromancers on it. It was quite interesting.

“Have you been sitting here this entire time?” Her soft voice asked timidly. Now that she had completely recovered from her shipwreck experience, Lily was getting quieter and shyer by the minute. It was if the waves had stripped away an outer layer of hostility she used to wear.

“I just came up, actually.” I looked up from the first few pages and gave her a dazzling smile. She ducked her gaze and looked towards the empty fireplace.

“Oh.” She whispered, still staring at the fireplace.

“So how’d you sleep?”

“Well, well.” I nodded in her response, taking the things I had brought closer to her. She watched in curiosity.

Kneeling down by the chair, I rested on my knees and leaned back on my toes. My arms folded on the arms of her chair. She seemed to lean back in my closeness. “I brought some heavier blankets because it can be really, really cold. There’s a little bit of food, and some books. The stones aren’t much to look at.” I winked at her with a smile. She quietly thanked me and took the bundle from my hands. Her fingers intertwined as she folded her hands together.

“T-thank you.” She stammered out. I tilted my head in curiosity.

“Oh, the items were nothing. No one will notice they’re missing. Besides, the blanket is from my room.” I chuckled. She shook her head but let the barest glimmer of a smile show through.

“No, for the kindness, I mean.” She explained. I blushed a little. Turning my amber gaze from her, I stared at birds wheeling high overhead the crashing currents.

“Well, I’m not just going to let you die there.” I muttered, thinking back to my Jasey Rae.

I never had the chance to save her then. I could do it now.

“What makes you sad?” She asked gently. I looked to her, sinking deep in those amber eyes.

Somewhere outside, a falcon cried in remembrance.

I bit back tears and stared at the outside sky. It was a little grey, a little blue, and a lot of sadness. The whole scene seemed so depressing. Her warm skin touched my cheek, taking my attention back to her question. I closed my eyes, leaning back on my hands.

“Just remembering.” I responded with a slight chuckled. Lily bobbed her head and followed my gaze outside. Seagulls and other birds were screaming out overhead. A fleet avian zoomed into view. Lily gasped.

“A falcon!” She sighed wistfully. I eyed her while she was distracted.

“They’re so beautiful.” Her voice murmured, barely loud enough for me to hear. I smiled a little. I knew it wasn’t Jasey Rae, but it felt like I had her at my side all over again.

Notes