Despite the change to the relationship with her brother, her days remained mostly unchanged. There was an element of sexual tension when they trained or read together, and Kalys even smiled occasionally – a slight smirk – but it was more often than he used to. She did wonder what a real smile would look like on him – genuine mirth. Probably so stunning she would go blind.
He was always very restrained when things devolved into kissing, always careful never to let it go on too long or go too far. At times she found herself frustrated by it, but she understood it. He would not do anything that could not be taken back – at least not until after marriage, if she agreed to one. He gave her far more decision-making power than she would have expected. Though she could still just be viewing him through that negative lens she hadn't quite shaken off yet.
She knew he would have to marry at some point too; it was his duty. And the thought of him doing that with anyone but her left her sick to her stomach.
But marriage...
Mostly she tried to not think about it and just enjoy the time they shared.
She met up with Zen regularly as well while they tried to figure out swimming. She felt they were making progress, if painfully slowly. He had also joined her and Kalys for dinner a couple of times as well. Kalys tolerated it.
At her division she also got to go out on patrol again a few times, not always with Karsten. It was interesting to see the different ways each Revenant handled it. Some were indeed far more helpful to the people they checked in with, and it became obvious fairly quickly Karsten was a favourite of theirs.
All in all, life was going pretty great – despite the fact they still had no idea who was trying to take her. And her friend was entering into a marriage that she didn't sound overly thrilled about. The wedding was set to take place in late summer, a week after the Vay deLis's summer solstice celebration – an event that was fast approaching. And another event they were expected to attend, which unfortunately meant another trip to Solaryse. Kalys thought it best to stay in Solaryse until after Emily's wedding. She saw the practicality of it, but she didn't have to like it.
Kalys had offered to represent them both at each event so she could remain in Kolver, far from the city. He could be so considerate like that. But she had turned him down. The trouble in Solaryse had followed her to Kolver anyway, and whatever lingering negative feelings remained, she would just have to face. At least she was prepared for it now, ready to be hit with that wave when she stepped off the train.
Also, being there would be a good chance to see how their little project was going – whether people were getting what they needed or not – and tweak what might need tweaking.
Kill who might need killing... Probably not. But she liked to think about it sometimes. As much as she didn't like killing people, it was an indisputable fact the world would be better off without some of these cunts.
It was a little over three weeks since Nick had left when she received a letter from him, addressed to both her and Zen. Although it had come to the manor, she didn't open it right away, opting instead to wait until she and Zen could read it together. It was addressed to them both after all.
So at lunchtime, she headed to the Second to track him down. She hadn't been in their mess hall before, and when she walked in, her presence did draw the gaze of a few of them since she was so out of place. Catching sight of Zen was easy, his bright hair a beacon. Someone nudged him and nodded in her direction, catching him on to her arrival. He grinned and got up, hurrying over to her.
"Hey, Sunflower," he greeted, clearly in a good mood.
She held up the letter to show him. "I got a letter from Nick. Want to read it with me?"
"Yes, let's go," he said, pulling her outside.
He took her out into the front courtyard, and they took a seat on the ground in the corner. She tore open the envelope and unfolded the paper, holding it up so they could both read.
His greeting was warm, telling them he missed them. He talked about Solaryse and the conflicting feelings stirred up being back. He paid a visit to their family out in the clearing as well, clearing away the grass that had grown and leaving more flowers for them as she had.
They were staying in the palace while everyone prepared for the trip. He talked about the disgusting excess of the palace, which was how she felt about it too.
He talked a little about Rex Arj as well, how friendly he was and helpful, but also how foul-mouthed and aggressive he could be. It sounded like he was making a friend, and they were happy for him. He was the only one of them who hadn't really made a friend outside of the three of them after all this time.
While he was out that way, he also spoke with a few of their old acquaintances – food, medicine, and supplies were making it to most. It was starting to work and was helping people.
He signed off, letting them know he missed them again and he loved them.
"Maybe he'll bring us back some neat gifts," Zen said. "I heard the craftsmanship of their spears is unsurpassed."
"It sounds like he's making a friend of Arj," she noted.
Zen rolled his eyes. "Mm, between you and Nick, you two like the worst people."
"We like you."
"Stopped clocks and all that," he shrugged.
"I need to get back to my division," she said, rising to her feet and dusting off her backside.
Zen stood up as well, doing the same.
"When are you going to Solaryse?"
"In a few days," she replied, a little glum at the prospect.
It was a shame she wouldn't be there in time to catch up with Nick in person.
"Have dinner with us the night before," she told him.
"Definitely," he said.
She smiled and bid him goodbye, heading back to her own division to get on with her work. She wanted to do as much as she could before she left for Solaryse. Taking so much time off seemed to be a perk of the nobility. The nobles that were Revenants often took time off for events and functions they had to attend.
Though maybe it wasn't all perks, since she had to actually attend these tedious events.
-
Stepping off the train in Solaryse once again, Sun couldn't help but stare out towards the Burns, towards the slums. She felt Kalys's presence beside her, and his hand came to rest on her shoulder. He didn't rush her at least, letting her feel what she needed to feel.
Just like last time, there was that rush of grief and guilt, not as much of the rage at least. As much as she hated where she came from, she felt guilty for living on the other side.
"I want to see them tomorrow," she told him.
"We'll go after breakfast," he replied.
"Thank you."
She walked with him to the carriage, and they continued on to the Illusen estate. Just as the last time, the staff and family were there to greet them, and she expected there would be another banquet-like event for dinner that night. Twice they'd had to come here in less than a year. She hoped this was an outlier. Although, the Summer Solstice and the event at the Palace were annual events, so twice was probably the minimum.
Kalys led her to her room, bypassing the one she had used last time. Was he trying to avoid bringing up bad memories? Or did he consider that room compromised since someone had managed to enter it?
Instead, he led her to the room beside his. It was just as nice as the other one, though this room looked out onto the front gardens and the massive fountain below. She could see more of the city from there as well. Just the nice side of it. It was almost like everything had been purposely positioned to avoid seeing the ugly parts of it. Out of sight, out of mind...
"I suppose dinner is going to be a big spectacle we have to get all dressed up for?"
"No. Not tonight," he said, coming up behind her at the window. "Tonight you and I will take dinner on my balcony."
She turned, a little surprised, before breaking out into a grin. "Really?"
He gave a nod before leaning down and planting a kiss on her forehead. "I have things to do before dinner; I'll see you then."
"All right."
She watched him, biting at her lip. They had dinner together – just the two of them – all the time, more often than not. But there was something about this one that felt special. Maybe because he'd forgone protocol for her, or maybe because it would be in his private room, on his balcony.
Whatever it was, she found herself excited for dinner in a way she never had been before.
While she obviously wouldn't dress as she would for a formal event, she did resolve to dress nicely – a pretty dress, some makeup – rather than the more casual attire she normally wore to their dinners.
With hours until dinner, there wasn't much to do to pass the time, so she filled the bath and practised with the water. She had really come a long way since Kalys started training her.
At some point, Mika turned up with her things, joining her in the bathroom, sitting on the edge of it like Sun was.
"You're getting a lot better at this," Mika noted.
She suddenly splashed water at her, and Sun caught it, holding it suspended in midair, not a drop hitting her and still in the shape of the initial splash. She thought about throwing it back at her but decided against it. That would be a hassle for Mika, and Sun wasn't proficient enough to completely dry her with only the use of her ability.
"It does feel like it's getting easier," she agreed, letting the water drop back into the bath.
Mika wasn't done though, splashing more and more her way, Sun trying to stop it from hitting her or making a mess in the bathroom. After a few moments, both were standing in the massive tub, really going for it. It looked like Mika was hoping to overwhelm her, and at times she did almost succeed. Once some water did get through, saturating her, Sun didn't bother much with restraint or control. She raised up the water, completely dumping it on top of Mika, causing her to slip and end up lying in the tub, completely soaked through. Sun was laughing at her, being cut off as Mika grabbed her ankle and pulled, forcing Sun down into the water as well.
She landed hard on her backside, letting out a pained groan.
They lay in the bath facing each other.
"You couldn't have run the bath with warm water?" Mika asked.
"I wasn't planning on getting in it."
"We should probably get out and get dry," she suggested, pulling the plug.
"Stand up; let me see how well I can dry us."
They both stood, the water running off them.
"Let me know if it starts to hurt," she told Mika.
"Why would it hurt?" She asked warily.
"I don't know; people are made of water partly. I might take it from your body instead of your clothes."
Mika opened her mouth to say something; from the expression on her face, it wasn't going to be anything encouraging.
Sun grinned at her. "I'm joking. Sort of. But if it does start to hurt, do let me know."
Connecting to the water drenching Mika's clothes and skin, it was difficult to separate it from the water in her though and she did wonder if it was a good idea to attempt this. She tried to separate it, drawing it out. But she left behind a lot; it was safer than risking damaging Mika in any way.
When Sun let the water drop into the bath, Mika felt her clothes and her hair.
"Still a bit damp, Sun," she pointed out.
"Thought that would be preferable to turning you into a raisin."
"All right, if this is the best you can do..." Mika trailed off with a cheeky grin. "Get dry, Sun. I'm going to go and finish what you couldn't."
Sun poked her tongue out, not rising to her baiting. She should probably get ready for dinner with Kalys.
At the thought, her stomach flipped, and she felt flooded with a buzzing energy.
Despite how much time they spent together, she got excited about it.
She wondered if it would ever wear off.