Sun checked herself in the mirror; she'd done her hair herself, so it wasn't as professional or as intricate as Mika managed. She couldn't risk asking her; the other woman might wonder why she wanted to dress up for her brother.
Her dress was simple but pretty, floor-length and flowing but left her arms bare. She wasn't a fan of the summer heat, and this dress was more airy than most of her others.
At their usual dinner time, she made her way to his room – another strange feeling. Back in Kolver she had never even seen his room. And on her last visit here she didn't remember much about his quarters given everything else that had happened.
She stood at his door, reaching up to knock, trying to wipe the stupid grin off her face. Her head darted side to side to make sure no one could see her. Not a relative or staff member in sight.
Kalys opened his door, head tilting to the side curiously.
"Was I not supposed to be here?" She asked, noticing the furrow in his brow.
"A gentleman escorts a lady," he said, the faint frown dissipating.
Sun gave a one-shouldered shrug. "I'm still not much of a lady. Sorry."
"No apologies necessary," he replied, taking her hand and leading her in as he closed the door behind them. "I'm fond of you as you are."
She stumbled a little, his words taking her by surprise.
He led her out to the balcony; it was losing what was left of the light, the manor blocking the setting sun. But there were candles in the centre of the table and standing torches spaced about. He pulled her chair out for her, seating her first.
"Dinner has yet to arrive," he told her.
But there was wine, and he poured her a glass. He poured something else for himself, an amber liquid. Given her limited experience with alcohol, she couldn't tell what it was by looking.
"I'm starting to see the appeal in this place," she muttered.
It was peaceful and beautiful out here. From this vantage point, all she could see were trees— hardly any of the city. There was the same sense of isolation she had come to value in Kolver.
"Not enough I'd consider staying here any longer than necessary," she added.
He looked amused as he sipped his drink.
"It's never truly felt like home," he agreed.
"Did you spend much time here growing up?"
"A few weeks a year, much the same as now. "Once I was eligible for marriage, Grandfather kept me here for several weeks at the start of spring."
"For the meat market?"
Kalys nodded, a flash of distaste crossing his face.
"Why have you never married?" She asked.
"There are... many answers to that question."
"Give me one."
"Most of the women I've met have been vapid, hardly taken the time to get to know me, or they weren't interested, but their families were forcing them."
"Why wouldn't they be interested?"
She found that mind-boggling.
There was that amusement again.
"Believe it or not, I'm not everyone's type."
She supposed that could be true...
Taking a sip of her drink, she let out a pleasant hum at the sweet taste. That was probably why he hadn't had any then; he wasn't particularly fond of too-sweet things.
There was a knock at the door, and Kalys bid them entry, several maids trooping in laden with plates and cutlery. They set it all down on the table before dropping into perfunctory curtsies and leaving them to it.
"How was everyone else about not having a big dinner for your arrival?" She asked.
"I don't know. I told them, and that was that."
"Are they going to think I'm a bad influence on you? Or that you're ashamed of me?"
"Different people will think different things, I'm sure."
"Do you like anyone in your family?"
Aside from Jinn, she hadn't really seen him spend much time with – or even mention – anyone else.
"Our family," he reminded. "And yes, our third cousin and his wife, they live far from here, in Sainfa. Raoil grew up here, but we're the same age, and he often came to Kolver to visit when we were children."
The silence stretched on, Kalys starting to eat and looking as if he would not be adding anyone else.
"Is that it?" She asked.
"I like his wife well enough, and I tolerate his children."
Sun tried not to laugh. "And that's all?"
"There are a couple of distant aunts and uncles I get along with. Most of them also avoid Solaryse and the trappings of nobility. I don't see them as often as I would like."
"When was the last time you saw Raoil?"
He took a moment to think. "Three years ago, shortly after the birth of his most recent child."
"Why not take the time to visit him or invite him to Kolver?"
She had never seen Kalys with someone he might actually consider a friend, and she was a little curious. He seemed to keep everyone at a distance. She had seen him slightly less cold with certain commanders at Perdition, but beyond that, nothing that could really be considered friendly.
"I'm very busy, Sun. And so is he, with his family and his business. I take enough time off during the year for the events in Solaryse."
She remembered he had also taken time off here and there when anything had happened with her, and he was worried. So she felt a little responsible for the extra days he'd missed work, which had likely put him behind at times.
They lapsed into a comfortable silence as they ate. Sun didn't know if she was being unfairly judgemental, but the food here didn't feel as... comforting as Millie's meals. Lack of love? Though she wouldn't discard the possibility she was just being ridiculous.
"Tomorrow morning we can pay a visit to the glade," he told her.
She nodded, pleased to hear it. She also wanted to stop by the slums, actually get a proper look and maybe speak to a few people to see if things were improving a little with the supplies being sent their way. How to do that with Kalys hovering over her shoulder, she didn't know.
After dinner, much to her disappointment, Kalys escorted her back to her room with nothing more than a chaste peck on the cheek at her door.
Damn...
-
That night after readying herself for bed and climbing into it, she found herself unable to sleep. Uneasiness kept it at bay. Although it was a different room, the knowledge that this was the same house someone had broken into and she had killed him wouldn't leave her. About an hour of tossing and turning and analysing every little sound was all she could take, getting out of bed and turning on the light.
There was nothing to do in this room, and she didn't have the focus to go back to the bathroom and practise. Fresh air perhaps?
She opened the doors to the balcony, stepping out onto it. She could see the lights from the city through the trees. It had only been a moment since she'd come outside before Kalys's balcony doors opened, and he stood there looking at her. He was still dressed, though the top buttons of his shirt were undone and his sleeves were rolled up, and he wasn't wearing shoes. Still something she found so strange to see. He had also tied his hair up, something she still found incredibly attractive on him.
"Are you well, Sun?" He asked, his words carrying easily in the still night.
"Just... can't sleep," she replied, coming to stand at the balcony's edge closest to him.
Whenever she felt so uneasy in the past or sleep was elusive – before Kalys – then she would just go and spend the night with the boys. They'd stay up late talking until they drifted off. It was easier that way.
"Is it because of what happened last time?"
She couldn't answer, but she supposed that was answer enough. In a woosh of air he vanished, reappearing beside her. There was still that little bubble of envy at his speed – too fast for the naked eye.
"I admit to some uneasiness about it as well," he uttered, ushering her back inside, where he closed and locked the door.
"Get into bed, Sun; I'll watch over you."
The thought of him sitting there and watching her sleep only felt awkward as well.
"Can you just sleep with me?" She asked. "Just sleep, I swear. I promise not to take advantage of you."
He shot her a mildly amused look before lifting the covers and climbing into bed. That was almost as weird as seeing his bare feet. But she turned off the light and climbed in beside him, making sure to keep distance between them. He was already doing her a favour; she didn't want to make him regret it.
"I assume your bedroom door is locked?" His deep voice shattered the darkened silence.
"Yes."
She rolled onto her side to face him; through the dim moonlight streaming through the windows, she could just make him out. He was facing her as well.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Sleep, Sun," he told her.
His hand came up to hers, interlacing their fingers together. She squeezed his hand, resting her other on top of it. The connection was infinitely relieving, making drifting off to sleep easier than she'd ever had it.
Kalys watched her eyes close and heard her breathing even out. Despite her being asleep, the tight grip she had on his hand never lessened. He'd taken a big risk in doing this; hopefully Mika had already checked on Sun for the last time tonight. But even with the risk, he couldn't deny her. He didn't even want to.
It was all too easy to imagine climbing into bed with her every night, pulling her close – he stopped his thoughts there, no need to torture himself further.
There was relief in being in here, where it was easier to keep her safe. He hadn't been lying about his own uneasiness. He had been sitting against the wall connected to her room and listening for anything out of place on the off chance someone did attempt to break in again.
At least now, should anyone be so foolish, he would be right here.