Chapter 50 - Satisfied, prince?
1725 Words
She sat, facing him.
With his questioning gaze, she shrugged.
“They didn’t say much about you. Only that you could be annoying, prince.”
She studied him. He hadn’t told her to drop the formalities.
“Should I speak formally?” She hesitatingly asked. She’d experienced irate nobles before.
He’d been in the presence of the others and if he recalls correctly, “Drop it. You don’t call Vincent prince, do you? Or that princess, princess? Nate?”
She shrugged again, “Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. I still had to address them properly when there are other people around.”
“My lord.” She belatedly added.
He narrowed his eyes on her. “Didn’t I tell you to drop it?”
“Sometimes I forget, prince.” She looked apologetic, but that grin contradicts it.
He sighed. No sense getting aggravated over something trivial.
Both she and Alec can be cheeky. Given how she sparred with this prince without her being put into her proper place, she figured it was safe to be cheeky with him. Just a little. Still, the initial shock that he’s a prince flustered her for a few minutes.
“But… why are you alone?” She looked around the cave. It was as she expected. Just a place for temporary shelter, but won’t do for winter.
“I like to be alone sometimes, don’t you?”
She nodded at his silent challenge. She can understand.
“I knew you guys are figuring out how long you can stay in the land of fae. Aren’t you worried you’ll be separated from the others when you get back?” For once, he’s the one worried.
She did show a worried expression as well. The last time… Aaron was under the table. They were scattered in the recreation hall. At this distance, won’t she reappear outside the halls? Maybe even outside the castle. She felt a trickle of cold over her body at the thought of being seen by ordinary people.
“We should go back to the castle.” She decided before standing up.
Erik raised an eyebrow, “Are you not seeing this downpour? Or are you planning to shower?” And then it hit him. He reached for her sleeve. It was completely dry.
It was Corrine’s turn to raise an eyebrow, inquiring what he’s up to.
“You didn’t get wet? Weren’t you walking under the rain earlier?” His surprised expression made her grin.
“Fortunately for me, my magic is related to water.” She raised one hand to show her fingers. Just a gesture she liked doing. Erik frowned at it. The reaction made her sigh.
“We should go, prince. Don’t worry, you won’t get wet.”
He likes seeing magic in action so stood up as well.
“After you.” Corrine gestured.
“Excuse me?”
“It’s easier when I can see where I ought to direct the water. In this case, the rain.”
Thankfully, her explanation seemed to convince him.
He tentatively reached a hand outside the cave. Corrine chuckled as she used her magic.
“Wow…” He couldn’t help being awed.
“Satisfied, prince?”
He grunted at hearing his title. “It’s Erik.”
“I wonder how many people you’ve allowed to call you Erik in private.” She wondered aloud.
“Not many.” He realized. “Should we go out now?”
“Yes, please.” And so, they walked. Erik couldn’t stop smiling at how the water wouldn’t touch him. Even when he moves his hands, he’s unable to touch the rain.
Corrine watched, a little unsettled. She should’ve mentioned that concentrating is taxing. Would he berate her if he suddenly found himself wet due to a few drops?
“Actually, I can also simply dry us off later if you’d rather we run through the rain.”
“Even after we get soaked?”
“Yes.”
“But why run?” His question was odd to her. Why not?
“What?”
“Let’s fly.” He reached out and tugged her by the wrist before lifting her up, carrying her by her back and legs. Then, he flew. He grinned at the way she yelped and how the rain splashed unto their bodies.
He wasn’t exactly thinking anything when he did what he did. He only thought that they should return to the castle immediately. She already said that she can dry herself off on her own anyway. He understands how using magic can drain someone’s energy.
Corrine isn’t exactly afraid of heights. More like… afraid of dropping from such a height. No matter how much she tried to ride the element, it simply doesn’t work the way air does for Alec. Without experience, she can only cling onto the prince. He can’t drop her. And how can he navigate through this downpour? She can barely open her eyes. They’re already drenched to their skin. Unconsciously, she hid her face on his shoulder. It was nothing personal but mere necessity.
Erik flew directly to his spare room’s window. It’s enchanted, allowing only him to access it and anyone he grants access to. When he landed, he slowly lowered her to the floor. He didn’t realize the water would be so cold, they’re both shivering. He quickly took towels to dry himself and tossed some to her.
Oddly, Corrine took one to dry her face. The cold seeped into her bones. Even her teeth are clattering. She couldn’t summon the energy to dry herself. Initially, the rain cooled her down and it was bliss… but it turned chilly as they were exposed longer.
Noticing how she didn’t seem to have any intention of getting up and doing what she said she’s capable of doing, Erik became concerned. She hugged the towel to her body. Erik snatched a bigger one and covered her body with it. Her sigh was audible to him.
When he used another one to dry her hair that’s dripping droplets into the floor, she frowned at him.
“I can do it myself.” She reached up for the towel in her head. He backed off when she did.
“Sure.”
“Thanks.” She managed to say, her insides starting to warm up. She closed her eyes and took deep breaths. Concentrating. You can do this. She cheered for herself.
Erik watched in amazement as droplets of water floated up. He extended an arm to witness how her magic works. What does she do afterwards?
Well, after gathering all the unnecessary water they brought into the room, forming a big ball of water, she directed them back outside his window to join the rain.
There was silence after that. Corrine couldn’t be bothered to get up. She still feels cold. Her eyes slowly roamed around the room while he sat on his bed, watching her.
“You have a fireplace.” Would it be too much to ask if she wanted to feel warm?
She didn’t need to say more. Lighting a fire was easy enough for Erik. The woods are already prepared in place, the servants did their job and with a flick of his hand flames burst into life.
Corrine immediately stood and walked near the fireplace.
“That feels nice.” She sneezed.
Okay, maybe it was a wrong decision to get drenched in the rain. Erik feels apologetic. She may catch a cold or something. He sighed before voicing out his apology.
“It’s alright. Though a warm cup of tea would be nice.” That would also fasten her recovery, she thought.
Erik arranged for tea to be brought up.
“I should’ve let you do your own thing.” For once, he admits he doesn’t have the best idea. They could’ve gone straight to the meeting hall. They’d be there by now. Dry and feeling well.
The tea did wonders to her. When she stood up, she’s as good as new.
“Let’s go. They must be waiting.”
Oddly, Erik followed a step behind her. She’s almost the height as him. Her plain clothes of gray had a red slip that serves as some sort of belt around her waist. Unlike the princess, who wears a cloak all the time, hiding her physique, Corrine’s was on show. Her choice of clothing is not too fit, not too loose. Just right for her to engage in combat. Still, it does show the shape of her body. Erik momentarily closed his eyes. Why are you staring at her body? Are you a p*****t? He reprimanded himself.
He was only mildly interested.
It would seem they weren’t exactly late. Nate and Vince had just returned, while Hannah seemed worried. Looking around, that guy who was protective of her before wasn’t present. Erik studied Hannah, still in her all-white ensemble. She seemed ethereal which is why he was interested the first time he saw her.
Well, she wasn’t interested in him. He’s not about to chase anyone.
When Hannah saw Corrine, she strode towards them.
“You can stop the rain for ten minutes, will you?” Her question surprised him and the other fae present.
“Aaron’s not back yet? Uh, sure.” She can’t exactly turn her down. One, she’s her mentor. Two, Aaron might need help. He went alone after all. They walked towards a window and Corrine surveyed the clouds. Her senses are telling her that there’s much water on it. But before she can plan her move, Aaron came in from the other side of the room. Drenched from head to toe.
“It’s harder than I thought. I couldn’t stop each drop from falling.” He spoke after watching their expressions. Hannah went to him, glad that he’s back and not lost.
He held her at a distance, not wanting her to get wet. Corrine did her job, which is immensely easier than stopping rain.
Aaron grinned at her before taking Hannah into his embrace.
“Well, so much for a good day to scout the territory.” Nate summed it up nicely.
“Should we go back, then?” Vince raised the question. Too late, his father was giving him a glare. He would like to spend some time with his wife.
“Or we could stay and learn something else.” He amended.
“Where’ve you been?” Alec asked Corrine.
“North. Or was it south?” When she turned to Erik, the others frowned. No one noticed that they came in together. For once, Erik didn’t announce his presence with a shout or something.
“South.” He promptly replied.
“Right. We decided to return when it’s clear the rain isn’t going to stop soon.”
Erik had always been oblivious of other people. Or more accurately, he never cared about what other people think of him. He’s still the prince, no matter what. That’s how he’d always thought before. And so, he didn’t notice the way people looked at him in that moment. Why is he not causing a fuss? Where’s the storm? Is he even here?
- Writer
