Tai and I stand on the beach, looking out at the water.
The sun warms my skin, glistening atop the waves nearby.
It only took a few more days for me to find a job.
Tai is reading when I return home, lounging back on the couch.
It only took Tai another week to find a way to get us into the Jade Province again.I knew it was coming quickly, that he didn't want to waste time staying in the Golden Province. Yet this morning, when I was packing my small amount of belongings into our one shared bag, I felt sad knowing we may never return back here. At least not for awhile, until the threat of Vaia and the rebels is eliminated.Staring out the window of the carriage, I watch the last of the Golden Province pass by. Tai sits opposite me. Despite the window extended to his side, he watches me.
Kailor's manor is far more magnificent than what my imagination could ever muster.It's similar to Tai's in design, although older and more classic, evocative of gothic mansions you would sooner see in the dark depths of the Scarlet Province. The entire building is shadowed by the trees that circle the area, the minimal amount of sun shining over glinting off the sweeping windows and grand archways."At any point you want, we leave," Tai tells me firmly, gripping my hand. I swallow uncomfortably, nodding. Tai is the one who should be worrying, since this moment means re-establishing a very
I'm not exactly sure how I've ended up here.Kailor sits in front of me as we ride in one of his royal carriages, heading toward a nearby village. It was only last night that he proposed to me that if I wished to stay with him, I would have to work for it. Tai adamantly protested, but I agreed to do it after Kailor explained to me what he required.It's simple, in reality. He requires me to show face at one of his speeches, where he coerces small villages into siding with him, trying to get enough support so people will be willing to turn into rebel sympathizers.
Wrapping my gown around myself tighter, I peek in through the doorway.Tai stands in the middle of the room, fiddling around with a small object wedged into an unfamiliar mechanical item. Most of the space is consumed by the large wooden benches and tables, all stacked with tools and half-done projects."It's late,” I murmur, leaning against the doorway.Tai glances up from what he is working, eyes vibrant as he drinks in the sight of me. He wears just a shirt with no jacket, the cotton fabric clinging to his arms and abdomen. Sometimes I forget how much hi
I walk down the hallway toward Tai's room, having not spoken to him since last night in his workshop room. It's afternoon now, after I spent all morning hiding away in my room, not wanting to risk bumping into anyone.Yet it seems now I may be out of luck, as I look up to see a figure approaching, likely heading back downstairs to all of the main rooms. For a moment I don't recognise them, until I realise it's Elan, the Summoner I stabbed in the arm after he pretended to be Zavian. He wears a dark shirt, arm bandaged.Dipping my gaze to the floor, I hold my breath to walk past him. I didn'