“She still hasn’t opened the door?” “Why else would I return here, Cos?” said Blossom while she closed the door. “Uhh, I don’t know..” He looked down. “You can stay here for the night.” “Seems like the only option.” Blossom was disappointed. She felt betrayed by Amethyst.

Why in the name of Eviona, would she lock me out? Did Cos ask her to do that? Was that what they were talking about? Oh my… DOES HE THINK-

“Bloss?” Cos had a drink in his hand. “You seem distracted. Want a drink?” Blossom nodded. “Yes, please.” She hoped he would go to the kitchen but instead Cos sat down and gave his drink. “Take mine then. I wasn't thirsty anyways.” She took it and starting drinking. “Sooooo.” Blossom looked at Cos.

Why does he sound so nervous?

“This room only has one bed for two elves..” She looked shocked. “Don't worry. I'll take the cou-” “No need to.” Cos was surprised.

Wait, did she actually just said that? I am not imagining this, right?

“Uh?” “We will just build a wall of pillows between us.” Blossom smiled. “I'm not going to let you sleep on this ridiculous couch nor the other one.”

A few moments later, Blossom and Cos went to bed. Together they divided the bed in half. Cos lay down on the left side and Blossom on the right side. She put a lot of pillows between them.

“So.” “So.” mocked Blossom. They laughed while they both look up to the ceiling. “We never really got to finish that conversation, Blos..” He looked at her, well, at the pillows between them. “What conversation?” she said.

Is she serious? She has got to be joking.

Blossom was pretending that she didn't know what he meant. “You know…” He pushed aside one of the pillows.

What in the name of Eira is he doing?!

She looked at Cos. She was kind of nervous but didn’t show it. “That one conversation we had in the woods..” “We have a lot of conversations in the woods.” She looked the other way. “You have got to be more specific.” Quietly, Cos sighed. “Blossom, you damn well know which one.” She looked his way again. “I thought we wouldn’t continue that..” He moved closer. “Cos!” She moved away. “See, we have to finish that conversation..” She was insulted, honestly, she was upset that he was right. She went out of the bed. “I can’t.” He stood up too. “How do you think I feel, Blossom?” “Uhh..” “You felt something too! You can’t deny that.” He touched her arm. It felt good for her. However, she kept thinking about her arranged marriage and how Highland will need it if something would happen to her father. Blossom pulled away. “I will sleep on the couch.” she said icecold. “No, I will.” Upset, Cos walked out with a pillow.

She will never..

He will never..

Westwind - Flamestorm

Meanwhile in Flamestorm, Jewel had been left alone ever since Hiro made the deal with Orion. He didn’t touch her, he didn’t hurt her or even speak to her. She was still afraid he would do something to her. Jewel was too used to Orion being a rapist. However, he took out his needs on her fellow elves, the housemaids to be exact. Jewel felt guilt, it should have been her, she thought.

“And then he…” “I understand.” said Jewel. She tried to calm down one of the housemaids. The housemaid was in tears. “It will all be good, Lily..” “No, it won’t! He calls me his favourite!” One of the other housemaids showed up in the kitchen with some dishes. “She is right. We are his whores now. Lord Orion claims that he pays us to do ALL the chores including his sexual needs.” said the slightly older housemaid. “I’m so sorry, Vira.. Lily. It is all my fault.” “No, it is not!” they both yelled. “I can’t imagine what he has done to you.” said Vira. “We knew the risk of working here.” “Vira is right. You have nothing to do with this, Miss Jewel.” said Lily while she wiped away her tears. “I’ll just..” “No, you won’t, Lily! You are like? What? Seventeen?” “Sixteen..” “For the love of Eira! I’ll do it. I’ll do whatever fucked up shit he has in mind. You avoid Orion and will only do chores for Miss Jewel. Understood?” Lily nodded.

Jewel kept thinking of what the housemaids had told her. She couldn’t let it leave her thoughts, how Orion was now taking it out on them, she couldn’t. She felt responsible for their housemaids’ future, especially Lily and Vira. They had been so kind to her ever since they started working in that horror place, Flamestorm. She had to find a way to free them out of his hands like Hiro did for her. But who could help her? Hiro was away, far away from Westwind..