Chapter Fifteen

Aryan

I had just finished changing when Samara came down the steps. She didn’t say much, but I could tell she had something on her mind. It was like she was holding herself back. I wanted to say something but decided against it. It’s not like I was going to be around her much longer, and who am I to force someone to talk if they don’t want to. I certainly wouldn’t want that for me, and she’s actually done a pretty decent job herself of not pushing buttons on my end. So, the least I can do is return the courtesy.

I looked around and found a platter of fruits on the dresser. “Hungry?” I offered, popping a grape in my mouth before plopping myself on the bed. If I hadn’t noticed before, it suddenly hit me that I was exhausted.

“Sure,” she smiled, coming over to look at our choices. After a second, she decided to have a piece of pineapple. “It’s been a while since I had one of these.” She confessed.

“Well, then.” I pushed the plate of fruit closer to her. “Eat up. We’re going to need all the strength we can get for tomorrow. Speaking of which, have you decided where you want to go?”

Samara got up, gliding her fingers along the bedspread until she reached her new set of clothes next to the pillows. “I have a place in mind.” She confirmed before looking at me. “Do you mind turning around?”

I raised a brow at her, confused until I saw her pick up the clothes. “Uh, yeah, not a problem.” I turned to face the wall—my eyes suddenly frozen on the fruit. I decided to have some more before I said something less than intelligent. “How do you know where you want to go if you’ve never been to Arcanum?” Before she even had a chance to answer, I said, “Don’t tell me you’re going to say something like, ‘take me somewhere nice.’ ’Cause, if that’s the case, you’re screwed.”

Samara gave in to a little giggle before replying, “That wasn’t what I was going to say at all.” I heard her footsteps approaching me right before she plucked a strawberry from the platter.

Samara may not be used to wearing clothes from my land, but that didn’t stop her from looking great in them. She had on a white flowy blouse with a red and black arrow-patterned skirt, and over the whole thing was an ivory knitted cardigan with fringe at the end of the sleeves, and at the bottom of the sweater.

“Aryan?” Samara looked concerned as she ate a grape. “Are you ok?”

“Uh-huh.” I nodded, needing for just a moment to clear my throat as I grabbed a glass of water from the pitcher beside the food. “Why are you asking?”

“You were looking at me strangely.” She stated.

“Just…” I shrugged off my moment of idiocy and regained my composure. “I’m fine. It’s just weird to see you in Arcanum clothes.”

“Oh,” she looked down at herself, frowning. “Is it not acceptable?”

“No. It’s not—” I sighed, wanting so badly to slap myself. “You look fine. We should blend right in now.”

She eyed me funny, but just nodded as she went for a drink. “I think I’m going to get some more fresh air.”

For some reason, that made me laugh. “Why? Didn’t you get enough ‘fresh air’ running from Soren’s men?”

Samara grinned, amused by my comment. “I’ve always been very comfortable outside. And… Something about Arcanum makes me feel very at ease. Like I’m where I’m supposed to be.”

Well, that makes one of us.

At my silence, Samara added, “You’re welcome to join me.”

While I might normally spit at such an invitation, today, I was feeling a little less than up for an argument. I nodded and followed Samara up the stairs. She leaned over the railing, the fringe at the bottom of her cardigan swaying against the breeze.

“Aryan,” she started, looking at our surroundings instead of me. “How long have you lived here? In Arcanum, I mean.”

I shrugged, but I knew exactly how long. “Too long.” I muttered.

Thousands of years too long.

“If you’re so unhappy here, how come you don’t leave to Curio?”

“I don’t know.” I scoffed. “I guess I just can’t shake this place.” I sighed, revealing something I probably shouldn’t. “Truth is, I—”

Before I could continue, I saw Samara lean forward and fall over the railing.

What the hell!?

My instincts overcame me, and I reached for her. Just grabbing her waist before she completely toppled over. I secured my grip on Samara, yanking at her clothes to help me pull her up.

She didn’t even twitch as I half-roughly plucked her from out of the air. When I finally got her in my arms, I could see that her eyes were open, and looking everywhere, but at me. Her eyebrows were pulled together like she was in pain, and she was panting heavily.

“Samara?” I shook her lightly, thinking she might come out of whatever trance she seemed to be in, but it didn’t work. “Samara!? What the hell is happening?” I whispered to myself.

Not sure what to do, I carried her down the stairs, and placed her on the bed.