Being in a land like Darragh reminded me of everything I used to love before. I spent hours sewing and putting together hair pieces, arranging bouquets. It felt strange to remember all that. But that was me, the real me, and somehow, after everything that happened, she was still there.
I looked at myself in the mirror, my cheeks were flushed but my eyes were puffed up and weary. Without waiting any longer, I put on a simple, light cotton dress that smelled a little stale, and brushed my long hair before leaving the bathroom.
Frid, Victor and Tynan were sitting around the kitchen table. Frid was laughing at something Victor had said. Tynan only glanced at me, and for a moment, he froze as his eyes traveled from my dress to my face, and the strands of my loose, wet hair.
“How’s the food?” I asked, suddenly feeling self conscious.
“Come. Join us.” Frid jumped up, grabbing a bowl and serving a good helping of the thick meat broth.
“Thank you,” I mumbled when the wooden bowl was placed right in front of me.
“I had to fight Victor for the last piece of cornbread.” Frid returned to her chair.
“You did not fight me. I gave it to you,” he responded.
“As if it was yours to give.” The girl rolled her eyes.
“So, Frid. Now that you’re back home, when are we going to see you in a dress?” Victor asked, the corners of his mouth lifted.
“Never.” Frid’s mood took a turn for the worse. “I am not going to wear a stupid dress,” she muttered.
“Women are not allowed flying suits, remember?” Victor raised his eyebrows.
Frid fidgeted with her spoon, looking like she was going to smack someone.
“If that’s still a rule, I’m going to stay indoors,” she said with forced indifference.
“Is that true? Women are not allowed flying suits?” I asked.
“They had similar rules when we were kids, but no one enforced them. Now with Hanoch in charge, it got much worse. I already got a warning from Grace not to wear men’s clothes.” Frid sighed.
Victor watched her for some time without saying anything.
“I’m sure there’s something in the closets that you could be comfortable in,” he finally said in a gentle voice.
I looked at him in surprise. It was so rare to hear himbeing serious, as if he really cared. I looked back at Frid and noticed Tynan looking at both of them with a thoughtful expression in his eyes.
“I just don’t want to be forced to do something I hate.” Frid sighed.
Victor rubbed the back of his neck, appearing uncomfortable. Not for the first time, I could tell that Frid mattered to him more than he was ready to admit. He was driving her insane with snarky remarks and unwelcome observations, but she really meant a lot to him. I could see it every time he looked at her, especially when she did not notice.
“How long are you planning to stay here?” I asked Tynan.
He turned to look at me, and I almost lost my train of thought. His eyes met mine, and the feeling was unsettling and alarming.
“I need to figure out what we need to do next. We can’t go back to The Fall,” he said.
“But someone brought me here,” I said.
“Yes. And I really want to know how they did it,” Tynan responded.
“There are people here we could ask, or Hanoch may know something about it. I wish I could walk around, but I’m going to stay in the cottage.” Frid leaned back in her chair with a look of frustration all over her face.
“All of us need rest. We can talk about it tomorrow.” Tynan stood up and brought his plate to the sink.
I peered at his strong arms as he washed the dishes, feeling almost embarrassed for staring. He looked muchlarger in the small kitchen, his muscular back and narrow waist made me think about things that made me blush. Fortunately, Frid started arguing with Victor, oblivious to everything around her.
Later that night, I moved my head, glancing at the calm, relaxed face of the blond girl that was sleeping next to me. Almost immediately, my treacherous thoughts brought up the man who was sleeping in the room next to mine. We were separated by a thin wall. I could envision him stretched out on the bed with his arm covering his eyes. I thought about that night in the tavern when I leaned over him, telling him all sorts of inappropriate things. I could still remember his beautiful, dark eyes, the surprise in every feature of his face. Tynan was always in control, but what I saw then was a rare moment of his control slipping. I saw the liquid flames of his enigmatic eyes. His fast breaths, and parted lips. I remembered how he did his best not to touch me but he really wanted to. I buried my face in my pillow. I was fantasizing about a man who was not my fiance.
