AN:
To clarify this story takes place during Siege and Storm. Remember to comment and to fan! Also I'd like to dedicate this Chapter to my dear friend SP because she encouraged to to write my crazy ideas down.
The next morning I don a pale blue dress and my shiny blue slippers and head down to the kitchen. Several of the other renters mill around as they have pleasant morning conversation. I sit in the barstool by the counter and dimly watch Karen, a Healer, as she fries up eggs.
The boarding house I stayed in was set up exclusively for Grisha as they came into this country. After the Shadow fold incident we recently got a bunch from Ravka. Half of them couldn't even speak the language of this country so the kitchen was filled the language of my homeland.
Karen smiles warmly at me, and I give a weak one in return. Her long brown hair is tied back, showing the elegant planes of her face. She flips and egg and sizzles, filling the room with its homely scent. I cross my legs and watch as she bustles around. It's hard to believe she's only 25, she looks a decade older.
"Did you sleep well Elodie?" Karen questions. I look at her for a second and shake my head. You can't get anything past Karen and her Fjerdan sensibilities. She frowns and reaches for me. I flinch back and she retracts her hand. She sighs and doesn't say anything though.
"Lightning struck the house you know. Thank goodness we got that lightning rod!" she brightly chimes, cracking another egg.
"Yeah, it woke me up," I mumble, flicking my fiery hair out of my eyes. She gives me a look and I avert my blue eyes away from her warm brown ones.
She clucks and slides a plate with two eggs on it in front of me. I look up at her, annoyed by this ritual she has. She points at the plate and mimes eating motions. I shake my head and without another word walk out of the kitchen.
In the foyer I sling my leather satchel over my shoulder, slide on my ID bracelet, and head out the front door. Outside I take a deep breath, taking in the fresh rain scent before I head down to the park. I carefully dodge people and their belongings as they rush to and fro. I smile at the hustle and bustle of the city, it makes you feel part of something.
At the park I settle on the driest bench I could find and watch as the children play. A young couple walks by, lost in each other's eyes. Suddenly a little girl with blonde curls and a pink dress runs up to the man and tugs on his pant leg. The man detaches himself from his lover and smiles indulgently at the girl. He swings her up into the air making her squeal with delight.
My heart gives a tug and I abruptly feel like an interloper.
"Remember when I did that to you," and all the familiar voice says beside me. Startled I turn to see the Darkling on the bench next to me. His black kefta and hair stands out starkly against the green grass and blue sky. He smirks at my expression and turns back to the group. I swallow and squeeze my eyes shut.
When I open them he's gone. I breathe a sigh of relief and ignore the fact I just hallucinated.
I lazily grab a book from my bag and lose myself in the fantasy world. Where knights save damsels, and no one seems to have any other issues besides the giant fire-breathing dragon.