Chapter 43 - Rose Quartz

Eira walked out from her room and then down the stairs. Just like her usual morning, she was going to have breakfast with her family before going to the citadel.

After the training camp, she worked as usual in the citadel infirmary even though it would be only for a month before she joined the advance training camp. But, most importantly, she missed seeing Cor walking past the infirmary when it was the time for crownsguard training. She couldn't wait to see him again today.

"Happy birthday sweetie!"

Eira blinked in surprise when both of her parents waited for her at the dining room entrance and popped the confetti from the party popper they held. His dad even had a small trumpet in his mouth, very excited it seemed.

She chuckled then hugged her beloved parents. "Mom! Dad! Thank you!" She didn't expect that today they would use a party popper to surprise her. They usually just hugged her while congratulating her.

"Shall we have dinner together tonight? Or do you want to celebrate it with your friends?" Elaine asked.

"Of course, I'm going to celebrate it with you two." Eira answered. Having dinner together whenever one of the family members had a birthday had been a habit in House Heallint. Sometimes with cake, sometimes they held a small party like what they did when Eira turned seventeen. But most often, it was just a small dinner with the three of them.

"You can invite your friends too if you want, you know?" William said as he walked toward the dining table.

Actually she also wanted to celebrate it with Cor. But no way she would invite him over for dinner.

"I prefer not." Eira took a seat in front of her mother, just like she usually did everyday.

"Aww… It has been a long time since Dad met them. Stella, Raine, and Lizette. Well, I often see Lizette, though. How are the others?" Her father asked before he started to eat his breakfast.

"They're good!" Eira replied. She then took her chopstick and began to eat.

"So, how about your boyfriend?" Her dad casually asked something that was unexpected.

Eira choked. She quickly gulped her food then took a drink before frowning to her father, "What?"

"You have one, right?" William looked so innocent, not knowing that his question made his daughter's heart race.

"Huh?" Eira curved her eyebrows. She then looked at her mother who was chuckling. They know?! No, no, impossible.

"You brought home a super big plushie the other day and you often go out on weekends. You must be seeing your boyfriend, right?" William said.

It felt like her soul was slowly leaving her body. Her hands got cold, her heart raised its speed, and her head was spinning.

"I'm not!" She wished her voice wasn't quivering. "I… I don't have a boyfriend." Oh good, she stuttered. Hope they didn't realize that she was lying.

"I met Stella and Raine on the weekend. It has been three months since the last time we met because of the training camp. We have lots to catch up on. Moreover I'll disappear again for a month in the next two weeks." She didn't like to lie but it was the only thing she could do.

"I see." William nodded, not doubting his daughter's words even though it sounded like a made-up lie. He then added, "But… If you have a boyfriend, tell us, okay?"

"Y-Yeah… Sure…" Eira nodded while giving an awkward smile.

Lying didn't make her happy. But, she still couldn't tell them that Cor is her boyfriend. Her heart wasn't ready to tell them the truth.

.

.

.

Eira was going to wear her coat when she saw a tall figure on the infirmary entrance. She gasped, surprised by the sudden visit from her lover. But, at the next second a smile crossed her face.

"Is the infirmary open, yet?" Cor's hoarse voice echoed across the room.

"Not yet. But I don't mind opening it early." She continued wearing her coat while walking to the front of her desk. "May I help you, Sir?"

Cor chuckled. He walked in then said, "Guess I need some medicine."

"Oh? Not to steal a kiss from a certain medic?" She teased, remembering that Cor stole her kiss without warning in this infirmary right the day after they became a couple.

"That's the medicine."

She blushed.

"Happy birthday, my dear." Cor smiled as he stood right in front of her.

Eira lifted the corner of her lips, happy to hear those words from him. It was officially the first time he said it exactly on her birthday. Last year he was late a few days, and years before that… They weren't even close.

There was an urge to jump into his chest and hug him, but the infirmary door was open, and she couldn't risk someone seeing them. Well, they can hide beneath the curtain for the beds… but…

"Thank you, Cor," she replied.

He said, "To be honest I would kiss you right now, but I remember you scolded me the other day."

Ugh… Just this time.

Eira pulled Cor's hand and dragged him to one of the beds. The man was caught off guard, thus she could push him until he sat on the bed. After closing the curtain in a hurry, she placed her hands on his shoulders then latched her lips on his.

She wanted her birthday kiss, and she wouldn't let this chance slip by. Who knows that they wouldn't meet again today. She had a full shift until evening, and Cor must be also busy today. And after her shift ended, she would go directly to the restaurant booked by her parents to have dinner together. No way she could see Cor again after that. Thus, now was the only time she could kiss him on her special day.

His lips were so soft, so warm, and she loved the way he tasted on her lips and tongue. She caressed his hair while deepening their kisses. The warmth seeped into her chest as they fell deeper into their kisses.

She lost count of how many times they kissed, but whenever they did, butterflies were still fluttering inside her stomach. At least she could say that she was getting better at kissing. He trained her so well.

However, they should end their kisses as it was in the citadel. Eira, the one who scolded her lover due to his recklessness of kissing her in the infirmary the other day, now was the one who kissed him first.

"I thought you don't want to kiss in the infirmary?" Cor gave her a teasing smile.

"Today is special."

"It is." And this time Cor was the one who pulled her head and kissed her lips. Cor pulled her closer until she sat on his lap.

She initially wanted to end their kiss before, but being offered some other one, she couldn't resist. Her mind hovered, forgetting that they were in the infirmary. The heat raised from her stomach to her entire body. There was a desire that she wanted to fulfill. She wanted him, she wanted him so bad.

Be rational, Eira!

They both ended their kisses. Softly panting, they stared at each other's eyes.

"You should leave…" Eira whispered.

"I should…" Cor answered softly while moving his head forward and kissed her again.

They just stayed still with their lips latched, without lust. After a few seconds they pulled apart, knowing that they shouldn't do more than this.

Eira stood up then stepped back. But her foot accidentally bumped something until it fell. Looking down in surprise, she saw a paper bag on the floor.

"Almost forgot this." Cor took it then delved his hand inside until he pulled out a box. Standing up, he then gave the box to her. "Birthday present. I'm not late this year."

"Aww, Cor…" Eira blushed then took the box from him. It was a soft pink velvet box. The man didn't bother to wrap it with anything. But that just made it easier for her to see what was inside.

As she opened it, her eyes sparkled when she caught a simple yet elegant necklace with a soft pink heart shaped crystal as the pendant. A smile bloomed on her face and the tears glistened her eyes. She was so happy.

"Cor, this is so pretty," she looked at Cor who was smiling at her. "Is this rose quartz? It's my favorite stone."

"To be honest, I forgot what it is."

Eira chuckled, "I love this so much. I'll wear it right away."

"Want me to help you wear it?"

"Yes, please." Eira gave the box back to Cor then turned around. She grinned, so excited to wear her new necklace.

Cor gently circled the necklace chain around her neck. After he clasped it, he said, "Done."

Eira turned her body then looked at Cor after staring at her necklace, "Suits me?"

"Very."

She hugged him then said, "Thank you so much, Cor."

Cor caressed her head. He then asked, "So… Are you free tonight?"

Eira shook her head, "Will have dinner with my parents."

"I see…"

"I want to celebrate it with you though… But I can't invite you, of course. And I don't want you to come if my dad invites you, okay?"

Cor chuckled. "I understand." He gave a slight pause before continuing, "But still I want to celebrate your birthday. Perhaps, this Friday?"

"Sure!" Eira smiled.

"Got it." Cor caressed her head then gave a kiss on her forehead. "Well… I should go before someone's coming."

"Okay."

Cor gave a chaste kiss on her lips before walking away from the bed.

Eira returned back to her seat then stared at Cor as he left the infirmary. The man then stopped at the entrance, giving her a soft smile, before continuing walking to the hallway.

As the man left, she touched the crystal pendant on her chest. Closing her eyes, she could feel the warmth from the pendant.

Oh, she loved him so much…