Chapter 10
Anastasia awoke with a start in the middle of the night.
She cursed under her breath when she realized that trying to get back to sleep would be futile in her state.
The previous day had been nothing short of beautiful, yet she had still had a nightmare again.
'The past two days have been too good to be true. It is impossible that Kate could ever return those feelings you harbor for her. Only a fool would deem that an option.'
After splashing her face with ice-cold water and changing into her rags, preparing to leave.
She knew she wouldn't be able to keep that game of hide and seek up for much longer and at one point she would have to come clean, at least to those closest to her.
She didn't think telling her father would be a good idea, however. He still viewed her as his little girl and was overly skeptical towards everyone who potentially tried to harm her, or take her away from him.
It was understandable considering she was the closest thing to family he had and vice versa.
Yet, Nastya was by no means a child anymore and felt eager to leave the nest and explore the world.
Maybe Kate would be willing to accompany her on her journey.
"She would accompany you to do what exactly? This is not the way I have raised you!“ The blonde's eyes turned wide, breathing ragged, sweat soon drenching her shirt.
Her voice was shaking, telling the shadow at the other side of her trailer. "You are not real! I am not afraid of you. Those days are long gone.“
To the young woman's relief, the shadow slowly vaporized into thin air, making Nastya sink down to the floor, covering her face as hot tears started running down her cheeks.
Nastya was stunned when suddenly a familiar soft voice could be heard beside her, followed by two arms wrapping her in a tender embrace. "Seems like my intuition was right again.
"What's bothering you, sweetie? Did you have nightmares again? Or did you fight with Kate?“
The blonde stiffened at the last question, sniffling she answered Dee. "Yes, I did have a nightmare again and no, Kate has nothing to do with this.
"We spent a perfect day together and then when I had finally managed to fall asleep I wake up again shortly after because of those nightmares. It appears I am simply not meant to be happy.“
The brunette felt her heart ache at her younger friend's words, tightening her hug she told her in her kind manner. "Everyone deserves to be happy, sweetie, especially you.
"The fact that you had a nightmare again, albeit concerning has nothing to do with that. Please, don't feel discouraged.
"I am glad hearing your day with Kate was perfect. The two of you are good for each other. I can feel that and she is genuine in her affections. It is plain to see.“
Nastya's eyes turned widened hearing this.
'Affections? Does Dee know something that I do not?'
Despite the flutter in the pit of her abdomen, the blonde knew not to get her hopes up yet. After all, it was very possible that Dee had merely meant affections of a platonic kind, like in a friendship.
Anastasia wiped at her eyes, retreating from the other girl's embrace, smiling softly. "Thank you for your insight and for being there for me, Dee. I always appreciate your efforts and care.
"Before my meltdown just now I had been about to go outside and take a walk. I would like to do that now. You are free to join me if you want.“
The brunette smiled softly and nodded. "I felt kinda restless myself tonight actually so I'd love to accept that offer.
"Maybe getting some fresh air is gonna help both of us sleep more easily later.“
They both got up and left the trailer.
After walking for about twenty minutes Nastya to her surprise heard Dee ask her. "Where are you leading me, sweetie?“
The taller of the duo blinked in confusion and after taking in their surroundings was stunned to find out they were standing in front of Fairy Hill.
Nastya bit her lip and muttered. "This is Fairy Hill and on top of it lays Carbury Castle. Kate introduced me to it earlier today. I do not know why, or how we ended up here.“
Dee giggled softly before stating lightly. "This place must have left quite the impression on you if you memorized the path so easily, sweetie.
"It seems like your subconscious wants to tell you something by leading you back here.“
Nastya sighed softly and stared up at the ruin on top of the hill. "It is quite an impressive place. I especially liked the little cottage a short walk from the castle. Would you like me to show it to you, Dee?“
The brunette nodded in agreement, a wide grin on her face. "Sure! That sounds interesting. I'm curious about it!“
The two women continued on their way up the hill.
The ruins which were illuminated by the stars and the moon looked even eerier than during the day, sending shivers down the blonde's spine.
She almost regretted her decision to have come up here.
That is until Dee's voice alerted her. "This place possesses such strong energy! You said the spot was called Fairy Hill?“
Nastya nodded slowly, not sure where this conversation was supposed to lead.
She had never liked it when people repeated facts either. It was a human trait she deemed most irritating and pointless.
Humoring her friend she simply stated. "Indeed. What do you mean by it 'possesses a strong energy', Dee? I do not think I understand.“
Dee was lost in thought, however, and buzzed around the place, seemingly in her element, leaving the younger woman behind frustrated.
'Bringing her here was futile. The activity she is performing there appears irrelevant. What is the point walking around old ruins like that?'
Not enjoying being ignored, Anastasia snuck away and crossed the short distance over towards Fairy Cottage instead.
Once there she, to her astonishment, noticed a light coming from inside the small building.
'Curious. Who could be in there? I thought Kate had told me earlier that the place was uninhabited.'
Her heart hammering in her chest, Nastya against her better judgment decided to investigate.
She silently crept inside the building, making sure to stay hidden in the shadows to stay invisible to whoever was in there.
'Is it fairies? Do they come out at night and go on about their business here?'
The idea caused a prickling sensation to form on her skin. To her utter astonishment, what she saw then was even more unbelievable than any magical activity could have ever been.
On the bench in front of the fireplace lounged a certain redhead, book in hand, engrossed in reading, a lantern standing on the small table in front of her, illuminating those ethereal features.
Nastya was stunned, standing still, her pulse skyrocketing at the sight displayed in front of her, eagerly drinking in every little detail and mentally saving this image for keepsake purposes only. Or so she tried to convince herself.
'I am already in too deep. I had, by no means, expected to encounter her here, much less at a time like this.
'She should be asleep in her bed at the farm. I wonder if she comes here often when she can not sleep?'
Nastya shook her head, inwardly scolding herself for having these thoughts.
Deciding to get back before Dee noticed her absence she went for the door but was halted when upon opening it a familiar voice exclaimed. "Nastya?“
The blonde felt deeply humiliated being discovered by the other girl like that.
For a moment she pondered simply ignoring Kate and leave regardless, but in the end, she turned around, softly nodding her head in acknowledgment. "Kate. I did not expect to encounter you here. What are you doing here at such an hour?“
The redhead felt her face heat up and mumbled. "I had hoped you would come back here.“
Nastya's eyes turned widened, only thanks to her enhanced hearing had she been able to make out the words the petite girl had said.
Her voice came out hesitant, her own cheeks turning pink. "You... had?“
Kate blinked rapidly, stunned the blonde had been able to understand what she had deemed to be incoherent rambling.
Slowly she nodded her head, whispering a simple one-word reply. "Yes.“
Nastya quirked her left brow. "You are lucky your assumptions turned out to be correct, Kate.“
The blonde had sat down with the redhead and together they had sat mostly in silence, both content to just be around each other.
After a while, Nastya spoke up and asked the other girl. "What kind of a book were you reading earlier, by the way, Kate?“
The redhead's cheeks, to her own chagrin, but Nastya's delight turned crimson, her voice sounding raw. "It- It was just a random book from the local library. I simply brought it along to pass the time.“
The blonde's interest was peaked and to Kate's dismay, she asked. "Could I, perhaps, take a look?“
The redhead was utterly humiliated but mused she might as well let the other girl have a look.
She carefully handed her the book. Nastya took one look at the book before recognition hit her. Doing her best to hide her surprise and glee.
'Can this truly be a coincidence anymore? I can not believe the local library of this town has that kind of book.'
The blonde swallowed, unable to look Kate in the eyes. Kate on the other hand was confused to find Nastya not even casting as much as a glance at the book.
She asked hesitantly. "Nastya? You're not even looking at the book.“
Nastya bit her bottom lip and muttered embarrassingly. "I do not have to look at it to know it's contents. I have read this book myself before, Kate...“
The redhead's eyes bulged at that revelation, unable to hide her curiosity she asked. "Why did you read that book, Nastya?“
The blonde started fidgetting around nervously and mumbled. "I read it because the subject interested me.“
Kate's heart was racing at those words, her hopes that her feelings might not be unrequited after all rising.
Their faces slowly inched closer, the tension growing unbearable, Kate whispered. "Are you...?“
Her eyes looked in wonder, the blonde's voice had turned very low, sounding like an invitation. "There is only one way for you to find out.“
Their lips were merely a whisper apart when a familiar voice resounded from the door, effectively breaking the tension. "There you are! I'd been looking everywhere for you, sweetie.“
Nastya sighed, balling her fists in frustration, trying her best to keep her temper in check.
She mentally cursed herself for having forgotten all about her friend who had accompanied her up the hill earlier and who she had left behind by the castle Lord knows how long ago.
'Of course, she would be searching for you, fool. Maybe it is better that she arrived now.
'I do not wish to corrupt, or use Kate. Nor do I want to be an experiment for her.
'She is most likely merely curious how it would be like to be with another girl.
'After all, she is still so young and what could I possibly offer her?'
Her eyes cast down, Nastya got up, deeply distraught, and walked over to Dee.
Kate felt a pang in her chest at the way the other girl acted. Was she ashamed of what had almost happened between them just now?
Dee gazed over to the redhead in worry and called out. "Kate, are you gonna go back home too? We could accompany you there.
"You shouldn't be out here on your own at such a time. Your parents will be worried sick if they realize you're not home.
"Also, you need to get some sleep. Come on.“
The redhead reluctantly got up and joined the other two.
Their walk back to the farm was filled with silence and not the comfortable kind.
Dee, thanks to her abilities was acutely aware of the tension between the two younger girls, in part blaming herself for running into a what now in recap seemed to her very private moment.
Unable to stand the deafening silence any longer, Dee exclaimed. "I'm sorry for invading your privacy like that earlier.“
Both Kate and Nastya blinked rapidly, their cheeks heating up.
Nastya muttered. "It is alright, Dee. You could not know.“
Once they had arrived at the farm, Dee stepped away to give the two younger girls some privacy and allow them to properly bid good night to each other.
Kate shyly looked up at Nastya who to both their surprise pulled the redhead close to her, engulfing her in a warm embrace.
Both their hearts were racing at the physical contact.
Nastya inhaled deeply and before she knew it blurted out. "You smell really good.“
Kate felt her cheeks heat up once again at this, her eyes closed she breathed in the blonde's scent as well, subconsciously licking her lips.
Her voice was hoarse when she replied. "So do you.“
Nastya reluctantly loosened her grip on the smaller girl, cerulean eyes meeting ice-blue ones. "Kate, you must leave. As much as I would like to stay with you for longer, we both have to sleep and Dee is waiting for me.
"Let us meet again as soon as possible.“
Kate nodded softly, her emotions concealed behind a mask of indifference. "You're right, Nastya. I'll come to your trailer once I'll be done with farm work tomorrow, no today.“
To Nastya's astonishment, Kate stood on her tippy toes, pecking the blonde's cheek before bolting off, leaving behind a stunned and confused Nastya.
'Where did that just come from? She truly is one of a kind, that one...'
Kate rushed up the stairs, albeit carefully avoiding the steps which she knew tended to creak.
A sigh left her lips once she was back in her room, heart threatening to beat out of her chest.
'Oh, my God! I can't believe I just did this. Her cheeks are so soft, I wonder if her lips are the same or if they're even softer.'
She quickly undressed and fell into her bed, sleep coming surprisingly easy to her that night.
Meanwhile, Nastya who had been subject to Dee's knowing glances for their whole walk back to the camp dreaded to go back to bed.
She was convinced that after that night she would be unable to get any sleep anymore at all, or if she would she might have dreams she didn't dare imagine.
One thing this night as well as the last two days she'd spent together with Kate had proven to her was that having to leave her would be the hardest thing she'd ever had to do.
That night, Nastya cried herself to sleep, mourning a loss she knew she'd soon be forced to endure...