Part 6
Kaya didn’t remember being brought back to the Lighthouse. She did remember being engulfed in a group hug by her team. They had been worried about her. Tremendously so. They had all fussed about her and she tried to listen to all of them, but it was hard with how her head still spun. Aelia had done a number to her. Taash had sat her down on the chaise, promising to bring her food in a bit. But first, they wanted her to have some time to relax. The others agreed to coming back to check on her and left as well. A part of her was sad that they were leaving her, but she couldn’t really argue. Her body was aching, and she felt like she would pass out. A healing potion was held out in front of her, and she looked up, seeing Neve standing there. She had changed into her teal pants, sinfully open button up, and her suspenders. Her hair was still in a bun, and she tilted her head at her.
“You need help?”
“I’m good,” Kaya assured. She took the healing potion and drank it, feeling it slowly take affect. The wound on her throat burned as well as the ones from the dragon. Those hadn’t healed well.
“You should lie down.”
“I will…but I feel disgusting. I need to bathe.”
“You do smell,” Neve smirked. Kaya rolled her eyes and shakily got to her feet. She made it a few steps before collapsing. Luckily, Neve was there to catch her. “Let me help you.”
“I’ve got it Neve.”
“Please, just let me help you for a bit. Once you’re able to move on your own, I’ll let you,” Neve begged. Neve Gallus never begged. Kaya relented and allowed the woman to guide her to the bathroom next to the wardrobe. The Lighthouse was amazing. It created a wonderful walk-in bath that always cleaned itself and filled with warm water. Neve turned the nob to fill it and helped her sit on a stool. “I’ll let you get undressed. I’ll get you a change of clothes.”
Kaya nodded and started to undo her bracers. She didn’t have armor anymore. Not a chest piece at least. The dragon had torn that to shreds. Her leg bracers were easy to remove, and she got her pants off with little issue. Her shirt was easy as well, but she struggled with her chest binding. Her wounds pulled as she tried to undo it and she cursed. “Son of a bi—”
“Are you struggling?” Neve interrupted. Kaya grumbled and heard the woman approach her from behind. “May I?”
Kaya nodded and the woman helped her undo her binding. The woman paused and Kaya knew what she was looking at. The scars on her back were awful. They covered the entirety of her back. Littered her skin. “They don’t hurt anymore if that’s what’s bothering you.”
Neve sighed and she stepped closer, helping her to the bath. She used the edge to walk into the warm water before sitting on the stone bench in the water. She leaned her head back and stared at the ceiling. The water was always perfect. “Do you need help?”
“I don’t think so. You don’t have to sit in here with me.”
“If I leave, you might drown.”
“I won’t drown in a bath.”
“I’m not sure. You’re notorious for drowning,” Neve remarked. Kaya scoffed and ducked her head under the water to wet her head. She sat back up and grabbed soap to start washing her hair. “How did Aelia catch you?”
“Supposedly, the Venatori had caught Ashur. I went to save him, and it had been a trap. Her men nabbed me and took me to her.”
“You couldn’t fight back?”
“Not really. The wounds from that dragon are still healing,” Kaya answered. She paused in her cleaning and glanced at the mage. She looked at her thigh, seeing the way she favored the uninjured leg. “How’s your leg?”
“Fine. Just sore.”
“I shot you.”
“It could’ve been worse.”
Kaya rinsed her hair and finished bathing. She didn’t want to sit in here any longer. She needed sleep. Neve brought her a towel and the mage kept her eyes on her face as she did. Kaya took in and quickly dried off before slipping into her sleeping clothes. She let Neve help her back to her room and onto her bed, giving her a grateful smile. “Thanks. I just need a little rest.”
“I’ll tell the others to give you a bit.”
“Alright,” Kaya sighed. She lied back on her pillow and sleep quickly took her.
Memories screamed through her brain, making her clench her fists. Her brother being killed. Lorelei and Alana hanging. Neve being shot by her arrow but not in the thigh. Amelia’s voice echoing in her head. It was never ending. The torment. She needed to get away. She needed to escape her reach!
“Rook!” A voice shouted, hands shaking her as it did. Kaya gasped and grabbed the handle of the lyrium dagger, yanking the assailant to the bed and holding them there with the dagger against their throat. She wasn’t sure who she was seeing, but she wasn’t going to let them hurt her. Cold emanated from the hand on her wrist and she frowned. “Kaya, it’s me.”
The fogginess in her brain cleared and she saw Neve lying below her. Her face was scrunched in concentration and her eyes were trained on her in worry. Kaya quickly tossed the dagger away and scrambled off her.
“I-I’m sorry Neve,” Kaya stammered. Neve sat up and held her hands out to her in a calming manner.
“It’s alright. You didn’t hurt me,” Neve assured. Kaya squeezed her eyes shut, imagining what she could’ve done. The mage could have her throat slit. Bleeding out from a wound she had caused. Neve’s hand found her own and she tried to pull it back. Neve didn’t let her and she felt warm skin beneath her palm. She opened her eyes, seeing her hand pressed against Neve’s neck. “See? I’m fine.”
Kaya used her free hand to run her fingers over the scar on Neve’s forehead. The woman didn’t flinch away from her as she inspected the old wound. “I-I keep hurting you.”
The hand on her neck moved to her thigh, where her arrow had struck. She was a terrible leader and friend.
“I could say the same thing about myself,” Neve murmured. Her hand cupped her cheek, over the healing cuts and where her palm had struck her. “I’ve not been kind to you either.”
“I deserved it.”
“The slap? Yes, you did. But your other wounds, no,” Neve retorted. She went to move her hand away and Kaya shook her head, holding her palm there. “Does it hurt still?”
“Y-yes….”
“How can I help?”
“Can you heal it and make sure Aelia isn’t in my head still?”
“Are you sure?”
Kaya nodded and Neve gave her a soft smile. Her magic trickled from her fingers and Kaya kept herself from flinching. She was scared of the magic, but the pain in her face and ear was making it hard to function. Anaris’s claws had left an impression. Neve held her gaze as she worked, never looking away. After what felt like hours, Neve’s magic stopped.
“How’s that?”
“B-better.”
“You’ll have scars. I can’t fix that,” Neve sadly spoke. Her fingers moved to Kaya’s ear, tracing over the scars there. She shivered at the feeling.
“That’s alright. I’m used to scars,” Kaya spoke. Neve nodded and her hand moved to her chest.
“Will you let me heal these wounds?”
Kaya bit her lip and nodded. Neve slowly placed her hands on her chest and torso, magic working on healing her wounds. It felt weird as they stitched themselves together. Her heart was beating out of her chest. She was safe. Neve wouldn’t hurt her. She was safe.
“Breathe, Trouble. You’ll pass out if you don’t breathe,” Neve instructed. Kaya took a shuddery breath, and a flash of her old slaver crossed her mind. Pain flared through her, and she gasped, backing away from Neve and nearly falling from the bed. The mage’s hand shot out, grabbing her wrist to keep her from falling. “Careful!”
Kaya yanked her hand away like she had been burned. Neve held her hands in front of her once more.
“It’s alright,” Neve assured. Kaya wrapped her arms around herself, trying to stop herself from shaking. “You’re alright. No one is going to hurt you.”
“I-I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. Not for this…can I…can I touch you?”
Kaya held out her hand and Neve took it, squeezing it tightly. Her hand was warm. Calloused but soft. Neve’s thumb ran along her skin in a soothing manner. She scooted closer to the woman, resting her head on her shoulder.
“If it helps, Aelia isn’t in your head anymore. That’s just your own mind playing tricks on you.”
“Not really, but thanks for the information,” Kaya sighed. Neve leaned her head against hers and she took a deep breath. Neve smelled like fresh air and a cold breeze.
“Did you want to talk about it?”
“Not really.”
“Alright. That’s alright,” Neve murmured. She pressed a kiss to her head and Kaya turned to glance at her. She was staring at her with warm, caring eyes. “I healed most of your wounds. I’m not sure how much still needs healing. I’d need to lift your shirt.”
“It feels better. That’s enough for me,” Kaya hummed. Neve used her free hand, running her fingers along her ear then to her cheek, tracing the new scars. “How bad do I look?”
“I think you look rather dashing with these scars,” Neve smirked. Kaya chuckled and she stared at their intwined hands. This was nice. There was a knock on the door and Neve straightened, angling herself to shield her from whomever was there. “Yes?”
“Hey, um, I know you said to give Rook time, but I brought food,” Bellara spoke. Neve relaxed and glanced at her. Kaya nodded and sat up, trying to let go of Neve’s hand. The mage tightened her grip, giving her a soft smile. Kaya returned it with a lightness in her chest. It felt good having her hand in her own. It felt right.
“Come in.”
“Are you sure? I know she’s probably tired. I can just leave it outside.”
“Bel, get in here,” Kaya chuckled. The door creaked open, and Bellara entered with a plate of food. She gave her a sheepish smile as she stood at the doorway.
“I wasn’t sure what you wanted to eat, so I just brought you some bread and meat. I can get you something else if you want. It’s not a big deal.”
“Bel?”
“Yes?”
Kaya held out her free hand to the elf. “I could use a Bellara grade hug.”
Bellara’s eye sparkled in delight and she placed the plate down before leaping at her. The elf’s arms wrapped tightly around her and she hugged her back with her free arm. “I was worried about you.”
“I don’t know why. I snapped at you.”
“Well, family fights sometimes. That’s a normal part of life. I know you were hurting, and I don’t blame you for being angry.”
“I don’t know why you’d forgive me so easily,” Kaya huffed. Bellara pulled away slightly, flicking her in the forehead. “Ouch.”
“There. I got my revenge and now you can live with me forgiving you.”
“It’s not that simple…”
“It is. I say it is.”
“Bel—”
“Just take the damn forgiveness,” Neve chuckled. Kaya huffed and Bellara hugged her again, holding her close. She forgave far too easily. But she’s always lost far too much. It wasn’t surprising that she forgave the way she did. Bellara was genuinely kind at heart. Kaya hugged her back, silently promising the other elf that she’d be a better friend to her.
Point of View Change, Neve
Neve waited for Bellara and Rook, knowing that they were getting close to the end of Cyrian’s funeral. She had been given permission to be here for Bellara. She wasn’t an elf, but Strife and Irelin knew how much Bellara meant to her. The barrier disappeared and Bellara came up the stairs. Her eyes were red from crying and Kaya stayed close to her.
“Neve? You’re here?” Bellara gaped. Neve nodded and opened her arms, welcoming the woman who collapsed into her embrace.
“Of course, I’m here. You’ve got a family here Bel.”
“Thank you,” Bellara murmured. She pulled away and gave her a grateful smile before heading to the brazier. Neve watched her go and Kaya stopped beside her.
“How’s she doing?” Neve asked. Kaya shrugged and leaned against her.
“As good as she can be.”
“Good thing she has you.”
“She has both of us.”
“That she does,” Neve hummed. Bellara sighed as the brazier was lit and her shoulders drooped.
“And third, we grant to the sea. To carry you to distant shores,” Bellara spoke. She stared at the brazier as she continued to speak. “Cyrian always wanted to see what was across the ocean. Not Par Vollen. I mean, really across. The other parts of the world. I wonder if the Evanuris left Thedas?”
“That’s a good question. Who knows?”
“We’ve seen their power. They could go anywhere. Maybe there are other elves, somewhere else,” Bellara sighed. She turned and looked at them. “I’m ready for the third brazier.”
“We’ve got you,” Kaya assured. They followed the grieving elf, listening to her ramble about the Archive and about threatening to throw it into an active volcano. If it called Bellara a ‘witless fool’ again, she’d help her toss it. Bellara took down the barrier and they met Strife. The older elf inclined his head.
“I’m sorry about Cyrian, Bellara.”
“Thanks Strife, I’m glad you’re here.”
“He was one of us. Even if he never officially joined.”
“He died protecting Arlathan, even knowing the cost.”
Strife gave her a small smile. “Saving the world seems to run in the family. Time to light that last brazier.”
Bellara nodded and went to the brazier, lighting it. Neve watched the fire burn brightly and she could see the tears in Bellara’s eyes. “And third we return to the infinite, to find their way to the sanctum of the eternal. And that’s it. The words we used to say. According to the Archive at least. It’s close to what we say now, not the same, but close. And it’s what he would’ve wanted.”
“You think you’ll be okay?” Kaya asked. Bellara nodded and looked at them with tears streaming down her face.
“I didn’t think I would be. But I’m okay. Not amazing. Not great. But okay,” Bellara answered. She stepped closer to them and Neve gathered the elf in her arms, feeling Kaya do the same. “We found it. That connection. What Cyrian and I were looking for. When he came back, it hurt again. Worse, almost. But this time, I got to say goodbye. And now I have to live my life. That’s all I can do. For either of us.”
“Making it from one day to the next is pretty tough some days. But we do it. And it’s enough,” Kaya spoke.
“Right. One foot in front of the other,” Bellara spoke. She glanced behind them at the brazier. “I hope you find peace, wherever you are. Dareth shiral ena bellanaris, Cyrian. I love you.”
As the last words left her lips, she turned her head and rested her forehead against Neve’s shoulder. The elf cried against her, and she tightened her grip as Kaya ran a soothing hand along her back. There wasn’t anything left to say. They merely held the elf as she grieved and Neve wondered if Kaya got to do something like this for Kai. She made a mental note to ask Ashur when they went to Dock Town.
Eventually, Bellara pulled away. She told them that she wanted to spend some time with the Veiljumpers and they left her with the clan. Neve held Kaya’s hand as they walked to the Eluvian.
“So, I had a question for you.”
“Yeah?”
“Want to go to Dock Town for a bit?” Neve asked. Kaya looked up at her with a raised eyebrow.
“To do what?”
“Skip stones and maybe get something to eat.”
“I like that plan,” Kaya hummed. Neve smiled and led them through the Eluvian and to Dock Town. She kept Kaya’s hand in her own as they went to the docks. She didn’t even release her grip when the two of them picked up rocks.
“I’ll take you to my favorite spot,” Neve spoke. Kaya merely nodded and they went to the pier that overlooked the water. She liked this spot. It helped her clear her head and think. She held out a rock to Kaya, smirking at her as she did. “Need a reminder?”
“I can do it,” Kaya huffed, taking the rock. She tossed it and it sank. Neve laughed at the unamused look on Kaya’s face. “Oh, shut up.”
“Sorry, it’s too funny watching you struggle to throw a rock,” Neve teased. Kaya smiled at her teasing and angled herself the way Neve had taught her. This time, the rock skipped. Neve threw her own rock and the two of them fell into silence. It was relaxing being here. Even when there were storm clouds gathering above them. “I like coming here when I need to clear my thoughts.”
“Neve Gallus without her mind racing, I’d hardly know you,” Kaya teased. Neve chuckled and tossed another rock.
“You can’t count on a lot here. When I started, I wasn’t going to save Minrathous, never mind Thedas. But if I could take a job and follow through? Well, maybe people could count on me.”
“I think a lot of people count on you.”
“Here’s the thing, I know people count on me and that…scares me,” Neve admitted. She met Kaya’s gaze, seeing the understanding in her gold eyes. “It scares me that I could lose you at any moment.”
“I’m hard to get rid of.”
“I’m getting that impression,” Neve chuckled. She looked back at the water. She remembered Kaya’s throat being sliced. Remembered her being controlled by Aelia. “It’s crazy getting mixed up with me.”
“Neve…”
“I…I want you to. I want you to be able to know that I have your back, like you have mine. I know I’ve been terrible to you and that it’s crazy to thi—”
“It’s not crazy.”
“There’s a lot to lose.”
“Isn’t there always?” Kaya argued. Neve could see the understanding in her eyes. The affection. The want. She reached out to Kaya, pulling her close by her hip and kissing her. It was chaste and Neve felt the spark that came from it. When she pulled away, Kaya was giving her a dopey smile.
“That went straight to your head.”
“A bit,” Kaya chuckled. She reached up, running her thumb along Neve’s lips. Neve smiled and pulled her in for another kiss, feeling the woman relax in her arms. There was a squeal from somewhere behind her and Kaya pulled away with a blush. “Bellara?!”
“It finally happened!” Bellara squealed. Neve giggled and held Kaya’s head against her chest.
“Don’t you write that into your serial!”
“Too late!” Bellara exclaimed. Kaya groaned and Neve ran her fingers through her hair.
“You know, she can’t help herself,” Neve spoke.
“I’m aware…but now she’ll tell the team.”
“…well, that’ll be a fun conversation.”
Point of View Change, Kaya
Kaya woke slowly, blinking her eyes open to see a wonderful sight. Neve was asleep next to her, face lax of any tension. They had fallen asleep shortly after returning to the Lighthouse. Kaya couldn’t remember the last time she had a full night’s sleep. Neve’s arm was draped over her side, holding her close to the detective. She leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to her nose before shimmying away from her. Neve mumbled in her sleep and Kaya made sure to pull the blanket over her before tiptoeing away. She headed for the aquarium and pushed on the hidden door there. It slid open, revealing a hidden corridor. It went directly through the aquarium with it being encased by glass. It was a fun corridor to walk through. She could look all around her and see the fish swimming around. It also led to her favorite place in the Lighthouse. The corridor opened to a balcony where she had all of her art supplies. Since the weather was always nice, she didn’t have to worry about her canvases getting ruined. She could just continue painting or carving what she wanted. Kaya grabbed a new canvas and placed it on the easel before sketching out what she wanted. An ocean. It was easy enough to paint. She picked up her paint brush and got to work. Her strokes were precise as she worked, painting the ocean that she thought of. Clear water with the Sun rising in the distance.
Arms were draped over her shoulders and a kiss was placed behind her ear. She shivered at the feeling. “So, this is where you went.”
“I didn’t want to wake you.”
“I would’ve woken if you wanted me too. It was cold without you.”
“That’s because you have ice magic and your blood runs cold,” Kaya deadpanned. Neve pinched her cheek, making her wince.
“Don’t be cheeky,” Neve huffed. Kaya turned in her arms and kissed her. The woman hummed, smiling into the kiss. She pulled away and rested her forehead against her own. “Are you trying to apologize with kisses?”
“Yeah…is it working?”
Neve smirked and kissed her nose. “Maybe. What’re you painting?”
“An ocean.”
“Ah…did you paint everything in here?” Neve asked. Kaya nodded and the woman stepped away from her, heading to the finished canvases. There weren’t a lot of them. She didn’t really have time to paint when they were fighting Gods. “Is this…”
“Yeah. That’s Cyrian,” Kaya answered. The painting Neve was referring to was for Bellara. It was a painting of Cyrin and herself, smiling for the picture as if nothing had even gone wrong. Neve looked to the left of that one and Kaya went back to painting. “That one is for Taash.”
“Did you paint something for all of our friends?”
“I tried to. Taash doesn’t have anything to remember their mother by besides the piece of her horn. So, I hoped a painting would be alright. Same with Bellara. Lace misses Fereldan, so the Caretaker leant me a book and I painted Skyhold for her. Davrin always wanted a picture of himself and Assan. Emmrich wanted one of him and Manfred. I painted a window kind of scene for Lucanis, so he didn’t feel stuffy in the pantry.”
Neve hummed in thought. “This one here, is this one for yourself?”
Kaya glanced at the woman, seeing the painting she was referring to. “Yeah…”
The painting was of Kai, Lorelei, Alana, and her father. The ones who meant the most to her next to her team. Neve ran her fingers along the canvas. Specifically, over the picture of her father.
“You never mentioned what happened to your dad.”
“He worked too slow one day. Made our masters upset and they killed him to make an example of him.”
“Rook—”
“It’s fine. He wasn’t suffering anymore. That’s what we kept telling ourselves,” Kaya interrupted. She finished what she wanted on the painting she was working on with a sigh. “Kai would tell me all the time that it was for the better. That our father got to join our mother and that he’d be happy.”
“Your brother tried to keep you positive.”
“Yeah. He did,” Kaya murmured. She heard Neve move around the balcony, looking at the other paintings. There was a painting of a dragon, a painting of a starry sky. There was even a painting of the Caretaker.
“Is this me?” Neve asked. Kaya’s head shot up, seeing the painting Neve was standing in front of. She jumped to her feet and jumped in front of the painting to block it.
“It’s not finished!”
“No? It looks pretty finished to me,” Neve smirked. Kaya blushed and shook her head.
“I-it’s not! I haven’t put the finishing touches on it. I’ve only done a part of what I had planned!”
Neve laughed and reached out, cupping her face. “Will I be able to see it when you’re done?”
“Maybe,” Kaya grumbled. Neve leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her cheek.
“I’ll take that,” Neve smiled. She patted her face before looking out into the Fade. “The view here is nice.”
The light of the Fade reflected off Neve’s dark skin, giving her a glow. Her freckles were on full display and her hair was still a bit disheveled from sleeping. That low cut sleeping shirt was just as jaw dropping as the attire she wore around the Lighthouse. “Yeah, it is.”
Kaya wasn’t talking about the view of the Fade. She was definitely talking about Neve. Neve turned to look at her and she cleared her throat, looking away. “You think the others are up?”
“Maybe. I thought I heard Manfred before I came to find you.”
“Right. How likely is it that Bellara mentioned we kissed?”
“Highly likely…if she gives us a hard time, I’ll just ask about Irelin. That will distract her.”
“Wait, Irelin? Like the Irelin we know?”
“Who else?” Neve questioned. Kaya looked up at her, seeing the amused look on her face. “Did you not know they were a thing?”
“No.”
“Technically, they used to be a thing, but I’ve seen her talking too her a lot. Bel’s been all nervous and giddy around her,” Neve explained. Huh. That was information to file away for later. Kaya followed Neve back to her room, and she went to her wardrobe.
“I’ll meet you in the kitchen?”
“That sounds good to me…but first,” Neve hummed. Kaya turned and Neve caught her lips with her own. She squeaked in surprise as the woman’s hands pulled her close. The mage deepened the kiss, and her tongue dragged across her bottom lip. Kaya moaned, opening her mouth to allow Neve’s tongue to slip through. When breathing became necessary, Kaya pulled away with a gasp.
“D-damn it, Neve! You can’t just kiss me like that!”
“I just wanted to give you something to remember me by,” Neve husked. Brown eyes swimming with mirth and arousal.
“A-anyone ever tell you that you’re a sap,” Kaya stammered.
Neve kissed her nose. “I’ll see you out there, Trouble.”
Kaya watched her go and groaned, dragging her hand down her face. She was supposed the be trouble? If she was trouble, what was Neve? A certain term came to mind and Kaya shook her head. That wasn’t a term she could use yet. To distract herself, Kaya hurried and changed her clothes.
Point of View Change, Neve
Neve watched in amusement as Kaya tried and failed to hold a conversation with the team. She was flustered from the teasing they dished out at her. Taash said they smelled them, Davrin said she had a spik in her step, and even Emmrich said that she looked far too happy. Neve had to keep herself from giggling at her discomfort.
“She looks like a tomato…are you going to save her?” Lace teased. Neve smirked and leaned back in her chair.
“Now, why would I do that?”
“I mean, she might just die of embarrassment.”
“It’ll take more than that to knock her down.”
Lucanis took a seat beside her, holding out a missive to her. She took it and read over the contents. The paper crinkled in her hands as she read over what it said.
“The Butcher? He’s the leader of the Antaam, correct?” Neve questioned. Lucanis nodded and sipped at his coffee. “He wants to meet?”
“Yes.”
“That seems like a bad idea,” Lace spoke. Neve handed the missive back to Lucanis.
“If we really must meet, I need you to set up a place where we’ll be able to keep her safe.”
“I know a good place,” Lucanis spoke. Neve nodded and took a small drink of her coffee. She wasn’t going to put Kaya in danger. Not if she could help it. An idea came to Neve and she placed her coffee cup down.
“Rook?”
“Yeah?”
“When you’re done, there’s something I want to do in Rivain.”
“Okay? Should I be worried?” Kaya questioned. Neve shook her head before standing. She had to gather the items she needed. This would be fun.
Rivain
“I don’t know about this,” Kaya hesitantly spoke. Neve smiled and slid her pants off before doing the same with her shirt. She was left in her undergarments.
“It’s a good plan.”
“Teaching me to swim is not a good plan.”
“It is. I don’t want to keep jumping in after you when you fall into water.”
“I don’t do it that much,” Kaya muttered. Neve raised an eyebrow at her and held up seven fingers, showing her the number of times she had indeed fallen into the water. Kaya grumbled and slid off her armor to get equally undressed. She didn’t take off her undershirt, but Neve didn’t mention that. She wasn’t going to make her uncomfortable.
“Trust me,” Neve spoke, holding out her hand to the elf. Kaya took it and she carefully led her into the lagoon. It was deep enough for her to teach Kaya to swim while also being shallow enough to quickly save her.
“Your prosthetic…”
“It’ll be fine. I have enchantments on it to make sure of that,” Neve hummed. She led them deeper into the water and Kaya’s eyes widened as the water started to rise.
“Neve—”
“You’re fine. I’ve got you,” Neve chuckled. It was good that she was taller than her because while Kaya would need to kick, Neve could just stand there. “Kick your legs.”
Kaya did just that and Neve then instructed her how to use her arms. The elf moved them in an ungraceful manner, trying to keep her head above water. Neve stepped away from her and Kaya pushed herself back, standing in the water once more.
“Come on. You’re missing out!” Neve exclaimed. She kicked her legs, moving farther back from the woman. “I’ll help you if you start to drown.”
Kaya nodded and pushed towards her. She didn’t do too bad. She was slow, but her head stayed above water. Neve smiled and kept moving around her slowly. Kaya followed her and Neve could see the fatigue starting to set in. She swam to the elf and held her, feeling the woman’s legs wrap around her torso. “Can we go back to land now?”
“Not enjoying it?”
“I didn’t say that. It’s just, I’m getting tired.”
“I guess I can’t fault you with that one…you were working hard to not drown.”
Kaya grumbled and splashed her in the face. The water made the pieces of hair that had slipped from her bun stick to her face. The elf smiled at her. “I like that disheveled look.”
Neve raised an eyebrow at her and grinned at her.
“Why are you loo—”
Neve interrupted her by sinking them in the water. She felt Kaya flail against her and smack her chest. After a few moments she broke the surface of the water, hearing Kaya do the same. The elf sputtered and Neve laughed at the way her hair was flattened and stuck. She placed a kiss to her throat, making her shiver. Kaya’s hands pushed her face away with a grumble.
“No, you don’t get kisses after that!”
“You started it.”
“I could’ve drowned!”
“I wouldn’t have let that happen,” Neve promised. She nuzzled her face against Kaya’s neck, taking in her familiar smell. She loved how she smelled. If she were Taash, she’d spend every moment taking in Kaya’s scent. “Let’s go lie out in the Sun for a bit. Dry off a bit before we go back to the Lighthouse.”
“Alright,” Kaya hummed. Neve easily carried her to the shore and the two of them lied on the rocks there. While she basked in the Sun with her eyes closed, she could feel Kaya’s on her.
“You’re staring.”
“Just admiring you. Your freckles show more in the Sun. It’s cute,” Kaya complimented. Neve chuckled and opened her eyes, looking over at the elf. Kaya smiled at her as she rolled onto her side.
“Aren’t you sweet?”
Kaya blushed and Neve intwined their fingers. “I-it’s just the truth.”
“For the record, I think you’re cute as well.”
It was a few days later when they had gone to Treviso. A few days later when they found out that the Gods were on Tearstone Island. They were waiting for an eclipse which gave them time to prepare. It should’ve been right. Everything should’ve gone the way they needed it…then Elgar’nan changed the game. He moved the Moon and Sun, forcing an eclipse to come. Forcing them to act. Kaya had come running back to them after her meeting with Morrigan had been interrupted, ordering them to tie up any lose ends and relax before they had to move. Not like any of them could relax. They were going to go against the Gods. This was it.
Neve leaned against the window, looking out into the Fade. It felt wrong now. With the eclipse being brought upon them at an alarming rate, the Fade was in shambles. Her mind wandered to Kaya. Her sweet elf who would likely give anything to win this battle. Kaya who would give her life to make sure all of them returned. The thought of losing the elf made her heart ache. She shouldn’t have listened to her heart. She should’ve listened to her head and kept her emotions at bay.
“You aren’t resting? This might be our last chance to,” Kaya softly spoke.
“I’ll get to it,” Neve responded. She clenched her crossed arms, holding herself as she continued to look out the window. “The Gods are rushing this. Rushing us.”
“We’ll figure it out. We always do.”
“That doesn’t make it easy.”
“I know,” Kaya chuckled. She paused and Neve could feel her eyes on her. “When this is over—”
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Talk about after,” Neve sighed. She looked at Kaya, seeing the confusion on her face.
“You’re worried, but not just about the Gods.”
“Well, look who’s got a read on me,” Neve chuckled. She looked back out the window. “I’ve never worried about myself when it came to after. This job? Any job after? I know I’ll have one eventually. It’s something that is inevitable. But you…I can’t think about after and you. Not when…if something happens…”
“Neve…”
“Oh, I knew you were trouble,” Neve sadly chuckled. She heard Kaya step closer to her. “It’s one lucky break and close call after another. And you…you just…I can’t…”
“Neve, it’ll be okay,” Kaya assured. Neve shook her head and looked at Kaya.
“When do the tables turn, Rook? Because they do. They always do.”
“I promise, it’ll be okay,” Kaya swore. Neve uncrossed her arms and went to walk around her. She couldn’t do this.
“The Gods can break that promise for you,” Neve sadly spoke. Kaya’s hand shot out, grabbing her wrist and pulling her close. She was a breath away. Face close and eyes staring into her own.
“You’re acting like they already have. Like I wouldn’t try—”
“I don’t want you to try. You’re going to put yourself in danger.”
“We’ve been in danger since we met. What’s different this time?”
“This time, there’s so much more at state,” Neve sighed. Kaya shook her head at that.
“Vhenan, why can’t you say it? Why can’t you just, listen to your heart and not your head for once?” Kaya spoke. Neve gave her a sad smile and leaned forward, kissing her forehead. She couldn’t listen to her heart. If she did, then she’d tie Kaya up and leave her here. She’d throw everything away to protect her, even let the Gods win.
“What if I can’t tomorrow?” Neve murmured. She squeezed Kaya’s arm and turned, leaving the elf in her room. She could hear the soft sob from the woman as she left. Her own heart broke as she left her. She had something she had to do. She walked next door, pushing the door open to Bellara’s room.
“Oh, hi Neve,” Bellara greeted. The elf was getting her gear together and she gave her a worried look. “What’s wrong?”
“I need you to promise me something.”
“Of course. What is it?”
“If something happens to me…if it comes to choosing between me and Rook, protect her for me.”
Bellara’s eyes widened. “What? What’re you talking about, Neve?”
“I can’t go into this knowing that something could happen to her. I need to know that someone is looking out for her…that someone will be there if I can’t be.”
“You make it sound like you won’t be there for her.”
“I’m making a contingency plan for the inevitable,” Neve sighed. She held Bellara’s gaze, hoping to convey her feelings to the elf. “Please, Bel.”
“You’re my sister. Of course, I’ll protect Rook.”
“Thank you.”