Mauve was standing in the middle of tall trees. The sky was dark, but it didn't hide the beauty of the night, and she couldn't help but look around, enjoying the scenery, the tall trees, and the leaves. Though far, it looked like if she stretched, she might touch the branches.
The breeze was what drew her attention the most—the whistling as it passed through the leaves and the way it tousled her hair. She tucked so behind her ear to get it out of her face and smiled to herself. It was a great night. She just wanted to spin around, surrounded by the trees.
Suddenly, she heard the sound of a branch breaking, and she turned just in ti to see the claws of a Paler reach for her face. Mauve scread, the scream ripping out so forcefully that her voice cracked in the process. It also pulled her out of her sleep to Jael vigorously shaking her.
"You're fine," he was saying as calmly as he could muster. "It was just a bad dream. You're okay. I promise you're okay."
"Jael," Mauve called as her vision cleared and she could see Jael. She was also no longer in the forest, and no Paler was trying to attack her.
"Mauve," his gaze softened. "How do you feel?" She opened her mouth to speak and coughed. "Here is so water."
As Jael said those words, a cup of water appeared in front of her, and she couldn't help but think about how fast it got to her. Mauve accepted it and drank until the cup was empty. "Thank you," she said and laid back down.
"How do you feel?" Jael asked, peering at her.
"I am okay," Mauve replied and placed her hand on her stomach as she looked around. She was clearly in Jael's bedroom; he must have brought her here. A flash of her last mory made her shut her eyes.
"That's good," he said and lightly touched her cheek. "You didn't wake up for a while."
Mauve's eyes flew open. "How long was I out?"
"It's almost sunset," Jael responded, pulling his hand away, but his gaze never wavered.
She covered her mouth with her hands. "I was asleep for that long?"
Jael nodded and ran his hands through his hair. His hair was undone. It frad his face and stopped at his shoulders. He didn't look like he got any sleep. Did he watch her throughout? He was still wearing the clothes from the night.
"Yes," he slowly replied. "Are you hurt anywhere?" He had a worried look on his face.
Mauve shook her head. "I feel fine, really." Except for a small headache, she figured it was not worth ntioning. She was already bracing herself for the earful that would likely follow soon—no need to make it worse.
"Would you like sothing to eat?" Jael asked.
Mauve shook her head. "I am not hungry," she mumbled. What she felt was anxiety. That was enough to fill anyone's stomach.
"You missed the last al," Jael comnted. "You should eat sothing."
"You said it was almost sunset. I will wait until the first al."
Jael's brows knitted, and Mauve realized sothing odd. All this while, Jael just sat at the edge of the bed, unmoving, without making any attempt to scoot closer.
"Did you get any sleep?" she asked before he could say anything.
"No," he said and finally looked away, only to look at her again. "I was too worried to sleep."
She already suspected this, but it didn't make it any less shocking. "You were awake the whole ti?" she asked in horror.
"If you hadn't done sothing so dangerous, I wouldn't ha—" he replied, a hint of reprimand in his tone.
"I know," she cut in softly, reaching out to take his hand. "I'm really sorry."
Jael remained still, his expression stern. "That's not nearly enough. It could have turned out differently."
Mauve's eyes filled with remorse. "I promise I'll be more careful. I didn't an to worry you."
He sighed, his features softening slightly. "Just… please, think before you act. For both our sakes. Or should I say all our sakes?" His eyes lowered to her stomach.
Jael was trying his best not to raise his voice or say words that he might regret later. Mauve had just woken up. She must have been very troubled for her to faint like that; he didn't want to put her through more stress, but at the sa ti, he was still angry about her actions.
"I will," she vowed, squeezing his hand gently.
Jael sighed. "Are you sure you don't want sothing to eat?" he asked, changing the subject. He was happy she was fine, no need to dwell on the past.
"I am sure. What I want right now is for you to join in bed. You haven't slept a wink. You have bags under your eyes." Mauve knew this was her fault, so she didn't have the heart to scold him, but she thought it was a little too much that he didn't sleep at all. He just sat unmoving watching her. Would he have stayed up the whole ti if she had been asleep for longer? She would be lying if she said she wasn't touched by this. It made her almost forget the incident.
"And whose fault is that?" he asked with a dark look.
"Mine," Mauve admitted imdiately. "But please get so sleep."
"No point in that," he said and glanced at the door. Sunset was almost upon them. It was going to be a busy night. As much as he wanted to ask Mauve what happened, he didn't want to trouble her so soon.
"There is still so ti before sunset. Stay with , on the bed," she added.
Jael looked reluctant, but he let her pull him into bed, and he laid down. Mauve was quick to cuddle up against him. He wrapped his arms around her, and she rested her back against him.
"Were they able to put out the fire?" Mauve suddenly blurted. It was sothing she was worried about, as this was the last thing she could clearly rember—the bright crimson flas, the cracking of wood as the fire blazed, and the sll of smoke. This part was stronger in her mory than anything else.
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