FLIRT LATER
620 Words
....
Please wake up..."
Elias's voice broke the silence - low, hoarse, edged with panic. He was leaning over her, one hand braced beside her pillow, the other trembling slightly as he brushed a strand of hair away from her face. His wings - faint and dim - quivered behind him like they, too, were holding their breath.
"Amaris," he whispered again. "Please."
Her eyelids fluttered, her lips parting. For a moment, she was still caught between worlds - where colors bled into light and the air hummed with voices. Then, half-conscious, she gasped, "Come back!"
Her own words startled her awake.
She blinked, her vision sharpening until familiar faces came into focus - her mother's tearful eyes, her sister Aria's worried frown, and Elias, sitting close beside her. Relief washed over his features, quiet but overwhelming.
"Sweetie," her mother said quickly, reaching for her hand. "I'm so glad you're okay. What happened?"
Aria let out a shaky laugh that didn't reach her eyes. "You scared us half to death. If someone did this to you-" she crossed her arms, her tone hardening, "-I'll hurt whoever hurts you."
Before the air could thicken further, a familiar voice drifted in from the doorway, smooth and laced with mischief.
"Well," said Elias's brother, leaning casually against the frame, "remind me never to end up on your bad side."
Aria glanced over sharply. "Excuse me?"
He grinned, undeterred. "You're a little terrifying when you're protective - it's impressive. Honestly, kind of attractive."
Her eyes narrowed. "You think flirting right now is a good idea?"
He shrugged, unbothered. "Just saying, if you ever feel like directing that protective energy toward me, I'd happily volunteer as your favorite person to threaten."
Aria blinked, clearly caught off guard, then stammered, "You're unbelievable."
"Thank you," he said with a wink. "I've been told that before."
Their mother groaned softly, shaking her head, but the corner of her mouth twitched - the faintest hint of a smile breaking through the tension.
Amaris exhaled, managing a small laugh despite herself. "You two can flirt later. I think I just saw the universe collapse."
Aria responds "there was no flirting on my end, but you're right we don't have time for this. "
The room fell quiet again, the weight of Amaris words settling. Elias steadied her gently as she sat up, his eyes full of unspoken worry.
"I saw something," Amaris whispered. "Colors, light - and then a voice. It warned me."
"What kind of warning?" her mother asked carefully.
Amaris's gaze drifted downward. "It said not to trust anyone... that the truth isn't what it seems. There was something about a relic - and that the closer our bond gets"-her eyes flickered toward Elias-"the more we'll uncover the truth."
Her mother's expression tightened, resolve replacing fear. "Then we'll be ready," she said firmly. "Whatever this means, whatever's coming - we'll stand with you."
She rose, smoothing her cloak. "I'll go tell the king and queen what happened before the Council gets their version out first."
With that, she ushered Aria and Elias's brother toward the door. He cast one last look back at Alina and murmured, "Don't miss me too much."
She rolled her eyes. "Don't count on it."
He grinned wider. "We'll see."
The door closed behind them, leaving the room in a soft, charged quiet.
Elias looked down at Amaris, his voice low. "You said it spoke to you. Who was it?"
Amaris hesitated, the name echoing in her mind like a heartbeat. "Iris."
The silence that followed was heavy, the air thick with recognition - like the sound of fate stirring awake
- Writer
