Amusement settled over Luci, and it was a release of tension that lessened the straining muscles of her neck and lowered her shoulders. She may not know much, but she knew what mattered.
“I know where the flower from the vision is,” Luci confessed.
Better to get it all over with now. Down below, Calcifer let out a pitiful meow.
The furball was sitting with his big green eyes, pleading. After successfully making eye contact, he let out another mournful sound.
“You are a cat. You can jump up if you want, pets.” Luci said.
“Don’t be mean to him. Jumping is hard for him.” Brielle said.
Sure enough, slipping off the windowsill, Brielle scooped him up into her arms and pressed kisses to either side of his cheeks. In answer, Calcifer began rumbling with mountainous purrs, settling into Brielle’s arms.
“He’s a terrible cat,” Luci said.
“He’s the best cat.” Brielle countered, snuggling into his endless fluff.
Rolling her eyes, Luci settled against the windowsill, letting the cold night air leak through into her skin. It was a nice reminder of what came next.
“Max already told us he figured it out. Ira is planning on leaving to go after it in two days.” Brielle said before Luci could speak.
“What?” Luci sprang forward.
Lips spreading in amusement, Brielle nodded.
“In the vision, he was holding a torch in a cave and laughing. So he and Max came to the conclusion that it had to be him who went after it.” Brielle said.
A coldness settled over Luci.
“That doesn’t mean anything. If that were the case, then–”
Brielle lifted an eyebrow and ran her hand over the now sleeping Calcifer, smoothing down his wild orange fur.
“Then you would need to go as well,” she finished.
“I won’t leave you,” Luci said.
As if it were nothing at all, Brielle shrugged and slid off the windowsill, making for the bed.
“Is that what you want? Should I go?” Luci asked.
Brielle settled Calcifer along the bed, and he stretched out his legs and arms before yawning and curling into a ball. Careful not to disturb him, Brielle slid beneath the blankets and settled into the pillow with a long sigh.
Luci followed, tucking herself into her side of the bed, heart pounding while she waited for her fate to be decided.
“Brielle?”
“I have a feeling fate doesn’t care much for our input. What will be will be.” Brielle yawned.
“This isn’t a fairytale,” Luci whispered into the dark.
The night stretched out before them, bearing witness to the fear of tomorrow.
“Of course it is,” Brielle said, the words stretched out.
Always a dreamer. Always a romantic. Maybe this was her fairytale. After all, she had a prince who was willing to climb mountains for her. Perfect blond hair and petite frame, Brielle was beautiful and made for a painting. Delicate, kind, thoughtful. A princess in every sense of the word. Who was Luci to deny the truth that was wrapped in a shiny bow?
“Maybe it is,” Luci whispered.