Blinding Light (BLS Book 1)

Mila

When did I fall asleep?

Moving as quietly as I can, I climb out of bed. Raven now knows everything. Well, almost everything. I didn’t tell her the murderous side of me. I didn’t tell her how good the smell of blood makes me feel. I didn’t. I couldn’t bear the thought of her thinking about me that way.

I couldn’t.

I creak the door of the cabin open as quietly as I can before I shut it.

How many hours have passed since I came back?

It’s early morning, and the sun’s barely rising over the mountains. I find myself walking to the lake where the broken pieces first put themselves come together. Fear inclines as I approach the lake. But I don’t let it stop me. I strip down to my undergarments and step into the freezing water.

I don’t know why this lake calls out to me, even when I tried...no, don’t think that. You weren’t thinking straight. You were stupid to think you could leave your sister behind.

I will never do that again.

…

I can feel the water rippling around me as I floated on my back. The sky is filled with white clouds that consisted of any shape.

“Mila?!” Someone calls. I flip over, my head plunging underwater. I resurface to see Raven standing near the edge of the lake. I swim over until I’m at her feet.

“What are you doing here?!” She yells, her voice carries over the whole lake. She grimaces at the loudness before sitting down on the sand.

“What are you doing, Mila?” She asks again, but much quieter.

“I’m sorry,” I say quietly. “I found myself here early morning. I woke up just minutes ago. But I swear, I was only swimming.” Raven glares at me.

“You just tried to…” she cuts herself off, wincing at the thought. Signing, Raven tucks her hair behind her ears.

“I know,” I say, looking away.

I rise out of the water and place a hand on her shoulder. “I needed to calm myself.

“I needed something to wake me up. I know I probably should be terrified of the water by now. I probably shouldn’t even be sane enough to come here, alone.” I pull all my wet hair to one side of my shoulder.

“I don’t know how to explain this, Raven. But something about this lake draws me here; draws me in,” I sigh.

It was the truth. I was strolling in the early morning before I found myself by the lake. Somehow, it calls to me.

“Raven, when I was floating in the water. I swear I’ve felt more alive than I’ve ever had. Hell, I never felt my head clear up like this,” I frown.

“Hell? Since when do you use that word?” Raven frowns, mirroring me.

“I don’t know. I can’t be sure of anything these days, Rave. Remember what I told you? I don’t even know if you’re real or not. Or maybe everything is just in my head.”

She looks at me with sympathy and pulls me into a hug. Her embrace always made me feel better.

“Well, I can, Mila. Even if I’m not here, I know that you’ll be strong enough to start your own path. Just like those two years without me. I can tell that being here makes you feel more at ease, then who am I to stop you?”

“Well, you are my older sister to stop me,” I smile.

She scoffs and crosses her arms. “Well, I’m not. And you are so cold. Brrrr,” she shivers. “How can you even stand being in that lake?!”

I can only laugh, “Honestly, I don’t know.”

I pull my dry clothes over my wet body, caring less than the lord of hell. I grab a seat next to Raven in the soft sand.

“You scared me so much Mila,” she says suddenly. “I don’t know what I’d do if I lose you.” Raven takes a deep breath. “Promise me you’ll never do that again.”

“I won’t, I promise. I don’t know what I would do if I lose you either. You are so important to me Rave. If I am to be completely honest, I don’t even know what drove me to do that. You saved me—saved me from myself. Merci.”

“I’ll always be here for you. And I don’t know what to say except that you didn’t come to me earlier with this,” she pouts. “You could’ve at least told me. I could’ve helped.”

“I know. But I didn’t know for sure that it was real or not. I didn’t know what you’d think of me. I didn’t even know what I thought of myself.”

“Still, I could’ve helped,” she says in defeat. Raven smiles and nudges me, “Enough with disparity. I saw His Highness escort you to your room last night.” My cheeks flame at that.

She chuckles, “Well…?”

“I…Stop looking at me like that, nothing happened.”

“Aw…” she pouts.

“You disgusting being!” I push her. She howls with laughter. “I will not be disgraceful to his highness.”

“I have to confess. I was going to check on you. Not you with His Highness. But you were cuddling,” she wiggles her eyebrows.

“I…we were?!”

My eyes widen, “He caught me off guard, I don’t even remember when I’ve fallen asleep! I’ve been so uncourtly!”

She laughs, and chokes out, “Yes…you are…I-I know. But fun along the way, right?”

“Gah! You are impossible!” I throw up my hands. Still, a smile tugs at the corners of my lips.

***

We head back a while later. I spot Asher guarding the front entrance to the campsite. He gives me no attention whatsoever, and I could care less. I head in with Raven but she suddenly runs off, deserting me.

“Rave?”

Someone taps me on the shoulder. I turn to see Nolan and roll my eyes, understanding Rave’s actions. I smile at him nervously.

“Good morning, Votre Altesse.”

“Good morning,” he kisses the back of my hand. “I was worried when I didn’t see you this morning. I fear the worst. But it’s much better now.” He gives me a playful wink.

“Let’s just forget about last night, s’il vous plait,” I plead.

This could cost me my noble status if he chooses so.

“Oh?” Nolan cocks one eyebrow, a playful smile on his lips. I blush and look away.

“Oui. It’s so embarrassing. I’m sorry to have been so uncourtly.”

He merely holds up one hand. “There’s nothing to be sorry for, Mademoiselle. It’s normal for people to sleep,” he chuckles. I force myself to keep my gaze on his.

He cocks his head, “And…might I add, it was you who told me to stay.”

As if I could get anymore flustered.

My eyes immediately travel downwards, to the ground—nothing but the ground... don’t you go there brain!

Oh, sweet mercy…

“I’ve also been uncourtly, I apologize. I hope you’ll forgive me, Mademoiselle.” His finger finds its way to my chin and tilts my face upward until I’m looking straight at him. His gaze travels down to my lips then back up to my eyes.

“Forgive me?” He asks, smiling.

“I…Y-yes,” I stutter, attempting to break away. I’m surprised he lets go so easily.

“Very well. We’ll both consider this forgotten.”

I sigh, frustrated, “You could’ve told me that you were going to say that from the beginning, your high—”

Before I could finish, his lips peck my cheek. Then he darts away, like a young, happy boy. My hand travels unconsciously to my cheek and I gape after his figure, skipping away, farther and farther. As his figure fades away, a small voice sounds at the back of my mind.

What just happened?

…

Don’t let him do this.

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Thanks, with lots of smiles

☆•Yiona•☆