12/18/2024, 6:07 PM
In the sky, we could go anywhere, Long-disposed of childhood dreams bloomed to life within Francis in that moment, a gust of hope sweeping him off his feet in his heart. Anywhere?
He'd dreamed of travelling to distant lands, once. Read every book he could get his hands on; the Amazon, arid Egypt, even the harsh Siberia or richly forested Germany's secrets called to him, waiting to be unveiled by an intrepid wanderer. It wasn't his fate, of course. That silver spoon he'd been born with had quickly morphed into a gilded shackle, tying Francis to his duties to his people and his family. It was the latter that had finally made him more willing to settle into his role as heir; holding his baby sisters, he'd realized he would gladly give up the world to make sure they were never hurt. And so he had.
And it had still not been enough to save them all.
Hmm,He began,
If I knew I would have your fine company with me on our travels, I could be convinced.Francis finally conceded, with a soft smile held mostly in his eyes.
The wildfire herself agreed, to permit him to continue to uncover each new page in her story alongside her. The prince's stomach flipped, some foreign but not unpleasant emotion battering within him as if a bird to be freed.
Still, any joy he felt in those moments was stilled and silenced as Kairos' eyes shone with unshed, glittering emotion. Francis' ears tilted forward, keenly attentive, before wilting back as she repeated herself. Kairos needed him to listen, and he did. But it wounded him to hear her so desperate to reach him. He frowned, sorrowful instead of disapproving, and nodded firmly to ease her concerns before he yet had the words to speak.
Then we have reached an accord.He confirmed, softly, painfully aware of the exhale of his speech bending the fine hairs of her pelt.
Mutual aid, and promised efforts of understanding; this was a friendship he could have never even dared to imagine for himself in his previous life.
He remained there a moment longer, drinking in her scent and nearness despite the minimal contact they were in fact sharing. She was alive, and she was here with him, and that was more than enough. But Francis didn't let it linger too long; fears and doubts rearing their heads, and the smoke still coursing across the highlands all urging him to break the fragile bubble of the moment despite the way it pained him.
Shall we get you back to the castle? The lower levels should be sheltered from all this smoke, and resistant to the flames encroaching on us.
