Serene put down her quill and leant back in her seat, allowing the words to wash over her. Had she said too much? Or perhaps too little? She didn't even know where Aquila was, let alone how she would ever be able to send her letters. She just wrote them hoping that somehow the words would reach her friend. She wanted her guidance so much. She wanted to know what to do.
A knock at the door brought her back to her senses. She quickly turned over her papers and rose from the chair, brushing her cheeks and eyes.
"Just a moment," she called.
She crossed the sitting room, towards the front door, quickly unlocking the latch and opening it wide.
"Brak, to what do I owe this visit?"
Brak smiled at her as he leaned against the doorframe to her apartment. He was handsome as ever. His burgundy eyes cheerful, his chiselled jaw smiling towards her. His black and red hair was arranged perfectly, a green scarf tied around the scar upon his neck. He was wearing his Captaincy garb, weapons glinting in the sunlight streaming from behind him. He must have come straight from work.
"I wondered what you planned to eat this evening? I find myself too lazy to cook and in need of someone to dine with me so I have an excuse not to."
"Surely you have many ladies you could ask. I saw a stream of them watching you only yesterday as you patrolled the streets."
Brak sighed.
"Company that would not drive me insane is so much more preferable. And... agh. I'm out of excuses other then that I want to eat in your company. Is it a crime to want to sit with someone above all others?"
Serene found herself blushing. Her breath caught in her chest, her body stirred.
"You really do flatter and charm too easily."
"And you blush so beautifully it is a temptation one cannot resist."
Her heart fluttered.
"Fine!" She blurted out, raising her arms in defeat. "I will come and eat with you, but stop being so cruel to me."
"Since when has flattery been classed as cruel?"
"Since... since I can't handle it. Come in, I'll change."
Brak smiled warmly and followed her into the house. He removed his spear and leant it against the sofa before strolling over to the window to look out at the street below.
"Where were you planning on eating? So I know what to wear," Serene called as she leant around the door to her bedroom.
"Where else than the ladies favourite," he proclaimed, turning to smile at her. "I presume you would like Fian's? Last time we ate there I could barely drag you away."
Serene huffed.
"I'll go wherever you want to. It is you who wants to go out."
"Then I want to go to Fian's and think you should wear that dark green dress Liet gave you."
"And I'm supposed to dress to your liking?" Serene teased.
She heard Brak laugh as she moved back into her room. She took the green dress from her wardrobe. It was beautiful. It had off the shoulder sleeves, a slack fitting but with a tight waistline, a slight flowing trail behind. Liet's mother was truly a genius with fabric and Serene had never owned something so luxurious until now. In fact, everything she now had was luxury. Her apartment was beautiful, pristine and perfect. Her father's likewise. She had a good job, enough money to indulge herself. And even the beginnings of friendships.
She dressed quickly, brushing a comb through her hair and placing flat slip on shoes on before returning to the sitting room. Brak was stood by the fireplace. A small fire kindled as Brak twisted his hands, manoeuvring the flames into different flickering shapes.
At the sound of her soft footfalls he looked up, the flames dropping into normal embers as his attention shifted to her.
"You look beautiful." He smiled.
Serene looked down at her dress, a glow beginning to burn her cheeks once more.
"Thank you."
Brak watched her as if in contemplation before returning his attention to the flame. The flames rose up from the fire and began to thicken, forming a shape. Serene moved closer, her intrigue kicking in as she stared at the bright light. As she neared, Brak brought the flames towards his hands as they formed into the shape of a rose. He gently took hold of the rose's stem and the flames stopped their dance, solidifying into a ruby like gem. He held the gem rose out to her.
Tentatively, Serene took hold of the stem, its surface still warm but solid. She wrapped both her hands around it, marvelling at the rose's beauty.
"It's wonderful."
"It will stay solid for as long as I live," Brak explained.
"Do you plan on not living anytime soon?"
Brak smiled and waved his hand across the hearth. The flames died down instantly.
"I'll do my to not die. Shall we?" He held his arm up for her.
Placing the rose on the mantelpiece Serene took his arm and together they walked out into the evening.
The streets were quiet. Those who were out walked with silent steps, seemingly not wanting to disturb the calm of the evening. Serene hung to Brak's arm. His heat radiated through the fabric of his shirt. Serene could feel his tight muscles under her grasp. As they walked onlookers turned to peer at them, causing a blush to rise to Serene's cheeks. She thought she knew what they were thinking. Brak was a very eligible man, and yet he was wasting his time relaxing with a woman like her. She wasn't from the same background as him. She wanted to make it obvious that herself and Brak were just friends, but her heart wouldn't let her. Just the thought of that being the case made her heart sink a little.
'I can't have more. Stop it.'
The restaurant was all prepared for their arrival. Brak had obviously booked a table before even checking if she was free. They passed a pleasant evening chatting and eating together. Serene let Brak try everything from her plate and her from his. It was fully dark by the time they left the restaurant.
"Thank you for treating me, but you really should let me pay sometimes you know. We should at least alternate," Serene chided.
Brak waved her concerns away with his free hand.
"I asked for your company. It's only fair that I pay for you."
"You make it sound like I am a prostitute you could buy time with."
"If that were the case do you think I wouldn't spend every last penny on you?"
Serene blushed.
"Most men would deny my being a prostitute, or protect my honour."
"If I were like most men you wouldn't give me the time of day. It's only because I'm so charming and funny that you'll have anything to do with me," Brak joked.
Serene half giggled but her teeth clenched, her muscles tightening.
Brak's pace slowed as he turned towards her.
"Is everything alright?"
"Yes, of course. Why wouldn't it be?"
Brak skipped ahead of her and spun round so they were facing each other. His eyes studied her face closely and Serene found herself trying to look away. His hand came up to her cheek and turned her face back to his. Her eyelids lay down as she stared at the ground between them. She saw his feet move closer to her. Felt the heat of his skin closing on her face. Her cheeks began to burn beneath his hands. Her heart fluttered.
"You're not ill or anything?" Brak asked. His hand moved towards her forehead.
Serene sighed heavily, her muscles becoming less tense as her shoulders sagged.
"No, just a little warm."
Brak released her face and stepped back.
"Sorry. I'll try and cool my skin down."
He held his arm back out for her and she took it, moving alongside him with her eyes cast down.
They walked in relative silence, only a few general comments leaving either of their lips. The sound of music wafted through the air and Serene felt Brak's pace quicken.
"Music. Want to check it out?" He asked, voice higher with excitement.
"Only if you promise you'll play for me."
Brak lay his hand upon hers as she held onto his bicep. She looked up at him.
"Remember, all you have to do is ask."
