The Revenant:Book 2

Assault First, Ask Questions Later

ELENA

I raced through the palace, bursting out of the hall and into the courtyard, making a break to the gates. I didn't know where I was going, yet it felt as though my body did. I didn't try to understand why my body went where it did, but I let it. I found myself running, darting through the barracks where I got a few gasps and looks of surprise, but they didn't matter. I stopped outside Nova and I's old room. I should have been winded. Usually after a run like that, I'd be gasping for air like i'd just ran a marathon, yet I barely felt an ache of exhaustion. 

I reached for the door handle and pulled. The door didn't budge. I pulled again. Same result. 

Locked...Shit. 

I took a few steps back, readying myself to break the door down when a voice interrupted me. 

"By the gods..." 

I barely turned in time to see who it was before I was pulled into a hug so tight it felt like I was about to pop. A chaotic mess of purple hair flooded my vision, the scent of lilac filled my nostrils. 

"Paulie?" 

Pauline broke our hug and moved away, scanning my body. "I'm not...hallucinating am I?" 

I gave her a smile and shook my head. "No...I'm here. You aren't hallucinating." 

"How is this possible? I saw you die, I attended your funeral-"

"Hirovia...and her fucked up tricks." 

A look of scorn found its way onto Paulie's face. "I never did trust that bitch." 

Her eyes flicked toward the door, then back to me. "You look about ready to kick that door straight off it's hinges." 

"I wanted to get in to my old room." 

Pauline held her hands up. "Allow me." 

Paulie took a few strides forward and bashed her boot against the door. The door caved in, wooden splinters flew everywhere. The handle fell and hung loosely by a single nail. Pauline took a step back, bowed and waved in "M'lady." 

I smiled and stepped inside the room. It still held his scent, it lingered in the air. I moved over to the cupboard and opened it. Nova's clothes were still there. 

"Is it true?" I asked Pauline. "Is he really gone?"

Silence. 

I heard Pauline shift behind me, heard some of her bones click as her muscles shifted.

"Yeah. I'm sorry baby." 

I reached into the cupboard and pulled out a shirt. The fabric was so familiar to my touch. Soft silk, smooth and delicate. I leaned down a took a deep breath in, taking in Nova's scent. It still had his scent. It was different than the rest of the room, being so close to the source, the fragrance was far more potent. 

Memories flashed through my mind. The first day I met him as a child in the mess hall, sitting alone, not eating anything. The time we sat under the stars the day before he went to his first battle. Our first time playing together. Our first time actually talking once he began to open up a bit more. The first time we made love...

The first time I told him how I felt. 

I remembered how he'd changed around me after that. His face flushing red after a tease or a compliment. How Nova would almost shrink if I gave him any sort of affection, as if he didn't know how to handle it. 

I stood there for a few moments, taking in his scent. I'll admit I cried a little. All those memories...we were meant to make so many more. 

I set the shirt back and shut the cupboard, then collapsed onto the bed.