Lyra felt a migraine forming, and she rubbed her nose irritably. She couldn't recall the last time she had a cold and grumbled under her breath.
Leo glanced at her flushed face and scrutinized her discomfort. He strolled over to the window, pulled the curtains back to let more light in, and opened the window to allow fresh air to pass.
He leaned over the windowsill to allow the breeze to flow. A small chirp caught his attention as a tiny bird with shades of brown and beige woven in a pattern landed next to him. The little bird chirped curiously.
Leo cocked an eyebrow at the tiny creature before he brought his palm face down with his index finger extended for the bird to perch. The bird tilted its head and perched; Leo lifted it to level with his gaze. He stared intently at the bird and nodded to it before it flew hastily as though it had a purpose.
Lyra didn't notice the exchange as she was busy sneezing by the dust. She groaned frustratingly.
"The Creator must be punishing me," She grumbled aloud.
Leo glanced back at her and scoffed under her breath.
'As if the Creator has time for you,' Leo wanted to speak his mind but kept his mouth shut. Despite the spark she ignited whenever she spoke, he didn't want to start another argument.
He leaned against the wall next to the window and crossed one leg. He closed his eyes as if in deep thought.
Lyra bit her lip as she didn't know what to do. Should she start a conversation with him? What would they talk about? It's not like Leo would disclose any information, and the last time she spoke to him led to circumstances she didn't want to repeat. She blushed at the reminder.
A familiar chirping sound broke the silence as she turned toward the noise. There was a tiny bird that Lyra recognized,
"A sparrow."
Leo turned and opened his palm, and the bird gleefully perched on his hand; it placed an herb from its beak before it flew away.
Lyra tilted her head to the side in puzzlement. It was strange that any creature, especially a wild bird, would bring a gift for Leo. Flooded with many questions in her mind but was brought out from her thoughts when he approached her.
Her heart hitched as he stood before her with an impassive expression. He leaned and took her hand and placed the small herb. Her eyes locked on his sharp gaze. The moment she felt something in her hand, she looked.
Mint?
She picked the tiny herb and sniffed and widened in astonishment. The scent cleared her sinus, and a small smile bloomed on her lips. She inhaled the fresh scent wholeheartedly; it was refreshing like spring.
Lyra battered her lashes and gratefully spoke, "Thank you, Leo."
How interesting, his natural scent was also the remedy she needed to quell her ailment. She giggled at the thought. It was a start for an apology for leaving her stranded in the cold water.
Keeping his distance, he strode to the desk and removed the hood to let his hair flow. He pulled the chair and sat down, kicking his feet up on the desk's surface and crossing his foot over the other. He was exhausted and leaned back.
Lyra cleared her throat and spoke hesitantly, "Leo…how did you do that?" curiosity got the best of her.
"Do what?"
Lyra was taken aback; she assumed he would ignore her and replied, "The sparrow that brought the herb… I've never seen anything like it."
Leo sighed and glanced lazily at Lyra as she was intrigued, "It's something I'm naturally gifted with." She was quiet and urged him to continue.
"Animals gravitate to me…even carnivorous beasts become docile as a lamb in my presence," he continued, noticing her aquamarine eyes gleaming in fascination. He was hesitant to share insight of himself, but somehow, she swayed him once again.
Lyra giggled and teased, "I see how the bird reacted to you despite your frosty demeanor."
That earned a slight glare, and she chuckled. It was true. Even Lyra felt compelled by him like he was the sun, and she would reach up as if to bask in its warmth.
Leo arched an eyebrow; he had never seen her in high spirits, especially alone with him. The tension that often lingered between them seemed momentarily replaced with her light laughter.
Leo leaned back in the chair, his crimson orbs holding a glint of amusement. "Animals are simpler than humans, after all. They don't carry the weight of complicated emotions and deceit."
Lyra nodded, her curiosity piqued. "So that tells me you are not human as well. You say you're not a demon, either. Are you perhaps a sorcerer?"
She continued as she held her chin in deep thought, "You can't be a wolf shifter since you don't share the similar traits of having silver eyes… you might be Fea, but I wouldn't know what they look like since I've never met one before."
Her rambling on left Leo amused as he watched her lost in her spoken theories. Lyra was beyond curious about his origins. He chuckled under his breath.
"Am I close?" Lyra probed.
"Close to what?"
"Um…a-a celestial," Lyra stammered; she peered back at him in confirmation only to see his indifferent façade.
There was silence. After a moment, she chuckled and scoffed, "Never mind…forget I said anything." Lyra was downcast and fell on her back on the bed. Sensing his reluctance to answer.
However, Leo was speechless. She was closer than she thought. He had a choice of telling the truth. Though, it was only half the truth. His jaw ticked in the complexities he was cursed with. The Creator must be punishing him instead.
A knock was heard on the door, and Lyra perked up with the aroma of food wafting in the air. She rolled off the bed and went to answer the door.
At the door was one of the staff, a maid, who held two trays of food. To Lyra's knowledge, she had a pleasant smile and was human, with freckles on her sun-kissed skin and brown hair.
"Your meals, ma'am," the maid spoke timidly.
Lyra was dazed as she stared at the maid's features. Her heart quickened. For a split second, she saw Aria. She gripped the door as cold sweat formed at the top of her head.
Leo watched the whole scene play before him and sensed the tension coming from Lyra. Placing the chair upright, he strode up to them and took the meals away from the maid. He pondered on why she froze on the spot. He cleared his throat as he stared at Lyra.
Lyra fluttered her lashes and sheepishly smiled at the maid, and responded, "Goodness, I'm starving. Thank you."
The maid was puzzled at their weird behavior and didn't want to stand any longer. She thought they were rather strange. She took her leave, and Lyra shut the door behind her.
Pressing her back against the door with a heavy sigh, Lyra stared blankly. Leo went and placed the meals on the table and turned to her and enquired,
"Why did you freeze back there?"
Lyra blinked at him with a troubled expression, "It's…the maid reminded me of someone I once knew," She replied.
"For a moment, I thought I saw my friend," Lyra murmured with pain in her eyes. Haunted by the ghost of Aria.
Leo nodded and looked at her with an understanding gaze. He could sense the depth of her emotions, the echoes of a past that lingered in the present. His voice softened as he spoke,
"I have experienced the same circumstances as well."
Leo added as he stared intently at her. "Memories can be both tender and haunting."
"It's just…the resemblance was uncanny. Seeing a glimpse of Aria, my friend, even in just for a moment, stirred old wounds."
Leo nodded in acknowledgment, and a brief silence hung between them. Lyra decided to change the subject, steering away from the painful memories.
"Let's eat. The aroma is too tempting to resist."
They sat down to enjoy a meal consisting of stew, bread, and water. Despite its simplicity, the taste was delightful, and having something warm in her stomach felt heavenly. Lyra couldn't help but appreciate Leo's unspoken gestures of care, from the fresh herb for her ailment to the understanding gaze he offered in moments of vulnerability.
Unbeknownst to them, the interwoven nature of their connection seemed to deepen as their pasts were linked and their future unknown.