The sun hadn't yet risen when the first sounds of the inn began to awaken. Voices from downstairs, the creaking of stairs, the smell of warm bread...
In their room, waking up was... well, less peaceful.
"Are you still in bed?!" Aletha snapped, sitting up abruptly.
"I should be asking," Caden muttered, rubbing his eyes. "I thought girls took three hours to get ready. Come on, get out of here, I'm going to wash up."
"No way. I need the bathroom first. I have a reputation to uphold."
"A reputation as a morning dragon? I've done it."
"Caden."
"Aletha."
They both stood up at the same time. The duel was on. With determined steps, they headed toward the bathroom, each quickening their pace when they saw the other quicken their pace. Shoulder to shoulder, they jostled gently in the narrow hallway leading to the small powder room.
"Aren't you ashamed?!" she exclaimed. "You want to trample me to wash before me?!"
"I'm doing this for humanity. If you approach a mirror before me, it could explode."
"You're really…!"
She tried to push past him, but he blocked her path, his back against the door.
"Not so fast! Just wait your turn, princess."
"I'll…"
She pushed him, pulled his arm, and in a series of clumsy movements, they both stumbled, their feet tangling.
"WATCH OUT!"
They collapsed with a soft splash of fabric and arms, landing right in front of the door. Silence fell. They found themselves face to face, one on top of the other, frozen.
"I... you... can you... move?" Aletha asked, her voice more fragile than usual.
"Oh! Yes! Sorry!" Caden stammered, as red as a tomato. He rolled awkwardly onto his side and jumped up, looking disconcerted.
He backed up to the door, scratched the back of his neck, and said,
"Go ahead. Take the bathroom. I need to... think about my life choices."
And without waiting for an answer, he closed the door behind her, leaving Aletha blinking, still lying there, her heart pounding.
Why didn't I just scream and slap like usual? she thought, confused, one hand on her chest.
He's the one who should be unbearable. Not... interesting.
A while later, they were both ready, a little quieter than usual. They went down to the common room where Bella and Zetch were already waiting around a table.
"Ah! Finally!" Zetch exclaimed, a mischievous look on his face. "We thought you two had killed each other up there... or worse, made up."
Caden rolled his eyes. Aletha sat down without saying a word.
"Seriously, it took you a while... Were you fighting over the hot water, or was it the soap suds that softened you up?"
"Not a word, Zetch," Aletha snorted.
"Anything broken, at least?" he continued with a wink.
Caden wordlessly handed over the menu. Bella, for her part, exchanged a discreet smile with him, but chose peace: she knew that tension all too well.
"Well, then it's warm bread, eggs, and black tea for me. What will you two have? And I'm warning you, I don't want a scene about sugar or butter."
After breakfast, the four set off, leaving the inn in search of Maël, the man Uriel had chosen. He was their only hope of understanding what awaited them now...
And although the sky was clear, the road ahead promised to be much stormier.