Chapter 396: Except you
Was there another version of Isla waiting for him there, just as there was already another Alexander? Would that Isla still be his Isla?
And what would happen if two versions of the same person somehow existed within the same timeline? The same questions applied to Zenith.
Could two versions of a single person even exist in the same reality without causing some sort of unforeseen problem?
These were the thoughts running through Elion’s mind, but he did not have the luxury of finding the answers beforehand. He could not be certain of anything. But since he had already decided to bring his Zenith with him, he might as well bring his Isla too.
Whatever complications awaited them, he would deal with them when the time came.
Her expression dimmed as Elion remained silent, "You cannot bring her. And Alexander?"
"I do not know," Elion admitted. "I need to ask. But it’s better if you decide with the assumption that we cannot bring anyone else."
Her brows drew together as she bit her lower lip just short of drawing blood.
Elion sighed.
"I am not trying to force you into anything, Isla. I would never ask you to leave your family behind without thinking about it properly. I only needed you to know that the option exists."
And he did not know what their departure would mean for this world. In the end, it was her choice. She looked toward the city below as the celebrations continued beyond the walls.
Bells began to toll softly in the distance down in Haven. For most of her life, this city had been everything.
Now, in less than a day, she had been told that there was a much larger world beyond it, and that Elion intended to disappear into that world whether either of them wanted it or not.
Isla hugged herself lightly.
"If I stay," she said quietly, "will I ever see you again?"
Elion stayed quiet for a bit. He wanted to lie and tell her that he would find a way back eventually, no matter what happened. But he did not know if that was true.
"I do not know," he said honestly.
Isla closed her eyes. That answer hurt, but it was better than offering her a promise he might not be able to keep.
"And if I go with you?" she asked.
"Then you will be leaving everything you know behind."
She opened her eyes again and looked at him deeply in his eyes with a conflicted expression, "Except you."
The words were very simple, but they made Elion’s expression soften; A gentle smile found its way onto his handsome face, "Yes," he said. "Except me."
For a long moment, Isla said nothing. She walked toward the balcony doors and opened them. The cool night air drifted into the room, wafting their clothes about.
Elion followed but kept a short distance behind her, giving her the space she needed. The two of them stood there silently, looking over Haven.
Music drifted faintly through the bright light of day.
People laughed and celebrated below, blissfully unaware that the world they had always known was far stranger than any of them could imagine. Isla rested both hands against the balcony railing.
"This is too much for me to take," she whispered.
"I know it is."
"I need time to think about this."
Elion nodded in agreement, "As you should."
She looked back toward him.
"How much time do I have?"
Elion looked at the timer hovering at the periphery of his vision. A day and nine hours, "Until tomorrow."
Isla released a quiet, humourless laugh, "That is not much time."
"No, it is not." Perhaps he should have told her about this sooner, but it was too late to regret that now.
She looked toward the city again. After several seconds, she spoke, "I want to see my mother."
Elion nodded, "Of course."
"And Alexander. I need to speak with them before deciding anything."
"That makes sense."
Isla’s shoulders lowered slightly.
Elion stepped closer and gently placed one hand around her small waist. She did not pull away; instead, she tilted her head back and rested comfortably against his chest.
He had certainly placed quite a heavy weight on her mind. For a moment, they remained like that, enjoying the gentle breeze and what little rays of sunlight made it onto her balcony. Isla leaned deeper into him and let him carry her weight. She felt the quiet hammering of his heart on her back.
"Stay with me for a while," she said softly.
Elion looked down at her, "Of course."
...
Elion left Isla’s room after spending a few quiet moments with her.
As tempted as he had been, he did not try to initiate anything sexual during that brief time together with her. It would not have been appropriate, given the situation. Perhaps she would not have been vehemently opposed if he had insisted, but he was already beyond trying to force things that would eventually come his way on their own.
More importantly, he did not want his actions to influence whatever decision she ultimately made.
He genuinely wanted to believe she would choose to leave with him. The things she had said before they parted seemed to indicate as much, but he still wanted to prepare himself for the worst.
The human mind could be fickle, after all. Perhaps she would choose to stay.
He had already done everything he could to convince her, expressing his intentions as sincerely as possible. The rest was up to her now.
Elion pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind as he walked through the wide palace halls with his hands tucked into his pockets, whistling a light tune beneath his breath while the palace maids that spotted him oooed, aaahd, and giggled to themselves at the sight of him.
After walking around for a bit, he spotted a gorgeous figure standing beneath one of the open arches overlooking the palace’s many flower gardens.
A grin spread across his face.
He changed direction immediately and walked straight toward her, stopping at her side before deliberately bumping his shoulder lightly against hers.
Zenovia did not appear to notice his approach. Perhaps she had been lost in her thoughts, or maybe she had simply decided to ignore his presence.
"Hello, Zenovia," Elion said, a shit-eating grin on his face. "Enjoying the view?"
Zenovia turned toward him with an annoyed look.
"What do you want?"
Elion sighed dramatically.
"Must you be so cruel? This humble peasant would be greatly honoured to share this lovely view with a beautiful lady such as yourself, if you would allow it."
Zenovia harrumphed lightly and turned back toward the garden, "Fine. But keep your mouth shut. Not all of us enjoy being loud and annoying."
Elion smiled, "As you wish, my lady."
As ordered by the beautiful catkin assassin, he remained quiet and leaned lightly against the stone railing beside her, looking out over the colourful garden below and enjoying the beautiful view with her in relative silence.
