If Nova had a penny for the number of times she woke up with Eden next to her after passing out, she would have two pennies. That isn’t a lot, but it's still weird that it happened twice.

Unlike last time, Eden was asleep. It was like looking at a painting. The sun highlighted her lavender hair. Her skin glowed and was covered in sun kisses. Even though Eden had spent the last three days barely sleeping, she didn’t have any signs of fatigue.

Eden's eyes slowly fluttered open, the sun caught her lilac eyes. A small smile formed on her face as she placed her hand over Nova’s forehead.

“I’m glad you’re feeling better,’ she sighed and sat back, “next time make sure you change when your clothes are wet, okay?” Nova felt warmth rise on her cheeks as she meekly nodded. Eden titled her head, “if you aren’t fully well you should rest more.”

“No, I’m alright.” Nova didn’t remember the last time someone had treated her with such care and didn’t do it out of order. She wouldn’t mind waking up every morning to see Eden's warm smile. “Thank you, Eden.”

Eden only laughed before picking up the dirty dishes and walking them downstairs.

Nova sank back into the bed. Her mind was full of screaming and internal arguments.

‘What would make you happy?’

She didn’t know anymore. Her whole life, she was trained and prepped to be the next coven leader. But she also wanted to travel. Using Eden as an excuse to travel. She could never return home. She knew how to hide her tracks; she knew the places to hide away. Could she stomach leaving her family behind?

It wasn’t like she wasn’t the only suitable heir. Her older cousins surely would be able to pick up where she left off. It wasn’t like she had too much attachment to her house. Nothing held her done at the coven.

“Nova you are a raging Tempest.” Nova looked up at Tempest. “Nothing can calm the storm inside; you have tried to contain it. Place yourself into that cage. Train yourself into submission. But under all the calm persona you have tried to keep up, you always have that storm inside. Waiting to be let out.”

Tempest's words hit Nova in the chest. Tempest is a part of her, a minor spirit whose soul is attached to her. Her thoughts and feelings are linked with them.

“I hate that you're right.”

“I’m always right.” Nova blinked at them. “Most of the time.”

Nova turned to the door as Eden knocked before opening the door. She had returned with a fresh batch of soup. She places the bowls down on the bedside table. Tempest waddled over when she sat at the edge of the bed. They demanded head pats.

“There is an audience outside.”

Nova looked blankly at her. “Pardon?”

“Yep, they say, they want to repay us for saving the kids, but I ran back upstairs before they could pressure me more.” She fiddles with her fingers with a nervous laugh.

Peeking out the window, she notices a large crowd outside the building. Internally groaning she picked up her bowl and forced it down.

“If you throw up, don’t blame it on me.” Eden slowly ate her bowl. Nova noticed how Eden hesitated before eating the soup. She filed that away for now.

Nova took a deep breath in as she took another glance outside. Honestly, she thinks she has enough social battery to deal with the crowd. But she didn’t want to leave Eden to deal with alone.

Someone gently knocked at the door, Eden got up and opened it. She recognised the smaller man as the innkeeper and gave him a warm smile.

“Is everything alright?”

“There are some guests outside waiting for you,” he laughed nervously slightly glancing at the window.

Nova raised an eyebrow at the dumb statement, but she didn’t voice her opinion. Nova shooed the man away promising to greet them in a second.

Combing her hair with her fingers trying to fix her bed hair. Slightly envious of Eden's unmatted hair even though her hair is thicker, wavier and longer. She silently cursed the spirits. 

Both of them walk downstairs and saw the innkeeper talking to who Nova assumed to be a couple. Unlike the other outside these two were dressed to impress. 

The woman wore a crimson silk dress in silver embroidered of fire and was embedded with rubies. Her blonde hair was perfected and groomed. Her makeup was bold with red lips and matching eyeshadow.

The man's hair matched the woman's dress. He wore a deeper red suit with golden accents. He stood tall and proud, and when he noticed Eden and Nova, he gave them a large smile.

“These two must be the heroes of the town,” his voice was fluent and polished. 

Nova sneaked a glance at Eden who started to shift behind her. Nova glanced at the innkeeper whose head was titled slightly down. Nobles huh? Nova pushed herself completely in front of Eden and stood her ground.

“I must truly thank you two, my child has returned safely home to me. Even the thought that my young daughter never returned to me, haunts me. But you too bravely recuse them. I will enterally be in your debt.” The woman placed her hand over her heart and wore a weak smile. 

Eden noticed that the woman’s makeup was slightly ruined around her eyes. Part of it was rubbed away revealing eyebags and red-rimmed eyes.

“Is there anything you two desire?” Nova's mind short-circuited as she tried to format any coherent words.