The Decoder - Chapter 17

Edith

“Father, he is awake!” Nine-year-old Edith said excitedly.

“He is?” Sir Alcoft came rushing to her side to examine Avery who was lying on her bed in their Alcoft home. The father and daughter duo watched Avery as he fluttered his eyelashes and squinting at the bright light pouring into her room from the windows.

“Where am I?” Avery whispered; his voice hoarse from disuse for three days.

“You are in the Alcoft home. You are safe here.” Her father spoke immediately and lowered himself on the wooden chair next to the bed. Avery said nothing, obviously still weak from his injury.

Few days later, Edith was tasked with caring for Avery’s recovering while her father had busied himself with the house’s chores. She entered her room with a tray of food and set it at the bedside table. She could feel Avery’s gaze on her as she seated herself on the wooden chair and brought the tray over onto her lap. She stirred the steaming stew and scooped an adequate amount into the spoon.

“Thank you.” Avery said softly as she brought the spoon to his lips. He obediently slurped the stew.

“You don’t have to thank us. We are glad to have another member in the house.” Edith smiled.

“No, I really appreciate you and your father’s efforts.”

“How old are you?” Edith asked.

“Twelve. And, you?”

“I’m nine this year.”

“Do you enjoy a walk in the forest?” Edith asked nonchalantly as she scooped another spoonful of stew and brought it to Avery’s lips.

“I do.” Avery raised his brows, his mesmerising emerald green eyes locked on hers.

“Then, once you’re fully recovered, we could go on a walk. I would love to introduce you to the animals.” Edith said with innocence, a bright smile lighting her expression.

“I look forward to the introduction.” Avery smiled. It was the first smile that she had seen ever since the day he regained his consciousness, and it was a charming smile, a smile that gave her warmth.

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Edith stared at the little parchment which contained the complex codes her father had left for her as she sat on a metal bench lining the sides of the path that leads to the entrance of the Militia. The freezing night air bit into her bare hands and she blew at them for some warmth. She had been sitting here for the past two hours and she was certain it was past midnight now. “Where are you, Avery?” She muttered to herself, averting her eyes from the little parchment and glanced at the iron-wrought gates for the said figure. There was no one in sight except for the two guards stationed at the gates. Most of the employees were probably asleep by now.

It had been a week since the incident that took place at Eder Street. Occasionally, she couldn’t help but thought about the Hathagian refugees. How helpless and hopeless she had been as she sat in Lucien’s rented apartment. She couldn’t bring herself to watch the ordeal, so she had remained with Lucien in his apartment till midnight, refusing to think about anything at that moment.

Ever since then, she had been wishing to speak to Avery, but he was difficult to catch. When she did spot him, he was always with his comrade, occupied with whatever assignment that was tasked at him. She did not wish to interrupt his attention, so she decided not to approach him. Edith herself had been occupied as well and whenever lunch hour came, Avery hadn’t been there to join the usual group. Lucien occasionally joined them, but only for short moments. Her patience was growing thin and her need to speak to him was grating at her, so she decided she’d sit out here till his return from his night patrol. She needed to know if he was alright, needed to apologise to him for her narrowmindedness.

Flexing her numb fingers and wriggling her toes, she looked down at the little parchment once more. She chewed on her bottom lip. To decipher those complex codes, she will need to look through her father’s journal, which she had retrieved from her drawers in Uncle Vern’s clinic over the weekend. To break those codes, she will need to face her fears, her trauma, for she still couldn’t bring herself to study her father’s journal. Each time she did, the memories from eight years ago will return to haunt her mind, and she will dwell on them, relieving them over and over again. No, you need to decipher these codes, Edith told herself as she recalled Lady Ada’s treachery and the cost of it, the betrayal that costed the innocent lives of the Hathagian refugees. If she did come across Lady Ada once more, she will pounce on her. And, the High Commander Ekker. The man was an enigma to Edith. There was no way she could get close to him, but she had managed to seek some information from Dr. Maia under the guise of getting to know the Militia better.

“He has ruled the Militia and Rayard for twenty years. He is a quiet man and is behind his office’s doors most of the time. However, I remember he used to have a very close friend. Sir Alcoft I believe. They often spent their time at the field, discussing over books. After Sir Alcoft’s death, the High Commander had remained behind closed doors of his office.” Dr. Maia had said.

To remain low profile and fear of recognition, Edith had lied her surname upon registration. Dr. Maia was clueless that she was Sir Alcoft’s daughter. Dr. Maia’s story didn’t quite piece together Mr. Roan’s words. If the High Commander had been close friends with her father, why did her father not trust him? And why were the Elites ordered to kill her father? Did the High Commander issued those orders? After her father had rescued Avery, he had resigned his days tending to house chores and helping Uncle Vern, never again discussing about cryptography. Edith shook her head. There was a missing piece to this puzzle, and she believed that missing piece lay in this little parchment before her now.

“Edie?” The familiar and deep timbre of a voice brought her head up. Her thoughts forgotten as her gaze locked on Avery’s. She had been too absorbed in her wiring mind that she hadn’t heard him coming.

“Avery.” She stood. She quickly folded the little parchment and slipped it into her coat pocket, silently reminding herself to return into the small space of the pendant. They stood mere inches apart and Edith closed the gap between them.

“What are you doing here?” Avery asked.

“I was waiting for you. I need to speak with you.”

“You waited for me in this freezing cold?” Avery said, surprise lacing his tone and his brows raised.

“Yes, but it doesn’t matter. I just want to speak with you.” Edith reached out for his gloved hand and held it gently in hers. He made no move to pull away and she was glad for it. Before Avery could say anything, she spoke first.

“It has been a week…Are you alright?” she asked, her voice feathery soft. It took a moment for Avery to reply that she feared he might remain silent. The Avery before her now seemed so far away. Ever since the night they argued, she felt there was a disparity between them, and she felt uncomfortable by it.

“Yes, I’m fine. And, you?” he asked, his gaze softening.

“I’m good.” Edith smiled.

“Thank you for…for saving Mr. Roan. I’m sorry you had to go through that…” she continued and stopped as she recalled the dreadful memory.

“You witnessed it?”

“Yes, from Lucien’s apartment. He explained the situation to me.”

“That son of a…I told him not to—"

“Please don’t blame him. He had no other choice. Avery, I’m thankful for what you did for Mr. Roan though you couldn’t save others. But I understand, and I’m sorry for that night. I’m sorry for accusing you when I myself had thought the implications were that simple. I was naïve…And maybe am still naïve.” Edith said and raising her bandaged palm to her mouth, she pinched her bottom lip with her forefinger and thumb.

Avery said nothing and only stared at her; his eyes wide. She couldn’t read the emotion on his blank face at that moment, so she looked away. When Avery made no move to speak, Edith was suddenly too self-conscious from his intense gaze, and heat begun to creep up her neck and cheeks. She was glad that their height difference allowed her to hide her blush as she focused her gaze at his chest instead.

“I think I ought to return to my dorm now. Good night, Avery.” Edith dropped her hand and turned to walk to the dorms when suddenly Avery’s left arm shot out and seized her left upper arm, forcing her to face him again. Edith looked up and she saw a hint of nervousness in his expression.

“You don’t have to apologise. It’s not your fault. You only wish for their survival and safety, which I couldn’t grant…”

“Avery—"

“I should be the one apologising, Edie.” Avery silenced her by placing two fingers on her mouth, the leather cool against her lips.

“I…shouldn’t have spoken the way I did on that night. I’m sorry, Edie.” He lowered his fingers from her mouth and lingered around her chin. His simple touch ignited a feeling in her, a feeling of…desire? Once again, her entire body heated and there was no hiding her now-pink cheeks from him as he locked his gaze with hers. “Edie”. How she had missed him calling her by that nickname, it made her all soft and tingly inside.

“I have been wanting to see you…” Avery whispered, lowering his head and his lips hovered above hers, barely touching. His words woke a spark in her and Edith parted her lips, suddenly wondering what it felt like to kiss him, to kiss her childhood best friend.

“Me, too.” She whispered. That admission brought his mouth on hers, gentle at first before it grew hungry.

Avery kissed her as if she was his life energy, as if he had hold on to his feelings for a long time, as if he had longed to kiss her for a long time. Edith responded swiftly, her desire awakened by his kiss and another feeling rose to the surface, a feeling she couldn’t quite determine, but had lay dormant for eight years. She felt as if time had stopped around them. His hands moved to cup her cheeks and he deepened the kiss, prodding her lips to allow him entry, and she delightfully obeyed. The feel of it was foreign to her, but she enjoyed every moment of it. Her arms came around his waist, pulling him closer to her as her desire for the man before her grew. She never wanted this to end. She had never kissed a man before, had never thought to experience it until now.

Avery broke the kiss and Edith immediately missed the warmth, suddenly feeling cold. They took deep breaths and she closed her eyes briefly, remembering and savouring every contour of his lips against hers. His lips had been soft and warm, and she had enjoyed the feel of it.

“It’s late. Let’s return to the dorms.” Avery said hoarsely and took her hand in his. Edith opened her eyes and noticed the flush in Avery’s cheeks. She chuckled as he urged her forward. The blush was quite becoming of him and she adored him all the more.

“What is it?” Avery asked, glancing over his shoulders.

“Nothing.” Edith shook her head.

“The Starlight Festival is next week, and it will be held at City Square. Will you be attending?” Avery asked as they walked side by side toward the South Wing.

That’s right, Edith had forgotten all about the Starlight Festival that was taking place next weekend. It was a festival for stargazing and joy with plenty of delicious food and drinks. The festival was the highlight of the winter season and citizens of Rayard will gather around at the City Square to enjoy the festivities. She’d visit the City Square with Uncle Vern and Caden every year without fail. And, eight years prior, her father and Avery had been present with her. This year around, will be the first time in eight years she attended the festival with Avery, if he was going with her. The thought of him going to the festival with his fiancée lingered in her mind, and as much as she was trying to accept the fact that he was engaged, she couldn’t force down the feeling of jealousy in her. You just kissed him, you oaf, Edith reminded herself and though he was engaged to another, she felt slightly guilty for kissing him, but there was also the feeling of joy and…And what?

“Edie?” Avery said. His voice broke her from her thoughts.

“Yes, I will be attending. Will you be attending it with Miss Ira?” There, she said it.

“No. She’s on an assignment. She hasn’t return from an assignment and there was no word from her.”

“On an assignment? Where was she sent to?”

“Yvyle Forest. I hope she’s alright.” The concern in his tone was difficult for her to miss. And, she hoped Miss Ira would be safe and sound, too.

“I’m certain you will hear from her soon.” Edith said with confidence, though it pained her to say it. She didn’t like the idea of Avery being engaged to another, but there was nothing much she could do, and she had kissed him, a man betrothed to another. To distract herself from those feelings of hurt, she averted the topic.

“Avery, did the High Commander say anything about…Mr. Roan’s escape and about your being…” Edith asked. She had missed this very question earlier in her haste to apologise. There was a moment’s silence and that silence said a lot.

“He expressed his disappointment in me. That’s all. Mentioned not to repeat such a mistake again.” Avery answered casually and shrug, but Edith knew enough that there’s more to it. The moment’s silence told her the High Commander did not spare him, just like what Major Wright did. There was no mercy between the Elites, maybe even in the entire Militia. There was no place for weakness here.

“Edie, if you don’t mind me asking, what is that piece of parchment you were studying earlier?” Avery asked. Of course, that observation hadn’t escaped from him. He was an astute observer. Edith wondered if she could tell him that it contained a hidden message from her father. There will be no harm, right? Afterall, there was no reason to find him mistrustful.

“It’s a little memento from my father. Remember the necklace you found few weeks ago?” Edith settled for.

“Yes.”

“In the pendant, lays the piece of parchment.”

“What does the note say?”

Edith had no idea how to answer that question because she herself wasn’t entirely sure. She had yet to decode it.

“I’m not too sure…”

“Not too sure?” Avery asked, perplexed.

“The message is in a form of complex codes.”

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