Troubled Waters

Orryns POV:

Observing from the edge of the training grounds, I watched as the newer members of the resistance retreated, their bodies sporting an array of fresh bruises. There was a glimmer of satisfaction kindled within me at their perseverance. In the short span of two monts, they had grown stronger, their gaits steadier, their spirits brighter. It was a sight that brought a sense of fulfillment, a silent confirmation that we were on the right path.

But not everyone was on the same pace of recovery. My thoughts instinctively veered towards Nadya, her progress slow yet noticeable. Her prolonged incarceration had undoubtedly left its marks, both visible and invisible. Eleven years, an agonizingly long time in a Stoneward prison, was bound to take its toll. An unfortunate truth I was painfully aware of was that most prisoners didn't survive beyond the first six years.

My mood darkened at the thought of her, a looming concern weighing on my mind. Nadya had been acting peculiarly of late, maintaining a distance that wasn't characteristic of our earlier interactions. She had subtly withdrawn, choosing to avoid me when possible and foregoing our usual nighttime embrace. I couldn't shake off the suspicion that this sudden shift in behavior was linked to Seraphina's recent visit. Even though Nadya denied any issue when confronted, her aloofness persisted.

Enough of musing and waiting for resolution, it was time for action. With a newfound resolve, I made my way towards Seraphina's tent. Whatever she had discussed with Nadya, it had evidently affected her. And I intended to uncover the root of this abrupt change.

As I entered Seraphina's tent, I found her engrossed in treating a patient, one of my men who had borne the brunt of the prison guards' brutality. The interior was neatly organized, various medical tools and supplies carefully arranged and within easy reach. A lantern flickered, casting a warm glow over the tent, accentuating the somber undertones of our makeshift infirmary.

"Seraphina, I need to talk to you," I interrupted her concentration, earning a non-committal hum in response. She gestured for me to wait, her attention still fixed on her patient. But patience was a luxury I couldn't afford. "What did you say to Nadya? She's been acting differently ever since your visit."

Her response was nonchalant yet teasing, her tone betraying a hint of mischief reminiscent of our shared childhood. "I simply told her the truth, that you're head over heels in love with her."

Her words struck me like a thunderbolt, my cheeks burning under the shock. "I'm what!" I spluttered, my heart pounding in disbelief. "Why on earth would you tell her that?"

She didn't miss a beat, pulling off her gloves and tossing them into a nearby bin. "Oh, don't play coy with me, Orryn," She shot back, a smirk playing on her lips. "Did you really think no one would notice how you fawn over her?"

"Of course I do, I'm just trying to help her recover," I countered, attempting to sound convincing, not only to Seraphina but also to myself. Her skeptical eyebrow raised in response suggested that my argument was falling on deaf ears, my actions speaking a much louder and contrasting narrative.

"Are you implying that you hold no interest in her whatsoever?" Seraphina pressed, her piercing gaze locked onto mine, searching for the truth lurking beneath my feeble deflection.

"Nadya means nothing more to me beyond a patient," I maintained my stance, a hollow echo resounding in my own ears. "I'm simply aiding her recovery. Once I've repaid my debt, we'll be nothing more than strangers."

"Uh, boss..." Nikon's voice, uncertain and tinged with surprise, sliced through the tension-laden conversation.

Seraphina's and my eyes shot open wide, our focus shifting towards the tent's entrance. There, standing under the sheltering canvas, were Nikon, Fleya, and Nadya. I felt a sudden tightening in my chest as I met their shocked gazes, the stark realization crashing over me, they'd heard everything.

Nadya moved first, her movements rigid as walked to me, forcefully thrusting something woven with flowers into my grasp. As quickly as she appeared, she turned on her heel, leaving a trail of silence as she stormed out of the tent. I glanced down at my hands, discovering the beautifully crafted, albeit disheveled, flower crown she'd given me.

"How could you say that, I hate you!" Fleya's accusing shout reverberated off the tent walls, snapping me out of my stunned stupor. I barely had time to react as another flower-adorned artifact, similar to the one Nadya had given, was flung in my direction. "You promised we could be a family!"

With those parting words, she followed Nadya's path, exiting the tent without looking back. The echo of her accusation lingered, a bitter reminder of the chaotic scene. I found myself standing there, the remnants of broken promises in my hands, while a chilling realization washed over me, I had just shattered the dreams of two innocent souls.

I was left standing there, the fabric of the tent fluttering gently in the faint breeze, the only sound in the wake of the storm that had just passed. The woven flower crowns, now symbols of shattered dreams, lay limp in my hands, their vibrant hues a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within me.

With a deep, shaky breath, I looked around the tent, the air still buzzing with the remnants of the confrontation. The space was filled with a hushed silence, an eerie aftermath to the previous uproar. The sickly sweet scent of healing herbs and bandages wafted from a corner, blending with the earthy smell of the tent itself, and the lingering aroma of the flowers from the crowns, forming a disconcerting tapestry of smells.

Seraphina was still standing there, a mixture of disbelief and understanding dancing in her eyes. Nikon, too, bore a similar expression, the usually stoic man taken aback by the sudden turn of events. It seemed they were also trying to comprehend the aftermath of my harsh words.

I stood there, rooted to the spot, a turmoil of guilt, confusion, and regret churning within me. The air suddenly felt dense, as if the weight of my words had physically materialized, pressing down upon me. The words I had carelessly thrown around in an attempt to defend my non-existent emotional barricade had ended up causing a significant rift.

Could it be possible? Was I falling for Nadya as Seraphina had pointed out? I found my mind wandering back to the recent memories of Nadya, her radiant smile when she wasn't aware anyone was watching, the courage she exhibited despite her frail condition, and the gentleness with which she interacted with Fleya.

In my quest to help her heal, had I unknowingly fallen for her strength and resilience? The thought sent a shiver down my spine, leaving me grappling with the startling revelation. It was not something I had planned for, and it scared me, the strength and depth of these newfound feelings.

Suddenly, a painful realization hit me, had my callous words cost me the precious bond that had been blooming between us? Was I too late to repair the damage? The questions whirled around in my head, adding to my already spiraling confusion.

"Orryn," Seraphina's voice broke through my thoughts, her tone softer, more understanding. "Perhaps it's time you confronted your feelings rather than running from them."

With those words, she left the tent, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I could only stare at the entrance, her words resonating with an uncomfortable truth.

As the silence returned, swallowing the last echoes of the tumultuous confrontation, I found myself wrestling with an unfamiliar wave of emotions. Uncertainty, regret, fear, and a deep longing. Unbeknownst to me, my heart had chosen its path, and it seemed it was time for me to follow suit.

The silence of the tent was soon replaced by the hushed whispers of the wind and the occasional rustling of the tent fabric, a quiet symphony playing to the rhythm of my conflicted heart. The crowns, their colors beginning to fade, served as a constant reminder of the bridges I had burnt. Yet, they also symbolized a heartfelt sentiment and an unspoken bond, a potential beacon of hope amidst the wreckage.

There was no turning back. It was time for me to face the truth, to acknowledge the feelings I had kept buried deep within. After all, it wasn't just about me anymore. It was about Nadya and Fleya, and the promises I had unintentionally made. Promises of safety, of healing, and perhaps, even of a family.