Peace of mind

Kael nods in agree. “Very well, there’s no harm in trying, I suppose. What do I need to do?”

Evie bows to him. “Thank you for allowing me to help, master. Please just sit on the edge of the bed. I will need to touch your head.”

Kael slips out from under the covers, doing as she asks and forgetting that he’s in his underwear. Evie gasps, her eyes going wide as she looks at him, before looking away. Even in the dim light, Kael can see the intensity of her blush.

“I-I’m sorry, master! I didn’t realize…”

Kael shrugs. “It’s fine, Evie. Nothing important is showing.”

Evie looks back to him, still blushing, but keeping her eyes on his. Somehow, this is far more intense than he expected. And he could swear that her eyes are actually glowing. Must be a trick of the light…

“O-okay, master. Just relax.”

She reaches out, one hand on either side of his head, her fingertips touching the side of his head ever so gently. Her eyes stay locked on his, and his on hers. This close, he can hear that her breathing is shaky, and he can feel a slight tremble in her touch. Evie takes a deep breath, and closes her eyes. Her brow furrows slightly, and Kael feels a strange sensation, a light pressure behind his eyes. Not painful, or even uncomfortable, just…odd.

Evie’s eyes open slightly, and now her eyes are definitely glowing, a soft red glow. Evie breathes deeply, almost a sigh, and then begins to speak, her voice sounding strangely hollow, as if she were inside a tunnel.

“I can see…pain. Pain self inflicted. You mourn for the unmourned. Torment from duty.”

The sensation in Kael’s head changes, becoming warm, soothing. Evie continues to speak in that strange voice.

“You do things that would be considered horrible, and yet your heart is pure. I see…duty. Servitude. Honor. And yet there is much neglected. Love. Joy. Companionship.”

Evie’s eyes open, glowing strongly. Kael is transfixed, staring deep into those red orbs, practically drowning in them. It is not an unpleasant experience. He feels…warmth. Solace. Peace.

“I see more now. I see…I see…m-master? Master?”

Evie blinks, the glow suddenly fading from her eyes. She gasps for breath, her hands falling away from his face. She sways on her feet, and Kael instinctively reaches out to steady her.

Instead, she falls forward, into his arms. Kael ends up embracing Evie, her slight frame trembling in his muscular arms. He can hear her taking deep breaths. She leans against him, her body warm through the thin nightshirt, and Kael gently rubs her back, not sure what else to do. He feels her start to relax, and he holds her close.

Suddenly, she seems to realize where she is, and gasps, straightening. She starts to pull away, in a panic. Kael lets go of her, and she takes a step back. “I-I’m so sorry, master. I lost control and went too deep. They warned me…”

Kael holds up his hand. “It’s fine, Evie…”

Evie shakes her head. “No, master! I was just supposed to ease your mind, not read your thoughts! It was an accident, I swear!”

Kael looks at her, curious. “You read my thoughts?”

Evie backs towards the door. “I’m so sorry, master! I swear it was an accident! I saw what you do, and how you feel. I wanted to help! But I pushed too hard, went too deep. I felt what you feel, saw what you see! I saw…I’m sorry! I’m so sorry, master!”

Covering her face with her hands, she rushes from the room. Kael hears her door slam, and then silence. He sits there, slightly confused. She read his mind? How? And what else can she do?

Indecision grips him. Now what? Confront her? Comfort her? Both options seem equally valid. Or just leave it for now? Don’t press, as she seems distraught about what happened…