Chapter 15: Have You Come To Save Me

Islinda's mind was a mess as she walked through the woods. She was still reeling from the kiss and it was safe to say she lost her mind just a bit. Of course, it was understandable considering that was her first kiss and it had left her shaken to the core. 

The kiss scene played in a loop in her mind and her cheeks heated up in embarrassment as she remembered the way she had grasped Valerie and returned the kiss with such fervent passion. 

"No!" Islinda clasped her cheeks and shut her eyes with a whimper. She shouldn't have done that! What had come over her?! Islinda wished the ground would open up and swallow her at this point. 

How was she going to face Valerie tomorrow? 

Also, what they just did, wasn't it illegal? A Fae couldn't be with a human, at least she hadn't heard of one. Was it possible for the both of them to be together? Would they be able to bear children? If they did bear children, what kind of creature would they be? A half-fae, half-human?

Oh wait, wasn't she thinking a bit too fast? 

"By the gods," Islinda groaned, running her hand through her hair and pulling at her scalp. 

What was happening to her? Was she sexually frustrated? No, that can't be. All Islinda knew was that Valerie had stirred some kind of fire inside of her and now she couldn't help but want more. 

No, what do you mean by wanting more? It was never going to happen again! Never! But then, it felt kind of good… 

"Oh no…" Islinda cried out. What was happening to her? 

Islinda was still wallowing in shame when she heard a sudden cry and stiffened at once. What was that? She straightened up, her eyes scanning the woods cautiously. While she was far from the magical walls of the divider and close to the village, it didn't mean that a trickster couldn't have followed her and wanted to play now.

Thanks to that thought, a chill traveled down her spine even though Valerie's magic was doing a good job of keeping her warm. Islinda swallowed, finally noticing her helpless state. She was not with her weapons nor was Valerie close enough to protect her, not that he was in a state to. To think that she trusted him this much already. 

No, she must be hallucinating, Islinda tried to downplay what she heard. She began to walk again, but this time doubling her footsteps, she had to get out of here. However, the cry came the second and a third time and was much louder as if the source knew she was getting away. 

The voice sounded human, Islinda noticed. 

"No," Islinda shook her head in denial. Trickster Fae was known to use all kinds of antics and she couldn't fall victim to such. 

But it wasn't sundown yet, a part of her argued. For all she knows, it might be someone in trouble. This was not the first time she has rescued a villager who got lost in the woods. 

Islinda groaned, burying her face into her palm as she was plagued with indecision. Why has her life become so dramatic recently? However, when the cry for help came a fourth time, Islinda could not ignore it anymore. 

Hence she went to rescue whoever that was, following the sound of the cry. To protect herself, Islinda picked a log of wood which she hid behind her. Not that it could do much against a Fae, but if she were to die, she would not go down easy and would die fighting. 

Islinda had many expectations but none of them prepared her for the sight of the child sprawled out on the rough shrub bawling his eyes out. Instantly, her heart melted because one of her weaknesses was her inability to resist cute children. 

The boy in front of her seemed to be around the age of five or six, she wasn't sure and his raven-colored hair was so dark that it had a blue undertone. Of course, as soft-hearted as Islinda was, she was still sensible and narrowed her eyes at him. 

What was a young boy of his age doing in the middle of the woods all by himself? He was definitely far away from home and he didn't look familiar to any of the villagers' children she knew. In one word, this screamed "trap" to her and her grip tightened on the plank she held behind her. 

Islinda stood a safe distance from him knowing all it took was one move and she would whack the life out of whatever he was. Do not underestimate her need to survive. But the kid did the opposite of what she expected, he wiped the tears from his eyes and lifted his head to look at her. 

"Big sister," He said, "Have you come to save me?" 

"Huh? Big sister?" Islinda turned around to check if there was anyone with her. But when she saw nothing, she turned to the child and pointed to her chest, "Me?" 

The child nodded her head, "Did Mother send you to come and take me home?" 

Alright, what kind of situation has she landed herself into? Islinda scratched her head, more confused than ever. 

Left with no choice, she covered the distance between them, her plank now forgotten on the floor as she crouched low in front of him. 

"What is your name, child?" She attempted to be friendly with him hoping that he would open up to her. 

"Eli? What a nice name. Now tell me Eli, what are you doing in the woods all by yourself?" 

He said, "I don't know. I came here with my mother, she said there was somewhere we needed to be. She took me here and decided we would play a game of hide and seek. By the time the countdown was done, I searched for her and she would not come out." He lifted big puppy eyes to her, saying timidly, "Big Sister, I'm scared. I don't want to be here anymore." He shivered. 

"Here, have this first," Islinda took off her coat and shielded him from the cold. Valerie's power kept her warm enough, the child needed it more. 

But then, it was time to think. 

It was not uncommon for poor parents to abandon their kids in the woods, but this close to the Divider made Islinda uncomfortable. The boy could be from a neighboring village, but that's none of her business and if she were the wiser, she would leave him here and pretend not to have seen him. She has given him her coat and that should keep him warm till his mother returns to take him. 

However, Islinda was not that kind of person and that left her more frustrated. She already had enough problems on her plate and couldn't add to the pile. But then, she would not be able to sleep properly at night knowing she left a poor child to die in the woods - she knew inwardly that his mother was not returning. 

Fine, she would take him to their village chief and he would know what to do. 

She gave him her hand saying, "Come, Eli, let's get you to safety and we can find your mother." 

Instead of taking her hand, Eli threw himself at her and hugged her  waist. 

Islinda didn't get to see the mischievous glint in his eyes and the smirk that graced his features.