“Let me help you with that, Harper.”Mrs. Keevah came fresh from the bathroom. A white towel was wrapped around her head to dry her hair. She placed the toothbrush she was holding to the small cup-like holder back in the bathroom, wiped her palms with the other towel wrapped around her body and rushed to grab the small pail of water Harper was carrying around.“I got this, Mrs. Keevah.”Another month has passed and her stomach swelled bigger. Who would’ve thought that was still possible. Every time Harper looks in the mirror, she couldn’t help but compare herself to an inflated balloon. Anytime, she’s gonna explode. And with it, she’s not going to be the same person she was. One will become two. Mrs. Keevah was insistent until Harper let go of the pail handle. The woman knows the 7th to 9th months are the most sensitive ones. If she can, she would rather let Harper stay the whole day on the bed rather than lift a fork. She was that hands-on with her, bordering the line to being prote
The two soldiers followed their king out of the camp’s gate. Spectators’ necks protruding from the room’s windows, even those who were training can’t help but pause and ask what has happened.“You’re sure about this, my king?” – Asher asked, tapping the pistol he has secured on a small bag. Deep in his mind, he’s thinking on why do they need to bring this against a helpless middle-aged woman. “I am. All I can think about these months is Harper. She needs to be home as soon as possible. In whatever way it needs be.”Asher nodded. Anthony was still quiet. Perhaps the guilt of disobedience towards his king was still ruining his normal interactions with him. He knew it that night when he confessed, nothing would be the same. The rest of the walking towards the end of the woods was silent. Their small trio was only comprised of two characteristics: the king leading the march and the two confused soldiers but are too loyal to ask some more question. “Have you called Irvin?”Damon asked a
Harper was feeling like there was something wrong. Right after she was done eating, she was told by Mrs. Keevah to pack up her things. According to her guardian, they would be staying at Leo’s, Mrs. Keevah’s friend that has a small inn in the city. What’s weird is the timing of it. Right after that call from the telephone company, Mrs. Keevah panicked. Harper’s starting to think what was told to her was not exactly the truth. “Is everything okay, Mrs. Keevah? You keep glancing on your phone.”She does, every 5 minutes. The question wasn’t heard by her and Harper had to repeat it. It was after the second time that Mrs. Keevah responded.“Yes. Don’t worry. We’ll come back there soon.”But the lie didn’t reach her eyes. She was saying something else but the expression on her eyes gives away the lie. Harper frowned. She doesn’t get it. “You know you can tell me anything, Mrs. Keevah. I will understand.”The woman acted like she didn’t hear what Harper said at all. She looked at the sid
The four of them were inside the car, but none has spoken anything yet. As for the two soldiers, they just wanted the king and queen have their own moment. It has been a long time, the reunion’s the best thing of the day. This time, Anthony sat on the passenger seat and let Damon and Harper occupy the entire back seat. Unlike earlier, the radio wasn’t on but the windows of the Sedan were open. They were traversing the same road leading north of the city. They still need to contact Irvin and return the car before they have to return to the camp. “So, how have you been?” – Damon was the one who broke the silence. This was what he wished before the day ends. To have Harper beside him and bring her back to their place. “Good.”“Has she treated you well?”Harper nodded. Her answer being limited, Damon turned his head and reached for her hand. It was placed on her right leg and he placed his atop hers. For some reason, she didn’t like it and removed her hand. Damon licked his lips. Som
They got the address. It wasn’t as complicated as Damon has thought. After having a quick stop at the gasoline station to fill up the car, the three of them got back in the vehicle and gone off. This can’t wait another day. Asher drove, turning on the car’s radio. This chase has already taken a lot of hours off their day. It has to end soon. It has to be achieved. The song was a rock song and Damon squinted his eyes when Asher looked at the rearview mirror.“Shall I turn it off, my king?”Damon shook his head. It’s not that it’s annoying or something. It only disrupts him from his thoughts. “Nah, keep it on. How long do we expect to arrive to the address?”“Fifteen minutes.” – Asher responded.Anthony was sleeping beside the key. Even letting out soft snores. Damon didn’t mind that. Mixed with the loud metal sounds from the radio. At this point, he doesn’t mind anything anymore. As long as they arrive to the destination. One way or another. --They did, after 12 minutes. Damon nu
Grandma Laura couldn’t believe her eyes. On her arms was the only person she cared for in the world. The only one she wanted to see and hold these past days. Harper, on the other hand, was dealing with mixed emotions. She was too glad that she’s back in the camp, but the thought of what Grandma Laura has to go through has been unsettling. Too much for thinking Damon would be sympathetic. “What’s happened to you? You didn’t come back for a very long time.”Harper nodded, feeling sorry that her Grandma has to undergo solitude and loneliness while she was away. “I did what I have to do, Grandma Laura. After what you said, I knew my safety and the child’s won’t be here by Damon’s side.”Laura nodded. That’s exactly why she had to tell her. Her misery and sadness aside, the truth needs to be told.“It’s fine. Your safety is all I want to secure.”Harper gave her a nod. “My queen?”A voice came from outside. Harper stood up and checked who it was from the window. Asher waved and opened
Wolford Damon hated that every nerve in his body was reacting to this close proximity with Harper. Of all, what he hates is lack of control.She wasn’t looking at him. Instead, she turned her head to the side where the door was. Damon followed her line of vision and realized that maybe she wanted to go out of the room. “Do you hate me? Be honest.”It was out of topic, what he just said. But the feeling of being this close to Harper dulls his senses. He couldn’t think properly. He only blurted out the first thought that came to mind. Harper was feeling it too. The sudden change of heart rate, the bothering stare from the king, the intense and sticky looks. It’s not like she’s immune to it. It still affects her big time, but what’s dissimilar between them is that she can shake it aside. What has happened in the forest during that one full moon shouldn’t happen again. A mistake won’t be fixed by another, she noted. That’s why she’s trying her best not to meet his gaze. Because if she
Harper couldn’t sleep. The small bed she shared with Grandma Laura even felt too little. Unlike her, the old woman was sleeping soundly. An opposite of her lying down on her back, eyes unblinking, and just focused on the weakening roof of the cottage. Of all she’s thinking, one made it to the top of the list. She was thinking of the future. What would happen to her after she gives birth to the king’s heir? Will everyone or anyone in the camp still give her the same respect?Deep down, she knew it also meant she’ll forever be Damon’s. Just the thought made her heart do a backflip. It was kind of dreamy if her past self would think of it, but a lot has changed. The things she learned from her Grandma and everything else, that messed it all up. She turned to her side and faced the window. The blackness of the night felt comforting, and she craved its presence. With no further ado, she sat up and yawned. What do you do when you’re sleepy but your thoughts are way louder than your desi