“Oh, who’s there? Who’s there?” Ponpon asked but I didn’t answer. I could feel though that his head wriggled at the handle of my poniard.
It was that stranger from the forest alright. My sister seemed to be right with her foresight lately, I supposed.
I acted calm and normal, trying not to think what he had done to me in the forest early this morning. I turned my head to look in front of me and nonchalantly drank the fruit wine that was in the glass I held in one hand. It was a gesture that I was ignoring him—if he got what I mean. I did not want to linger or analyze why I feel something whenever he is around. I did not want to read something between the lines… er… in his eyes, rather. I did not want to feel anything at all, especially for this strange Aryan.
But it didn’t seem to get what I wanted to relay to him. He sauntered closer to me, and he sat down just beside me on the bench, looking up at the lights above us.
I stole a glance at him. There was a hint of a smile in his beautifully crafted lips and green eyes.
I did notice he wore different clothes tonight. Yesterday, it was some kind of shiny leathery black cloth that hugged his excellent physique. But now, it was more formal like the occasion demanded. And to my dismay, he looked even handsomer tonight with his hair down. It looked like a beautiful flame under the lights.
I didn’t like what I feel because I was already admiring this man whom I didn’t know of and about.
I sipped from my sparkling glass again, still without the intent to speak with this stranger.
“I never thought I’d see you here again, Xerra,” he said suddenly.
In the corner of my eye, I saw him look at me. As the gentle breeze blew, his out of this world unique spicy sent reached to my nostrils. Never had I smelled someone like him. It was kind of… stimulating my senses.
Okay, that was weird again.
I just swallowed the wine. The sweet warm liquid caressed my throat gently. I turned slowly to look at him, meeting his gaze. Right, he was also looking at me, straight in the eye. There was something there that I couldn’t fathom though. It was something that tugged my heart, which was mystifying. I slowly blinked and showed my blank expression at first. Then, I quirked my mouth and rolled my eyes upward.
“That’s a mutual thought, stranger… Just that I never hoped to see you again.”
But how come I just lied in front of this stranger? It was not like me at all. Why was I trying to hide my real feelings from him? Was I afraid that he’d know that I was longing to see his face again even though I wanted to ignore that feeling? But why was I interested in seeing him again even though the chances were so slim? Why did it rouse in me the feeling that wanted to know him better. And yet, logically, I shouldn’t. I shouldn’t trust someone who just appeared in the forest, which was my turf.
“How about I give you something to remind you that you indeed met me tonight?” And from his pants’ front pocket, he pulled out something.
It was a very rare kind of flower called guabula. One that could only be found in the north of Aryan. It had small three petals and a tube-like star in the middle of it, and it smelled so sweet. Addictive. The flower itself would turn into different colors by each passing day. Tonight, it was violet, and it just matched my lavender gown. I knew that it would take two months before it would dry up and die.
My eyes went up to meet his immediately. He couldn’t be one of the Furezos! Instinctively, I probed his thoughts. However, it was blocked by something… or by him. I couldn’t probe deeper than what he could let me.
Just how much did he know about me? It was just so unfair.
I stared into his eyes, deeply. He smiled at me charmingly than any other Aryan had smiled in my direction since I entered the puberty stage. Because in reality, I always thought that my sister is more beautiful than I am. Plus, she is pure-blooded Aryan. No one in his right mind would get entangled with me in an intimate relationship knowing that I’m just half-breed.
The beautiful and mysterious stranger leaned closer to me. “I know what powers you have, Xerra. But I’m sorry that I’ll keep myself… private… for the time being,” he said it softly in my ear.
I swallowed as his warm breath touched my ear, sending delicious feelings throughout my being.
He placed the guabula on my lap without touching my dress. Why did I suddenly long to be touched by his fingertips, by his hands? Why all of a sudden?
I swallowed a lump in my throat again. My heart was beating so fast because of his nearness and the way he made me feel. His scent did not help at all. It seemed that he awakened something from deep within myself that I’d never felt or known before. It was something of pure instinct… something…
I mentally shook my head. I did not want to continue it. But, yes.
It was something sexual that he awakened deep within myself.
Ah, it was really weird! I wish it would go away right now. I did not want him to notice it or even guess how I feel. It was not only embarrassing but it was uncomfortable, as I felt my core instantaneously go damp.
Our eyes held each other for some time. He abruptly got up and smiled as he looked down at me. It was as if he was thinking twice before he could decide whether to leave me or stay with me longer.
Or was it just my imagination?
“There you are…” Daraton suddenly stopped midsentence when a hand was gestured toward him. He nodded in understanding when his eyes strayed in my direction.
I smiled at Daraton and glanced at the stranger once again. It was clear that Daraton and he were closer than I could imagine.
“I promise that this is not the last time we’ll see each other, Xerra,” the stranger said to me instead and left without looking back.
Daraton was following fast on his heels, trying to say something with urgency in a low tone, which I couldn’t hear.I looked down at my lap and took the flower with my free hand. The beautiful and rare flower looked like jelly but it was as hard as plastic. I only heard some things about this rare flower from my fellow Aigleans. It was the first time thought that I got to touch it and peruse it in person. The flower was indeed a wonder.I smelled its sweet scent with a smile, thinking about the stranger.Oh, why, oh, why? Why couldn’t I shake him off my thought? We only met twice but he left me such a deep impression, which was entirely bugging me.‘He knows me. But I don’t know him.’Aside from being the only half-breed on this planet, who everybody must have known me by reputation and name, he seemed to really know me. Personally. That was odd. Who could have told him about me if he was from the north?“Oh, you got yourself an admirer, I see.” O
I went back home after my early morning excursion and found my yawning sister at the kitchen. I placed down the jar of bark juice on the table carefully.“It was quite a long night. It was so nice!” she said dreamily. Her smile was from ear to ear. It was kind of different, which I immediately noticed.“Right. You came in late,” I pointed out to her gently. She told me to go ahead because she wanted to stay longer at the wedding party, so I let her. I was exhausted, that’s why. Well, not physically but more on mentally speaking.‘It was because of that stranger who gave me a guabula!’“Yes, you were so rude. You left me at Oleifa’s!” She turned round to face me, with accusation in her beautiful green eyes. She wasn’t at all dismayed but rather enjoyed her freedom.I rolled my eyes upward. “You said I can go ahead, so I left!” I sat down in the chair and crossed one foot over the other. I put down Ponpon on the table and rested my elbows on the armchair.
Today, just like any ordinary day, I would help the farmers plant or harvest. So, I walked toward the farm, passing by our neighbors and our supply areas. The supply areas were where the food and drinks were stocked for the whole tribe. Whoever ran out of stocks at home, they could just get them from here. Everything was free to get anything they needed. Some may hoard some food and drinks, but it was not a crime, since we had everything we need and everything was abundant. Anyway, everyone helped out to make some food and drinks for everyone, so it was like we all earned everything we got from the supply areas.I nodded at some neighbors I met and passed by. They were nice beings. I was glad I was born to this tribe since they embraced me like their own, even though I was only half-breed.I looked up at the beautiful sky. The temperature was great. The sun wouldn’t usually burn our skin. It was always good for us and the plants and everything. Nonetheless, rain was rare
The man who answered was unknown to me. He was dressed in an elite warrior suit of black and blue. His long sword was hanging on his side. I didn’t let down my guard though. I was still holding Ponpon, ready to pounce just in case. Even though he was no threat, I could not just let my guard down. What if the King sent him to kill me after he killed my mother? Well, I know that I only suspected the King for my mother’s demise. However, I could not just put it to rest that he did not let her children know she was ill at the time. We could have done something. Or we could have been beside her when she was suffering, made her at least comfortable. I had no idea if he did everything he could for our mother then. That is why I so hate the King to the point that I suspect him for killing my mother.“Oh, Luick! What are you doing there?” I heard Zelian’s deep voice behind me. I whirled around to look at him. He knew this elite warrior?“Luick?” I echoed and
I swallowed hard. I did not want to accept my father’s words. But I knew that I had to, whether I liked it or not. The stranger’s face unexpectedly appeared in my reverie all of a sudden. My brows furrowed. It was because my father could see him in my thoughts, too. Everything from reality to my deepest dreams and desires, my father could see it. Nothing could be hidden from him. And I wasn’t wrong. My father smiled knowingly at me. His blue lips were torn from ear to ear. He was giving me that teasing look now, which made my cheeks go red.“Now, that unique being is quite interesting, my daughter,” he remarked.“Oh, Father! He just annoys me…” I frowned at him. Frustration was written all over my face.“You’re still in self-denial but I understand.” He smiled at me knowingly, still. I hated that smile of his. I couldn’t wipe it off from his face!Yes, I really I hated it when he does that. It was so unfair! My father knew everything that I didn
“You know? I just figured it out. You have that special skill called dagus to hide your aura and your presence. I must say you’re a powerful Aryan, stranger. It’s not like everybody can do it naturally. And I must admit I have trouble doing that myself.” Then, I crossed my arm as I watched him carefully.Tonight, he wore a simple pair of leather pants and sleeveless top, showing his muscular triceps. Overall, he was exhibiting his sexiness in his outfit. Until now, I could not pinpoint where he is from.The stranger sniggered and walked toward me in a predatory manner. However, I was not afraid of him.“So, he’s awesome then?” Ponpon inquired me innocently to the point of stupidity.“Keep silent, Ponpon,” I commanded him, trying hard to not get embarrassed. Ponpon is such a blabbermouth! Maybe it is because he has no brain! He sighed and did what I told him to. I was still looking at this strange being and tried to keep my hear
I was busy analyzing his action. Right. It was my first kiss after all!Why did he kiss me for powerful beings’ sake? Why? And then he ran afterward like that like a coward—or something?That was beyond… disconcerting! I should have come after him and give him a lesson or two. Maybe a punch in the nose would suffice at least! But there I was. I was just… still, processing more what just happened some moments ago.I always thought that when another being’s lips touched with mine it would be disgusting and horrible. But, no. With him, it was quite… wonderful! And my heart was jumping excitedly until now. It was insane. I could even feel the rush of my blood that traveled my entire body. I was not sure how many miles per dot though. I could not measure it.“Wow! That made you motionless, emotionless and… something… more… less,” Ponpon said with a mocking tone. But he sighed afterward. His red eyes were also bewildered by the stranger’s action.I swallowed
I was in my room and I stared at the two guabula flowers that were sitting on top of a marble nightstand beside my bed. Ponpon was beside the flowers, staring at them thoughtfully as well. Yes, as if he had a brain in his metallic head.I lay down with my arms crossed under my head. I crossed my ankles and looked up at the marble ceiling. My bed was soft, which was made up of preserved flower petals and foamy materials that were wrapped with silky cloth. It had a nice smell and comfortable.I closed my eyes and willed myself to sleep. However, that stranger’s words came back to me. I wondered how bad the recruitment could get in the morrow.“You just keep this and bring it with you tomorrow. I’m sure that this will help.”***The sun wasn’t on the horizon yet but I was already up. I put on my fighting suit of black and red color, almost the same shade as my father’s uniform but of different design. It was stretchable and