Chapter 29: Initiated Destiny

Have you ever felt a thump in your heart? As if a wild forest rampaging at night or like the grumble of a volcano that's been waiting to erupt. A thump that resonates in your soul spreads across your veins giving you a sensation that you have never felt before. A growl in your mind that clears all of your thoughts ringing a bell of nothingness as if the root of that thump emptied your head.

He held her hands and with his eyes filled nothing but full of her. She can feel that was nervous. His cold hands and trembling say it all. They stared at each other as if connecting through their souls. Even disregarded the sunset.

Right at this moment, that's what Maurelle felt. The man was the first to confess to her even though she thought that she was the one who fell first. Well, is she?

She was yet to reply and the man did not wait for her. "My apologies, you don't have to answer nor do you need to reciprocate my feelings for you. I-I just needed to tell it to you." He massaged his face and looked somewhere else.

Maurelle wanted to respond but her mouth won't utter anything. She was left unspoken. Logan was already feeling awkward as Maurelle won't budge.

"Oh well, we gotta head back before nighttime comes," Logan said, he was about to stand up when Maurelle gripped his wrist.

"No, wait! I'm sorry, I just— I was just—" she stuttered and couldn't look straight at the man.

Logan saw how breathless she was so he faced her and held her face with both of his palms to level his eyes. She was very flustered, it was hard for her to open her mouth and say what she wants to. She can feel the patience of the man in front of her.

"Go on, there's no need to rush. Breathe in and out, if you find the right time to say it then say it. I'm not forcing you so." He exclaimed in a soft voice and plastered a smile.

Maurelle followed what he said. She closed her eyes, took a huge amount of air and exhaled it all out.

"The truth is I was just so happy to hear that from you, Logan. I-I uh— I think I was the one who first fell for you. And if you have never grabbed the courage to say what you feel for me, I think I would have never told you what I truly feel." She uttered looking at him in the eyes.

Logan had a calm complexion but after he heard Maurelle's thoughts, it feels as if he was about to lose his sane. His heartbeat was beating fast.

"What do you mean, you fell for me first? Maurelle, you might now know this but I fell for you the first day we've spent together. I..." He responded and stopped as he tried to remember what was the reason he fell for the woman. "I got lost in your eyes, it was beautiful. It fits you and your individuality. Your kindness and warm-hearted. I feel like a fool when I'm with you. I'm sorry that I blurted it all out now and gave you mixed signals. I wanted to give you time as well."

Listening to the man, Maurelle felt fortuitous from her fate. She was saved and loved. What more could she wish for?

She also did blush at his words. However, the man was serious and also was brave to her. Now it's her turn.

"Do we still need that time, Logan?" She asked him and smiled.

Logan slowly but steadily widened his eyes. "Does this mean?"

She chortled and continuously nodded. Indeed, things take time to understand the flow of your life. But to her, his honesty needed no more time. It was enough and she knows that if it's not Logan, who else would it be?

"Yes, Logan. I love you too." She finally responded.

Logan immediately stood up and raised both of his hands and made a fist with his palms. He breathed in and screamed, "Yes! Yes! Yes!" He had such a huge grin on his face.

Maurelle stifled a laugh and held his cloth, trying to calm him down. "Don't tire yourself we have a long way to go home."

But Logan didn't listen. He was too distracted by the overflowing happiness emitting his cells. He never knew that a beautiful being and a kind one would ever return his feelings. When he finally calmed down. They both decided to head home. He, however, was excited and enthusiastic to deliver the news to his people.

"She loves me too!" That was the first thing he uttered as he slammed the door opened and the crew was there feasting for the food. They all looked at the newcomer, Logan who just shouted. Some even halted from biting the meat.

"She? Who's she, chief?" A man from the crew asked.

"Maurelle finally returned my feelings! It's us!" He shouted once more.

The crew all widened their eyes in surprise. For the first time in their life, their chief fell for someone that now they completely trust. Silence engulfed them as they slowly stared at each other. And after a few seconds. The rampage has begun. They all shouted like animals as they congratulate their chief. The food was left not eaten for quite some time.

Maurelle was late to go into that room. She was first to head inside her room when they arrived, that explains why. When she felt that she was hungry, she stood up from her bed. But heard a shout from another room. Her brows furrowed as she heard that loud noise.

"What's the fuss about?" She asked herself, fixing her cloth and her hair.

She opened and closed the door as she got out. She traces herself towards the noise.

'This feels nostalgic.' she thought to herself.

"Is there something going on?—" She asked with a confused look on her face; brows met.

As soon as she laid her hands on the door and opened it. What came dashing for her, caught her off guard. She was brought to a still. It was the woman placing her roundabout bouquet flowers onto her neck and head, it was with several colours, the petals smelled pleasant to her. In a bit, was bowls of feeds came on her hands. She looked at it while still asking what was truly happening.

She roamed her eyes around to search for the man he was trying to look at. And of course, Logan was busy talking to his crew about some sorts.

"May I ask? What is happening?" She accidentally asked it out loud and everyone had to stop except Logan who was a bit busy with his own business. The rest listened to her. She breathe in and plastered a calm demeanour. "Again, what's the commotion here?"

The woman gave her such a welcoming smile. With their eyes glorified with happiness. She raised her brows.

"We heard that there will be a wedding held for you and chief, milady. This is our congratulatory event." The woman answered it was the one who placed flowers on her head.

"Wedding?—"

"You responded so happily to his feelings, milady. What a wonderful couple you would be!" The other one resumed the one who handed her the bowl.

"Couple?—"

"This is such a commemorative day, milady! This is the start of our legacy to approach. Have you decided what to wear? Well, we have prepared your dress, headwear, and even your shoes, milady! There are lots to choose from."

And then a lot of blabbers came right after her. She stopped them with one statement. "I am not aware of this so-called wedding of yours!"

Women gasped through her line. Then they started to whisper through each other's ears.

'Alright, enough of this. I need to have a word with that man.' she rushed for the man and headed for his head. He gripped his chin lightly and faced it towards her.

"You, young man. What have you been declaring to these people behind my back? Wedding? Couple? What sort of things did you let out?" Maurelle glared at him.

Logan laughed nervously and slowly removed her hands on his chin. "You see my love,"

"My love?" She panicked as she widened her eyes to him as if a warning to not continue his selfish declarations.

"M-Maurelle, uh— I have told them about your answer. And they have all decided about this event." He replied while pointing to their surrounding.

"I am not pertaining to this event. The wedding, Logan! What about this wedding and a couple?" She asked once more, now with more terror and vigour.

"Calm down, this is the time where I can truly see what I should fear from you, darling. However, are we not couples or did I receive your reply in the wrong part? I presumed that we would-be couples and have a proper event for ourselves. But of course, you still have the resort to this. Tell me, do you not approve?" Logan asked her.

How could she not approve? When this selfish man was looking at her with such pitiful eyes. Pleading for her to say that she approves of it. Her answer was out of the question.

"Logan, how could I not?" She sighed heavily as she indicated a facepalm when they all started to go unbridled with their screams of joy.

That night came to her as rather unpredictable. Never in her entire existence has she felt happiness and contentment altogether. To think it was yet but another man to fulfil it, what else could this man unlock from her absurd aspires? From then on, every day, she wakes up with the man by her side. Spending time together while leading their people to bring good things for their future.

Even on the day, their wedding was held. Tears came rushing down to her cheeks as she made vows with the man she had only dreamed about.

'Have you ever felt a thump in your heart? Surfacing your insides, gripping it to your core, and letting you feel a pleasant sensation. This feeling. It's all that you could have wished for.'

—

"Where is Logan?" A sweet voice from Maurelle, heard by the women of the village. They were hanging clothes and some were carrying water.

"Oh, he's at the entrance, milady!"

"Thank you, Sofia!"

"Pleasure!"

She head to the entrance as said by that woman and he found Logan holding a bow and an arrow, with a few lads with him. He was aiming towards a tree and closing one of his eyes. One eye was opened and it was the dominant one. She smiled as she walk towards the man. It seems that he has finally dealt with this. He made terms and trained the lads himself.

"Now, look closely, this is how you aim." She heard Logan advising the lads.

The man let the arrow go and it hit the set target. The lads clapped and were astonished by it. They all argued when Logan asked as to who's gonna be next on the line.

"Now, now, you all need a breather. Drink your water, little fellow." She interrupted them.

Logan glanced at her and his tired self quickly was optimised. He runs towards her as she too. She wiped the man's sweat that was racing to his chin with a white cloth. He gave her a peck on its cheek as she did her thing.

"You are sweaty, don't transfer to me your filth." She joked. The man laughed at her.

"What a beautiful woman cleaning my sweat." He teased back with a foolish grin on his face.

Maurelle ignored him and continued to do what she was doing.

After a quick break, they all started with their session. Noon came by and Logan barge into her room. Slumped himself on the bed and hugged Maurelle from behind. She was currently knitting something for herself.

"How was it with the youngsters?" She asked the man as she bit the thread with her teeth.

Logan sighed. "I'm disappointed, they are all quick to learn." He responded and it made Maurelle halt.

"Why would you be disappointed? Shouldn't you be proud with this, Logan you are turning into an odd man." She exclaimed and wiggled her head.

Logan scoffed. "But, you still do love this odd man, don't you?"

"Don't make me say it, Logan."

"Well, they all were quick to learn. I wished It had been quite a struggle so that I could be upheld as a good trainer."

"That makes you a good one already. Don't be ridiculous."

They were engulfed by silence, however, something came up inside Maurelle's subconscious. It was randomly generated that made her confused with it herself. She called out to Logan.

"Hm?" The man asked.

"Are you sleepy?" Maurelle raised a question.

"No, go on what is it?" He answered.

She cleared her throat. "Nothing in particular, if you don't mind me asking, what happened to your parents? You don't have to answer it if you don't want to."

When Logan heard about it. He sat down next to her. Thinking where to start. Apparently, he has never told to her. It was a grey area, it brings a lot of unpleasant memories when he retells it. However, it's different now. Maurelle is special to him if he keeps hiding it inside the slums of his past. When will he learn to let go?

"I trusted an evil witch, darling. A witch that is not from your kin." He responded after a long moment.

She was knitting still. It made her jolt a little but she remains to contain herself and don't get her emotions above.

"Way back when I was still naive. I thought I fell for her and so I seek to ask for her help. My crew was already warning me to not do it and yet I disobeyed them. We also attempted to escape back then. But it only led my parents to fade away from my hands. They died because of that witch. Not only did he slaughter my parents but also told me about our plan to the palace." He let out. A trace of sadness marked his face.

Maurelle felt a sting as well but he strengthens her. She embraces the man and buried his face to her neck. "I'm sorry, Logan. I shouldn't have asked."

Logan face her and smiled bitterly. "You don't have the need to apologise. This day was to come and I ought to tell it to you. You should know now that I trust you with all my heart, Maurelle."

"I know you do and so do I."

After they stared at each other. The two dashed their selves and kissed each other's lips. Maurelle shivered as the man touched her lips with his own. At first, it was gentle but for some time, he deepened it and pressed his tongue inside. Maurelle was losing it and her head was all hazy. She was a mess.

When the man, Logan, run his hands through her belly, she twitched and her lips escape his. The man gently pushed her away.

"I'm sorry, darling. I wasn't able to stop myself again. It's best for me to go out for now or I won't be able to stop myself." He stood up but Maurelle gripped his wrist.

She was panting and chasing for her but managed to talk, "No, Logan. Please continue. No one told you to hold back." She looked at him with lust and the man couldn't handle it anymore.

She even stared at his bulge that was about to explode and ripped his undergarment.

She was also pent up with her desire. She's tired of holding back already. She held his head and whispered, "Go on, ravish me."

Logan turned red as he scoffed. "Then you better ready yourself, milady, you asked for this. Face the consequences."

And on that day, when the sun was still as bright as day. The miracle happened and they dwell on it. They made love and no one ever stopped them. Until they were breathless and their stomachs were begging for food as they hunger themselves.

—

Logan was tired as he trained the youngsters endless. They all have learned pretty quickly. He manages to treat them all in fairness upon the area. His crew helped him as the lads have grown their population. The girls, however, played part in helping their mothers. Although, there are still brave girls proving themselves to be as strong as the boys.

Logan chuckled remembering how it went.

"Chief, I wish to join your session." A girl with braided brown hair and wearing pants and a shirt came up to him.

The lads made her as their laughing stock. "Silence, boys." She leaned on to the woman and held her shoulders. "Why so?"

"I am the eldest of my family and we all are daughters of our father. However, I can be as strong as these boys right here, chief. Even I can overpower one lad here." She exclaimed with such confidence.

Logan gazed at his crew and Hermes raised her brow as a sign to approve and test it.

"Alright, is there someone you have in mind that can accompany you to your training? I would want to see a brave one like you in action." Logan said and asked her.

She nodded and roamed her eyes, not even a moment last when she pointed to a lad who was much taller than her. Logan looked at the lad and demanded him to step forward. The lad even scoffed in arrogance.

"This is ridiculous, chief. We all know who would win." The lad uttered while laughing.

"Oh are you certain, Trevor?" The girl smirked as she gave taunting look to the man.

Not for long, the session started. Bow and arrow were first to hold. The lad was prime to attempt and he almost hit the target, an inch away and he's all proud. The girl was next, Logan observed that she had an interesting stance. He was right! The girl hit the target with no sweat wasted.

Then, their swordsmanship was put to test. Swing their blades like it was nothing and it ended with the girl's sword on the lad's neck.

Logan was seeing her potential already. Then the last was a fist test. They ought to fight with their hands.

And guess who won? That's right, the girl who had vigour on her side. Logan gave her affirmation and since then she is now officially trained and was part of the village's hunter and warriors.

Remembering it, Logan was glad that he made a wise decision of letting that girl in. Now he approaches his way home to his wife and is excited to deliver the news. But what he did not see coming was the fact that he will be the one surprised.

Maurelle was vomiting endlessly as she had a pale look on her face. He rushed to her and asked. "What happened, darling? Are you alright?"

"Logan, I'm pregnant."

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ABYSSCESS