148 Getting to Know

AUTHOR'S POV

The night grew deeper and colder as Stellan and Helena dive more into each other's warm company. The comfortable heat from the open fire felt like it's growing within Helena. She feels flustered every time she meets Stellan's eyes. Despite having his deviant stares and smiles that are more than hypnotizing giving her a taste of surreal elation all to herself, she fills her mind up with much self-control not to get too much intoxicated in seventh heaven.

While Helena battles with her euphoria, Stellan controls himself not to stare too much at her. He's getting more fond of her glimmering eyes that seemed like brilliant stars as he listen to her uncovered secrets. Taking notice in how Helena slowly get comfortable as they casually converse, Stellan hoped that time would freeze for a moment until he satisfies his fixation.

"So that's why you were so desperate to go into the library.. not to mention the South Wing of the Palace", Stellan figured as he loosen a few buttons of his gambeson. This is the first time that they had a real conversation of getting to know each other as they meet eye to eye. The longer he listens to her, the more he gets more intoxicated with her charm. Undeniably, Helena reminds him of someone he once knew.

"I did what I had to do. Snooping around asking people would be like giving myself away… As planned, I wanted to keep my head down low, and stay away from everyone's attention, but the dark healers keep appearing. I can't stay down when someone's dying", those deadly creatures keep stoking Helena's fire that she had to engage whenever there were attacks.

"Yeah, you keep catching one's eyes", Stellan made a list of people that constantly surrounded Helena. From Atrius to Jacomus, and then Alesso to the young prince whom Helena healed from his misery. With them just simply uttering Helena's name, it gives his ear that certain itch.

"Right. One night, I already prepared myself to leave for Caluso after losing my faith in tracking the stone. Lord Harlan was attacked by a dark healer. Nature called, and I couldn't leave him for dead. But, a sudden turn of events took place and I was held captive by Lord Callaghan after saving Lord Harlan. I was confined in Brandenburg's spell bound prison… When I exhausted all of my options to flee, I'd say I'm overjoyed when Atrius found me", she continued.

Stellan felt fluttery when he heard Helena's plan of fleeing without him knowing, not even a hunch. "So you were leaving? Does.. Atrius knew you're a soul traveler?", Stellan had a glint in his eyes that changed the mood. He became more serious as shown by the lines on his forehead. He have always hated seeing Atrius conveniently close to Helena, that he wanted to tear him apart limb by limb. But what bothered him the most, is the fact that Helena would leave with no trace, no goodbyes and possibly, never to return again.

"Well uhh.. Atrius just happened to find it out on his own. He's smart that way. He noticed my absence in our bedchambers every night, and my frequent visits in the library...", actually, if not for Atrius Helena wouldn't get this far. And for that, she's forever in debt for his kindness.

"Seems to me, he studied your every move. You two looked like you are very close", Stellan said it like he tasted something bitter in his mouth, along with the tightening shackles of envy in his chest.

"He's a good one. Actually, I feel gifted with friends not just in Atrius, but also Jac and Ottis. I easily fit in Brandenburg. Too bad they are being tangled in this mess with their names dirtied with false accusations. They're good people, Stellan. They are innocent", Helena tried her best to convince Stellan to believe that her friends have nothing to do with the blames thrown at them. She hoped that he would aid to spare Jac, Atrius and Ottis from their undeserved arrest and punishments. 

"You're proving their innocence to me so they can be spared, huh? Nice try", Stellan felt glorious hearing Atrius is just a friend to Helena.

"You got me there", Helena chuckled softly. "I'm just trying to be a good friend to those guys, you know", she said.

"Friend? I'll pass the word then", Stellan scooched closer to Helena. "I thought Ottis was in solitary management", Stellan remembered. Helena appreciated how he was able to pay attention to little details.

"He was. But, Ottis was brought about by Jac and was supposed to be my map to Caluso. That day when the fire broke out in Brandenburg? It was pre-planned by Atrius and Jac to get me out. Lord Harlan wanted to help me out but he failed. That was the last time I saw of him", she explained as the cold misty air blew that strands of hair right across her face.

"How did Umbriel joined the band?", Stellan can't help but gently remove the strands of hair on Helena's face. He tucked them behind her ear tenderly as he watch her lips part until she speaks.

"He witnessed the murder of Lord Harlan. Jac saved him at the verge of being silenced.", Helena managed to continue as she try so hard not be affected by Stellan's coquettish gesture. She started to wonder what exactly does he feels about her. "Anymore.. questions?", she asked as she brush her hair back with her fingers.

"A soul traveler, huh. I admire your nerves of steel", he smiled.

"Imagine how scared I was when the lords and you, paladins, made me fight for my life", Helena leaned her head back on the root above ground as she watch the fire. "I had to supress my powers back then, so no one would notice. But still, I had to protect myself, the way I can", she said.

"I'm sorry.. I tried to stop it, but believe me, you did left us astounded that day.", Stellan said as move his arm on the root, just above Helena's head. "You are really good, actually. Not that clean, but commendable. Who taught you to fight?", Stellan asked with his eyes that seemed to be hard to take off of her.

"My father. He taught me how to protect myself, while my mother taught me how not to depend on my powers", Helena explained.

"Your mother is quite famous here", Stellan admired. He have learned in history books that Beatrice is one great soul traveler.

"Even the royals can't get enough of her", Helena still couldn't move on with the King's obsession towards her mother. And if the rumors of her being the daughter of Silvius and Beatrice are true, she would have more reasons to leave for Aelmere.

"The King loved your mother. I'm sure he already knew who you were when he saw your eyes with flecks of green", Stellan called to his mind how the King got lost in Helena's eyes for a moment.

"You might be right", Helena suddenly perceived that she might be being apprehended by the kingdom because the King wants to get a hold of her to find her mother.