186 Is it Obvious?

AUTHOR'S POV

EARLIER

The thick clouds rolled in the fiery sky, as the sun set early tonight. The long day of a backbreaking journey was entirely uneventful, as they head to the coldest part of the Kingdom. With Stellan's arms around Helena, she felt at ease throughout the period of their horseriding. She would feel her face blush everytime Stellan would snake his arm around her waist, tightening on certain horse jumps and trots. His touch gives a certain warmth that makes her heart flutter, faster than the gallops. At times, she would even doze off on his chest comfortably, without Stellan minding at all. They have been too close for a while that she already smell of manly musk and lavender that defines the paladin knight, something she fancy dearly.

The cold is extremely biting as they reach the far side of Nether. Stellan kept Helena warm under his fur coat, as he occasionally rub her skin and her cheeks. He slows down when he feels like she have flaked out, and swifts the ride when she's wide awake. She filled his thoughts at all times even when they're already together. He checks for her eyes from time to time, making sure she haven't soul traveled away - a certain fear he learned of, a kind of dread worse than facing monsters or even dragons.

Stellan led his group at a blazing pace, deep into the tall broadleaf trees on icy ground until the horses start to become weary. Before the darkness entirely conquer the sky, he decided to camp out and rest a little. "Let's rest for a while", he said as they reach a small icy river. It's nightfall anyway, and about time to find shelter and grab some dinner. He jumped down from the horse first with his feet landing on cold frosty ground. He lifted his hands to Helena, catching her fall as she jump off Areon. When he saw her face, he held her cold cheek and said, "The old Haelan is almost unrecognizable".

Helena widened her eyes. Hurriedly, she ran towards the river to see her reflection. Touching her eyes, down to her nose… then to her cheeks. She could hardly breathe as she stare on what she's seeing. Moments later, she saw Stellan's reflection in the water. "Not quite", she softly said.

Seeing Helena worried, Stellan considered that she might be conscious with how she look, when in fact he already saw the real her. He crouched down and locked Helena in his arms from behind. "It doesn't matter how you look.", he comforted.

Helena flinched back. She refuse to own Agalea's body, that she want exchange souls as soon as possible. Seeing her real face in her reflection just shows that her soul is owning Agalea's body even more. "It does matter to me", she simply said.

Stellan wanted to argue more. Beauty is more than skin deep. However, seeing how saddened Helena with her own reflection made him think that it might really be such a big deal for her. "As long as it's you, I'll never mind", he planted a kiss on the back of her head and left. Helena sighed sadly as she watch the water ripple in her reflection.

"Atrius, Jac! We'll camp here. Take care of the horses.", Stellan commanded. "Ottis come with me, let's hunt. Umbriel, uhh.. pray for a warm night", he winked and head to the woods. With a lamp from one of the horses' saddles and a bow with arrows, Ottis followed the paladin.

Quickly, Atrius tied the horses by the trees. He fetched some water to quench the parched tongues of the tired and thirsty stallions. Jac, on the other hand, started to make fire, while Umbriel and Helena gathered some more firewood. They were all too synchronized, working well with each other as a team.

As soon as everyone was settled, they all seated on large logs and gathered around the warmth of the glowing flames, waiting for Ottis and Stellan. The sky has turned dark blue, as the temperature drop fast. The crisp wintry winds blew, making Umbriel's teeth jitter and Atrius' skin cold as he quiver.

"Helena", Atrius sat beside Helena, as he place another layer of coat over her shoulders, thinking that the deep red coat on her doesn't warm her well. "Why did you choose to go with that rebel? You know that's way too dangerous", he said. Jac and Umbriel stared at her, waiting to hear her answer. Helena knew she would hear a word from these men, sooner or later.

"I simply thought it was the right thing to do", Helena exhaled sharply. "You are all in danger because of me. Jac almost died. If not for me, you wouldn't be out here in the cold running for your lives", she said.

"Hey squirrel, don't blame yourself for the choice that we made on our own", Jac coolly said that surprised Umbriel and Atrius. "What? Big words?", Jac's cheeks blushed like apples from the cold.

"I don't think I will ever regret being here today", Atrius extended his palms towards the fire, then afterwards, he placed his hands over Helena's. "We're family, remember?", he said.

Helena tapped Atrius' hands on hers. 'So this is how having brothers feel like', she thought.

"Princess Helena", Umbriel uttered. "I am forever in debt to your bravery for saving my life so many times. I shall prove my loyalty as your trustful servant at all times especially when you need my good turn", he said with his nose turning red.

"Thanks Umbriel. Sorry if I left without telling you all. It was with good intentions, really", Helena apologized as she clutch on her knees. In all honesty, what she did was not something she feel contrite about. She would do the same again, when it comes to saving her friends.

"And please don't do it again", Atrius smiled. "It's a good thing Sir Stellan found you. It seemed you two became quite close", he bumped Helena gently with his shoulders.

"And inseparable", Jacomus pointed out as he start to tease Helena. Umbriel covered his mouth as he giggle.

Flustered, Helena didn't want to talk about it. In fact, she doesn't even know yet what is going on between him and Stellan. "He's.. uhh.. he's just being protective of me. You know..", she simply said.

"Hey… do you like him?", Atrius softly whispered as he rest his chin over his shoulder.

Helena stared back at Atrius as sheower her head. "Am I that obvious?", they shared a laugh that made Jacomus and Umbriel curious on what they were whispering about.

Helena suddenly had a thought that opened an opportunity to be asked. "Hmm.. So uh.. have you all given a thought… what will you do next when we get to Caluso?", she finally dropped the bomb of an ultimate question not everyone is ready to answer. "You know I'm headed there so I can soul travel back home, right?", she looked at their dumbfounded faces which seemed have no actual plans at all.

No one thought of an answer. Jac, Umbriel and Atrius exchanged glances, waiting for anyone to catch a phrase. "I'll let you know once I do", Atrius nodded.

"Is there any way you'd change your mind?", Jac asked.

Helena suddenly felt something prick her chest, sharper than the frost biting through her skin. "It would be unfair for Agalea to be a victim of my greed. I can't stay… even if I want to", she bit her lip as she lower her gaze.