Chapter 8: Hide and Seek

[Ocean]

“Oh, the moons above! Ocean quick!” Seraphina frantically approached us halfway down the corridor.

Arzhel led me to the herb room and Seraphina quickly attended to the wound at the corner of my mouth where Quillian had hit me, as well as the few scratches on my arms I got from falling off the cliff. She applied salve to my bruised cheek and brow.

“Where’s Aria?” I was worried about her broken bone. She was hurt because she tried to protect me when I should have been protecting her since I am much older than her. Even though, in all honesty, she is stronger than me and I am just a weak and vulnerable meek little human who can do nothing but cry.

“She’s in her room. I already wrapped her side. She got her rib broken but I was able to mend it.” She said grimly, but I don’t see any resentment in her eyes. I just let her work on me and remained silent.

How can Seraphina be such a gentle soul while his son is the polar opposite? They are both grieving the loss of someone they care about, but that hasn’t changed Seraphina from being kind to everyone. Yet, Quillian generalizes his resentments to every human that comes his way, innocent or not.

I honestly don’t know what to say to her. I felt bad for her because of what happened to Aria, but I didn’t want to relive the incident either.

“It’s done. You should go back to your room now before my son sees you. I’ll just send Arzhel to get you some food.”

I nodded, too exhausted to protest.

When I walked out of the room, Arzhel was standing outside the door, waiting for me. He had already put on his clothes. I gave him a weary smile.

“I’ll walk you to your room. I’m not going to take chances of you getting caught up with Quillian again.” He ushered me to my room without saying anything else.

I’m glad that Arzhel didn’t leave me behind. That even in this strange place, there are people I can lean on.

When we arrived at my room, he held the door open for me. I didn’t walk in right away. Instead, I turned to face him and looked him in the eyes. The dim light from the wall torch cast soft silhouettes across his face. His blue eyes are almost transparent by the indistinct light.

“Arzhel, I can’t thank you enough. I owe you my life.” I said, bowing my head, losing the silent battle of stares. He had saved me a couple of times and yet I keep on finding myself tangled up in a mess. He didn’t say anything and I thought he’s going to walk away. My body quickly stiffened to what he did next, taking me by surprise. My chest drums rampantly in response to his action. He kissed the top of my head gently before his hand wound into my back pulling me into a warm embrace.

“You scared me back there. I thought I’m going to lose you.” His breath was hot on my ear. My heart skidded as I melted into his arms.

I slowly raise my hand, wrapping my arms around his body and hugging him back. My face cradles his chest, listening to his heart’s candent beating.

What is this feeling? This feeling of contentment that started to settle down deep within me. Slowly, mending me whole.

“Sleep now.” He released me, his warm hand found my cheek, caressing it lightly before I let go and stepped back inside my room.

Why is my heart beating so fast? Why did my stomach flip when Arzhel kissed the top of my head? And those strange butterfly wings fluttering around inside of me.

Heat crept up to my face, as the image of him naked flashed across my mind.

Blasted! What am I thinking!?

*****

Aria was back to her usual self after a few days, and I had to admit she’s mentally stronger than I am. Seraphina’s amazing healing techniques helped my face heal nicely, but the purplish blot on my forehead remained.

I’m now doing laundry in the back of the house, washing the used linens. I was free to roam the house after Seraphina informed me that Quillian had gone somewhere, and I insisted on helping with the chores. I don’t want to be a burden to them, so I help when I can.

I decided to clean myself after hanging the last sheet I was washing on the drying line.

Arzhel took me to a stream not far from the house the other day and told me that I could take a bath there whenever I wanted. Given that Quillian wasn’t there of course.

I collected my belongings and made my way over there. The water is so clear that you can see the rocks at the bottom. I stripped to my undergarments and dipped my feet into the cold water, allowing my body to adjust to the temperature before submerging down to my neck.

While soaking, I noticed something on my hands. I clear my eyes from the water that clings on my lashes and stare at it for a moment, making sure that my sight wasn’t playing any tricks. My fingers are linked by a thin layer of translucent leathery membrane, similar to the wild ducks webbed feet I’ve seen around here.

Now, that’s odd.

I inspected the layer with my brow furrowed. It was so thin that it could have gone unnoticed. The slimy texture was similar to the thin layer found on fish fins.

What could’ve caused it? It fell right off when I lifted my hand out of the water. It was like a layer of dead skin. Maybe it was the powder I used that Seraphina had provided me while doing the laundry. Yeah, that might be it. I scrub the remains of it and the rest of my body before slipping out of the water.

I wrapped my towel around myself and padded back to the house. I use the back door since it is a short flight to my room. All was good until I saw him.

My heart went skyrocketing when he’s coming towards where I am. Fortunately he wasn’t looking my way.

Without thinking, I dive under the table and squeeze between the chairs. I clamp down my teeth to my fist to prevent myself from squeaking.

Blasted! I thought he’d gone somewhere? Why had he returned so quickly?

I saw his feet pass by and went to the counter, where I heard him take something from the cupboard followed by the sound of pouring water into a glass. I can even hear his loud gulp as I squeeze my eyes shut, praying to all nameless deities that might possibly live on this island.

‘Please don’t let him catch me.’

Then my eyes snapped open when the glass butt collided harshly on the marble countertop. His feet padded back, and I thought he was going to leave, but he came to a halt right in front of the table. My heart was pounding in my ears, I became still and stopped breathing.

‘Please! Please! Please!’ My head chanted, my back starting to strained from crouching and my knees trembling.

I’m sure he knew I was down here since they have heightened senses and it’s impossible that he didn’t smell my scent. Arzhel could even smell me miles away.

I summon all the strength I have not to flinch when he kicks the chair. It wasn’t a strong kick. Rather, it was a warning.

It was like we were playing an old and popular children’s game I saw around the village. In which one player closes his eyes for a brief period while the other players hide. The seeker then opens his eyes and goes in search of the hiders.

Quillian is the one who seeks, and I am the one who hides. But there’s a catch. My life is on the line. If he finds me, I’m dead.

I couldn’t breathe as I saw his feet stride towards the exit. I waited for a few moments in case he decided to return.

I crept out of the table, agonizingly slow, skeptical if he was truly gone. When I heard another set of footfalls, my heart thudded against my chest, and I was about to dive under when Seraphina showed up, washing all the fears away.

“Ocean? What are you doing?” Waves of relief replace inside of me.

“I was hiding. Quillian was here.” Her eyes widened as she quickly inspected my body for any injuries.

“He hit you, didn’t he?” My head shook, and her body instantly relaxed.

“Go to your room now, before he returns.” I didn’t need to be told twice. I dashed back to my room, clutching the towel that was tightly wrapped around my body.

I closed the door and leaned against it, my breathing came out labored from the race I just made. My knees buckled, and I slid down to the floor, trying to calm myself down.

That was a close call.

If Quillian doesn’t kill me first, surely, I will die from a heart attack.