Chapter 7
RUBIN "Rubin, I know. I'm sorry, if I say that but we love you so much and we don't want you to end up with the same fate as your father. And if I might add," Uncle Cedric sigh, his hands still on my face. "Well, we do not know... we have not confirm it but," Uncle George’s voice trembled as he continued "we–I mean, I–think that your mother is still alive."That made me stare at my uncle, examining his eyes of any trace of tricks or maliciousness but I saw nothing. With a watery smile, I captured the both of them in my arms and cried. After a few moments, Aunt Lilia told my Uncle to go off since she is going to prepare me for the ceremony.I had my bath, consisting of precious oils and scents from the tree blossoms, allurements essential for my mission. After I had finished my bath, I help myself on some plain white cotton dress, the sleeves shrug down on my shoulder like wings as she hang the nets on my back.Oh wings! I'm going to have my wings today.I wiggled my shoulders, exercising them and blush as Aunt Lilia watch me across the room. She offered to braid my hair and place the crown of golden laurels on my red hair–I smiled at my reflection as she finished. I feel beautiful, for once. She captured me on her arms and I can't help but shed a tear. She pulls away, “Oh don’t yeh cry, my dear, everything will be alrigh’.” I nod my head, following her as she led me out of my room.What if I fail them? What if I end up like my father? What if I become obsessed of living with the humans that I refuse to go back? And what about my mother?These thoughts occupied half of my attention as my Aunt lead me to the back of the grand hall, “ Wait for me here, I would have ter take some golden petals before yeh enter. I forgot ter prepare that…” I nodded, watching Aunt Lilia as she ran back to my room.“Well, well, if it isn’t the odd chick in the brood.” I turn around, recognizing the taunting voice of my dear Uncle Cedric–the one who made sure that I suffer terribly in the hands of his daughter. “How does it feel to be selected?” He sneered and I glare back at him. “I feel better than Isabelle, of course.”“Your cheek!” He spat, his bright blue eyes like icicles on his sockets, “You’re just like him you know: arrogant know-it-all who thought that the world revolves around him, well, you might not be aware but that is not the case,” He snapped, his voice cutting through the air. I straightened up as stiff as I could so as to not show him how nervous I felt, “I will make sure that you will fail like your father had, after all, your eyes isn’t the only thing you inherited from him considering that you are ruled by your emotions and not your mind.” Uncle Cedric smirked, heading at the end of the hall to enter the door.I can feel the heat rushing up my cheeks and was glad that Aunt Lilia have arrived a minute later holding a basket of golden petals. “What’s with the long face, aye? Wha’ happened to yeh? Cheer up!” Aunt Lilia held my arm and guided me down the hall, pushing open the door with a bright smile on her face.Grandma Aphrodite is seated on the front with my Uncle Cedric on her left and Uncle George on her right. Uncle Cedric was looking at me intently, his cold blue eyes filled with hatred as usual, lips thin. I stared back at him, holding his gaze. Uncle Cedric averted his eyes, focusing them at his daughter who is also glaring at me from her seat. I look around trying to find Aunt Lilia only to notice that she was crying, her fluffy blue towel covering half of her face, the now empty basket on her hand–I haven’t notice her showering me with it.The arrow from yesterday stayed afloat in the middle of the room, jusg in front of my grandma, gleaming as it now appears solid gold. It started buzzing once I took a step inside which made all the Erosians look at me. Grandma Aphrodite reckon me and I hastily walk, nervously fiddling with my skirt as I bowed my head. The looks coming from everyone inside the room felt so hot against my skin that I feel flushed.Grandma began the ceremony by speaking in the Old Tongue, thanking the gods and goddesses and honoring them with a magpie killed beneath the laurel tree and burnt on the fire made from cedar twigs.After a moment it was finally time for me to recite my vows. I bit my lip and stood in front of the other Erosians, " I, Francesca Rubin Hearthrowe, receive thy power, passed by Marcus Valentin Hearthrowe, my deceased father– to fall down to earth, to give love and not receive any at all, and to not fall in love to any man or feel love for any human to my extent."I crossed my index finger over my middle as I took the pledge, silently praying that no one will ever witness this play. I cannot afford to be caught now. My decision is final and I have to prove that I choose the right path.I watch as my grandmother wave her hands; two wings sprout on my back, pure white and golden on the tips. Two bangles enclosed my ankles, signifying the sacred vow I have taken, following after the golden bow and arrow which settled themselves on my hands, fitting them perfectly."You've got one hundred forty three days to complete your task" I wanted to roll my eyes at the cliché occurrence but I shouldn’t, the council is looking at me like I am going to be convicted of murder–I have no choice but to maintain a straight face."For at least fifty arrows results to a hundred hearts–couple these, there and that–everywhere you'll walk around in this city of love, of course, with grace and utmost care. The cities on which our great power prevail, shoot their hearts with nothing to spare. Don't fall to fail me my child, to you I send my greatest love. Now, Go..." Grandma Aphrodite raised her right hand and pointed up, clouds opening as some kind of stairs began to solidify, ascending towards a door.I didn't know that earth was up and not down.I climbed each step, my feet cold against the smooth floor. I can feel the temperature goes hotter as I climb higher. As I stood at the top of the stairs, take a gulp and grab the knob.Well, here goes everything...Chapter 8RUBINLet me get this straight, the entrance to earth is through a door. I can’t believe it was just behind a door! I carefully put my foot down on the platform and was shocked when the crowd of people come bustling out of the door with me. They carried me out, muttering about clothes and businesses and how I’m so slow. Once I am down on my feet, I look back and see the door quickly closing. The arrow on the sides began moving upwards and I was momentarily struck with curiousity as I look at it.What a fascinating door it was! I wonder how humans master this locomotive magic that they have– I might be able to learn it as I settle here on earth. Shaking my wings on my back, I smiled and turn around, observing the humans as they talk so differently. They almost sound like bees, buzzing.It wasn't really annoying , in general, I find them very entertaining!“I can’t believe this,” I bounded towards them, delighted of what I am seeing. I lingered next to the hustle and bustl
Chapter 9RUBINI drift through the crowd, smiling at them. Though, as time pass by, I grew tired of smiling and my lips turned into pouts. Why are these people ignoring me? Am I invisible now? But how? I haven’t tried to put some enchantments on me, yet. I started crossing the street and stared at my reflection in the mirror. Well, I am pretty much visible still, so why are they ignoring me?Maybe they just do not care.This is what Gaeans do all the time: they live to work in order to survive. Not like us, Erosians, who are free to roam and do whatever we like. I pity them sometimes. Still feeling down, I decided that I should probably start taking my job, seriously. It is better if I get to finish my job earlier so I can have more time to search for my mom. I wonder if she is still alive. Would I recognize her even without remembering her face? I have to find her even though I am not certain of her whereabouts. I know it will be hard since I have no idea how and where to start bu
Chapter 10RUBINI held on the lamp post as I struggled to stand. I regret looking behind me to see one of my wing fluttering hopelessly while the other hang on my back like an over size cape, limp and wet with pink liquid– Erosian blood. I look around to see the streets empty, the crowd gone because of the sudden rain.To my great luck, the rain poured harder upon me, soaking me through. I sigh and pulled my wings closer, hoping to provide warmth to my drenched body. I thought rain is pretty sight here on earth like how they tell it in the books, but now I know that it isn’t. Specially when you were kicked out or should I say, pushed down? I shivered as thunder rumbled in the distance, already regretting my decision of chasing after the guy. Oh, please don’t make it rain harder!I was so used to being safe and sound back in Eros watching over earth as it rained. I had longed to experience the feeling of raindrops on my skin but now, I do not know if I should be crying because I cou
Chapter 11RUBINI stared at her for a moment before looking back at the man near the doors. He is not going to chase me away if I ever did try to get in, right? He won’t even notice me for I will be discreet and I am best in doing that. I look outside the window–rain is still pouring and in here is much better; I feel safe and warm even if the staffs are not so welcoming.I decided to follow my instincts and move away from the desk. I sneakily to the stairs, occasionally glancing on my back before running up the steps. This felt like creeping outside the castle during curfew hours. I am very good at this, I am sure I can do better. I ran up the stairs–ever winding and stretched beyond, I am afraid that my legs will fall off. I reach the third floor when the corridor split into two–I started going for the left wing. 350.343.325"HOLY CUPID!" I slap my forehead, irritated of my own silliness. It seems that I am going on the wrong direction, bloody arrows. I quickly turn and ran t
Chapter 12RUBIN"What the fuck?" I stare back at him as he loom over me–he is so tall that I have to crane my neck to be able to stare at him. My wings appeared instantly, nervously fluttering on my back, my hands steadily growing sweaty as I swallowed. I was quite shock that I was still breathing for I am afraid of what he will do. A few seconds passed and I squared up my shoulders, taking the book from the floor while trying to gather up more courage as I began to speak, “He-hello there. It's me, Rubin, Rubin Hearthrowe. What about you? What is your name?" I cringed at how shaky my voice appeared and instead, tighten my hold at the book. He glared at my hand which is currently holding the book. I let go of it and cringed as the book thudded, its sound echoing followed by a lingering silence. I sighed having this urge to kick myself for letting go of the book once again. I should’ve put it inside of my satchel. “Look, I'm sorry. I just wanted to talk–""Wanted to talk? Wanted to ta
Chapter 13RUBINHis eyes hardened at my question and I bit my lip. He sauntered low to my level only to stumble on one of the long ribbons from my dress, making his lips crash unto mine. My eyes widen. I didn’t have time to think about the incident when he pulls away in an instant. His face is flushed as mine did, his jaw tightly clenched as he bit back the words, pointing his finger at me, “ No one can know.” He glared at me, his hands shaking as he wipes his cheeks as though he is trying to get rid of the blush that is steadily forming on them. He bowed his head and started searching my robes, taking the books out of my satchel, a glare still directed my way. He sighs, shoulders hunched, “The police men will come and collect you. They might be harsh but you will survive. Just say, ‘Je suis désolé’, okay?” I glared at him, “Repeat after me, ‘Je suis désolé’“ I huff before saying, “I can speak French.” He gave me a shrug “Oh, good.” He gave me a pat on my head before saying, “By t
Chapter 14RUBIN“Fascinating, isn’t it?” his voice startled me. With my heart beating fast, I open my eyes to see him looming over me, his smirk annoyingly beautiful on that perfect face of his. “Pity, you did not watch how that darken alley transition to this,” He pulled at my sleeve impatiently to rose me from the floor and I was surprise to see that we are actually back at his flat. “Come on. You just told me that you are hungry, aren’t you?”“This–the wind–we, I...how?” I glance around, still not believing my eyes. He headed towards the side of his living room, swiping his hand on the wall and I was shocked when it swings, showing the kitchen. He removes his coat, walks toward the sink before washing his hands, wiping it on the towel beside him. He stared back at me and began rummaging inside a very big cupboard. I followed him inside the kitchen and peered behind only to be amused. “How did the cupboard get this cold?” I wondered out loud and he laughed, with real tears falling
Chapter 15CAELUMMy fist tightened on the phone as I reread the message. He couldn’t possibly be talking nonsense again. I’ve had enough of this. I glared down and read his following message.‘ I am serious–you can smell it all over your house. Hades is coming for you! What have you done to make him aware?’My jaw tightened as I turn off my phone. “What’s the matter?”“Huh?” I turn my gaze on her and was surprise to see her finishing her third serving of chocolate cake.“Why are you staring at the black pad like you will chuck it off at the middle of the ocean?” “Black pad?” her odd words startled me that I gave her a slight smile, shaking the black pad on my hand with disbelief apparent on my face. Surely, she doesn’t mean the phone? I shake my head of the slight amusement she have provided for me. I can’t believe how ignorant she was of the mortal world. “You mean this?” She nodded, focusing her eyes on the black pad. “It’s not called black pad, silly, this is a phone , you see