The way he calls me makes me feel like I’m not a lady.
And it made me feel utterly insulted, made me feel wholly sick.
My mamita once told me during my eighteenth birthday that I look like a lady. That I am now a lady. Any boy or young man would surely fall in love when they see my face and body.
But the man in front of me is not a boy. I even doubt if he’s a young man. With that body built, I’m pretty sure every woman in their town lusted over him. That just means…
“Don’t make me drag you out of here!” The strange man growled. I saw in the corner of my sight that his eyes were becoming redder and redder, as if he was ready to crush me with just a pair of his eyes. He was growling, snarling. I watch his shoulders move up and down, until I don’t.
Frightened, nervous, and overjoyed emotions flood my system, and my heart feels like it would burst from my chest.
Instead of saving myself, I asked. “A-Are you okay?”
My body retreated as I questioned him. I shouldn't have asked him. And I should’ve gotten away physically from him. With his hands, he covered his eyes and groaned. His arms appeared to be bulging with veins as though he were exerting control over something. And that something could be me.
The only sounds I've heard inside the cabin are his heavy breathing and my own loud heartbeat. “Go while I'm still restrained!"
I tried to reach out to him. “You d-don’t look o-okay…” my hand briefly hovered over his right shoulder.
Despite my worries and protest, he pushed me violently on the wooden floor. "I told you to get the hell out of here before I eat your flesh, you stupid human being!"
My heart felt like it had been stabbed by a piping hot knife a million times. He called me stupid. Right, I must be stupid. I was so stupid to be helping a stranger I barely know. I was so stupid to be saving the ass of a man who, instead of receiving a warm thank you, he called me names and pushed me away from my own cabin. Great. Just fucking great.
Cold tears pooled in the corner of my eyes as I ran away. The news was right. There’s a blizzard. And I’m trying to get home while it’s snowing so hard that my puffy eyes couldn’t see the right track anymore. Where am I right now?
I didn’t look back. He’s probably dying at this very moment but I shouldn’t care anymore. I don’t care anymore. He chose death.
He wanted me out of his sight. So out of his sight I will be.
Biting my lower lip, I kept on running with tears trickling under my eyes, ignoring the icy wind and the wild cold even if my vision started to blur. Luckily, I saw the blinking light of our castle.
My castle, my home.
My grandmother was waiting for me by the arched window, its stained glass erupted into iridescent light as the last ray of sunshine entered through it as the blizzard charge on. She looked so worried even from a distance, pacing back and forth on the patio and rubbing her hands on her arms. She puffed out from an icy breath when she turned around.
My eyes met hers.
“Ma—Mamita…” I whispered, my voice hoarse because of the cold swarming within the castle’s walls. When our eyes met once again, she immediately sprinted towards me. My face remained stone-hard as she grabbed both of my shoulders. “What have you done, Cassidy! Look at you! Are you looking for death?!”
I took a deep breath before answering. “Mamita—I…” my voice croaked. I just want to hug her and cry in the comfort of her arms. For some reason, the way that strange man treated me makes me feel so sad and useless. But my melancholy overweighs the outrage, and I don’t understand why.
I just met him hours ago, yet…“It shouldn't feel this way…” My voice came out louder than I expected.
“Shouldn’t feel what?” She shook my shoulders again. “What, Cassidy?!”
My mamita was so angry and worried and relieved at the same time. “Come on, let’s get you warm!” She hissed and accompanied me on my way inside our castle. She set the fireplace and gave me a warm cup of water. “Here, drink this.”
I removed my gloves first and put it on the living room table before getting the cup of water from her. My hands were literally shaking as our hands met. “Heavens, Cassidy! You’re going to be the reason for my death!” She inhaled once, “This is what I’m talking about. I won’t let you go out on your own starting tomorrow!”
“But Mamit—”
“No more excuses!” Mamita put her hands on her waist. “I won’t hear anything from you from now on. My decision is final.”
Sighing, I put down the cup of warm water on my lap. She gave me a pierce, warning look so I brought it again in my lips, drinking it.
“Your clothes must be wet. Strip, and we’ll change it.” As soon as Mamita went upstairs to get me some pairs of clothes, I blushed because I remembered the conversation that I had with that strange man.
I remain stiff, disobeying her orders. “Cassidy,” she inhaled through her nose. “Are you putting up a fight with me again?”
Honestly, I should be the one more furious than her..
“No, it’s just that…” Giving up, I strip in front of my grandmother and let her in charge of changing my clothes as if I was still a toddler. “Mamita, I’m already eighteen.” I swallowed before resuming, “Is my breast and body not exceptional enough with the women my age?”
“What kind of question is that?” Her forehead wrinkled more. “Your body is wonderful, Cassidy. It’s a gift from God. You should accept and admire it wholeheartedly.” My eyes almost roll because of her litany again.
“What I mean is…is my body enough to show to everyone that I am eighteen?”
“And why the hell are you showing your body to everyone?!”
“Please, Mamita,” I insisted. “Do not involve God with this again. Just answer my question and tell me the truth: are my breasts too—” My throat bobbed, “—too small?”
She gently cupped my right cheek. “Did someone make a comment on your body? Is that why you’re feeling insecure now?”
Everything in me aches as if that man has plunged a thousand hot knives on my chest using his bare hands. If he can do that with just his words, how much more with his actual hands?
I have helped him, treated his wounds and even fed him despite the fact my cooking skills are questionable.
And yet…‘He banished me instead,’ I thought, my fingers curled and uncurled. I don’t know why I help him and why I expect thanks from him where in fact it was from my own choice that I helped him.
If only I didn’t…if only I left him to be devoured by the cold and frost and storm—
I wouldn’t feel hurtful like this. I wouldn’t be crying. I wouldn’t be wasting my tears for such a decision that I myself has chosen.
But everything has already passed, everything already happened.
And I just have to accept the outcome and continue what I have chosen in the first place—to help that fucking wolf.
‘But he’s a cute dog…’ my mind countered, my cheeks staining with red. My grandmother’s brows furrowed upon seeing my silent tears but I ignored her, as if she’s not there.
Instead, I crossed my arms. Sucking a deep breath, I will myself to stand and close the windows. I cannot afford for the snowstorm to make its way in the castle at night.
My eyes widened in shock when I didn’t answer her. Her lips remained pursed and her jaw tightened, signaling that I’m subtly in trouble.
Panic roared in my veins. And so, I immediately answered. “Of course not! Who would it be? I was just walking, and picking up fresh pears, and, uh, strolling on the cabin. All done by myself.”
“All by yourself?”
I look straight in her eyes, hoisting my crossed fingers. “Yes, all by myself! Who would’ve commented on my body when it’s only me and you in this place, Mamita.” I scoffed and looked away, gripping the borderline of my cardigan.
But even with a poker face, my Mamita still sensed that, somehow, I was lying—
No. That I am lying.
God, that was awful. I couldn’t stand lying in front of Mamita. Acting and lying in front of my grandmother is too awkward. She knows me well—too well. She knows me more than I know myself. She smirked because of my hysteria. “There could only be someone you meet in these treacherous woods of ours, Cassidy.” She turned towards me, my eyes yielded in shock, betraying me. “Who is it?”I didn’t answer. My blood suddenly boiled because images of the strange man’s blood-soaked body appeared in my mind. Even though his body needed a few stitches, he still looks smoking hot. Seductive. And I couldn’t bear the idea of me being swept away by his appearance.‘Why am I thirsting over him if I loathed him?!’ I cursed my own mind, even my own thoughts are refusing to obey my emotions. “It sure looks like you did,” my mamita whispered when I still did not answer, giving me a look that says she finally found the last piece of a puzzle. “Tell me what happened, then. I couldn’t stand the dolefulne
“Well, you have to listen to me attentively.” His finger pointed to me, firm and bold. “You have to stop coming here. I don’t have plans to have you in my bed anyway.” The way my right hand instantly flew to his face made a clapping sound in the air. But he’s still chuckling.My fist turned into a ball of flaming fury after that, and I saw the redness on my skin as it sting me painfully. His jaw clenched, but there was still the amused face I beheld minutes ago. “I was just helping you and—” I spoke to him in a louder voice now. “I hate you. I hate you so much!” “My pleasure. My name is Zarion by the way.”With that, hot tears pooled down my cheeks and I found myself running away from him. Again. But this time, I know I’m not going back to that cabin anymore. Not after what he said to me. Never mind if that is my own cabin, I will not return there again whether he leaves or recovers. That’s not my problem anyway.Yet…I still found myself—telling myself—that no matter how hurt I a
“Please, Zarion…” I moaned, my pink lips parting as a soft breath left me before he tempted me once more.A shudder rakes down my spine. Running the tip of my tongue over the opening of my lips, I let out a sigh of relief when the side of my bed pushed down because of his weight. Zarion’s thoughts were lewd, I know. He wanted me so badly just like what I wanted. I’m innocent and young, yes, even a virgin. But this thirst flooding my soul…he’s the only one who can quench it. He needed me so much, wanted me so much. I can feel he never wanted or needed anything or anyone so much in his life the way he needed and wanted me. For him, I was his personal sanctuary—the only one he could go to and feel calm, relaxed. Just being around with me was enough to take him out of his worst moods. Slowly, his hands covered the right side of my neck as the tip of his nose traveled down the nape of my neck. Erratic pulses of my heart beating from my chest resound in my ears. There’s no turning back n
“Y–yes…” I finally answered his question as he slowly lifted me up.“Hmmm, differentiate it, then.”I was so delirious just because of his touches, the heat radiating from his sweaty palms. He’s touching my body everywhere that I couldn’t help but stifle erotic sounds I’d never know I could hear from myself. “D-Differentiate, what?” I exhaled.“The difference between romantic and sexual feelings.” The fuc—what? I couldn’t understand anything anymore because his calloused huge hands were touching my tits. He was teasing it, the way he wanted it to, and damn if that doesn’t make me feel things inside my thighs. He was so good at making me feel these foreign things.These strange things that are making me delirious. “Now I think you don’t understand the difference,” he giggled darkly. “Do you want me to show you instead? Show not tell, as they say….” I gasped. No, I gaped. This man—he’s everything I hated. Yet, still, I ached for him, every inch of him. I wanted and needed him in all
I shifted, my curiosity taking over my body. Why was he injured and wounded in the first place? “Where do you live? Do you even have a family?” “I don’t have a house. And no, I don’t have a family.” That was all he said—that was all his answer to my question. “Please, just stay…” I begged. “If you don’t have a house, then maybe you could live in one of the rooms in our castle. We have a lot of empty rooms that you could use and occupy. I promise I won’t tell my mamita.”“No, thanks.” Zarion’s throat bobbed. “That’s not a good idea.”“Why not?” Before I could say anything, he cut me off. “I’m on a quest.”“A quest…” my brows met. “Like a mystery to solve?”He nodded. “I’m looking for the witch that will give me the information about who’s my mate.” Mate? I don’t understand. A witch? I don’t understand either. I’m pretty sure that only exists in fairy tales and fantastical stories. “Okay, but—” I scratched my head. “You could do that while living in our castle, right?” I hate how my
Her jaw fell open, silence possessing her very being now. I saw how her breathing quickened the moment I said those words. It’s true—I love Zarion. Deeply. This is not just some puppy love that I used to have when I was fifteen.The moment I laid my eyes on him, I knew he’s the one who will take care of my life the way my father took care of my deceased mother. They may not be here with me, but based on the stories my grandmother shared with me, I know my deceased parents lived their life to the fullest.And I want to live mine with him. “Mamita, please listen to me—” “I am not listening to any of these absurd things again, Cassidy!” “But—”“You are just eighteen years old!” She bellowed, veins bulging in her forehead.“And I’m old enough to indulge in these things!” “Oh yeah? You already knew it? Then, you tell me then—” She heaved a deep sigh and pointed the walking stick at my chest. “What do you know about love, child?” I was taken aback because of the term she had called m
My heart won over my mind, my emotions took over any rational thoughts swarming within my brain. Nothing can stop me from going out into this castle now. Nothing—not until I find Zarion in the woods.Or in this city. Even if I walk barefoot across the world, I will find him.“Wherever you go, I will go, Zarion,” I whispered, letting the wind carry my words to wherever he is.“One step outside the castle, Cassidy, and you’re gone from our family.” I paused, bones stiffening. It’s as if I felt someone pour a pail of icy cold water amid the harsh winter weather. “If you go out tonight, I will abandon you—leave you. I will forget that I had known a family that goes by the name of Cassidy Salem Blythe.” Bile rose in my throat. Fear, not for myself but for the promise that—for eighteen years—I just broke now. You will take care of your grandmother, Cassidy. My mother once wrote in her journal, directly addressing me. I exhaled, willing the air to enter my lungs again. Pain etched in my ches
“Zarion!” I paused for a heartbeat to let my voice echo. “Zarion! Zarion!”But it was no use. I’ve been walking around the woods with an almost frozen body, a coat made of sheep’s skin is the only thing between me and the cold while shouting Zarion’s name. The snow kept falling, the wind whipping my hair as if it was dragging me back to the castle. It seems Mamita also has power over the wintry weather.There was a blizzard already shoving its here from the western horizon. I couldn’t find the right path anymore. There was no trace of him, his footprints might have faded with the wind’s harshness. Earlier, I caught his scent, a scent of cinnamon and vanilla, so I followed it. I know his scent is very feminine but I don’t even know where he got that too sweet fragrance. But to my dismay and misfortune, even before I could completely follow, it vanished. Just vanished, with no idea how.“Zarion, Please…” I prayed, coughing when a snowflake landed on my tongue. I don’t know why I’m utt